Halloween Charades Words

Press Play a 1-minute round and pass the actor the phone: 219 spooky cards, from monsters to small scenes.

Halloween Charades Words

The lights going out in the basement

Next step The full deck of charades ideas

All 219 Halloween charades words

Monsters and creatures 24

  • Alien Step down a ramp, wiggle two finger antennae and greet the room.
  • Bigfoot Take huge slow strides and glance back over one shoulder mid-step.
  • Cyclops Hold one fist to your forehead as the eye and squint through it.
  • Dragon Flap wide wings and breathe fire across the room.
  • Gargoyle Squat on a ledge with wings folded and move nothing but your eyes.
  • Ghost Drift with your arms out and float straight through a wall.
  • Giant spider Go down on all fours and scuttle sideways, lifting each leg high.
  • Goblin Crouch small, rub your hands and sneak off with something shiny.
  • Mad scientist Pour one test tube into another, then throw the big switch with both hands.
  • Medusa Wiggle your fingers above your head as snakes and freeze a guesser with one stare.
  • Monster under the bed Lie flat, lift the edge of a blanket and peek out.
  • Mummy Walk stiff-legged with both arms straight out in front.
  • Scarecrow Hang your arms over a pole and let your head flop.
  • Sea monster One arm is the long neck rising from a lake. Look around and sink again.
  • Shapeshifter Cross the room as one animal and turn into another halfway.
  • Skeleton Go loose at every joint and rattle as you walk.
  • Someone turning invisible Watch your hands vanish, then your arms, then pat the space where you were.
  • Swamp creature Rise slowly out of the water and pull weeds off your arms.
  • Troll under a bridge Pop up to block the way and hold out a hand for the toll.
  • Vampire Sweep a cape across your face and show your fangs over the top.
  • Werewolf Look up at the moon, then scratch, grow claws and howl without a sound.
  • Witch Hunch over, stir a pot and point one crooked finger.
  • Yeti Stomp through deep snow, beat your chest and shiver.
  • Zombie Drag one foot and let your head hang to one side.

Costumes and dressing up 24

  • A bedsheet ghost who cannot find the eye holes Arms out under the sheet, bump the furniture, lift the hem to check the way.
  • A costume hidden under a winter coat Shiver up the path, then throw the coat open at the door.
  • A costume nobody can guess Pose proudly, watch the shrugs, then point at your outfit harder.
  • A wig that will not stay on It slides over your eyes each time you nod. Push it back and nod less.
  • An inflatable dinosaur costume Tiny arms, big waddle, and get wedged in a doorway.
  • Astronaut Bounce in slow motion and plant a flag.
  • The back half of a horse costume Bend over, hold on to the hips in front and get dragged the wrong way.
  • Clown Honk your nose, juggle and trip over your own big shoes.
  • Cowboy Walk bow-legged, tip your hat and twirl a lasso.
  • Fairy Flutter on tiptoe and tap a guesser with a wand.
  • Firefighter costume Drag a heavy hose, aim it up at a window and brace against the spray.
  • Knight Lower your visor and clank stiffly across the room.
  • Ninja Tiptoe, flatten against a wall and chop the air.
  • Pirate Cover one eye, hop on a peg leg and look through a spyglass.
  • Plastic fangs that keep falling out Hiss, catch them, push them back in, hiss again.
  • Princess Hold out a wide skirt, curtsy and wave with a cupped hand.
  • Putting on face paint Hold a hand mirror, dab your cheeks and draw on whiskers.
  • Robot Move one joint at a time and turn your whole body to look.
  • Squeezing into last year's costume Sleeves stop at the elbows and the hat perches on top. Wear it with pride.
  • Superhero Fists on hips, chest out, then fly off with one arm forward.
  • Walking in a mermaid tail Feet glued together, hop forward and flick your fin.
  • Wearing a mask you cannot see out of Turn your whole head to look at anything and walk into a wall.
  • Winning the costume contest Walk the line, turn and pose, then gasp with both hands on your cheeks.
  • Zipping up a costume that is too small Hold your breath, tug, hop, and give up on the last inch.

