Halloween Ideas for Tweens

Halloween starts to look a little different once you hit the tween years. Our youngest is in middle school now, and I have a feeling this will be one of those in between Halloweens.This year, we’re embracing this age and using our new screened-in porch as a place for him and his friends to come back to after trick-or-treating. A little food, something sweet, plenty of drinks and a place to sit and hang out.

There’s something so sweet and fun about this stage. They’re getting older, but they still get excited about Halloween candy and dressing up. They just don’t necessarily want a big, planned-out night of trick or treating anymore. Kids this age mostly want to be with their friends. This stage is perfect to host a Halloween porch party. Nothing over-the-top or that takes weeks to plan. Just a few easy Halloween decorations, good food and a space where they can hang out for the evening. I love that Halloween can still feel special without making it a whole production.

Fun and Simple Halloween Ideas for Tweens

The best Halloween ideas for tweens are usually the ones that give them something to enjoy without making them feel like every minute of the night has been planned. Invite a few friends over before trick-or-treating, or have them come back afterward. If they want to trick-or-treat, have snacks and drinks ready to go. Kids this age also love to hand out Halloween candy.

Keep the night simple and fun! Put glow sticks in a basket by the door. Have everything ready for a s’mores station. The kids can move from one thing to the next without needing much direction. They might eat for a while, head out to trick or treat, come back and make s’mores, then spend the rest of the evening talking.

Set Up a Halloween Candy Bar

A Halloween candy bar is one of my favorite ideas for a tween Halloween gathering because it is easy and it gives them something fun to do.

Set out bowls of gummy worms, M&M’s, Reese’s Pieces, candy corn, sour candy, gummy eyeballs and whatever else your kids love. Provide little treat bags and let the kids make their own mix. Small paper bags or clear treat bags would work perfectly. The candy bar can stay out all evening, and it’s really perfect for kids who feel like they are “too old” to trick or treat.

Halloween Cake Decorating Station

I love this activity for tweens! Buy a plain chocolate-iced cake (you can also use cupcakes if you prefer) from your local grocery store and put out bowls of Halloween candy for everyone to decorate it with. Gummy worms are a must! You can also include candy eyes, Halloween sprinkles, mini M&M’s, and whatever else you have on hand. It gives them something to do when they first arrive, and you’ve got dessert covered without having to make anything. I think this is a super simple but also super fun idea for this age.

Make S’mores Around the Fire

If you have a fire pit, Halloween is the perfect night for s’mores. (If you don’t have a fire pit, I love this indoor s’mores maker!)

Put out all the s’mores essntials, including graham crackers, chocolate and marshmallows. Add few extras if you want to make it a little more fun. Reese’s Cups, different chocolate bars and different kinds of marshmallows are all easy additions. S’mores are so simple, but it always is something that kids will remember.

Easy Halloween Food for Tweens

When it comes to food, I would keep everything easy. Tweens are happy to grab something when they are hungry, so there is no reason to plan a sit-down meal.

For our Halloween porch gathering, I would serve:

• Pizza
• Popcorn
• Pretzels
• Veggie tray and dip
• Chips and dip
• Apple slices with caramel dip
• Chocolate cake for decorating
• A Halloween candy bar
• S’mores
• Apple cider
• Bottled water and soft drinks

Put everything out buffet-style and let everyone help themselves. That way, the kids can eat whenever they want, and you can actually enjoy the evening, too.

Trick-or-Treating for Tweens

I don’t think you have to decide that your child is too old for trick-or-treating just because they started middle school. If they want to go, it’s actually such a fun activity for this age group.

They may walk around the neighborhood for an hour and then come home ready to hang out. Some kids may only visit a few houses before deciding they would rather be on the porch with their friends. Either way, I think it is worth letting them enjoy it while they still want to.

Halloween doesn’t have to go from little-kid trick-or-treating straight to doing nothing. There can be a few years in between when they still love Halloween, but the focus starts to shift toward spending time with friends. I think that is part of growing up.

I’ve linked some super fun treat bags below.

Have a Halloween Movie Playing

Once everyone comes back from trick-or-treating, put on a Halloween movie and let it play in the background.

It doesn’t have to become a movie night. Instead, think of it as something fun to have on while everyone is eating, talking and hanging out.

Some good choices for tweens include Harry Potter, Hocus Pocus, Casper, The Addams Family, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Halloweentown.

Make Halloween Special During the Tween Years

I think the best Halloween ideas for tweens are the ones that let them enjoy the holiday without making everything feel planned.

Let them trick-or-treat for a little while. Have a candy bar waiting when they get back. Put out a chocolate cake with gummy worms and Halloween candy for them to decorate. Make s’mores around the fire. Turn on some music and have a Halloween movie playing in the background.

They might spend the first part of the night walking around the neighborhood and the second half sitting on the porch talking. They might decorate the cake, then make s’mores, trade candy and watch a little bit of Harry Potter before getting distracted by whatever they are talking about. That’s what I love about this stage!

After all those years of costumes, candy bags and walking door to door with little kids, Halloween is becoming something different at our house. Tweens are still kids, but they are growing up. For now, I think giving them a place to gather with their friends is exactly what they need. I’ve linked all the fun things for a Halloween porch party below. Happy Fall and Happy Halloween!

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