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The top 15 Halloween activities to enjoy
Halloween activities are the best way to spend the spooky season. From pumpkin carving to dressing up in your best Halloween costume, there are ways for the whole family to celebrate. Whether you’re looking for Halloween activities for kids or adults, we’ve got you covered at Away Resorts.
Kick back, relax and enjoy the changing seasons with these top Halloween activities.
Go trick-or-treating
Trick-or-treating is the first on our list and arguably the most obvious. It’s a beloved Halloween tradition, especially among children.
This activity involves dressing up in costumes and going door-to-door in your neighbourhood, saying "trick or treat!" to receive sweets and treats from neighbours.
While primarily a Halloween activity for kids, many adults enjoy accompanying their children or younger siblings. Some neighbourhoods even organise community-wide trick-or-treating events to ensure safety and maximise fun.
So, if you’re staying at a holiday park, check for any organised trick-or-treating events within the park or nearby communities.
Telling ghost stories
Telling ghost stories is a timeless Halloween activity that all ages can enjoy. This activity taps into the season's spooky atmosphere with stories ranging from child-friendly to absolutely terrifying! Ghost story sessions can be organised in various settings around a campfire, a sleepover, or a Halloween party. You could organise a ghost story night in your holiday park accommodation.
Scary movie night
A scary movie night is a classic Halloween activity perfect for groups of friends, couples, or families with older children. It's a great way to get into the Halloween spirit without leaving the comfort of your home or holiday accommodation. Dim the lights, get the popcorn and some spooky treats, and select the movie that best suits your group.
Learn about the history of Halloween
Delving into the history of the spooky season can be a fascinating and educational Halloween activity for kids and adults of all ages. The holiday has rich and complex origins, blending ancient Celtic traditions, Christian observances, and modern pop culture.
You could organise a Halloween history night where each person researches and presents a different aspect of Halloween's origins. Topics might include the Celtic festival of Samhain, the Christian influence of All Saints' Day, or how Halloween traditions have evolved in different countries. Don’t forget to dress up for your night!
Or why not consider visiting local historical sites or museums with Halloween-related exhibits? If you're staying at a holiday park, you could find themed tours or activities related to local Halloween or autumn traditions.
Pumpkin picking
Pumpkin picking has become increasingly popular in the UK in recent years. A fun autumn activity that ties in perfectly with Halloween preparations, many farms across the country now offer pumpkin patch experiences where you can pick your own pumpkins straight from the field. Many pumpkin patches also offer attractions like hay rides, corn mazes, or seasonal food stalls.
Pumpkin carving
Once you’ve chosen your pumpkin from a local patch, you’ll likely want to use it to decorate your home or accommodation. That’s right - it's time to transform it into a spooky jack-o'-lantern! Pumpkin carving is a quintessential Halloween activity that allows for creativity and fun for all ages.
To get started, you'll need a few tools such as a sharp knife (for the adults to use), a spoon for scooping, and perhaps some pumpkin carving tools.
Begin by cutting a lid around the stem or cutting a little hole in the back before hollowing out the pumpkin. Then, draw your design on the pumpkin before carefully carving it out.
For beginners or younger participants, start with simple designs like traditional jack-o'-lantern faces. If you’re a more experienced carver, you might attempt intricate patterns or even 3D designs. Don't forget to save the pumpkin seeds - they can be roasted for a tasty snack!
At Away Resorts, we offer pumpkin carving for all ages, so join us for 31 Days of Halloween and get creative!
Pumpkin painting
If pumpkin carving isn’t quite your thing but you still want to personalise your hand-picked decoration, pumpkin painting is a fantastic alternative. This Halloween activity allows for endless creativity and is often less messy than carving. To get started, clean the outside of your pumpkin and gather your painting supplies.
Acrylic paints work well on pumpkins. You could create simple designs with just paint, or get more elaborate with glitter, stickers, or other embellishments.
Pumpkin painting ideas are limitless - from classic Halloween motifs like ghosts and witches to more abstract designs. This activity is great for all ages and skill levels, making it perfect for family gatherings or group activities during your Halloween break.
Some holiday resorts might offer pumpkin painting sessions during their Halloween activities and events, but if not, it's an easy activity to organise in your accommodation - just remember to protect surfaces and clothes from paint spills!
Scavenger hunt
A Halloween-themed scavenger hunt is yet another exciting activity that combines problem-solving with the thrill of a chase. It's particularly popular with children but can be adapted for all ages.
To organise a scavenger hunt, create a list of Halloween-related items for everyone to search for. These could include things like a plastic spider or a small pumpkin.
For a more challenging hunt, you could even use riddles or clues instead of a straightforward list. Don’t forget a prize for the winner!
Enjoy an autumn picnic
An autumn picnic is a great way to celebrate the Halloween season while enjoying the beautiful seasonal colours. This Halloween activity is perfect for families, couples, or groups of friends who want to spend some time outdoors before the winter. Pack a basket with seasonal foods like pumpkin pie, apple cider, and Halloween-themed sandwiches. Bring blankets and extra layers.
Choose a scenic location for your picnic, such as a park with colourful autumn leaves or even a pumpkin patch. Many holiday parks are set in beautiful landscapes, so you probably won’t need to go far to enjoy this Halloween activity.
Halloween parties
Another fantastic way to celebrate the holiday with friends and family is Halloween parties. These Halloween activities can be tailored to any age group and can range from small, gatherings to large events. At Away Resorts, you’ll find lots of Halloween parties and events day and night, so you can really get into the spirit of Halloween.
