In the National Retail Federation's 2025 Halloween survey of 8,045 people, 32% said they planned to throw or go to a party. Here is what to do once everyone has arrived.
1. A murder mystery
Everyone is a suspect, one guest is the killer, and the evening is spent working out who. It suits Halloween because people are already in costume. Allow an hour.
2. Costume contest with categories
One prize for "best costume" is dull. Try best effort, least effort, best duo, and most likely to be mistaken for a real person.
3. Mummy wrap
Pairs, a roll of toilet paper each, two minutes on the clock. Best mummy wins. It is a kids' game that adults take far too seriously.
4. Horror movie bingo
Put a scary film on in the background. Squares: "don't go in there", a cat jump scare, the car won't start, the phone has no signal.
5. Guess the scream
Play five-second clips from famous horror films. Teams name the movie.
6. Two truths and a fright
Each guest tells three spooky stories from their own life. Two happened. One did not. The room votes.
7. Pumpkin carving against the clock
Small pumpkins, ten minutes, plastic tools. Judge on ambition, not results.
8. Candy tasting, blind
Blindfold, five fun-size bars, guess each one. Harder than it sounds.
9. The ghost story relay
One person starts a ghost story with a single sentence. Each guest adds one. Whoever makes someone laugh has to drink, or eat a piece of candy corn.
Want the easy version? Our mysteries run on your guests' phones, with nothing to print. See the mysteries.