Trick-or-treating 20

  • A flashlight that keeps going out Shake it, smack it on your palm and shine it into your own eyes.
  • A parent taking the candy tax Check that nobody is looking, lift one piece from the bucket and look innocent.
  • Carrying a candy bucket that is too heavy Two hands, lean back and drag it the last few steps.
  • Checking the weather before heading out Hand out of the door, feel rain, look at your costume and fetch an umbrella.
  • Checking whether the porch light is on Shade your eyes, look up the path, then wave the group on or shake your head.
  • Eating too much candy Unwrap fast, chew, slow down, then hold your stomach.
  • Getting a toothbrush in your treat bag Big smile, bag open, look inside, pull it out and brush with a flat face.
  • Handing out candy at the door Open up, admire the costume and drop one piece into each bag.
  • Hiding your candy from the family Look both ways, stash the bag up high and stroll away whistling.
  • Planning the route like a general Unroll a map, point out the best houses and check your watch.
  • Ringing a doorbell and holding out a bag Press, step back, open the bag wide and rock on your heels.
  • Running out of candy with kids at the door Shake the empty bowl, search your pockets and offer an apple.
  • Sorting candy into piles Tip the bag out on the floor and make piles by kind.
  • Taking just one from an unattended bowl Read the sign, take one, look around, reach again and stop yourself.
  • Too tall to trick-or-treat, going anyway Bend your knees at the door to look shorter and hold the bag up hopefully.
  • Trading candy with your sister Offer two for one, get refused, add a third.
  • Tripping over your own cape Swish it grandly, step on the hem and go down.
  • Trunk-or-treating in a parking lot Walk from car to car, because the treats are handed out of open trunks, not front doors.
  • Walking a group of kids across the street One arm out to hold them back, look both ways, wave them over and count heads.
  • Walking up to the spookiest house on the street Push a friend ahead of you, tiptoe up, ring the bell and run.

Pumpkins and the patch 20

  • A jack-o'-lantern that has caved in Find it sagging on the porch a week later and carry it off at arm's length.
  • A pumpkin rolling away down a hill Set it down, turn away, double-take and give chase.
  • Baking a pumpkin pie Roll the crust, pour the filling, carry it to the oven without a spill.
  • Carrying a pumpkin up the porch steps Knees bent, tiny steps, set it down and shake out your arms.
  • Carving a turnip lantern Before pumpkins, Halloween lanterns were hollowed-out turnips. Carve something fist-sized and rock hard.
  • Cutting the lid off a pumpkin Saw in a circle around the stem and lift the lid by its handle.
  • Drawing the face before you cut Marker in hand, tilt your head, draw two triangles and a zigzag grin.
  • Getting lost in a corn maze Dead end, turn, dead end again, then jump to see over the corn.
  • Growing a giant pumpkin for the fair Water it and measure it with your arms, wider each time, then fail to lift it.
  • Guessing the weight of the giant pumpkin Walk around it, try to tilt it, write down a number and shrug.
  • Painting a pumpkin Turn it with one hand and dab on a face with the other.
  • Picking a pumpkin too heavy to lift Hug it, strain, and roll it to the wagon instead.
  • Picking apples from a tall tree Stretch on tiptoe, twist one off, polish it on your sleeve.
  • Pulling a wagon full of pumpkins Lean forward into the handle and look back when one falls off.
  • Putting a light inside a jack-o'-lantern Lift the lid, lower the light in, step back and admire the glow.
  • Raking leaves into a pile Rake, rake, and watch the wind undo it.
  • Riding on a hayride Bounce on a bale, hold the rail and pick straw off your sweater.
  • Roasting pumpkin seeds Rinse them, spread them on a tray, slide it in, then crunch one.
  • Scooping out pumpkin guts Reach in to the elbow, pull out a handful and shake the strings off.
  • Stuffing a scarecrow Push straw up a sleeve, prop up the head, step back and straighten its hat.

