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.