10 Spooktacular & Affordable Halloween Family Activities

Did you know that 75% of Americans plan to spend an average of $169 on Halloween?

Did you also know that six-figure earners and parents with kids younger than 18 plan to spend the most, on average, $340 and $309, respectively?

Halloween is just around the corner, and while the holiday season brings a lot of excitement, it can also bring a fair amount of stress, especially for busy working moms trying to balance the budget. But fear not! You don’t have to break the bank to create a spooktacular Halloween experience for your family.

In this post, I’ve conjured up ten affordable and fun activities that will help you celebrate the season without draining your wallet. From DIY decorations to creative party ideas, we’ve got you covered with tips and tricks that will make this Halloween both memorable and budget-friendly.

This blog post is all about affordable Halloween family activities.

1. Craft Spooky DIY Decorations

For starters, why not get creative and craft some spooky DIY decorations with your kids? You can make paper bat cutouts for your windows and walls, create ghostly figures using old sheets and balloons, carve pumpkins with unique designs, and craft spiderwebs using yarn or string. Not only is this a fun way to get into the Halloween spirit, but it’s also a great bonding activity for the family.

Hint: If you have a baby or toddler, then use boxes (i.e. Amazon boxes) to paint spooky designs or, in my toddler’s case, a big blob of paint.

2. Host a Halloween Movie Marathon

If you’re looking for something more low-key, consider hosting a Halloween movie marathon. Choose age-appropriate spooky films for the whole family, create a cozy viewing area with blankets and pillows, prepare budget-friendly Halloween-themed snacks, and encourage everyone to dress up as their favorite characters. It’s a relaxing way to spend time together and enjoy the holiday from the comfort of your own home.

These are my favorite 13 kid-friendly, spooky movie night suggestions

• Halloween Town
• Don’t Look Under the Bed
• Casper
• The Adams Family
• The Haunted Mansion
• Monster’s Inc
• Monster House
• The Witches
• Scooby-Doo
• Phantom Town
• We Have a Ghost
• Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire
• Coco

3. Organize a Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt

Another fun and affordable activity to consider is organizing a neighborhood scavenger hunt. Design a list of Halloween-themed items to find, create teams, or go as a family unit, set a time limit, and offer small prizes for the winners. This is a great way to get outdoors and interact with your community while having a blast searching for hidden treasures.

Tip: Ask your HOA to help you organize a neighborhood scavenger hunt.

4. Plan a Backyard Halloween Campout

For those who love the great outdoors, plan a backyard Halloween campout. Set up tents or create a blanket fort, tell not-too-scary ghost stories around a fire pit or lantern, roast marshmallows and make s’mores, and stargaze while learning about constellations. It’s a memorable way to spend the evening under the stars with your loved ones.

Tip: This would be a great time to tell werewolf or vampire stories. You can also ask your toddler to count the stars and make it a fun game of who can count faster.

5. Throw a Halloween Costume Fashion Show

Why not host a Halloween costume fashion show? Raid your closets for items you already own and challenge your family to come up with unique and creative costumes. Set up a “runway” in your living room or backyard and have each family member take turns showing off their creations. You can even award prizes for the most creative, funniest, and scariest costumes.

Tip: Include ‘clean-up’ as part of the activity. For example, after the show, everyone has to help clean up to get a spooky treat.

6. Create a Spooky Sensory Bin

If you have babies or toddlers, like I do, then consider creating a spooky sensory bin for your little ones to explore. Fill a large container with Halloween-themed items like fake spiders, small pumpkins, and textured materials. Hide small toys or treats for the kids to find, making it an exciting and interactive activity for younger children.

Tip: I used ziplock bags to create Halloween sensory activities for my toddler.

7. Host a Halloween-Themed Game Night

If you’re looking for more interactive entertainment, why not host a Halloween-themed game night? Play classic games with a spooky twist, create your own DIY Halloween Bingo game, or set up a pumpkin bowling alley using toilet paper rolls. You can even organize a mummy-wrapping contest using, you guessed it, toilet paper.

Tip: I bought cheap toilet paper from the Dollar Tree store.

8. Cook Up Some Haunted Treats

And, of course, what’s Halloween without some haunted treats? Get the kids involved in baking and decorating spooky cookies, making “witch’s fingers” using pretzel sticks and almonds, or creating “eyeball” snacks from grapes or olives. Don’t forget to whip up a bubbling “witch’s brew” punch for a festive touch.

Tip: If you have babies or young toddlers, avoid treats that can become a choking hazard!

9. Design a Backyard Obstacle Course

For some outdoor fun, design a backyard obstacle course using household items. Include challenges like walking through a “spider web” yarn maze or a “slime pit” kiddie pool filled with cooked spaghetti. Time each family member as they navigate the course and hand out prizes for the fastest times.

Tip: You can also create a maze indoors of you do not have a backyard.

10. Organize a Halloween Dance Party

And finally, why not end the night with a Halloween dance party? Put together a playlist of Halloween-themed songs, teach each other the “Monster Mash” or “Thriller” dance, and have a costume contest with different categories. You can even include fun dance games like “Freeze Dance” with a spooky twist.

Tip: You do not need a crowd to have a fund party. We have the best time with my toddler, husban, and I dancing and using a small disco ball for extra fun!

There you have it, mamas! Ten boo-tiful ways to celebrate Halloween without scaring your wallet. From crafting eerie decorations to hosting a spine-chilling dance party, these affordable activities are sure to create lasting memories for your entire family.

Remember, the true spirit of Halloween isn’t about how much you spend, but the fun and laughter you share together. So gather your little goblins, put on your creative caps, and get ready for a hauntingly good time. Happy Halloween, and may your night be filled with more treats than tricks!