Have you ever sat there wondering how on earth you can make Halloween fun for seniors without it becoming too much?
I didn’t want my mum or anyone else to feel left out so I’m sharing a few fun Halloween game ideas that we tried that may work for you.
Try these games and I hope you have a lovely, fun filled Halloween together!
Engaging Seniors in Halloween Games
Halloween games don’t have to be scary, they can just be for fun, lighthearted and even with an edge of competition if that increases the enjoyment level!
The main thing is to get that engagement so that your loved ones have something to focus on that builds connections and keeps their minds and hands busy!
I’ve found that Halloween activities for seniors work best when they’re familiar, and we make a few adaptations so that it suits different energy levels.
For example:
- Nursing home Halloween games often need to be easy to join, tailored for those with our without mobility issues
- Halloween party games for seniors at home can involve families, neighbours or grandchildren.
- Indoor Halloween games for the elderly keep things safe when it’s cold or wet outside.
- Halloween games for dementia may need to be simplified or broken down into steps or a loved one can support them through the game if needed.
The point is to just be adaptable, listen to your seniors and make it as fun as possible whatever the setting. Also don’t forget if these are games, will there be prizes????
Think about having a stash of a little gift sets (perfume, body, skin), toys, or something edible like a chocolate gift set ready to give to the winner!
Halloween Family Party Games for Seniors
Parties are a chance to bring people together, especially when grandchildren or neighbours join in. Here are a few ideas to try this Halloween: –
Pumpkin Bowling
- You don’t need real pumpkins.
- You can use small soft balls or even orange balloons and set up pins with empty plastic bottles.
- Roll the ball and see how many go down, great for cheering each other on!
Guess the Autumn Scent
- Hand out pieces of card with markers and ask everyone to keep their eyes closed (if not too scary for them or use your hand to cover line of site to the jar for seniors) Then use filled jars with cinnamon, cloves, apples or coffee!
- Pass them around and ask everyone to write down their guess on what the smell is!
- Then get everyone to show their cards identifying the mystery smell, you always get some odd answers that’ll make everyone laugh!
Ghost Balloon Volleyball
Blow up white balloons, draw ghost faces, and play a game of volleyball over a piece of string or get some badminton rackets out and play balloon badminton. It’s gentle, doesn’t need much energy, and always gets laughs when the “ghosts” fly off.
Halloween Trivia
- Put together a list of trivia questions and answers, and ask questions from the 50s, 60s and 70s about films, music or traditions.
- Encourage seniors to talk about their favourite films, music, etc as the game usually turns into people sharing their own memories.
- Keep it light, nothing too obscure.
- It’s a great way to make people feel involved even if they don’t want to move around much.
Autumn Scavenger Hunt
Decide if you’re going to do an indoor or outdoor hunt. It’s a great early afternoon activity. You can find some beautiful items going on a nature walk that can be hunted as family together.
You can hand out sheets with clues for people to find objects that you’ve hidden away or found in nature. E.g Hide toy spiders, leaves or felt pumpkins around the room and give easy clues like “find something orange by the chair”.
Or for outdoors, try clues like
- find a pumpkin that’s round and bright; it’s perched on a step or nearby out of sight
- Look for nature’s treasures that squirrels love to store
- Look for something that resembles a tiny pine tree but is much smaller, nestled on the ground among the fallen needles.
Pumpkin Decorating Contest
- Instead of carving pumpkins, let’s just decorate them together, makes life so much easier. You can hand out stickers, markers, fabric and different felt shapes with glue to stick on, or add ribbons, scarfs even beads make great decorations
- Each person decorates their pumpkin their own way and the great thing is that the results make instant party decorations
If you need extra ideas for family parties, I’ve shared 10 fun Halloween activities for dementia, seniors and the elderly that work just as well in a mixed group
Indoor Halloween Games for Seniors
Not everyone wants to be outside in late October. Indoor activities can be just as playful. You can create your own through do it yourself crafting or buy them ready made, whatever you choose, just adapt them to suit your family and seniors needs!
Halloween Pictionary
- We can simplify this game to just a timed drawing game based on prepared Halloween words.
- So make up some cards with classic Halloween words that lend themselves to being drawn
- Give everyone the player a wipeable board, and use your phones as timers to count down the time they have to draw the Halloween image they’ve drawn from the card.
- Then the others guess what the picture is, don’t forget to have a prize ready at the end!
Name That Halloween Tune
- Play a few seconds of seasonal songs like “Thriller” or any song that reflects the autumn season will do
- Ask people to guess the song by writing them down on prepared sheets
- It often turns into singing along with the song, so have fun and enjoy it!
Pumpkin Memory Match
- Lay out cards with pairs of Halloween images
- People flip over two at a time to find matches
- Adjust the number of cards to suit the group
Halloween Hat Making
This is a great Halloween decoration idea, pick up cheap plain hats like these or these Halloween Witches Hat and then get decorating together
You can ask seniors to decorate hats or headbands with Halloween materials, then get everyone to model them in a friendly fashion parade!
Pumpkin Beanbag Toss
- Buy a Halloween bean bag toss game or tape a pumpkin shape to the floor with scores marked out
- Throw beanbags to land on the numbers /halloween shapes
- Simple, safe and works in small spaces
Nursing Home Halloween Games
In nursing homes, games may need to be short and be safe and inclusive. Here are a few ideas to try: –
Halloween Bingo for Seniors
- You can make your own Halloween bingo game cards, just simply replace numbers for Halloween symbols like bats, cats, and pumpkins.
