In choosing adult Halloween games, party hosts will need to look beyond the usual Halloween game suggestions. While a gathering of twenty-somethings may not want to play "Pin the Nose on the Jack o'Lantern," they may enjoy a range of other Halloween-oriented games.
Group Halloween Game Ideas for Adults
There are many Halloween games that adults will enjoy playing at a party. Games are not just for kids. They can liven up a party and break the ice if the guests do not all know each other very well. The following are some simple ideas to consider as games for your party:
- Best Costume Contest: Be sure that your guests know to arrive in costume. You can have various categories to judge such as scariest, funniest, sexiest, and silliest costume.
- Pumpkin Carving Contest : Guests of all ages can carve pumpkins as a group or individually. Be sure to set up an area where the mess can be made and easily cleaned up. Plastic covers make cleaning up a breeze. Be sure to have tools on hand for pumpkin carving and let the guests be as creative as they choose. Guests can vote for their favorite designs.
Make It Challenging
Get your guests to use their brains in challenging games such as:
- Horror Movie Trivia: Create trivia questions ahead of time based on different horror movies. Split the guests into teams and see who can answer the most questions correctly.
- Newlywed Game: Pair couples up and the one who answers the most questions correctly is the winner. Get creative with the questions and make it as much fun to hear as to answer.
- Halloween Charades: Write down different words or phrases pertaining to the Halloween season and have guests break up into teams and act out the words. The activity is a fun way to bring guests together.
- Guessing Games: This game can have endless variations, such as how many candy corns are in the jar, and is a fun idea for those not willing to participate in other types of games.
Get Your Guests Moving
Games that require guests to mingle and move around are often the biggest hits. Some ideas to consider include:
- Musical Chairs: Play Halloween music and have your guests play the childhood favorite musical chairs. Whoever is left without a seat once the music stops, is out of the game.
- Murder Mystery: Make up your own mystery and have guests take part in acting out your game. Be sure to include Halloween themed scenarios with lots of horror.
- Halloween Karaoke: Have your guests sing along to various Halloween songs. Make it a contest and have guests compete against one another.
More Ideas for Adult Halloween Games
Adults, like kids, enjoy being entertained. Add a surprising twist to your Halloween party by incorporating a few fun games into the party's festivities.
Board Games
If you are having a smaller party or want to offer several activity options to your guests, consider a selection of board games with horror themes or settings. For instance, Last Night on Earth: The Zombie Game will put your guests inside a B-grade zombie movie. One or two players take on the role of the rampaging zombies while the remaining players become horror movie archetypes. This game even comes with a soundtrack to enhance the atmosphere.
Other games with a horror theme include:
- Arkham Horror: This adventure board game contains over 700 pieces and has players take on different roles to fight monsters in the streets of the city of Arkham.
- Betrayal at House on the Hill: Players are sent to explore a haunted house filled with mysterious secrets and nightmares.
- Call of Cthulhu: This horror based role-playing game is filled with action and adventure and has players set out to battle evil.
- Doom: The Board Game: Scenarios are set before the game begins and players are either on the Invaders or Marines sides. This game is modeled after the popular video game.
- Goth: The Game of Horror Trivia: A macabre-themed game of questions that allow players to guess the answers to gothic and popular culture trivia items.
Some of these games have complex rules and playing systems, so you will want to familiarize yourself with a new title before the party. These board games and other horror titles are typically found at specialty game stores, hobby shops and numerous online retailers.
Kids' Games for Grown Ups
Occasionally, kids' Halloween party games, such as bobbing for apples or pumpkin bowling, will be acceptable for adults as a fun reminder of childhood. You will have to know your guests to determine whether the idea would be considered an enjoyable trip to the past or unbearably silly. Of course, make the games optional. Sometimes watching guests play the games is as enjoyable as playing them yourself.
Some fun games to play at your party include:
Mummy Wrap
To play mummy wrap, divide the guests into teams of two to four. Ask the groups to decide which member will become the mummy. Pass out several rolls of toilet paper to each team and set a time limit. The other group members must then use the toilet paper to wrap their mummy as quickly as possible. You can provide tape or other fasteners to help keep the toilet paper in place or make figuring it out part of the challenge. At the end of the allotted time, the team with the best-wrapped mummy will be the winner.
Scavenger Hunt
You can create a traditional scavenger hunt list of items to collect or plan a video or photo hunt where guests have to capture the moment on film. A scavenger hunt that takes guests around town will be even more memorable if they are in costume. Take advantage of your guests' maturity to include things on the list that wouldn't be found in a kids' scavenger hunt, such as a matchbook from a local bar or a suggestive photo. However, be sure not to include anything on the list that might offend partygoers. Set a time limit and afterwards, gather for refreshments, prizes and a chance to share your stories of the hunt.
Halloween Bingo
Just like the traditional game of Bingo, but the squares are filled with words related to Halloween. Fill the cards with words such as:
- Black cat
- Bat
- Witch
- Spooky
- Costume
- Candy
- Scary
- Boo!
Players will listen for words, and then mark their squares with candy corn. Instead of yelling Bingo, yell Halloween.
Fun for Adults
Halloween games don't have to be childish. With these suggestions for adult Halloween games, you can keep guests of all ages happy. Put a creative twist on an old game or come up with an idea entirely unique. Whatever you decide is sure to be a hit with your guests and will turn your Halloween party into something unforgettable.
