HOLIDAYS
HOLIDAYS
Ghost, ghouls and things that go bump in the night - all hallmarks of a spectacular Halloween. But instead of parting ways after the trick or treating ends, host a Haunted Halloween Sleepover for your closest friends. Ghost stories, a creepy candy bar and games for ghouls will make this a party guests won't soon forget.
More Spooktacular Ideas
Spooky Parties
Plan your party with the best-looking invitations on the web!
If the weather is fair, create an eerie cemetery scene in the backyard. It's the perfect setting for ghost stories and a seance.
How To Create Your Own Spooky Graveyard Scene:
1. To create the graves, glue black garden stakes to the back of large cereal boxes painted gray. Use a black paint pen to write on the tombstones. Or, buy pre-made graves online. A 22 piece grave set can be purchased for under $50 at Amazon.
2. Scatter fake bones throughout the graveyard, and add moss and cobwebs around the base and top of the graves for an old, authentic cemetery look.
3. If you have a gate that guests use to enter the yard, create a cemetery sign to hang for the evening. Print the sign on gray paper and affix it to a black foamcore board for sturdiness.
4. Add a few piles of dirt in front of a grave or two, and place a bony skeleton hand reaching up our of the center of the dirt pile to mimic the dead trying to escape. Place a shovel nearby the grave's dirt for an authentic look.
5. Add a fog machine ($19.99 at Party America) to the graveyard area to create a spooky rolling mist.
How To Create Your Own Spooky Graveyard Scene:
1. To create the graves, glue black garden stakes to the back of large cereal boxes painted gray. Use a black paint pen to write on the tombstones. Or, buy pre-made graves online. A 22 piece grave set can be purchased for under $50 at Amazon.
2. Scatter fake bones throughout the graveyard, and add moss and cobwebs around the base and top of the graves for an old, authentic cemetery look.
3. If you have a gate that guests use to enter the yard, create a cemetery sign to hang for the evening. Print the sign on gray paper and affix it to a black foamcore board for sturdiness.
4. Add a few piles of dirt in front of a grave or two, and place a bony skeleton hand reaching up our of the center of the dirt pile to mimic the dead trying to escape. Place a shovel nearby the grave's dirt for an authentic look.
5. Add a fog machine ($19.99 at Party America) to the graveyard area to create a spooky rolling mist.
Supplement everyone's trick or treating loot with an impressive haunted candy table that includes ghost pops, a gory red chocolate fountain and festive Halloween cupcakes.
Haunted Candy Bar Setup:
Set a dining room table or buffet with a long black tablecloth for a dramatic backdrop. Create two tall ghost pop 'trees' by spray painting styrofoam floral cones black.
Create ghost pops by cutting a 7" square from white fabric. Place the center of the square over a round lollipop (charms bubble pops work well). Tie a white string around the base of the lollipop to create a ghost head. Use a black sharpie to draw on vacant black eyes and a howling mouth.
To create a bloody chocolate fountain, add red food dye to white chocolate. Set out black bowls or trays filled with pretzels, marshmallows, strawberries and red apples.
For creative Halloween cupcake ideas and detailed decorating instructions, check out our Halloween Cupcake Article.
Haunted Candy Bar Setup:
Set a dining room table or buffet with a long black tablecloth for a dramatic backdrop. Create two tall ghost pop 'trees' by spray painting styrofoam floral cones black.
Create ghost pops by cutting a 7" square from white fabric. Place the center of the square over a round lollipop (charms bubble pops work well). Tie a white string around the base of the lollipop to create a ghost head. Use a black sharpie to draw on vacant black eyes and a howling mouth.
To create a bloody chocolate fountain, add red food dye to white chocolate. Set out black bowls or trays filled with pretzels, marshmallows, strawberries and red apples.
For creative Halloween cupcake ideas and detailed decorating instructions, check out our Halloween Cupcake Article.
Keep your sleepover guests entertained with the following Halloween-worthy activities:
Cemetery Ghost Stories
Bring blankets and chairs to the backyard graveyard and share the scariest ghost stories you can find. On your invitation, ask guests to bring their favorite ghost story, ready to share - this will ensure everyone tells a great tale.
Contact the Spirits
Hold a seance in the middle of your graveyard to get in touch with the spirits. Create the perfect spooky atmosphere by lighting candles around the are in a circle for a ghoulish glow. For tips on holding a seance, check out the "How to Hold a Seance" guide.
Alternately, use a Ouija board so spirits can spell out phrases and answers to your questions. It has a better 'response rate' than holding a seance, since the energy between the player's fingers will cause the planchette to move and elicit a response.
Scary Movies
Wind down your Haunted Halloween Slumber Party by popping in a few classic scary movies. Here's a few scary, yet kid-friendly favorites to try:
Cemetery Ghost Stories
Bring blankets and chairs to the backyard graveyard and share the scariest ghost stories you can find. On your invitation, ask guests to bring their favorite ghost story, ready to share - this will ensure everyone tells a great tale.
Contact the Spirits
Hold a seance in the middle of your graveyard to get in touch with the spirits. Create the perfect spooky atmosphere by lighting candles around the are in a circle for a ghoulish glow. For tips on holding a seance, check out the "How to Hold a Seance" guide.
Alternately, use a Ouija board so spirits can spell out phrases and answers to your questions. It has a better 'response rate' than holding a seance, since the energy between the player's fingers will cause the planchette to move and elicit a response.
Scary Movies
Wind down your Haunted Halloween Slumber Party by popping in a few classic scary movies. Here's a few scary, yet kid-friendly favorites to try:
Host a Halloween
Party at a Club or
Bar
Party at a Club or
Bar
Halloween Customs
and Traditions
and Traditions
The Story Behind the
Pumpkin
Pumpkin
