Halloween Party Games: 11 Scary Games

September 15, 2025 8 min read

Key Takeaways

Each game brings something totally different to the party, so there’s never a dull moment.
Small touches like lighting, sound, and props make a huge impact on the vibe.
The goal is spooky fun that gets everyone laughing, not full-blown terror.

So, you’ve got the fog machine, the skeleton snacks, and the spooky playlist queued up, but what’s a Halloween party without some scream-worthy games? Whether you're entertaining pint-sized trick-or-treaters, brave teens, or grownups who live for a good jump scare, the right activities will turn your bash from basic to bone-chilling.

We dug up 11 of the most thrilling, chilling, and totally different Halloween party games for 2025. Some are creepy classics with a twist, others are brand-new viral dares. A few are totally kid-friendly, and a few are definitely not. Ready to raise some spirits?

Let’s play.

1. The Floor Is Lava: Haunted Edition

This classic playground game gets a full Halloween glow-up. Instead of just yelling “floor is lava,” create a full obstacle course of spooky “safe zones” throughout your space.

These can be pillows shaped like jack-o-lanterns, cardboard coffins, glow-in-the-dark bones, or even our inflatable lawn snakes. Turn off most of the lights, crank the eerie soundtrack, and suddenly the stakes are higher.

Add extra flair like:

Spooky ambient lighting
Motion-activated props (think: cackling witches or jumping spiders)
Bonus dares for players who fall into the “lava”

You can play in rounds or time who can get from start to finish the fastest without falling. It’s all about staying on your toes — literally.

Tip: Use glow tape to outline the “lava” for extra visual fun in low light.

2. Dead Man’s Relay

You’ve heard of three-legged races and wheelbarrow relays. Now, meet Dead Man’s Relay. This spooky obstacle course is designed for grown-ups who want to feel like they’re in a haunted boot camp.

Divide into teams and set up a relay with creepy challenges like:

Grave Digging: Use plastic shovels to uncover bones buried in a sandbox or bin of packing peanuts.
Body Transport: Carry a dummy (or a teammate wrapped in toilet paper) from one end of the yard to the other without dropping them.
Crypt Code: Solve a Halloween riddle or puzzle to unlock the next leg of the race.

The whole thing should be silly, slightly spooky, and high energy. Costumes are encouraged. Time each team and crown the fastest ghoul crew.

Tip: Play spooky music and keep a “referee” on hand dressed as the Grim Reaper. It just feels right.

3. Spirit Box Story Chain

This eerie storytelling game is built for cozy corners and creative minds. The setup is simple: one person starts a spooky tale with a single sentence (“It was 2:33 a.m. when the scratching started…”), then passes the “spirit box” to the next guest, who continues the story with their own sentence, and so on.

The “spirit box” can be anything creepy: a flashlight mic, a decorated jar, or a Halloween-themed speaker that plays ambient sounds. The story gets weirder and more hilarious with each pass.

To elevate it:

Add a bowl of prompts (e.g. “rotting jack-o’-lantern,” “unread text message from 1862”)
Dim the lights and use glow sticks or lanterns
Have someone transcribe the whole thing as a party keepsake

You can go scary, funny, or absurd, and best of all, no one needs to be a natural storyteller. Just vibe with it.

4. The Séance Game

This one’s part mystery game, part improv theater, and fully immersive. Everyone sits in a circle, candles flickering, with one player secretly chosen as the ghost. The group must “summon a spirit” by holding hands and asking yes-or-no questions to try and uncover who among them has crossed over to the other side.

Here’s how it works:

Before the game begins, everyone closes their eyes. A host taps one player; they’re the ghost.
The séance begins with dramatic ambiance: dim lighting, a spooky soundtrack, and lots of whispering.
Players take turns asking questions like: “Were you wronged in life?” or “Do you recognize anyone here?”
The ghost answers however they want, but must avoid being found out.
At any moment, the ghost can choose to possess someone by letting out a dramatic scream, groan, or whisper, ending the round in spooky style.

Tip: Use a FUNBOY Kiddie Pool filled with cushions as the séance circle for bonus flair. It makes the space feel enclosed and extra atmospheric without needing a dark basement.

5. Pumpkin Panic Pass

This one's like hot potato, but make it spooky. Have the kids sit in a circle and pass around a mini pumpkin while Halloween music plays. When the music stops, whoever’s holding the pumpkin has to draw a card with a silly “scare dare” on it.

Dare ideas include:

Cackle like a wicked witch
Walk like a mummy
Do a zombie catwalk
Pretend to be a ghost stuck in traffic

Once the dare is done, the pumpkin goes back in circulation. Keep it light and silly, and let the kids opt out if they want.

6. Hide and Shriek

This is grown-up hide-and-seek with a haunted house twist. Turn the lights down low, put on eerie sound effects (or absolute silence), and choose one person to be the “Haunter.” They hide somewhere in the party space while the rest of the guests quietly walk around trying to find them.

But here’s the kicker: when someone does find the Haunter, they’ll get jump-scared, either by a yell, a tap, or a dramatic slow whisper. Whoever screams the loudest or reacts the biggest becomes the next Haunter.

Tip: Limit the hiding area for safety (no closets or basements) and keep things playful, not terrifying. Use glow-in-the-dark markers or bracelets so you can keep track of everyone in the dark!

