Halloween is a time for having fun with friends and family, getting dressed up, decorating your home, taking the kids trick or treating and gathering for ghost stories. But don’t let the cold, miserable weather put you off, there are plenty of ways to have a Happy Halloween at home, meaning you can still have a spooktacular time.
Costume competition
Even though it’s cold and rainy any your trick or treating might be rained off, you can still have your own costume competition at home. Go all out and buy your costumes or do your own DIY outfits from things you can find around the house. Make it a competition for the best costume from items around the house, think mummies from toilet paper or ghosts with old bed sheets. Extend the fun and invite your friends and family over, hosting your own fiendish fashion show. Give everyone a budget for their costume or even a theme and score each other’s creations.
Pumpkin carving
Fun no matter your age but can be a pretty messy pastime. Pumpkins can be bought from most supermarkets and are relatively cheap, between £1-£2 each depending on the size. Our tip: invest in a pumpkin carving kit, they’re inexpensive and come in handy. Plus, they won’t ruin your expensive cutlery! Let your creativeness run wild, why not carve a scene from your favourite movie, character or even try a self-portrait. Don’t feel too artistic? Why not carve your name or stick to the traditional jack-o-lantern? Don’t forget to light them up and place them at your windows or your front door for all to see. Plus you can use the leftovers for some pumpkin soup!
Menacing move night
Halloween is the perfect night to settle in for movie night. Close the curtains, light some candles, get your cosiest blanket and favourite treats and settle down for a night of spooky movies. Need something kid friendly? Coraline, Monsters House, The Addams Family and Ghostbusters are great family Halloween movies. If you’re going all out then don’t forget the classics like The Shining, Poltergeist, Halloween and our favourite, Scream.
Create a Haunted House
Dressing up doesn’t have to stop at costumes, remember you can dress up your home too and make your own Haunted House. Shops like B&M, Poundland, Asda and Aldi have great ranges of inexpensive decorations from spooky lights, streamers, balloons and spooky signs. Why not serve up dinner on some creepy plates or drink out of gruesome goblets? The good news is that you can store anything you buy and use for next year too.
If you’re looking for a fun, but tasty activity, why not bake a Haunted Gingerbread House? Think Christmas meets Halloween. Build a simple house shape but decorate with black and green icing. And don’t worry if your baking skills aren’t great and the house looks a bit wonky, the more crooked the better for a creepy, run down vibe.
Ghoulish games
Halloween is when we can truly let out our childish side and nothing screams more fun than some ghoulish games. Nothing beats dunking for apples but why not create your own games at home like a spooky scavenger hunt, Halloween bingo, pin the bone on the skeleton or I-Spy.
Or why not all take turns to tell your favourite ghost story?
Whatever your plans this Halloween, remember to have fun and stay safe.