Boo-tiful Halloween Party Ideas for Kids! 6 Tips for Your Next Fall Party

Halloween parties are just around the corner - this year make yours a little bit spooky and a lot of fun! If you’re planning a Halloween bash for kids, here’s how to make it a scream-worthy success.

1. Set the Vibes with A Scary Good Theme

My bets are on the following as this year's go-to Halloween party themes:

• Beetlejuice Beetlejuice: With the movie dropping this fall, this will be a big theme this year! Get your black and white striped decor, vibrant green and purple on hand and get to decorating. Check out Joyful Twine’s amazing balloon garland above! If you're local to the Cincinnati area head to Running On Blooms for the best decor and check them out on IG!

• Ghouls Just Wanna Have Fun: For a girly twist on Halloween decor, add in pops of pink to your typical orange and black Halloween party and make it a little more groovy!

• Monster Bash: Invite everyone to dress up as their favorite monsters and play monster-themed games.

2. Create a Magical Atmosphere

Make your space fang-tastic:

• Lighting: Grab an array of lights for your theme: orange string lights, or battery-operated candles to set the mood.

• Decorations: Balloons are the easiest decor, get them in the colors you need, build an arch or garland, and throw in a few fun ones like a ghost or spider! Shop the one pictured above here. On-theme paper plates, napkins, and cups go a long way in matching what you're trying to achieve.

• Sounds: Build a playlist to get the party going! Or grab some sound machines or YouTube some eerie noises to add some more fun.

3. Optional Costume Attire

Let your guests get into the spirit by asking them to dress up:

• Costume Contest: Award prizes for categories like “Most Creative” and “Scariest.” Do you make your own costumes or buy? We’ve gotten baby costumes from PB Kids before that are super cute!

• Costume Parade: Let kids show off their costumes in a fun parade!

4. Offer Crafty and Creepy Activities

Something that will be top of mind will be how to keep the little ghouls busy:

• Decked Out Bouncer: If you're renting a bounce house, make sure to add all the decorations - black and orange balloons, a giant spider balloon like Joyful Twine did, or something else you've had your eye on.

• Craft Stations: Set up areas for decorating pumpkins, making spooky masks, or creating ghostly crafts.

• Spooky Games: Try “Pin the Hat on the Witch,” a Halloween scavenger hunt, or a mummy wrap race.

• Movie Night: If you've got a party with older kids, pop some popcorn (and candy) and enjoy a scare.

5. Have Wickedly Delicious Treats

Treats to delight and fright:

• Ghoulish Goodies: For those of you out in Union or in the Northern Kentucky area -RoRos Halloween cookies are a must-have. Then get creative with the rest of your menu, “mummy” hot dogs, and “ghost” cupcakes. Cakedbyrach has some insanely cool ideas for Halloween cupcakes, you have to check them out.

• Fun Drinks: Offer a “witches’ brew” punch or “bloody” fruit punch for extra Halloween flair.

6. Charm and Delight with Enchanted Favors

Send the kids home with a treat:

• Goodie Bags: Fill with Halloween-themed goodies like ghost lollipops, stickers, small toys, and candy. Festive Fetti, the gift bags shown above, has really good Beetlejuice finds if that’s your theme! Also, these Dollar Tree crystal balls are genius.

• DIY Favors: Hand out simple crafts or spooky items for a personal touch.

A Halloween party for kids can be spooktacular with a bit of planning and creativity. Pick a fun theme, set the stage for some frightful fun, and make sure there’s plenty of candy and giggles.

Happy haunting!