7. The Buried Box Mystery

This is part scavenger hunt, part escape room, and all-around awesome. Before the party, prep a “buried” or hidden box filled with Halloween-themed trinkets (fake bones, creepy notes, glow sticks, candy, or challenge cards). Then plant clues around your yard or party space that lead teams to the location.

You can:

Write riddles on aged “parchment” (tea-stained paper for the win)
Use blacklights to reveal secret messages
Create a “map” with cursed coordinates and spooky drawings
Include booby traps like silly string spiders or slime-filled cups along the way

First team to solve the mystery and find the box wins a prize or unleashes the “curse” and must complete one final silly group challenge.

Tip: Want to go next-level? Use our Floating Cabana Baras the final prize chest. Fill it with candy, drinks, or mini favors, even if you’re not near water, it’s the perfect unexpected treasure reveal.

8. Witching Hour Costume Switch

At the stroke of midnight (or any “witching hour” you choose), guests must each swap one piece of their costume with someone else. Hats, wigs, capes, random accessories — nothing is off-limits. The result? A party full of ridiculous mashups, creepy couture hybrids, and pure mayhem.

Once everyone’s in their new Franken-fits, gather for a group photo and let the crowd vote on:

Best Costume Mutation
Most Likely To Haunt a Runway
Worst (aka Best) Fashion Crime

Set the mood by dimming the lights, cueing dramatic music, and announcing the switch with a “witch’s cackle” over a mic or speaker.

9. The Exorcism Game (Parody Roleplay)

Split your group into two teams: The Possessed and The Priests. The goal? The priests must “banish” the demons using only over-the-top lines from horror movies, homemade props (holy water = spray bottle), and spooky sound effects.

But here’s the twist: if they fumble their exorcism or laugh mid-performance, the demon takes over them. Yep, now they’re possessed, too. Last priest standing wins.

Examples of dramatic lines to include:

“The power of snacks compels you!”
“You’ll never take my soul — I just decorated it.”
“Not today, Satan… I have brunch plans.”

Tip: Use our giant inflatable movie screen as your over-the-top Exorcism Theater. Project creepy visuals (think static, flames, or vintage horror clips), add a fog machine and dramatic lighting, and suddenly your backyard becomes Vatican meets Hollywood.

Bonus points if the “possessed” crawl dramatically in front of the screen mid-scene like it’s a live horror movie premiere.

10. Zombie Tag: Infection Edition

This one's a crowd-pleaser. One guest starts as the “Patient Zero” zombie. Once they tag someone, that person joins the undead horde — and so it spreads. The last human standing wins if they survive long enough.

To make it epic:

Give each “human” a glow stick necklace or bracelet
Once tagged, the glow stick comes off
Play in the dark or with low orange/purple lighting
Use spooky music or zombie groans for extra drama

End it with a group “zombie dance” party — crank Thriller and let the undead boogie.

11. The Haunted Dare Booth

Picture a spooky spin on a kissing booth. Set up a curtained corner decked out with cobwebs, flickering lights, and a sign like: “Enter if you dare...”

Guests step inside and draw a dare card (or spin a wheel!) that they must complete behind the curtain. Cue screams, laughter, or dramatic gasps to amp up the mystery for those waiting.

Dare ideas:

Let out your creepiest cackle
Reenact a horror movie scene
Eat a mystery snack labeled “Ghoul Guts”
Dance like a possessed ballerina

Want to crank up the suspense? Encourage the dare-doer to make just enough noise behind the curtain (a gasp, a groan, a single maniacal giggle) so the next guest has no idea what they’re walking into. The anticipation is half the fun.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I keep scary games fun and not too terrifying for kids?

It’s all about tone. Lean into spooky, not scarring. Think creaky sound effects, dramatic storytelling, and kid-friendly dares instead of anything gory or nightmare-fuel. Keep the lighting low, not pitch black, and always give kids the option to opt out or buddy up.

What’s the best way to break the ice if people don’t know each other?

Start with something silly, not scary. Games like Pumpkin Panic Pass or Witching Hour Costume Switch are perfect for getting people laughing without needing to be close friends. Once the giggles start, even shy guests usually open up.

How long should each game last?

Plan on 15 to 20 minutes per game, max. Anything longer and guests start checking their phones or drifting off to the snack table. Rotate between high-energy games and chill ones (like storytelling or the Séance Game) to keep the party flowing without burnout.

Ready To Scare, Share, and Scream Again Next Year?

At FUNBOY, we’re all about making your holiday moments extra, and Halloween is no exception. Whether you’re channeling full Final Girl energy, corralling sugar-hyped kids into a game of Zombie Tag, or hosting a séance in a kiddie pool filled with throw pillows (iconic, honestly), these games are made to keep your party buzzing from dusk ‘til dead of night.

So go big, get spooky, and don’t forget to laugh till you scream. And if you need a backdrop for your haunted hide-and-seek, a cozy circle for your séance, or the ultimate inflatable screen for your dramatic exorcism finale, you know we’ve got you.

Until next Halloween, keep it FUNBOY-scary.

Sources:

The history of Halloween | Live Science

THREE-LEGGED RACE definition | Cambridge English Dictionary

History of the Haunted House Industry | Haunted House Association

Hot Potato | Playworks