Many parents are opting for Halloween or Fall parties as an alternative to trick-or-treating. But how do you keep all those kids safely and happily occupied for a few hours? These are some simple, easy to manage games and activities that will make your party memorable and fun. The games cover a wide age range, choose the ones that best fit the ages and temperaments of your guests.
Thinking Games
GUESS HOW MANY
Fill a jar with candy corn or miniature marshmallows and have guests guess how many are in the jar. This is a good game to play at the beginning of the party, as guests filter in.
MEMORY GAME
Put a few theme-appropriate items (an apple, a piece of candy, a leaf, etc.) on a tray. Show the tray to the guests for a few seconds, then have guests write down (or call out) as many items as they remember.
HOW MANY WORDS
...can you make from HALLOWEEN or SCARECROW.
Physical Fun
POPCORN RELAY RACE
Set out bowls full of popcorn at one end of the room, empty bowls at another. Teams must transport the popcorn from full bowl to empty, using a measuring cup. This is a messy game - plan it for the end of the party! (Note: popcorn is a choking hazard for children under three).
COTTON BALL SCOOP
Fill large mixing bowls with cotton balls and give each guest a spoon. Kids must scoop out as many cotton balls as possible in one minute - without using fingers!
PIN THE...
...Nose on the Jack-o-Lantern, Stem-on-the-Apple, Hat-on-the-Scarecrow, or whatever variation best suits your party theme.
Arts And Crafts
PAINTS
Finger or sponge-paint with fall colors, or black and orange. Guests can make a tablecloth or placemats for the party, or pictures to take home.
COLLAGES
Guests can make collages of fall leaves, pictures from magazines that relate to your party theme.
PICTURE FRAMES
Buy clear plastic frames, or make you own from craft sticks, and have guests decorate the frames with paper, paints, cutouts, and other craft items. Take a Polaroid of the guests when they arrive and the photo and frame are a great gift.
Odds And Ends
DANCE
Young children love to dance; pop in a Sesame Street tape and let them go!
PARADE
If your guests come in costume, have a costume parade throughout the house.
GHOST STORIES
If your guests are older (nine and up) have them create a ghost story. Dim the lights and sit guests in a circle. The host(ess) holds a flashlight and begins the story. At an exciting or pivotal moment in the tale, pass the flashlight to the next person to carry on the story.
About the Author: Barbara Thomas is a work-at-home-mom to Natalie, age 2. She is a freelance writer and owner of The Professional Pen Business Writing Services. Her website provides writing tips and small business advice to small and home-based businesses. Some items in this article were adapted by FamilyCorner.com Magazine.
With so many schools having fall festivals instead of Halloween parties, there's some good ideas in this article that would fit in. 