- Or you can purchase ready Halloween Bingo Cards like these.
- Bingo is already familiar, so it feels natural.
- Small prizes like sweets or cookies can be handed out
Mystery Feel Box
- Place objects like pinecones, scarves or wrapped sweets inside a box
- People reach in and guess what they are touching
- It’s sensory, simple and gets people laughing
Halloween Word Games
- Crosswords, word searches and simple Halloween-themed puzzles are ideal for quiet afternoons.
Printable Halloween games for seniors are easy to find online, and you can adjust the font size to make it easier to read. - It’s a calm option for people who like quiet activities
- Download this free Halloween wordsearch to try.
Pumpkin Ring Toss
- Arrange cones or painted pumpkins and toss rings over them
- Use glow sticks, plastic hoops or rolled paper rings or you can buy readymade cone and ring sets that you can customise and decorate for Halloween.
- It’s easy to play while seated
Halloween Charades
- You can make your own cards or buy ready made Halloween Charade Games.
- Just follow the instructions acting out things like their favourite Halloween inspired movie, music or book whilst others try to guess
- It gets the whole room laughing together
For more ways to make Halloween safer in care settings, you might like my 13 tips for a safe Halloween for dementia caregivers.
Halloween Games for Seniors with Dementia
When organizing dementia-friendly Halloween activities, I considered my mum’s routines, involved her grandkids, and scheduled events earlier in the day to keep her engaged.
Halloween Sensory Box
- Fill a box with autumn leaves, fabric scraps, pinecones or ribbons or you could make it more sensory buy using small bags with slimy, wet items that feel weird but aren’t scary e.g baked beans, jelly etc
- Encourage people to explore textures and talk about how it feels
Pumpkin Colouring Sheets
- Colouring books are calming and fun. Print big, bold outlines of pumpkins or cats
- Offer bright crayons or markers
Pass the Pumpkin
- Get some Halloween wrapping paper and wrap a gift in it. Wrap it multiple times with different wrapping paper or use the same (its just a Halloween version of pass the parcel).
- Sitting close together pass the parcel around as music plays until it stops and the lucky family member gets to unwrap. Keep going until the gift if finally unwrapped.
- Use less layers to make the game shorter and simpler for seniors
- Tip: Play gentle music to make it easier for your loved ones
No-Mess Water Painting
- On a low activity day you may want to use reusable water painting books or aquapaints something that your seniors can do for a calmer moment during the Halloween festivities
- You just need water and aquapaint book, the most recognisable ones are these by Relish.
Halloween Memory Tray
- I know this sounds counter intuitive, but not everyone with dementia has memory issues and even if they do it still doesn’t mean that they can’t play this game just make it simpler or try something else.
- Show a tray of assorted autumn/Halloween items for 30 seconds, hide it, and ask your senior to recall as many items as possible. Just add fewer items for those with memory challenges and have seniors work in teams.
If you’re worried about overstimulation, I’ve explained more in this article: how Halloween can affect someone with dementia.
Keeping Halloween Games Safe and Fun
The best Halloween games for seniors are the ones that fun and you know your loved one will enjoy without being too taxing. So think of the environment and adapt the game for their needs. Here are a few simple things that always helped me.
- Stick with friendly themes like pumpkins and cats instead of scary images
- Keep the room bright so people see clearly
- Adjust the rules so everyone can join in
- Keep the games short so no one feels worn out
For quick and practical safety advice for preparing for Halloween, see my last minute safety tips for Halloween for seniors with dementia.
Encouraging Seniors to Join In
I have often seen my mum initially not want to take part, but by the end she’s fully immersed. Seniors join more easily when the game is already set up, when they can choose to just watch, and when it feels familiar. Familiar games like bingo, trivia, and word play make participation easier.
Finally
Just think about matching the games to your loved ones needs, games that are simple, safe, and adaptable games are what work.
Whether its bingo, beanbag toss or just colouring, do whatever feels right for your beloved senior and your family.
If you’re looking for something else, then maybe have a look at our article on Halloween Crafts for Seniors or Halloween activities for seniors or loved ones with dementia if you prefer something creative instead.
Happy Halloween
FAQ: Halloween Games for Seniors
What are the best Halloween games for seniors with limited mobility?
The best games are those played sitting down, like bingo, trivia, mystery boxes, or beanbag toss. These let everyone join without pressure.
How do you make Halloween fun for seniors with dementia?
Stick with calm and familiar activities like water painting, sorting pumpkins, sensory boxes and colouring sheets. They feel safe and inclusive.
What are safe indoor Halloween games for seniors?
Indoor games like Pictionary, indoor scavenger hunts, memory match and Name That Tune are fun and easy to set up without risk.
Do Halloween games work in nursing homes?
Yes, if kept short and simple. Bingo, pumpkin decorating, sensory boxes and word searches bring people together without tiring them out.
How to Celebrate Halloween with Dementia: Tips, Crafts and Activity Ideas
Halloween Crafts for Seniors
13 Tips for a Safe Halloween for Dementia Caregivers
Last Minute Safety Tips for Halloween for Seniors with Dementia
How Halloween Can Affect Someone With Dementia?
10 Fun Halloween Activities for Dementia, Seniors & the Elderly
