Whether you’re searching for a unique Portsmouth-themed gift, a book of witty and engaging poems, or something delightful to read with the kids, Pompey Poems is perfect!
Buy the BookPosted: 23rd September, 2025
Halloween is just around the corner, and it’s the perfect time to plan some fun, safe, and spooky activities for the family. From creative crafts to exciting games, there are plenty of ways to celebrate Halloween. Below are ten Halloween activity ideas to keep children entertained and make the most of this spooky time of year.
Halloween is all about imagination and creating special memories. Whether you’re carving pumpkins, baking treats, or exploring new online activities, there are endless ways to make it magical for children.
Nothing says Halloween like carving pumpkins. Whether it’s spooky faces, silly expressions, or patterned designs, kids will love scooping out the insides and creating their own lanterns. Add a tea light or LED candle to bring their designs to life.
Encourage kids to design their own costumes from clothes and materials at home. With a little imagination, they can transform into witches, skeletons, ghosts, or their favourite characters. It’s a fun way to recycle and be creative without spending a fortune.
If trick-or-treating isn’t possible, create a Halloween scavenger hunt at home or in the garden. Hide sweets and small prizes around the house and give the kids spooky clues to track them down. You could even draw them a map or play hot and cold.
Spend some time in the kitchen making Halloween cupcakes, biscuits, or toffee apples. Kids can get involved with mixing, decorating, and of course taste-testing the results. You could bake cupcakes and top them with orange and black icing, add jelly snakes for a creepy twist, or use chocolate buttons and icing pens to turn biscuits into spider webs. For something savoury, try making mummy-style sausage rolls by wrapping pastry strips around sausages and adding little edible eyes.
Looking for something different and packed with original ideas? This interactive webpage includes original artwork, spooky animations, FREE stories, a Dolly “hide and seek” game, and plenty of creepy fun. It’s a perfect online activity to spark imaginations this Halloween.
Set up a table with coloured paper, glue, scissors, and pens, and let the kids create decorations like bats, ghosts, and cobwebs. Hang their creations around the house to add to the Halloween atmosphere. Craft activities are not only fun but also a great way for children to express themselves and build confidence in their ideas. By encouraging creativity, kids get to use their imagination, develop problem-solving skills, and take pride in making something unique. The decorations might not be perfect, but that’s part of the magic – it’s about celebrating effort and imagination as much as the final result.
Turn off the lights, grab some torches, and take turns telling spooky stories. You could use classic Halloween tales or make up your own. Adding sound effects makes it even more fun.
A timeless Halloween game that never fails to entertain. Fill a bowl with water and float some apples inside. The challenge is to grab an apple using only your teeth – no hands allowed! Apple bobbing is thought to have originated from harvest festivals and old courting traditions in Britain, where apples were symbols of love and fertility. Over time it became a fun game for children and families, especially around Halloween. It’s simple, messy, and always gets plenty of laughs, making it a tradition that has lasted for centuries.
Pick some age-appropriate Halloween films and settle in with popcorn, blankets, and spooky decorations. It’s a cosy way to enjoy the season together. For younger children, options like Room on the Broom, Casper, or Hotel Transylvania keep things light and fun. Slightly older kids might enjoy The Addams Family, Hocus Pocus, or Goosebumps. If you have teens, films like Coraline or Monster House offer a spookier edge without being too frightening. Choosing the right film helps set the mood while making sure the whole family can enjoy the evening.
Let the kids dress up in their costumes and put on a parade around the living room, garden or local park. Encourage them to act out their characters. You could even record it as a fun memory to look back on. Costumes don’t have to be expensive or complicated – an old white sheet can easily be transformed into a ghost with a couple of eye holes cut out. Sometimes the simplest ideas are the most fun, and kids love using their imagination to bring these characters to life.
Want to meet interesting people? New to Southsea? Need to get out more? Southsea Meetups has been setup to help you connect with Southsea residents.