Party games and treats 20

  • Blowing up orange balloons Puff your cheeks, pinch the neck, let one go and watch it fly off.
  • Bobbing for apples Hands behind your back, because only teeth are allowed. Come up shaking off water.
  • Decorating spooky cookies Pipe a web in rings, drag a toothpick through it, lick your finger.
  • Eating a donut off a string Hands behind your back, chase the swinging donut with your mouth.
  • Guessing who is behind the mask Circle a masked guest, peer at the eyes and snap your fingers when you know.
  • Hanging fake cobwebs Stretch the web thin, get it stuck to both hands, then to your face.
  • Hanging paper bats from the ceiling Reach from a chair, stick one up, watch it drop, stick it again.
  • Judging a costume contest Clipboard up, circle a contestant, lift an eyebrow and write a score.
  • Ladling punch from a bubbling bowl Wave the fog aside, fill a cup and hand it over with two hands.
  • Limbo under a broomstick Lean back, shuffle under, and lose your hat to the stick.
  • Making a caramel apple Dip, twirl, take a bite and get your teeth stuck.
  • Monster freeze dance Dance like a monster and freeze mid-step when the music stops.
  • Passing an orange chin to chin Clamp it under your chin, hands behind your back, and lean toward the next player.
  • Pin the nose on the pumpkin Blindfold on, get spun, stagger and pin it nowhere near.
  • Reaching into a mystery box The hand goes in slowly, feels something cold and squishy, and shoots back out.
  • Setting up a fog machine Press the button, wait, look into the nozzle and take a face full.
  • Telling a ghost story with a flashlight under your chin Click the light on under your face and lean in to the circle.
  • Tossing an apple peel over your shoulder An old Halloween fortune game: the peel was said to land as the first letter of a future spouse's name.
  • Watching a scary movie through your fingers Popcorn on your lap, peek, jump, and the popcorn goes everywhere.
  • Wrapping a friend up as a mummy Circle an invisible person with a paper roll from ankles to head and tuck in the end.

Haunted house 22

  • A butler carrying a candelabra Walk slow and straight-backed, light held high, and beckon with one finger.
  • A candle that blows out by itself Shield the flame as you walk. It goes out. Look around slowly.
  • A ghost rattling chains Drag heavy chains from both wrists and shake them at the ceiling.
  • A mirror that shows someone behind you Fix your hair, freeze, spin around, look back in the mirror.
  • A portrait whose eyes follow you Walk past, stop, step back, step forward, then lean in eye to eye.
  • A rocking chair rocking on its own Be the chair for three rocks, then be the person backing out of the room.
  • A secret door behind a bookcase Tilt books one at a time until the wall swings and takes you with it.
  • A suit of armor that moves Stand frozen and turn your head only when the visitor looks away.
  • A tap on the shoulder with nobody there Turn. Nobody. Other shoulder. Nobody. Walk away faster.
  • A trapdoor opening under you Notice the lever, pull it anyway, look down, drop.
  • Bats flying out of the attic Push the hatch open, duck, and swat the air around your hair.
  • Hearing footsteps upstairs Freeze, look up and follow the sound across the ceiling with your eyes.
  • Hiding under the blanket Pull it over your head and lower it to eye level to check.
  • Holding on to a friend through a haunted house Both hands on an invisible sleeve, eyes shut, pulled along in small steps.
  • Jumping at your own shadow Spot it, leap, then wave at it to make sure.
  • The lights going out in the basement Look up at the bulb, feel for the stairs and take them two at a time.
  • Opening a creaky door Push slowly, wince at the noise and peer around the edge.
  • Playing a haunted pipe organ Crash both hands down on the keys, pump the pedals and throw back your head.
  • Spending the night in a haunted house on a dare Unroll a sleeping bag bravely, sit up at every noise, leave with the bag over your head.
  • Tiptoeing down a dark hallway One hand on the wall, the other feeling the air ahead.
  • Walking through cobwebs Wipe your face, spit out a strand and check your hair.
  • Working as a scare actor Hide, jump out, and the visitor does not flinch. Try harder on the next one.

