Take a break from the scares and spooks and ramp up the family fun with these enjoyable tips for hosting a Halloween movie night that everyone can enjoy together. Discover the perfect movie to cozy up and watch as a family, create the right atmosphere, dress for the occasion, and whip up some Halloween themed snacks.
For other family friendly Halloween activities, check out our Halloween Fun Guide, Fall Fun Guide and be sure to sign up for our Weekend Fun Guide to get posts like this delivered to your inbox.
Tips for hosting a family friendly Halloween movie night:
Choose the movie wisely.
Opt for a choice that caters to the lowest common denominator, as what may appear harmless to some could be distressing to the younger ones. If you’re unsure about a movie’s appropriateness, consult ratings and reviews from Common Sense Media for guidance.
Here are five family-friendly Halloween movies that you can enjoy with the whole family:
- Hocus Pocus (1993) – Follow the adventures of a teenager and his sister who accidentally resurrect three witches on Halloween night.
- Casper (1995) – Join the friendly ghost Casper as he befriends a young girl and her father while dealing with the antics of his mischievous uncles.
- Monster House (2006) – This animated film tells the story of three kids who suspect their neighbor’s house is a living, breathing monster.
- The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) – Directed by Tim Burton, this stop-motion classic follows Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King, as he stumbles upon Christmas Town and attempts to bring the Christmas spirit to Halloween Town.
- Hotel Transylvania (2012) – Join the fun at Dracula’s lavish resort for monsters as he struggles to keep his daughter, Mavis, from falling for a human.
These movies offer a mix of spooky and humorous elements perfect for family-friendly Halloween entertainment.
Set the scene.
Create the right ambiance by setting the scene with movie-themed decorations. Here are a few ideas to consider:
- Movie Posters: Hang posters or printouts of the movie’s characters and scenes to immerse everyone in the film’s world.
- Themed Props: Place props related to the movie around your viewing area. For example, witches’ hats and broomsticks for “Hocus Pocus” or ghostly sheets for “Casper.”
- String Lights: Add some Halloween-themed string lights to create a cozy, eerie glow.
- Pumpkins: Carve or paint pumpkins with characters or symbols from the chosen movie.
- Table Settings: Use themed tablecloths, plates, and napkins featuring elements from the film to enhance the viewing experience.
These decorations will help transport your family into the world of the movie and make the night even more memorable.
Dress up in costumes.
Elevate your Halloween movie night fun by dressing up in costumes that reflect the movie’s characters. Encourage everyone to participate as their favorite figures from the film. You can pick outfits from your dress-up collection or recycle costumes from previous Halloweens. Let your creativity shine!
Pair the movie with a hands-on activity.
Enhance the movie experience by pairing it with a hands-on activity that incorporates an educational element. Engage the kids in a fun craft or activity before or during the movie. Here are some craft ideas tailored to each of the movies:
For “Hocus Pocus”:
Craft Idea: Make Witch’s Broomstick Pencils
Materials: Pencils, twigs, brown string or twine, craft paper or felt for witch hats
Instructions: Decorate pencils to resemble witch’s broomsticks by attaching twigs to the eraser end and crafting tiny witch hats from paper or felt.
For “Casper”:
Craft Idea: Create Friendly Ghost Balloons
Materials: White balloons, markers, string, and googly eyes
Instructions: Decorate white balloons with friendly ghost faces using markers. Attach googly eyes for added charm, and then hang them around the viewing area with string.
For “Monster House”:
Craft Idea: Design Haunted House Pop-Up Cards
Materials: Colored paper, markers, scissors, and glue
Instructions: Have kids create their own spooky pop-up cards featuring haunted houses, ghosts, and other elements from the movie.
For “The Nightmare Before Christmas”:
Craft Idea: Make Jack Skellington Ornaments
Materials: White craft pumpkins or foam balls, black paint, paintbrushes, and ribbon
Instructions: Paint white craft pumpkins or foam balls to resemble Jack Skellington’s face. Once dry, add a ribbon for hanging and use them as Halloween ornaments.
For “Hotel Transylvania”:
Craft Idea: Craft Bat Masks
Materials: Black construction paper, elastic bands, and craft supplies for decorating (like stickers, sequins, or markers)
Instructions: Create bat masks by cutting bat shapes out of black construction paper and attaching elastic bands. Let kids decorate their masks with various craft supplies.
These activities not only add an educational component but also tie in with the movie’s themes and keep the kids engaged and entertained.
Serve Halloween movie themed snacks.
Enhance the movie night experience by serving themed snacks that go beyond the usual movie concessions like popcorn and soda. Here are some creative snack ideas tailored to each of the movies:
For “Hocus Pocus”: Serve “Witch’s Brew” Punch: Create a colorful, non-alcoholic punch using various fruit juices and lemon-lime soda. Add gummy worms or gummy eyeballs for a spooky touch.
For “Casper”: Prepare “Friendly Ghost” Mini Sandwiches: Make small sandwiches with white bread and cream cheese or peanut butter and cut them into ghost shapes using cookie cutters.
For “Monster House”: Offer “Monster Munch” Popcorn: Mix popcorn with candy eyes, pretzel sticks, and mini marshmallows for a delightful, spooky snack mix.
For “The Nightmare Before Christmas”: Bake “Jack Skellington” Sugar Cookies: Create sugar cookies in the shape of Jack Skellington’s face and decorate them with black icing to mimic his distinctive look.
For “Hotel Transylvania”: Serve “Bat Wing” Chicken Wings: Offer chicken wings with a tasty barbecue or buffalo sauce, and give them a playful twist by calling them “bat wings.”
These themed snacks not only tie in with the movies but also add an extra layer of fun and creativity to your Halloween movie night.
