Halloween Party - Party Games

Do you know what makes or breaks a Halloween party? Party games! There is absolutely nothing worse than when you are a guest to have to participate in a series of games that are boring, tedious or ill-conceived. Especially if up until that point you had been having a great time!

Yet that happens so often. The party host gets this idea for a game that they think will really excite and engage their guests and the result is that the whole party comes to a grinding halt. And the reason for this is quite simple. Planning and preparation.

You see there are some games that are perfect for large groups of people and some that are not. And similarly there are games that are perfect for a small set of people but aren't any good at all for larger groups.

It sounds straightforward enough but it's a classical mistake made by so many well-meaning hosts.

You can have some fantastically engrossing games played by a small group of only five to six people such as the Memory Game.

This is the game where on a tray is placed about 10 to 15 small items (e.g. pencil, watch, comb, shoe lace, spoon, toy car, etc.) and then covered with a cloth. Everyone then sits in a circle or around a table and the tray is then placed in the middle of the circle and the cloth removed the cloth for 60 seconds. Everyone has to remember the objects.

After 60 seconds the cloth is replaced and in turn, each person has to name an object on the tray. The first person to fail to name an object, repeat an object or name something not on the tray is out.

The tray is then removed and some or all of the objects replaced, and the game is re-started with the person following the one who is out. If the game is too easy for the group, then simply add more objects or reduce the time.

And the selection of games also applies to the make up of the group.

Certain games that work for a large group of guests won't work if that group is predominately made up of teenagers. For them, they require their own subset of games. For example Dramatized Chinese Whispers is especially suitable for teenagers as they just love to "act" and "show off".

The main problem that someone has when selecting games for a Halloween party is that they are usually led by their earlier childhood memories. They remember the games they used to play, not necessarily at a Halloween party, and believe that they will work now. They don't.

Pass the parcel works for children but for anyone older it doesn't.

There are a whole host of engaging games that can be selected for larger and older groups such as Horses and Riders, Winking Murder, The Photographer. These can generate great amounts of excitement and of fun. They are easy to run and are people will willingly play them.

For children of a younger age the traditional games still work. Yet it is surprising at how few many people who are hosting a party really know. Usually it runs to only about three or four when in fact there are nearly thirty suitable games they could call upon, each highly suitable for what they need.

Game such as Port and Starboard are very rarely seen at a children's party which is a real shame as it is exactly the right kind of game that be being played.

When it comes to where the games are to be played then obviously space is a constraining factor which is why games should be carefully chosen. And with so many to choose from there shouldn't be a problem no matter what the size or number of guests.

And for those that are able to use an outside area always have the contingency games in place in case the weather turns and drives your party inside.

So if anyone is planning to host a Halloween party and are thinking about running some games, make sure that you pick the right ones the success of your party will depend upon it.

About The Author

Stephen Fleisig is the publisher of The Halloween Gold Party Set.. Featured on TV and in the global press this unique ebook collection covers everything anyone would need to know about making your Halloween party not just a great one but a perfect one. If you're thinking about planning a Halloween party then you should go and grab your copy right now at HalloweenGold.com..

These Are the Top 10 Halloween Party Ideas For Families and Children of All Ages

Planning a Halloween party for your family and friends is a fun thing to do. Whether you will be hosting adults, children, or a mix of both, a Halloween party is the fun and exciting party for everyone to attend.

Halloween Parties take a bit of planning and I have seen fit to cover all bases and make it the event of the year, with some great ideas to get you started:

First Step - Deciding on a budget for your party and working out who you are going to cater for is the first step, weather it is going to a Children Party, Adult or both.

Second Step - Using your imagination and creating some spooky foods is on the agenda, children are easy to cater for and for the adults some creepy canapés are just what the party needs.

Third Step - Beverages are also easy, as a slimy punch made out of lemonade, sugar, meringue powder, and seltzer water. To this add some green food coloring and stir. The mix will be slimy and frothy and some Creepy Cocktails for the adults won't go astray either.

Forth Step - Dry ice to beverages is also a fun way to spook things up a bit. This will give them a foggy effect which is just as appealing to Adults as it is to Children.

Fifth Step - Decorating for Halloween is also fun. Form Styrofoam cut outs you can make tombstones in the yard and even hang lanterns, skeletons and ghosts in your trees. Spider Webs can be put through the inside of your home, with spiders, creepy decorations a coffin here and there.

Sixth Step - Lighting is also an important consideration for the night, dimly lit but bright enough so your guests can see without tripping over each other, with a fog machine or cauldrons with dry ice creating that misty effect along the floor.

Seventh Step - All important Music is a must for a fun Halloween party. There is heaps of suitable music for Halloween, Thriller, Monster Mash, Welcome to my Nightmare, go wild and get some great party tracks.

Eighth Step - Game s for Halloween are always a hit for any party for that matter. A fun game for adults is charades using scary movies and themes. For children, bobbing for apples can be fun if the weather and space allow for it. Also, contests for the best Halloween Costumes always go over well. (Mention the Games and the Prizes on your invitations).

Ninth Step - Writing secret messages on your drinking glasses is a clever way to blow your guests away. How you do this, is by taking a mixture of dish soap and water and write messages with it, using your finger, on the outside of some drinking glasses. Once you are finished place them in the freezer to frost over. As your guests drink, and the glasses warm, your messages will magically appear. Your guests will be amazed at and talk about this ghostly phenomenon for a long time after wards.

Step 10 - Jumping online is one of the best ways to research Halloween Party Idea's. There's plenty to choose from, costume ideas, novelties and complete Halloween theme packs are available and very affordable, so make your Halloween one that everyone there will remember this year.

Brett Alexander is a researcher and writer on products for households such as Halloween Costumes and Party Themes. You can save time and money by getting a FREE in depth review of some great Halloween Party idea's and many others, including discounts and best prices at Brett's blog: Halloween Witches Costumes