Witches, wizards and potions 21

  • A broomstick that will not start Kick-start it, bounce on it, shake it, then run alongside and jump on.
  • A fortune teller reading a palm Take a hand, trace one line with a fingernail and raise both eyebrows.
  • A wand that backfires Aim at a guesser, zap, and get thrown backward yourself.
  • A witch parallel parking her broom Look over your shoulder, back in, bump the broom behind, pull forward, try again.
  • A witch's hat too tall for the door Walk in, get knocked back, duck through, stand up proudly.
  • A wizard whose hat blows away Chase it across a field, hold your beard down with the other hand.
  • Brewing a sleeping potion Sniff the pot, yawn, and nod off on your feet with the spoon still turning.
  • Casting a spell with a wand Swish, flick, and watch the result with one eye shut.
  • Catching a toad for the recipe Creep up with cupped hands, pounce, and it jumps out between your fingers.
  • Eye of newt Three words, a potion ingredient. Read the recipe, hold up something tiny by the tail and drop it in.
  • Feeding the witch's cat Set the bowl down, get ignored, move the bowl, get ignored again.
  • Flying a broomstick through a storm Hunch low, get tossed sideways and wring out your hat when you land.
  • Flying on a broomstick Grip the handle, lean into the turns and wave down at the town.
  • Giving a friend a lift on your broomstick Pat the space behind you, take off heavy and wobble with the extra weight.
  • Looking into a crystal ball Circle your hands over it, lean in and gasp at what you see.
  • One ingredient too many in the potion A pinch, a drop, one more drop, and the blast blows your hair back.
  • Reading from a spell book Blow off the dust, run a finger down the page, mouth the words and duck.
  • Stirring a cauldron Two hands on a long spoon, big slow circles, sniff the steam.
  • Sweeping with a broom that wants to fly It lifts. Push it down. It drags you across the room on your toes.
  • Tasting your own potion Sip from the spoon, shudder, and shrink toward the floor.
  • Turning a prince into a frog Zap him, watch him shrink to the floor and follow the hops with your finger.

Night animals and creepy crawlies 22

  • A black cat crossing your path Be the walker: stop dead, back up and take the long way around.
  • A cat with its fur standing on end Puff up, go stiff-legged and hop sideways with a silent hiss.
  • A spider dropping down in front of your face Read a book, go cross-eyed at the thread, lean back very slowly.
  • Bat finding its way by echo Cup your ears, open your mouth in silent squeaks and swerve around the furniture.
  • Bat hanging upside down Fold your wings across your chest and bend forward with your head down.
  • Black cat arching its back On hands and feet, push your back up high and step sideways.
  • Centipede crossing the floor Lie on your front and ripple your fingers along both sides as the legs.
  • Crow landing on a scarecrow Flap down, fold your wings and look around with sharp tilts of the head.
  • Finding a spider in the bathtub Pull back the curtain, freeze, and fetch a cup and a postcard.
  • Fly stuck in a spider web Buzz along happily, stop dead and tug one arm free at a time.
  • Moth circling a porch light Flutter in, bump the bulb, spin away, come straight back.
  • Owl swooping on a mouse Sit high, swivel your head, drop in silence with your claws out.
  • Owl turning its head Keep your shoulders square and turn your head as far as it goes, eyes wide.
  • Rat scurrying along a wall Tiny quick steps, stop, twitch your nose, carry on.
  • Raven tapping at a window Peck the glass three times, tilt your head and wait.
  • Scorpion raising its tail Snap two claw hands and curl one leg up and over behind you.
  • Snake slithering through leaves Palms together, weave one arm forward and flick your tongue.
  • Spider spinning a web Pull thread from behind you and walk it around in rings.
  • Tarantula walking up your arm Hold the arm dead still and watch it climb with wide eyes.
  • Toad catching a fly Squat still, track it with your eyes, then shoot your tongue out.
  • Vulture circling overhead Arms out and still, glide in wide circles, staring down.
  • Wolf howling at the moon Sit on your heels, lift your chin and make a long silent O.

