21 Best Halloween Board Games For Kids Of All Ages

October is when game night gets spooky at our house. Over the years, we’ve found a handful of Halloween board games that have become part of our fall routine, some light and silly, others full of creepy twists and strategy.

Whether we’re playing with younger kids or trying to impress a group of teens, the right game sets the tone for the night.

If you’re planning a Halloween get-together or just want an excuse to open a bag of candy and gather around the table, these are the ones we keep reaching for.

Collage of Halloween board games including Scream, Zombie Kittens, Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, Ticket to Ride Ghost Train, Arkham Horror, The Haunted Mansion, Goosebumps, and Boooo-opoly.

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Best Horror Board Games to Play on Halloween

From lighthearted monster games to eerie thrillers, this list covers a wide mix of Halloween-themed board and card games.

Each one includes age recommendations and a scare rating, so you can pick the right level of spooky for your group.

Whether you’re planning a family game night or a party with older kids, there’s something here to fit the mood.

Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza Halloween Edition

We brought this one to a family Halloween party last year and it was total chaos, in the best way. The spooky twist on the original game makes it even more fun, especially with kids shouting “mummy!” or “vampire!” while trying not to slap the wrong card. It’s silly, fast-paced, and great for mixed age groups (as long as you’re okay with a little friendly hand-smacking).

Age Rating: 8+
Scary Rating: 2/10

Boooo-opoly

We played this with cousins over fall break, and it turned into a full evening of goofy fun. It’s Monopoly with a Halloween makeover, haunted properties, “Trick and Treat” cards, and themed tokens like a black cat and candy corn. Definitely more about the theme than serious strategy, but perfect for younger kids or anyone who enjoys a seasonal spin on a classic.

Age Rating: 8+
Scary Rating: 3/10

The Haunted Mansion

If your family loves the Disney ride, this one’s a must. My son got into collecting ghost cards right away, while I tried (and failed) to avoid the Haunt cards. The rotating hallway is a fun feature that adds a bit of suspense. It’s simple to learn but has enough strategy to keep older kids and adults interested too.

Age Rating: 8+
Scary Rating: 5/10

Arkham Horror

This one is intense, in the best way. We only pull it out when everyone’s ready to settle in for a long night of battling Lovecraft-style monsters. You really have to work together, and the tension builds as your sanity starts slipping. Not for the faint of heart, but if you love dark themes and deep strategy, it’s worth every minute.

Age Rating: 14+
Scary Rating: 8/10

One Night Ultimate Werewolf

This is our go-to for Halloween parties with teens. It’s fast, loud, and packed with accusations and laughs. Everyone picks a secret role, and by the end of the round, you’re either a genius or totally exposed. We’ve even played it in the dark with flashlights for extra drama.

Age Rating: 8+
Scary Rating: 4/10

Betrayal at The House on The Hill

This one’s become a Halloween staple in our house. It starts off cooperative as you explore a haunted mansion, but once the “haunt” is triggered and someone turns traitor, everything shifts. The surprise twist keeps it fresh every time, we’ve had creepy dolls come to life, portals open, and one time my son had to fight off his possessed teammate. It’s definitely a favorite with teens.

Age Rating: 12+
Scary Rating: 7/10

Horrified

We first played this on a rainy October afternoon, and it instantly became a hit. You team up to defeat classic monsters, like Dracula, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, and Frankenstein’s monster, each with different strategies. It’s got enough tension to feel dramatic but stays family-friendly. We like to dim the lights and put on eerie music for atmosphere.

Age Rating: 10+
Scary Rating: 6/10

Scooby Doo in Betrayal at Mystery Mansion

This is a lighter, younger version of Betrayal at House on the Hill, and it works so well. My son’s a huge Scooby fan, so getting to play as Shaggy or Velma was half the fun. The game has spooky twists, but it’s more goofy than scary. Great for mixed ages or if you want that haunted vibe without anyone getting truly freaked out.

Age Rating: 8+
Scary Rating: 4/10

Ghost in The Attic

We played this with younger cousins during a Halloween sleepover, and they loved it. The glowing ghost clues are such a cool detail, and since it’s cooperative, nobody ends up frustrated. It’s a gentle intro to spooky themes and also sneaks in some teamwork and problem-solving. Bonus: no batteries required!

Age Rating: 5+
Scary Rating: 2/10

Horror Trivia Card Game

This one was definitely for the adults and older teens in our group. It has questions from horror movies, books, and general creepy lore, some obscure, some surprisingly easy. We used it between rounds of other games, and it turned into a whole “guess the horror fact” challenge. Perfect for Halloween night if your group loves scary movie marathons.

