Look, Halloween is basically engineered to send kids into a screen-spiral. The weather's getting worse, it's dark earlier, everyone's hyped on candy, and there's a month of spooky content algorithmically served up on every platform. But here's the thing: Halloween can actually be one of the best opportunities for creative, hands-on fun that doesn't involve a glowing rectangle.
This guide breaks down Halloween activities across the spectrum—from completely screen-free traditions to screen-light options that enhance the experience, plus some genuinely good digital Halloween fun that won't rot their brains (or yours). Because let's be real: not every parent has the bandwidth to hand-sew costumes and carve elaborate pumpkins, and that's completely fine.
Pumpkin carving and decorating - Yes, it's messy. Yes, someone will definitely try to eat raw pumpkin guts. But this is peak fall activity that keeps kids engaged for hours. Younger kids (ages 3-7) can paint pumpkins or use stickers. Older kids (8+) can handle actual carving with supervision, and tweens/teens can get genuinely creative with it.
Costume creation from scratch - This is where you raid the closet, hit up the thrift store, and let kids problem-solve their way into a costume. The process is actually more valuable than the result. A 6-year-old figuring out how to turn a cardboard box into a robot costume? That's executive function development in action.
Neighborhood scavenger hunts - Create a Halloween-themed scavenger hunt around your neighborhood or local park. Kids hunt for specific decorations, count jack-o'-lanterns, or look for certain colors. Ages 5-10 will absolutely eat this up, and you can make it competitive for older kids with point systems.
Halloween baking projects - Monster cookies, ghost meringues, mummy hot dogs—there are endless options here. Baking is genuinely educational (math! chemistry! following directions!) and the payoff is edible. Kids ages 4+ can participate at different levels.
Spooky story time by flashlight - Turn off all the lights, grab flashlights, and read age-appropriate scary stories together. For younger kids (4-7), try books like Room on the Broom or The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything. Older kids (8-12) might enjoy Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark or Goosebumps books. Teens can handle actual horror short stories.
Photo booth with props - Set up a Halloween backdrop and let kids create and pose with props. They can use a phone or tablet to take pictures, but the activity itself is hands-on and creative. Print the photos or create a digital album together afterward.
Halloween playlist dance party - Curate a Halloween music playlist (think "Monster Mash," "Thriller," "Ghostbusters") and let kids choreograph dances or just go wild. The screen is just the music source—the activity is pure physical movement.
Guided Halloween craft tutorials - Pull up a YouTube tutorial for a specific craft project (paper bats, origami pumpkins, perler bead Halloween designs), watch it together, then turn off the screen and make it. The tech is a tool, not the activity itself.
Digital costume planning - Let kids browse Pinterest or costume websites for inspiration, save ideas, and then work together to create the costume IRL. The research happens on screens, but the execution is hands-on.
Let's be honest: some screen time is going to happen. Here's what's worth it:
For younger kids (4-8):
- Bluey's Halloween special - It's Bluey, so obviously it's good
- It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown - A classic that holds up
- Room on the Broom animated short - Charming and not overstimulating
For ages 8-12:
- Hocus Pocus - Fun, not genuinely scary, great for this age group
- Coraline - Creepy but not nightmare-inducing for most kids this age
- Gravity Falls - Spooky mystery vibes, smart writing, actually entertaining for parents too
For teens:
- The Nightmare Before Christmas - Still hits even if they've seen it 47 times
- A Quiet Place - If they're ready for actual horror (check your kid, not just the rating)
- Classic horror films with context - This can be a great opportunity to introduce teens to genre classics like Psycho or The Shining with conversation about filmmaking and cultural impact
Halloween-themed games that aren't garbage:
- Luigi's Mansion 3 (Nintendo Switch) - Genuinely fun, not violent, great for ages 8+
- Costume Quest - Turn-based RPG about trick-or-treating, perfect for ages 8-12
- Phasmophobia - For older teens who want cooperative horror gaming (13+, and honestly assess if your kid can handle it)
Here's where Halloween gets tricky for a lot of families: kids are already amped up on sugar, routines are disrupted, and suddenly you're negotiating screen time while they're clutching pillowcases full of Reese's.
A few approaches that work:
The "Halloween Night Exception" - Let Halloween night be a free-for-all (within reason), then return to normal rules the next day. Sometimes the special occasion is worth the temporary chaos.
The "Candy or Screen Time" trade - Some families let kids trade candy for screen time (like 5 pieces of candy = 30 minutes). This can work but also feels a bit... transactional? Know your kid and your values here.
The "Post-Trick-or-Treat Wind Down" - After the excitement of trick-or-treating, a calm Halloween movie while kids sort their candy can actually help transition to bedtime. This is strategic screen time, not mindless scrolling.
Halloween is a marathon, not a sprint. The whole month of October becomes Halloween season now, which means you've got weeks of potential screen battles ahead. Pick your moments. You don't need to do every craft, watch every movie, or avoid every screen.
The "spooky" algorithm is real. Once kids start watching Halloween content, YouTube and TikTok will serve up increasingly intense scary content. Set up parental controls before October hits, and monitor what's being recommended.
Peer pressure peaks around costumes. Kids will 100% come home saying "everyone" is dressing as whatever the current trend is (last year it was Wednesday Addams, this year who knows). This is a great opportunity to talk about originality, creativity, and not just copying what's popular on TikTok.
The post-Halloween crash is real. Between disrupted routines, sugar, excitement, and likely increased screen time, expect some dysregulation in early November. Build in buffer time and grace for everyone.
Halloween doesn't have to be all-or-nothing when it comes to screens. The best approach is usually a mix: hands-on activities that create actual memories, strategic use of screens for inspiration or entertainment, and some genuinely good Halloween content that you can enjoy together.
The goal isn't perfect screen-free Halloween magic. It's creating experiences your kids will actually remember—whether that's the costume they built themselves, the pumpkin they carved, or yeah, watching Hocus Pocus for the dozenth time while eating way too much candy.
This week:
- Plan 2-3 hands-on Halloween activities based on your kids' ages and your bandwidth
- Curate a Halloween watch list so you're not scrambling when kids ask for "something spooky"
- Check parental controls on devices before the Halloween content avalanche begins
Need help with specific situations? Ask about managing Halloween screen time with multiple kids
or find more age-appropriate Halloween activities.