How To Host An Unforgettable Halloween Party for Tweens

Want to do something fun to celebrate the spooky season, but not sure where to start? See how easy it is with these Halloween party ideas for tweens (and teens) that’s sure to be a blast!

These party ideas will keep your kiddos busy while having a ghoulishly good time.

I have rounded up theme ideas, spooky decorations, games older kids will enjoy, and festive food ideas that tweens and teens will love. Use them to throw an event that everyone will remember.

Group of tween girls dressed up for a Halloween party

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Halloween Party Ideas for Tweens and Teens

Tweens and teens can be a pretty tricky group to throw a party for, which is why sometimes you have to get fairly creative.

One of the best ways to make sure your party is a hit with your tweens and their friends is by getting them to help plan the event. This will guarantee their involvement and enjoyment and make sure that everything is tween approved.

Another tip is to make it as interactive as possible. Make sure the night is full of fun games and activities so everyone’s excited and engaged.

And how awesome would it be if your party was so amazing that it turns into a family tradition that everyone looks forward to every year?

Themes for a Halloween Party

The first step is deciding on a theme for your party. What kind of Halloween does your tween like? Spooky, scary, cutesy, traditional, etc. Here in Central Florida we like to ask people, are you more of a Mickey’s Not So Scary person or a Halloween Horror Nights one?

Once you answer that, it will be easier to decide on a theme. Why bother with a theme? Because that will help you choose decorations, food, games, and activities.

Here are a few Halloween party themes to help get your creative juices flowing:

Zombie Apocalypse
Friday the 13th
Day of the Dead
Ghosts & Goblins
Ugly Costume
Favorite Character
Classic Monsters
Decade Theme
Nightmare Before Christmas
Hocus Pocus

Once you and your kids choose a theme, make sure you tell all of your guests, especially if you want them to come dressed accordingly.

Halloween Party Decorations

Next up is decorations. Will you go all out and turn your house into something spectacular, or will you be happy with a few well-placed items to make it festive or convey the theme? Once you know the answer, you can start gathering your supplies.

To keep things reasonable, check out the Dollar Store. Many are filled with festive décor that would work well for a party and won’t break the bank. Also, check your holiday boxes to see what you already have that might fit your needs. Don’t forget that you can use Christmas string lights and every day items like cotton balls can be pulled apart for spider webs. Thrift stores are also an excellent place to pick up some holiday items.

If you have more money than time, a single trip to a party supply or Halloween store will most likely get you everything you need to decorate your home for the event. You can probably order everything online from them (or even Amazon) to be delivered right to your door.

Some Halloween-themed decorations to consider are:

Glow in the dark ghosts, spiders, skeletons, etc. (just check if you need a black light)
Pumpkins
Fog
Black, purple, and orange streamers
Ghost and bat garland
Graveyard décor
Hanging skeletons
String lights
Stickers – bats, zombie, Hocus Pocus

Glow in the Dark Ghost Decorations Bats Wall Decor Pumpkin String Lights Hocus Pocus Window Clings

Now that you’re ready with the spooky décor, it’s time to think about what everyone will do during the party.

Halloween Party Activities

Part of planning a good party is making sure your guests don’t get bored. The last thing you want is your tween to have a party that was considered a drag by those who attended. Keep the party going by planning fun and engaging activities.

A helpful tip is to plan for more activities than you have time. This will come in handy just in case an activity (or game) ends sooner than you thought. But don’t get caught up a feel you have to finish everything. The goal is for everyone to have a good time.

Here are some cool things you can do:

A Spooky Scavenger Hunt

This can be done both indoors and outdoors, depending on the size of your party. Hide small trinkets or candy around the house or yard and give each tween a list of things to find. The first one to find everything on their list wins a prize!

Halloween-themed Charades

Write out a bunch of Halloween-themed phrases or movie titles on slips of paper and put them in a bowl. Each tween takes a turn picking out a slip of paper and acting out the phrase for their team to guess.

Mummy Wrap Race

Divide the tweens into teams and give each team a roll of toilet paper. One member of each team must be wrapped up like a mummy using the toilet paper. The first team to finish wins!

Pumpkin Carving or Painting

This is a classic Halloween activity that never gets old. Set up a table with pumpkins, carving tools, and paints and let the tweens get creative. You could even have everyone vote for their favorite.

Halloween Costume Contest

Encourage everyone to come in their Halloween costumes and have them vote for their favorites in different categories, like best in theme, funniest, scariest, or most original.

Watch a Halloween Movie

Kids love hanging out, watching movies with their friends, so let them watch one for part of the evening. Just keep in mind the ages of your guests and whether they’d prefer a spooky movie like Scream or A Quiet Place or something more lighthearted, like Hocus Pocus or A Nightmare Before Christmas.

Set Up a Photo Booth

Nothing gets tweens more excited than selfies with their friends. Set up an awesome photo booth with a cool backdrop and fun props where they can capture all the moments from the party.

If possible, set up an outdoor theatre for them to enjoy.

Halloween Crafts

Yes, your kids are getting older, but that doesn’t mean they won’t appreciate a holiday-themed craft. Setting up a craft station at your party is a great idea to give tweens a break from the craziness. Plus, they can make something cool like this Frankenstein clay pot, mummy mason jar, Day of the Dead luminaries, or a paper quilled bat.

Minute to Win it Games

To keep things moving, add a bunch of quick competitions to your event like these Halloween-themed minute to win it games. Each one takes 60 seconds to complete, so no one will get bored waiting for a chance to play.

With these fun activities, your Halloween party will be a hit with tweens!

Halloween-themed Food & Drinks

Whether your teen is hosting a party or you’re looking to celebrate with just your family, festive food and drinks are a must. You definitely want to offer something besides chips and dips. Serving Halloween-inspired treats will definitely add something special to your event.

Here are a few things that older kids will enjoy:

Your kids and their guests will love grabbing these holiday treats and beverages throughout the night.

Tween girl dressed like a colorful witch and boy dressed as Dracula at a Halloween party

As you plan your party, don’t forget to include your tweens and teens. Let them take as much control as you’re both comfortable with. You can easily step in when necessary. You can also ask other parents to help if you’re planning a big event.

Hopefully, you’ve seen how much fun it would be to host a party with your older kids to celebrate Halloween. And with these tips and ideas, it should be easy to pull off!

Will you be hosting a Halloween party with your tweens and teens?

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Megan Zechman

I love homeschooling! Learning is a way of life for our family. Most days you will find us exploring our Central Florida community, having fun while learning. I am constantly looking for new and interactive ways to engage my older children.