Halloween’s coming up, and you need some games that’ll work indoors, won’t trash the hall completely (no promises), and will actually keep your Scouts entertained without requiring a degree in event planning.

These are games I’ve run, games that work, and games you can set up in about five minutes with stuff you’ve probably already got knocking about. No elaborate prep. No specialist equipment. Just good, messy fun.

1. Classic Apple Bobbing (Because It Still Works)

What You Need:

– Large bowl or bucket

– Water

– Apples (floating variety, obviously)

– Towels (lots of them)

How It Works:

Fill the bowl with water, chuck in the apples, and let the chaos begin. Hands behind backs, face in the water, try to catch an apple with your teeth.

Top Tips:

– Use a paddling pool if you’ve got one—easier to manage multiple kids at once

– Have towels ready. Seriously. LOTS of towels.

– Some kids won’t want to do it (wet face, bit gross after others). That’s fine—have them cheer instead

– Take photos. Parents love this sort of thing.

**Why It Works:** It’s a classic for a reason. Kids think it’s hilarious, especially watching their mates struggle.

2. Bowling in the Dark (This One’s Brilliant)

What You Need:

– 10 x 2-litre fizzy drink bottles (empty, cleaned out)

– Glow sticks

– Water (just enough to anchor the bottles down)

– A ball (football works fine) or even use a Pumpkin

– Ability to turn the lights off

How To Set Up:

1. Crack the glow sticks to activate them

1. Drop one glow stick into each bottle

1. Add a bit of water to each bottle (couple inches—just enough so they don’t fall over too easily)

1. Set them up like bowling pins

1. Turn off the lights

1. Let the kids bowl

Top Tips:

– Set this up in a corner of the hall where you can control the light

– Use different colored glow sticks for different point values

– The kids can reset the pins themselves between goes

– Works brilliantly as a bases activity if you’re running multiple stations

Why It Works: Glowing bottles in the dark = instant engagement. Plus it’s actual bowling, so the kids know what to do. No complicated rules.

3. Dress the Mummy (Toilet Paper Chaos)

What You Need:

– Toilet paper (the cheap stuff—don’t waste the good rolls)

– Teams of 2-3 kids

– A timer

– Sense of humor about the mess

How It Works:

One person from each team is the “mummy.” The others have to wrap them head-to-toe in toilet paper. First team to use their whole roll AND have their mummy walk across the hall without the paper falling off wins.

Variations:

– Speed Version:Just race to wrap them fastest

– Quality Version: Judge on best-looking mummy (most complete coverage, still standing)

– Relay Version: Each team member gets 30 seconds to wrap, then passes to the next person

– In The Dark Version: Turn the lights down low and let them work by torchlight

Top Tips:

– Cheap toilet paper tears easily—feature not a bug. Makes it harder and funnier

– Have bin bags ready for cleanup (or just make the kids clean up—it’s character building)

– Take photos before they move. The mummies falling apart is half the fun

– Some kids will want to be the mummy, others will want to wrap. Let them choose

Why It Works: It’s messy, it’s silly, and kids absolutely love wrapping their mates in toilet paper. You’re basically giving them permission to do something they’d normally get told off for.

4. Spider Web Escape

What You Need:

– Ball of wool, yarn, sisel (cheap stuff is fine)

– A doorway or space between two chairs/posts

– Optional: UV tape if you want to go glow-in-the-dark

How To Set Up:

String the wool back and forth across the doorway or between two points, creating a “spider web” with gaps of different sizes. Make it random—high gaps, low gaps, middle gaps.

How It Works:

Kids have to get through the web without touching any strands. If they touch, they’re “caught” and have to start again (or they’re out, depending on how mean you’re feeling).

Top Tips:

– Make some gaps too small on purpose—forces them to think strategically

– For extra Halloween vibes, stick plastic spiders on the web, add some hanging glow sticks

– UV tape version in the dark is absolutely brilliant if you’ve got a UV light

– Works great as a timed challenge or a race

Why It Works: Kids love the challenge, and it’s surprisingly tricky. Plus minimal setup and cleanup.

5. Halloween Scavenger Hunt in the Dark

What You Need:

– Glow sticks or small Halloween items (plastic spiders, mini pumpkins, etc.)

– Torches (or use phone torches)

– Your Scout hall with lights turned down

How To Set Up:

Hide glow sticks or Halloween items around the hall before the kids arrive (or while they’re outside). Don’t make it too easy—behind curtains, under chairs, on windowsills.

How It Works:

Turn the lights down low. Give each patrol/team a torch. They’ve got 5-10 minutes to find as many items as possible.

Variations:

– Different colored glow sticks worth different points

– Photo scavenger hunt—find items and photograph them instead of collecting

– Clue-based—give them riddles about where items are hidden

Top Tips:

– Count how many items you’ve hidden (trust me on this)

– Set boundaries—no going in storage cupboards or toilets

– Have a “home base” where they bring items back to

– Play spooky music in the background for atmosphere

Why It Works: Kids love hunting for stuff. Add darkness and glow sticks, and you’ve got instant engagement.

6. Zombie Tag (Gets LOUD)

What You Need:

– Plenty of Space

– Kids with energy to burn

– Possibly earplugs for yourself

How It Works:

One or two people start as zombies. When they tag someone, that person becomes a zombie too. Last human standing wins.

The Rules:

– Zombies must walk (no running) with arms outstretched, groaning

– Humans can run

– Once you’re tagged, you’re a zombie

– Play in rounds—it gets chaotic fast

Variations:

– Safe Zones: Designate spots where humans can be safe for 10 seconds max

– Cure Stations: Leaders can “cure” zombies back to human (keeps the game going longer)

– Glow Stick Version: Zombies wear glow stick necklaces, humans get glow stick bracelets, play in the dark

Top Tips:

– This gets VERY loud. Warn neighboring groups.

– Watch for kids getting too rough—zombies walk, they don’t tackle

– Short rounds work better—3-5 minutes max

– Have a clear “game over” signal

Why It Works: Simple rules, maximum chaos, everyone’s involved. Perfect for burning off energy.

The Reality Check

Look, Halloween games in a Scout hall can go one of two ways: brilliant fun or absolute carnage. Sometimes both.

Here’s what actually helps:

Keep It Simple: The more complicated your game, the longer you’ll spend explaining it while thirty kids bounce off the walls.

Embrace The Mess: It’s Halloween. It’s going to be chaotic. Roll with it.

Have A Backup: If a game’s not landing, move on. Don’t force it.

Safety Check: Apple bobbing with younger kids—watch for splashing/slipping. Bowling in the dark—make sure the space is clear of trip hazards. Mummy wrapping—watch for kids wrapping faces (funny, but not safe). Zombie tag—no actual tackling.

Cleanup Plan: Factor in 10 minutes at the end for tidying. The kids made the mess; the kids can help clean it. Part of Scouting.

Your Turn

What Halloween games have you run that actually worked? Any disasters to share so the rest of us can avoid them?

Drop your ideas in the comments—let’s help each other out.

And if you try any of these, let me know how it goes. Especially the bowling in the dark. That one’s a winner.

Right, I’m off to order glow sticks in bulk. See you around the campfire (or in the darkened Scout hall).