No sooner had we sniffed out some of the few Halloween events which were going on than they were all shattered by another lockdown. So, if that’s the way it is, let’s have a fantastic HALLOWEEN AT HOME and show this pandemic we can still have fun together, in spite of it.
We realise this will never be quite the same as a spooky walk through the forest, or an evening dressing up and heading out to Trick or Treat with the kids. At the end of the day, all of us, young and old, just want to have a scary time, so let’s help you with a few ideas to get you thinking.
For a bit of fun we’ve had our team put some child friendly Halloween images together which you can download from the link below. Feel free to do with them as you like.
They have also created some pumpkin coloured social media images if you want to add those to your phone or posts. And it appears our team are right into the Halloween spirit, we’ve just added some pictures the kids can cut out and stick all over the place…….
Let’s kick off our list with things for the whole family to enjoy. A little further down we have some stuff for the adults too…..
FAMILY STUFF
HALLOWEEN PICNIC (INDOORS)
If it’s all a little too scary out there for some members of the family, why not have a halloween themed picnic, indoors. Set out a picnic blanket and basket of food and eat your spooky dinner as though you were having a picnic. Things like this are often the catalyst for a surprisingly fun-filled evening.
HALLOWEEN BINGO
We all love a bit of Bingo, throw Halloween into the mix and it becomes even more fun. CLP have created some really cute bingo cards which you can download and print as you need.
There are 8 Halloween Bingo game boards that look something like this one.
Each one is a little different. The set also includes the cards you need to cut out and draw from in order to play.
This is the perfect amount of cards for any socially-distanced bubble.
Cut out the 8 game boards.
On the last page, you will find a grid with all of the images from the Halloween Bingo Cards. Cut these out and use it as a draw pile to play the game.
Give each child/player a bingo board. When you draw the cat picture, the players get to put a marker on the image of a cat on their boards. Just make sure you have something to use as markers.
First one to get 5 in a row (vertical, horizontal, or diagonal) wins.
A HALLOWEEN SCAVENGER HUNT
A little like the Easter Egg Hunt, only this time with all things Halloween. Sorry Mum & Dad, this will involve a lot of sweets. Everyone (kids & adults) loves hunting for hidden things. Write or type up a list (or print the one above) of things that need to be found and give a copy to everyone. Put a time limit on how long they have to locate the articles. You could even place the odd scary spider or plastic skeleton in appropriate, hidden places.
HALLOWEEN COOKING SHOW
You’ve seen these cooking shows on TV, now you could film your own, with the kids starring in it. Get them to pretend they are hosting their own cooking show and video it. Make sure the whole family participates, in one way or another. Watching it back while you all eat the ghoulish goodies they’ve made will be such a laugh.
MAKE A SCARY SCARECROW
Very easy this, get some clothes from the wardrobe (maybe Dad’s 80s classics would do) and make a suitably scary scarecrow. It’ll take a while if you spend time planning, designing and getting the materials. Of course, you also have a ready to go addition to your Bonfire activities as well.
- STAGE A VIRTUAL HALLOWEEN FANCY DRESS PARTY (ZOOM, SKYPE, FACETIME)
- CARVE OUT A PUMPKIN AND USE IT AS YOUR SWEET CONTAINER
- MAKE YOUR OWN TOFFEE APPLES
- MAKE AND SEND HALLOWEEN CARDS TO FAMILY & FRIENDS
- DECORATE HALLOWEEN COOKIES
FREE PUMPKIN TEMPLATES
THE MONSTER FREEZE DANCE
This is like musical chairs, without the chairs. Nice and easy this one, but loads of fun. Every player dances to the music (in their monster halloween costume of course), and then freeze when it turns off. Last spook standing wins.
THE CREEPY HALLOWEEN FEEL BOX
We really love this one, especially if you get mushy, gooey, furry, strange stuff to put in the box. It is always a favourite Halloween game where we are, and it’s suitable for all ages. This is not only about the players being brave enough to feel around in the box, it’s their reaction before and after which make this such fun.
MAKE SOME ‘EYEBALL’ PUNCH
This will SEE you through the whole evening we reckon, easy to make, as long as you’re a good PUPIL………
- Drain 2 (15 fl oz) cans lychees, reserving 1½ cups of syrup.
- Carefully stuff blackberries (from a 6 fl oz container) in each lychee; chill.
- Stir together reserved syrup, 4 cups tart cherry juice, and 1 cup fresh orange juice in a large pitcher; chill.
- Add stuffed lychees and 3 (12 fl oz) bottles/cans chilled sparkling water to punch.
- Serve over ice. Makes 12 servings.
For a sweeter drink, substitute ginger ale or lemonade for sparkling water.
As for the grown-ups version – Stir 1½ cups vodka or light rum into the punch.
A cup is around half a pint……
MAKE THE MOON
In 1874, a book featuring photographs of Plaster of Paris models of the moon was released. The images turned out so real, many wondered if they were taken on the moon. National Geographic kids show you how to make them. Get the details HERE
In fact the whole site is full of brilliant stuff to kids of all ages entertained. Yes, it is very American, but honestly, that they have on the site is so entertaining and informative. NATIONAL The UK site is different in its feel, but equally awesome, take a look here GEOGRAPHIC
WRAP UP MUMMY
Don’t worry Mum, we don’t mean you, although we reckon the kids will have a great time getting you involved. Use toilet or crepe paper to see who can wrap a human mummy the fastest. After the game, and you’ve taken lots of pictures, reverse the fun by making another race to “undress” the mummy and get all the toilet paper in the bin. It really is the perfect way to get the kids to help with the tidying up.
