If you’re looking for indoor Halloween party ideas, we’re here to help. We’ve got adult Halloween party ideas to impress your friends, as well as Halloween party ideas for kids that will thrill them. Look below for some spooky inspiration.
Main Takeaways
- For adult Halloween party ideas, there’s the Guess the Villian icebreaker game, the two-truths-and-a-lie icebreaker game, the presentation game, face painting, horror movie night, horror movie trivia, ghost story sharing, the Werewolf game, tarot card or astrology reading, and pumpkin carving.
- Some great Halloween party ideas for kids are pumpkin painting, scavenger hunts, a cookie stacking contest, sensory bins, the marshmallow toss game, musical chairs, charades, the wrap the mummy game, and the donuts on a string game.
Adult Halloween Party Ideas
First, let’s look at some indoor Halloween party ideas that you and your friends will love. Our Northern Virginia property management company researched hospitality experts’ ideas, like at HGTV, Good Housekeeping, Eventbrite, Popsugar, and Country Living, to narrow down the very best tips available. Without further ado, here they are:
1. Guess the Villian
With “Guess the Villian,” you attach the name of a villain on peoples’ backs. Next, each person can ask around to see what their identity is, getting more and more hints until they guess correctly. By using this Halloween party idea, you can break the ice, so everyone gets acquainted with one another.
2. Two Truths and a Lie
This tried-and-true game is another great icebreaker. In it, you ask the other person two truths and a lie about themselves. This lets everyone get to know each other better.
3. Face Painting
Everyone can channel their inner artist with this Halloween party idea. Get a bunch of makeup palettes and brushes ready so that people can dress their faces up like a cat, witch, or virtually any other creature under the sun!
4. Presentation Game
In this game, everyone must prepare a PowerPoint about a topic they’re passionate about. For example, if you’re a pop culture expert, you could do a deep dive into your favorite celebrity scandal. The possibilities are endless!
5. Ghost Story Sharing
Gather around a circle to share spooky stories that will scare people’s socks off. To get people really invested, choose stories that are relevant to the people attending. For example, you could talk about local legends, or famous ones, like the Loch Ness Monster. People will be shaking in their boots!
Also, to really set the scene for this, you could decorate your house with some easy DIY Halloween décor. With these, you can complete your home’s festive ambiance.
6. The Werewolf Game
This game will be a favorite with tactical thinkers and mystery lovers alike. In the Werewolf game, people play as villagers, and the Werewolf targets them. The villagers must deduce who the Werewolf is before it eliminates them all from the game.
7. Horror Movie Night
In terms of indoor Halloween party ideas, few are more classic than a good, old horror movie party. Whether you want to watch the Saw movies or something campy like the Rocky Horror Picture Show, you can have a marathon.
8. Horror Movie Trivia
Another classic is horror movie trivia. Think of all the categories you could make, like oldie-but-goodies, obscure movie deep cuts, famous quotes, behind-the-scenes info, and more.
Foster that team spirit by putting everyone into groups. Even better, you can cultivate some friendly competition by giving the winning team a special prize.
9. Tarot Card or Astrology Reading
If you want to show guests what’s written in the stars, you could give them an astrology or tarot card reading. Everyone will enjoy getting a little glimpse into their future!
10. Halloween Costume Contest
No Halloween party would be complete without a costume contest. To really rev things up, you could give different types of awards, like “funniest costume,” “best couple’s costume,” “scariest costume,” and so on. This way, everyone feels included and appreciated.
11. Pumpkin Carving Contest
For more contest-related indoor Halloween party ideas, you could try a pumpkin carving contest. Put teams’ creativity to the test to see who can paint a certain theme the best or let everyone use their pumpkins as a blank canvas. Either way, you’ve got the recipe for a night of fun!
Halloween Party Ideas for Kids
Now, we’ll explore some Halloween party ideas for kids that will make lasting memories.
1. Pumpkin Painting
Pumpkin carving might be a little dangerous for the younger kiddos, but all ages are sure to enjoy simple pumpkin painting. They can paint all sorts of shapes and whimsical designs onto the pumpkin. Then, they can take it home to proudly display as a party favor!
2. Scavenger Hunt
Want indoor Halloween party ideas that take your kids on an adventure? Try a scavenger hunt! You could have the kids search for Halloween symbols like a witch’s broom, a jar of candy corn, a plastic spider, and more mainstays. You’ll keep them on their toes!
3. Cookie Stacking Contest
For easy entertainment, let kids have a cookie stacking contest. Whoever stacks them the tallest without them falling over can win a prize!
4. Sensory Bins
Surprise kids with surprise-filled sensory bins. Fill the bins with rice, small toys, sand, cauliflower, or cold spaghetti noodles for a smorgasbord of textures. Then, cover them with a small hole to put your hand in. The kids will shriek with shock and delight as they feel all kinds of textures, from slimy to grainy.
5. Marshmallow Toss
Bring carnivals to your home with a can-toss-inspired game: the marshmallow toss game! To set it up, get a bunch of orange cups and draw funny faces on them. Fill them with marshmallows. Then, stack the cups in a pyramid. Finally, get some bean bags to throw at the cans and you’re all set! Whoever knocks the most cans down in five rounds is the winner. Plus, everyone can get marshmallows in the end!
6. Musical Chairs
Load your Halloween playlist, set up some chairs in a circle, and have the kids move when the music stops. As the number of chairs gradually dwindles, the last person sitting wins!
7. Charades
Give the kids the chance to flaunt their acting side with some charades. Encourage them to act out spooky roles, like a witch, ghost, werewolf, spider, or other playful picks!
8. Wrap the Mummy
Put people into teams and designate one team member as the mummy. Then, the other members must wrap toilet paper around the designated member to “mummify” them. In the end, whoever completes this transformation fastest or most realistically can win. As a tip, to get cheap toilet paper for this purpose, you could go to the dollar store.
9. Donuts on a String
All this requires is some butcher’s twine and donuts. Hang some of the twine across the room, stringing donuts along the line. Then, set up a situation where kids can only grab the donuts with their mouths—no hands allowed! Even better, the game’s reward is already right there for the taking.
To make indoor Halloween party ideas like this less messy, you could have a placeholder mat or sheet on the floor that collects any crumbs. This way, you can have fun without the messes.
Have a Better Rental Experience with PPM Northern Virginia
With some timeless indoor Halloween party ideas, you can make your loved ones’ nights a time to remember. Whether you’re entertaining your friends or family, there’s something everyone will enjoy.
In the meantime, if you’re a renter or landlord who wants to streamline their rental experience, we’re here to help. PPM’s property managers can take care of issues that impact tenants, like:
- Repairs
- Property maintenance
- Legal compliance
- Lease renewals
- Inspections
- Rent collection
- Prompt, responsive communication about these (and other) issues
…And other matters on the landlords’ behalf. This way, tenants get the customer service they deserve, and landlords can have less on their plate. Contact us today to learn more about our rental listings and services!