Halloween in the classroom doesn’t have to mean candy overload or complicated crafts. With just a few simple materials—and a little imagination—you can make the day festive, fun, and full of learning! Here are four free, easy-to-implement Halloween activities your students will love.
🧡 1. Pumpkin Vocabulary Charades
Get students moving and thinking with this quick, vocabulary-boosting game!
How to Play:
Give each student a paper pumpkin (or have them draw one). Inside the pumpkin, they write a Halloween-themed word such as spooky, bat, haunted, creaky, or witch. Collect the pumpkins in a basket. One student draws a pumpkin and acts out the word without speaking while classmates guess.
Why It Works:
Pumpkin Vocabulary Charades builds vocabulary, encourages teamwork, and gives students a chance to move while learning. When you’re done, turn the pumpkins into a quick bulletin board by having students add a sentence or picture that uses their word.
🕸️ 2. Spider Web Compliments
Create a web of kindness right in your classroom!
How to Play:
Have students sit in a circle with a ball of yarn. The first student holds the end of the yarn and tosses the ball to a classmate while giving them a compliment (“You always make me laugh!” or “You’re a great helper!”). Each student holds a piece of yarn before tossing it to someone else.
Why It Works:
By the end, you’ll have a classroom “spider web” connecting everyone—a visual reminder that kind words connect us all! It’s a perfect mix of social-emotional learning and seasonal fun.
👻 3. Spooky Story Starter Circle
Bring out your students’ creativity with this collaborative storytelling activity!
How to Play:
Start with one spooky (but not too scary) sentence such as, “On a foggy October night, a strange sound came from the classroom closet…” Then go around the circle, with each student adding one sentence to continue the story. Hint: Depending on your class, you may need to add a "no horror" rule!
Why It Works:
This quick game practices listening, sequencing, and creative writing skills. Plus, it’s hilarious to hear where the story goes! You can even write the class story down to read later or illustrate it for a Halloween display.
🧟 4. “Zombie Says” Movement Game
A Halloween twist on Simon Says!
How to Play:
Play just like the classic game—but use Halloween-inspired commands:
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“Zombie says, drag your feet!”
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“Witch says, stir your potion!”
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“Mummy says, wrap your arms up tight!”
Why It Works:
It’s a great way to get the wiggles out while practicing listening skills. Perfect for transitions or a five-minute brain break between lessons!
These simple Halloween activities are quick to set up, easy to manage, and guaranteed to bring seasonal smiles to your classroom. Whether you’re focusing on kindness, creativity, vocabulary, or just a few minutes of movement, these ideas will help your students celebrate in a fun and meaningful way—no candy required!
Looking for more Halloween classroom activities? Try 8 Tricks to Get Your Students to Pay Attention in October
With faith and friendship,