Monsters with everyday problems 22

  • A ghost at a job interview Offer a handshake that passes through, sit down through the chair, try again.
  • A ghost haunting the wrong house Float in, throw your arms up, check the address on a slip of paper and float out.
  • A ghost trying to pick up a cup The hand goes straight through. Try slowly, try with both hands, give up.
  • A monster checking under its own bed Kneel, lift the blanket with one claw and jump back from the child under there.
  • A monster who is afraid of the dark Big stomping entrance, then the light goes out and you hug your knees.
  • A mummy caught in the rain The wrappings go soggy and heavy. Wring out one arm and squelch onward.
  • A mummy unravelling Notice a loose end, watch someone step on it and spin across the room as it unwinds.
  • A mummy with an itch under the bandages Try a finger, then a pencil, then rub your back against a door frame.
  • A scarecrow who is scared of crows Arms out on the pole, watch one land on your hand and lean away as far as you can.
  • A skeleton being chased by a dog Look down at your leg bone, look at the dog, and run.
  • A skeleton doing the limbo Lean back under the bar and catch a rib as it falls off.
  • A skeleton drinking a glass of water Drink, look down at the puddle and fetch a mop.
  • A vampire at the dentist Open wide, point proudly at the two long teeth and flinch from the little mirror.
  • A vampire looking for his reflection Comb your hair at a mirror, lean in, see nothing, shrug and keep combing.
  • A vampire putting on sunscreen Check the window, squeeze out a huge handful and coat every inch twice.
  • A vampire who faints at the sight of ketchup Pick up the bottle, squeeze, see red and go down.
  • A werewolf getting a haircut Sit in the chair as a man, see the moon in the mirror, and the barber needs bigger scissors.
  • A werewolf on a cloudy night Moon out: start to change. Cloud: change back. Moon out again.
  • A witch choosing a broom at the hardware store Test-ride each one down the aisle and check the price tag.
  • A witch riding a vacuum cleaner Hold the handle like a broom, press the button and fight the cord.
  • A zombie at a dance class Follow the teacher one beat late with stiff arms and one dragging foot.
  • A zombie stuck in a revolving door Shuffle in, keep shuffling, come around again, and again.

Spooky sayings 24

  • A chill down your spine A sudden feeling of fear.
  • Blind as a bat Unable to see well at all.
  • Boo One word, one syllable. Jump out with your hands up and mouth it.
  • Cat got your tongue Said to someone who has gone unusually quiet.
  • Chilled to the bone Very cold, or very frightened.
  • Cold feet A loss of nerve just before a big moment.
  • Dead of night The darkest, quietest part of the night.
  • Full moon Two words. Draw a big circle overhead, then start to turn into a wolf.
  • Ghost town A place that almost everybody has left.
  • Ghostwriter Someone who writes a book that carries another person's name.
  • Graveyard shift Work hours that run through the middle of the night.
  • Jump out of your skin To be badly startled.
  • Make your hair stand on end To frighten someone badly.
  • Night owl A person who likes to stay up late.
  • Pale as a ghost White in the face from fear or shock.
  • Scared stiff So frightened that you cannot move.
  • Scaredy-cat A person who is easily frightened.
  • Skeleton crew The smallest team that can keep a place running.
  • Skeleton in the closet A secret that someone hopes nobody will ever find.
  • Skeleton key One key made to open many different locks.
  • Things that go bump in the night Noises in the dark that you cannot explain.
  • Trick or treat What kids say at the door. It first shows up in print in Ontario in 1917.
  • Whistling past the graveyard Acting cheerful to hide that you are afraid.
  • Witching hour Midnight, when witches were said to be out and about.

How it works

Halloween charades words with nothing gory: 219 cards across monsters, costumes, trick-or-treating, pumpkins, a haunted house and 24 spooky sayings. Easy is one-word creatures such as Witch and Mummy. Hard is a scene, such as A vampire at the dentist.

Read the full guide

What is in the deck

Ten groups cover the night from both sides of the door: Trick-or-treating has Handing out candy at the door as well as A parent taking the candy tax. Every card in the full list has a staging hint printed under it. Under A ghost trying to pick up a cup it begins: The hand goes straight through.

Easy, Hard and a longer clock

Easy is one creature or one motion. Hard is a scene with a twist or a saying.

  • Warm up with Night animals and creepy crawlies at Easy: one creature, one action, such as Owl turning its head.
  • Silence is hard on a ghost. As a house rule, allow howls, cackles and hisses and ban only words.
  • Trick or treat is a Spooky sayings card: the earliest known use in print is from Ontario in 1917.

Questions and answers

How scary are these Halloween charades words?

Not very. No card has blood, a wound, a weapon or a horror-film villain. The monsters are the storybook kind: a mummy walks with stiff arms. For no monsters at all, pick Pumpkins and the patch: carving, hayrides and corn mazes.

Can you play Halloween charades in costume?

Yes, with two changes. Masks and capes come off for the turn, because they hide the face and arms. And agree what happens when an actor dressed as a witch draws Witch: pointing at your own hat is banned, or the night's easiest point.

Which Halloween charades words work for adults?

Pick Monsters with everyday problems or Spooky sayings. The first puts a monster somewhere ordinary: A werewolf getting a haircut, A zombie stuck in a revolving door. The second is 24 sayings to act word by word, such as Whistling past the graveyard.

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