I love a good game night. Add a little Halloween theme, a spooky snack or cocktail, and some friends around the table, and you’ve got one of my favorite ways to spend an evening in October. You don’t need elaborate decorations or a whole evening of activities.
Here are a few of our favorite games to play when we’re feeling a little spooky.
Horrified
This is probably my favorite Halloween game recommendation because it’s just so much fun.
Horrified is a cooperative game, which means everyone is working together instead of competing against each other. You’re trying to save the town from classic Universal Monsters like Dracula, Frankenstein, the Mummy and more.
It’s one of those games where you can work together, come up with a strategy and celebrate (or panic) together when things don’t go according to plan.
It’s rated for ages 10 and up and plays with 1–5 players, so it’s a great option for a smaller group.
And if you like Horrified, there are different versions of the game featuring different monsters, so there are plenty of ways to keep going.
Betrayal at House on the Hill
This one is definitely more involved than Horrified, but that’s part of what makes it so much fun.
In Betrayal at House on the Hill, you build a haunted house as you play, exploring room by room and discovering what’s inside. At some point, the story takes a turn and one player becomes the traitor.
Everyone else then has to figure out what’s happening and work together to stop them.
One of my favorite things about this game is that it’s different every time you play. The house changes, the story changes and the betrayal can play out in completely different ways.
It’s for ages 12 and up and plays with 3–6 players.
Fair warning: there are definitely more rules to learn than with some of the other games on this list, but if your group enjoys getting a little more invested in a game, it’s worth it.
Gloom
If you’re looking for something that’s a little different, give Gloom a try.
Think Addams Family-style gloomy. 😂
In Gloom, you’re trying to make your own family as miserable as possible before they meet their unfortunate end. Meanwhile, the other players are trying to make your characters happier and therefore mess up your plans.
It sounds terrible. It’s actually hilarious.
Gloom is a card game, which also makes it a nice option if you want something that’s easier to take with you somewhere. You can bring it along for a game night at a friend’s house without having to haul a giant game box around.
It plays with 2–4 players and is recommended for ages 13 and up.
And I have to give this one extra credit because someone who isn’t nearly as into board games as I am introduced me to it. If a game can win over someone who doesn’t normally want to play board games, that’s a pretty good sign in my book.
Disney Villainous
If you’re a Disney fan, Villainous is another fun option.
Instead of playing the hero, you get to be the villain.
Each player chooses a Disney villain, and each villain has their own objective and their own unique way of playing. While you’re working toward your goal, the other players can use heroes and other obstacles to make your life more difficult.
One of the best things about Villainous is the sheer number of versions and expansions available. You can pick the villains you actually love and build a collection around them.
So if you’re a Disney person who has always secretly thought the villains were more interesting anyway…this one might be for you.
And Don’t Forget the Classics
You absolutely don’t need to buy a new game to have a Halloween game night.
Clue is basically made for this.
A murder mystery, a creepy old house, suspicious characters and trying to figure out who did it, where and with what? That’s Halloween enough for me.
You could also look for one of the many escape-room-style games available if your group enjoys solving puzzles and working through a mystery together.
Sometimes the best game night is simply pulling something you already own off the shelf and giving it a spooky twist.
Make It a Halloween Game Night
The games are really just the excuse to get everyone together.
We like to make a fun cocktail that fits the spooky theme if we’re having friends over, but you could just as easily do a Halloween mocktail, put out some seasonal snacks or order pizza and call it a night.
You don’t need to make it complicated.
Pick a game your group will actually enjoy. Add a couple of Halloween touches. Invite some friends. And then spend the evening laughing, getting competitive and hopefully not taking the game too seriously.
That’s the kind of Halloween tradition I’m always happy to make time for.
What’s your favorite game to play around Halloween?
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