With Halloween fast approaching it's time to dust off those dirty and cobwebbed Halloween games for the kids. Depending on the style of party you are throwing you may be looking for Halloween crafts, icky sticky food games, some races and team games.  A good selection of Halloween games and activities will keep the group interested and the party running smoothly.

Just a little bit of organisation will go a long way, so be sure to have a few more games prepared than you think you will need. Games may finish quickly or if the children are not showing interest, a couple of back-ups can save you from any embarrassment. Prepare all of the music, props and prizes before the party and make sure that you understand all the rules.

When choosing Halloween games for children it is important to select games that are age appropriate for them. An older child may love the ghoul and fright of all the scariest Halloween themes and games whereas a careful selection needs to be made for preschoolers.

Toddlers will love games and themes that involve pumpkins, friendly ghosts, black cats and a smattering of not-so-spooky witches and scarecrows. Younger children prefer simple, short games, nothing that requires too much explaining or has numerous rules. Many games for toddlers / preschoolers are variations of favorite party games that have been given a Halloween twist. Games like Marshmallow Bobbing (a gentler variation of Apple Bobbing), a Witch Hunt (based on a Scavenger Hunt) and a Monster Freeze Dance are all fun games for the littlies.

Halloween games for parties can be as diverse as crafts, gooey food games, racing games, team games or even some old-fashioned Halloween games.

Halloween crafts are a great option as they encourage imagination and creativity and the children will love being able to take home their own special Halloween creation. The crafts can be as varied as making and decorating cookies, producing your own Halloween decorations, Halloween face-painting, or pumpkin decorating.
Older kids will love a gooey, squishy games that can be played with food and they can even help you to think of ghouly names for spaghetti intestines, or cauliflower brains.
More traditional Halloween games are centred around Fall themes and the harvest. Many involve apples and craft ideas with Fall leaves.

Whatever Halloween games you choose, be flexible, and willing to improvise if you need to. Allow the children to set the pace in regards to the length of the games. If they are all enjoying a game then let it continue, if not move on.
And most importantly Happy Halloweening!