Just be aware of the current situation and how much loo roll you use.
HOW MUCH HALLOWEEN CANDY IS IN THE JAR
You can simply fill a jar with sweets, jelly beans, or chocolate raisins are really good. Leave the jar in the middle of the table and let people guess how many are in it. The one who guesses correctly, or closest either over or under (set the rules before you play), wins the jar of sweeties.
- TELL SPOOKY STORIES
- HAVE A HOUSE HALLOWEEN TREASURE HUNT
- MAKE SOME HALLOWEEN ORIGAMI GHOSTS
- COOK A SPOOKY HALLOWEEN FAMILY DINNER
HORROR MOVIE MARATHON
There’s nothing better than settling down, lights off and lots of junk food, to enjoy scary movies on the most horrifying night of the year. It’s unlikely there’ll be Trick or Treaters this year so be brave and settle down. Actually, the list we’ve directed you to isn’t scary at all – much. So here are the 25 SCARY MOVIES FOR KIDS, WHICH AREN’T TOO SCARY
Have a look at the 10 pictures below and see if you can work out which movies they are from, then check out the full list for yourself.
A FEW FOR THE GROWN-UPS
ELSA DRINKING GAME
This is a new one to us but we kinda like it. It’s been going around on Facebook and Instagram and I’m totally doing it. It’s not a tricky one, every time you see Elsa, have a drink. We’re not advocating large amounts of alcohol here. It could be a soft drink, alcohol free or something else. Your game, your choice.
HAVE A SPOOKY DINNER PARTY
If you’re staying home then why not do something other than a party. Have friends over for a virtual dinner. Plan a menu together, set the table, set up the screen, and away you go.
There is so much you could do. Halloween Hummus. Pumpkin and Lentil Soup. Spiced Roasted Apples. You get the idea. Just have a look at Pinterest and you’ll find a ton of suitable recipes.
PLAY A SCARY VIDEO GAME
There are so many creepy video games out there these days. Our favourite is probably, RESIDENT EVIL. Same rules as the movies. Lights out, sound up and away you go.
TAKE A BLOOD BATH
We don’t mean real blood, of course. Draw a nice warm bath and throw in a red bath bomb or maybe even an eyeball bath bomb and BOOM! Perhaps a red bulb in your light or some suitable candles would add to the mood.
FOR COUPLES ONLY
Halloween is so good for cuddling up together and enjoying a spooky evening. It can though be so much more. So, here are the SOUTH WALES LIFE ideas for couples – once the kids are tucked up in bed.
Thing to do together…….
- Carve a pumpkin – together
- Bake a scary Halloween cake – together
- Make a Bloody Mary cocktail, then drink it – together
- Decorate your room – together
- Get dressed up in matching costumes
Let’s make it romantic…….
- Share scary stories with a sexy spin
- We here there’s a good range of Glow-In-The-Dark body paint
- Try a Halloween-inspired romantic meal
- Surprise your partner with a sexy costume (check out Big Bang Theory)
- Experiment with edible clothing (you know what we mean)
I HATE HALLOWEEN
So, you are at the point in life where you are either all done with the Halloween thing or you are the proverbial Halloween Grinch. If that’s the case, here’s a a few alternatives to help you on your way.
SUPERMARKET SWEEP FOR REDUCED PRICE SWEETS Chances are Halloween candy will already be on sale. So you can stock your sweetie stash for the year at a fraction of the price. It happens at Easter so we’re certain Halloween will be the same.
GO ON A DATE WITH ANOTHER HALLOWEEN HATER Trust us when we say you won’t be the only Halloween Hater out there. This is a perfect ice-breaker and who knows where it might lead. It’s the ultimate anecdote to awkwardness. Be aware that the date right now will have to be virtual, or someone in your family bubble who feels the same.
STAY AT HOME AND EAT SWEETS Be like the Halloween Scrooge, stay at home and eat all the sweets yourself. I’ve done it. Not because I don’t like Halloween, I love it. I just love sweets even more. Trick or Treaters won’t be happy, but then again, they’re not turning up this year.
GO SHOPPING If you’re not indulging in the Halloween thing just think of the money you’ve saved. Do some shopping (may have to be online) and buy yourself a little treat.
HAVE A CHRISTMAS PARTY You don’t like halloween so you must enjoy Christmas. Why not throw the first festive party of the season. Not as mad as you think. Just ask Mr Christmas. Yes, he really exists, we know him. His name is Andy Park and he celebrates Christmas every single day of the year. MR CHRISTMAS and we mean EVERY DAY without fail.
CLEAR THE SKELETONS OUT OF YOUR WARDROBE If you don’t enjoy wearing costumes anymore, why not use the night to clear out your wardrobe. If they’re anything like ours, most of the clothes are far scarier than anything you’d buy anyway.
WEAR AN UNSUITABLE HALLOWEEN COSTUME Or don’t is our advice. There are some unbelievably ridiculous, inappropriate costumes for sale on pretty reputable sites. No explanation, we’re sure you get what they’re supposed to be. Please don’t wear them.
CARVE A LANTERN – OUT OF SOMETHING DIFFERENT Nothing says ‘up yours Halloween’ than a lantern carved out of something strange. Pineapple is particularly good.