Age Rating: 12+
Scary Rating: 3/10

Couch Skeletons Card Game

This one was a surprise hit during our last Halloween get-together. Everyone plays as a skeleton at a party, trying to figure out who’s who through deduction and bluffing. It’s light, weird, and a little chaotic in the best way. The gameplay moves fast, and it’s perfect as a warm-up game or filler between heavier titles.

Age Rating: 8+
Scary Rating: 2/10

Zombie Kittens Card Game

If your family already loves Exploding Kittens, this version adds just enough spooky fun to feel seasonal. The undead twists give it a new layer, and my son thought the zombie kitten art was hilarious. It’s still fast-paced and ridiculous, which is exactly what we needed after playing a longer, more intense game earlier in the night.

Age Rating: 8+
Scary Rating: 3/10

Hocus Pocus Tricks & Wits Card Game

We’re big Hocus Pocus fans, so this one was mostly a no-brainer. It’s a cooperative card game where you work together to stop the Sanderson sisters, simple to learn and surprisingly strategic. It’s great for mixed ages and works especially well as a wind-down game after something more competitive.

Age Rating: 8+
Scary Rating: 3/10

Boo Hollow – Pumpkin Showdown

This one looks fantastic on the table, the art is bold, colorful, and full of Halloween charm. It’s a good pick if you want something that feels spooky but isn’t scary. Quick turns, light strategy, and cute ghost cards made it a good choice for a laid-back game night with kids.

Age Rating: 8+
Scary Rating: 2/10

Goosebumps The Board Game

Total nostalgia hit for me, and surprisingly fun for the kids too. You race through a haunted board to get to the typewriter before the monsters do. It’s not super complex, but it taps into that classic Goosebumps vibe really well. We paired it with a couple of old Goosebumps episodes and made a whole themed night out of it.

Age Rating: 8+
Scary Rating: 4/10

Ticket to Ride Ghost Train Board Game

If your kids already enjoy Ticket to Ride, this Halloween version is a fun seasonal swap. The ghost trains and haunted town stops are just spooky enough without changing the core gameplay. We brought this out on a stormy October weekend, and it was perfect, familiar, easy to set up, and just eerie enough to feel festive.

Age Rating: 6+
Scary Rating: 2/10

Scream The Game

I didn’t expect to like this one as much as I did, but it’s intense in the best way. The app adds real-time pressure with Ghostface calling out demands while the timer ticks down. We played it with older teens, and there was a lot of shouting, scrambling, and laughing. It’s more of a party game, but it nails the movie’s suspense.

Age Rating: 13+
Scary Rating: 6/10

Pick Your Poison Card Game

This one’s more hilarious than spooky, but it fits right into a Halloween party lineup. You’re choosing between two awful “would you rather” scenarios, and then defending your choice. We’ve had some ridiculous debates over the options, and it always gets people talking. Definitely one for adults or older teens who enjoy twisted humor.

Age Rating: 10+
Scary Rating: 2/10

Johnny The Skull

We pulled this out during a kids’ Halloween party, and it was a total hit. Johnny projects ghosts on the walls and ceiling, and kids race to blast them with a little blaster gun. It’s silly, active, and surprisingly entertaining, even a few adults jumped in for a round. Great for younger kids who need to burn off energy before candy time.

Age Rating: 6+
Scary Rating: 3/10

Operation Disney The Nightmare Before Christmas Board Game

We’ve always loved the classic Operation, so the Jack Skellington version was an easy pick. The themed objects and artwork make it perfect for Halloween and Christmas alike. It’s simple, familiar, and a fun option when you want something short and stress-free. Bonus: it works well as a calmer game between louder ones.

Age Rating: 6+
Scary Rating: 3/10

Stupid Deaths

This one’s dark, funny, and surprisingly educational. We first played it during a teen Halloween night, and it had everyone laughing and groaning in equal measure. The trivia cards are wild, some true, some made up, and you have to guess which is which before the Grim Reaper catches you. It’s definitely more party game than strategy, but the bizarre death facts are half the fun.

Age Rating: 12+
Scary Rating: 2/10

We’d love to hear which spooky games are a hit in your house, drop your favorites in the comments so we can all add to our Halloween game night lists.

Last Updated on 16 July 2025 by Clare Brown

Best Horror Board Games to Play on Halloween

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