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Halloween fashion show
Costumes are a key part of any Halloween activity. Making a Halloween fashion show the perfect way to showcase costumes and celebrate the holiday, no matter your age.
To organise a Halloween fashion show:
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Set up a ‘runway’ area – this could be as simple as a cleared space in a room or an outdoor path.
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Encourage participants to prepare their best Halloween costumes.
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Create categories for judging, such as "Scariest", "Most Creative", or "Best Group Costume".
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Arrange for music to accompany the show.
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Consider having prizes for the winners in each category.
For children, this can be a less intimidating alternative to trick-or-treating, while still allowing them to dress up. For adults, it's an opportunity to get creative and competitive with costumes. What’s not to love?
Decorate your home
Decorating your home or holiday accommodation for the spooky season is another fun Halloween activity that helps create a festive atmosphere. This can be a great group activity for families or friends, where everyone can contribute their creative ideas.
You could decorate using your carved pumpkins, hang fake spiders and cobwebs, create a spooky entrance with a fog machine or use orange and black streamers and balloons in the space.
Other ideas include a spooky tablescape, hanging ghost decorations and atmospheric music – the possibilities are endless!
Baking treats
Baking Halloween-themed treats is a delicious way to celebrate the holiday whether at home or on an October getaway. This Halloween activity for kids and adults is perfect for all ages. All you need is a sweet tooth and a love for spooky fun.
Some popular Halloween baking ideas include:
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Decorated cookies in the shape of pumpkins, ghosts, or bats
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Cupcakes with Halloween-themed icing designs
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A pumpkin pie or pumpkin bread – double points for using the pumpkin seeds you saved from carving
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Caramel or candy apples
Apple bobbing
Apple bobbing is a classic Halloween game that's been enjoyed for many generations. The activity involves trying to catch apples floating in water using only your teeth – no hands allowed!
To set up an apple bobbing game:
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Fill a large tub or bucket with water
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Add several apples (they will float)
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Take turns trying to grab an apple with your teeth
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Set a time limit for each player's turn to keep the game moving
This game is often enjoyed at Halloween parties or fall festivals. If you're staying at a holiday park, check if they organise any apple bobbing events.
While apple bobbing is traditionally associated with children's activities, it can be fun for all ages.
For a modern twist to the iconic Halloween game, you could try ‘hanging apple bobbing’ where apples are hung on strings, making the game a bit less messy (and wet) but still just as challenging.
Spooky arts and crafts
If you’re still looking for Halloween things to do, you might find engaging in Halloween-themed arts and crafts is exactly what you’re looking for. A fantastic way to get creative and decorate for the holiday, Halloween arts and crafts are particularly great for families with children but can be enjoyed by craft enthusiasts of all ages.
At Away Resorts, you’ll find lots of opportunities to create your own Halloween arts and crafts when you join us for 31 Days of Halloween!
The best Halloween activities – FAQs
Halloween is a great time to make memories with your loved ones and reconnect with nature. Whether you want to explore the great outdoors and get creative with Halloween arts and crafts, there’s something for everyone.
With this in mind, here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Halloween activities for kids and adults.
What are the most popular Halloween activities?
Many of the most popular Halloween activities have been outlined above, but there really are so many options. Some of the best things to do for Halloween often include:
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Trick-or-treating
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Costume parties
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Pumpkin carving
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Watching scary movies
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Visiting haunted houses or attractions
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Decorating homes and yards
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Baking Halloween-themed treats
These activities appeal to different age groups and can be adapted to suit all preferences.
What do you do on Halloween?
There are lots of things to do on Halloween. People typically engage in a variety of festive activities, such as dressing up in costumes, going trick-or-treating or attending Halloween parties.
You could also enjoy Halloween activities such as pumpkin carving, decorating your home, watching scary movies and dressing up. There are lots of things to do on Halloween at Away Resorts, with many local areas hosting Halloween-themed attractions and events as well.
What are some good Halloween games for kids?
There are many fun Halloween games suitable for children. For things to do on Halloween, why not try:
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Pumpkin bowling (using small pumpkins and toilet paper roll 'pins')
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A Halloween-themed scavenger hunt
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Mummy wrap race using toilet paper
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Pin the face on the pumpkin
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Halloween Bingo
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Witch hat ring toss
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Spooky sensory boxes
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Halloween freeze dance
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Decorating small pumpkins or making Halloween crafts
What is one of the most popular Halloween traditions in the UK?
While Halloween celebrations in the UK have traditionally been more low-key compared to countries like the United States. However, trick-or-treating is one of the most popular things to do on Halloween in the UK.
This activity, where children dress up in costumes and go door-to-door collecting sweets, has been widely adopted across the country.
Other popular Halloween traditions in the UK include carving pumpkins, hosting Halloween parties and going on ghost tours.
It's worth noting that the popularity of Halloween and its associated traditions can vary across different regions of the UK, so pick your staycation based on the types of traditions you’d like to enjoy.
What is a typical Halloween party game?
A classic Halloween party game is bobbing for apples, where you try to catch floating apples in a tub of water using only your mouth. However, there are many other popular Halloween party games, including Halloween-themed charades, mummy wrapping contests, costume contests and spooky scavenger hunts, just to name a few.
Enjoy unforgettable spookiness with the best Halloween activities!
Find the best Halloween activities for kids and adults this spooky season at Away Resorts. Whether you want to bake festive treats in your self-catering accommodation or join us for Halloween arts and crafts or a party, you’ll be in for a treat this Halloween.