Halloween party - games ideas

[HeavyChopping]

I am hosting a large Halloween party this year. My kids have begged me to do it for years and I've finally given in. They are in their early teens now.

We are inviting local friends - parents and kids so there will be about 50 people ageing from 7 - 60. The adults will be fine with food, drinks and music. The question is how do I entertain the kids - most of them will be aged 12-15 but there will be younger ones too?

I've hired a skull coconut shy thing and one of those things that you stick your head through for a photo (like at the seaside but a scary version of). I also have a large wall sticker like those backgrounds they have in films which the police use for mug shots. I've got photo booth props for this too. I was planning on putting a mid-range scary film on in the playroom (I'm thinking Coraline or similar - it needs to be PG because of the younger children). I will set up apple bobbing, and also we will have maybe a fire going outside for toasting marshmallows (although I'm worried about costumes near naked flames so maybe not). The party isn't actually on Halloween night itself so they can't go trick or treating (they are generally too old to do it anyway).

What else can I offer? Or is that enough? Last time we held a Christmas party with the same people the kids totally trashed the place because there wasn't enough for them to do. I could really do without that happening again.

[HeavyChopping]

Also, as I'll be sorting out food and drinks for everyone and generally being busy hosting I'm not in a position to manage any actual games like pass the pumpkin etc.

[moreismore]

Firstly, if they trashed the place that’s on them and their parents, not on you so for failing to occupy every second- so make sure you react as such if it happens again!!
What you have planned sounds perfect, I don’t think you need any more (unless you can set up video games maybe??)

[HeavyChopping]

We don't really do gaming. I've got a really ancient X-box somewhere. We've got a ping ping table and DH has a pub-style pinball machine in the garage.

[EloiseLane]

Hotel Transylvania might be good for the film - definitely on the right theme but lighter, funny and there are 3 of them.

It sounds like you have already got a lot planned. A candy floss machine? A dartboard?

Maybe toffee apples. Apart from anything else they take forever to eat!

[FadedRed]

Last time we held a Christmas party with the same people the kids totally trashed the place because there wasn't enough for them to do.
Well I wouldn’t be inviting them to my house again.

You could do a ‘wrap the mummy’ game with cheap loo rolls.
Chocolate fountain or fondue would be safer than toasting marshmallows. Or use a puréed red fruit dip and call it ‘blood pudding’.
Twister and the cornflakes box game are good games for tweens.

[Velveteenfruitbowl]

A spooky pass the parcel will take up a good half hour if you put in enough layers.

Something crafty may be good as well. Pom Pom spiders might be good - would take a long time to make.

Spooky version of Marco Polo but with a zombie or something.

[elQuintoConyo]

Put objects at the bottom of a bowl of jelly or cold spaghetti that you have to put your hand in and identify, it's delightfully wormy/slimey.

Award for best costume/make up/thriller dance etc.

I'd let down ground rules/expectations of bloody decent manners and behaviour before they all rsvp.