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GOULISH GAMES AND FREAKY FUN

There are still several days to go until Halloween, but you have a living room filled with little ghosts and goblins full of energy. A superhero is chasing a witch around your dining room table, a monster is bouncing on your sofa and a vampire is pulling your cat’s tail. What were you thinking when you agreed to host a Halloween party? Relax . . . the afternoon doesn’t have to be a total nightmare. Organizing the fun with some creative games (and limiting the amount of sugar intake) can quickly bring some order to your haunted house!

Put on some mood music (there are plenty of monster music C.D.’s available in stores) and let the games begin. Here are some not-so-scary suggestions:

Pumpkin Bowling

Supplies:

1 small pumpkin

10 empty 2-liter soda bottles

White spray paint

Black marker

Gravel or sand

Preparation:

Spray the bottles with the white paint and use the marker to draw a ghost face on each one. Be creative and draw a different expression on each one. Then add some sand or gravel to the bottle so the bottle will stand up but don’t make them too heavy.

Playing the game:

Set up the ghosts just like the pins in a bowling game. Each player gets a turn to bowl. Keep score as long as you’d like. The winner is the player or team with the most points. This game can be played as individuals or teams.

Pass the Pumpkin

Supplies:

1 small pumpkin or gourd

Playing the game:

Have the kids stand side-by-side in a circle. Using a small pumpkin or gourd, have the first player tuck it under their chin and pass it to the next person’s chin/neck without using their hands. Continue around the circle. Anyone dropping the pumpkin is eliminated until only one player remains as the winner. Play this game as individuals or teams. When playing with teams, divide the group into desired amount of teams and set a time limit to go around their circle. Try using a song as a time limit.

Eyeball Hunt

Supplies:

Several ping-pong or golf ball “eyeball” – number of eyeballs will depend on number of children. Approximately 10 per child is a good formula.

Black marker

Red marker

Preparation:

Using your black marker, draw a pupil on each ball. Use the red marker to draw the lines to give them a bloodshot appearance.

Playing the game:

Using the same concept as an Easter egg hunt, hid the eyes and let the kids find them. The one with the most eyes wins. This game can also be played in teams.

Eyeball Relay

Supplies:

Several ping-pong or golf ball “eyeball” – number of eyeballs will depend on number of children.

Spoons – as many spoons as balls

Black marker

Red marker

Preparation:

Using your black marker, draw a pupil on each ball. Use the red marker to draw the lines to give them a bloodshot appearance. Set up an obstacle course for each team. A few chairs or cones will do the trick.

Playing the game:

With kids divided into teams and lined up behind each other, give the first person in line a spoon and an eyeball. When teams are given the “start” signal, the first person has to quickly walk through the obstacle course without dropping the eye off the spoon. At the end of the course they turn around and return, handing off the spoon to the next player on their team. If an eye is dropped, that player has to return to the starting position and repeat the course. The first team to have all its players complete the course wins.

Pumpkin Penny Pitch

Supplies:

1 pumpkin

10 to 20 pennies

Foil

Preparation:

Cut an opening in the top of the pumpkin – size will depend on the age of the kids. Line the inside of the pumpkin with foil.

Playing the game:

Each player gets a turn to throw pennies into the pumpkin from a predetermined distance. The player with the most pennies in the pumpkin wins.

Pumpkin Ring Toss

Supplies:

3 to 5 pumpkins

3 to 5 hoops or large rings

Preparation:

Place the pumpkins in varying distances from the throwing line.

Playing the game:

Each player gets a turn to throw the hoops around the pumpkins. The player with the most “hooped” pumpkins wins. In the event of a tie, repeat the game but this time move the throwing line back several feet.

Eyeball in Brains

Supplies:

Whipped topping

Paper plates

Bubble gum

Preparation:

Place an eyeball (piece of gum) on a paper plate and cover with brain (whipped topping). Set up one plate per player. Don’t do this too soon before your guests arrive or the “brain” will melt!

Playing the game:

Players sit behind a plate and put their hands behind their backs. When the “start” is given, each player has to find the “eyeball” using only his/her mouth. The first player to blow a bubble wins.

O.k., so playing some of these games won’t get you any peace and quite but your guests will have a blast and your party will be a hit. Now move the furniture from the center your living room and have a howling good time!

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