Halloween Fun in the Backyard: Spooky Court Games for the Family
Halloween isn’t just about candy and costumes; it’s the perfect time to get outside, enjoy some fresh air, and have fun with spooky games on your backyard court! Here’s a lineup of family-friendly, Halloween-inspired court games that’ll bring out the laughs, a few scares, and plenty of memories.
Spooky Pickleball: Monster Smash
Transform your pickleball court into a Halloween-themed battle with a few fun twists on the classic game.
Glow-in-the-Dark Net & Ball: Use glow-in-the-dark tape on the net and a glow ball to set the stage.
Monster Rules: When you “monster smash” the ball (a hard serve), the opposing team must return it with their non-dominant hand for a fun twist!
Costume Bonus: Award extra points for the most creative Halloween costume that can handle a few games of pickleball!
Haunted Basketball: Trick-or-Treat Shot Challenge
In this Halloween twist on a classic basketball game, every shot comes with a trick or treat!
Set Up Trick-or-Treat Buckets: Place small buckets or containers with “tricks” or “treats” near the hoop. After each shot, the player picks a slip from the bucket.
Treats: Earn extra points or an advantage for the next shot.
Tricks: Funny challenges like “shoot with your eyes closed” or “take a shot from further away.”
Costume Contest Dunk: Add to the fun by letting everyone take a turn at the hoop in costume and vote for the best Halloween-themed dunk attempt!
Zombie Volleyball
Take volleyball to a whole new level with this undead-inspired game.
Zombie Walk Rule: Players must shuffle like zombies until the ball is served. After that, they can move freely until the next serve.
Creepy Music: Play spooky background music for that added Halloween vibe.
Themed Teams: Divide into “Ghosts” vs. “Goblins” or “Witches” vs. “Werewolves” for extra fun.
Ghostly Relay Races
Perfect for families with younger kids, these relay races on the court are a blast for all ages.
Pumpkin Relay: Each player must dribble a small pumpkin (or a basketball decorated like one) across the court without using their hands.
Mummy Wrap Race: Divide into pairs and see who can wrap their teammate in toilet paper the fastest, then have the “mummy” shuffle to the finish line without unwrapping.
Monster Crawl: Create a “haunted path” and have players crawl, hop, or shuffle to the finish while avoiding “ghosts” (other players trying to tag them).
Haunted Court Decor Ideas
Bring your Halloween court games to life with some spooky decorations:
String Lights: Use orange and purple lights to give the court a haunted glow.
Spider Webs & Creepy Props: Hang cobwebs on the net, benches, or around the court’s edges. Add inflatable ghosts, skeletons, or a cauldron to set the Halloween mood.
Fog Machine: Add a fog machine for a dramatic and spooky effect, especially for evening games.
Final Tips for a Spook-tacular Halloween Game Night
Safety First: Make sure all players can safely move and see in their costumes, especially if the games go into the evening.
Snacks & Treats: Keep some Halloween-themed snacks and drinks on hand for breaks between games. Here’s a list of some easy recipes to try!
Costume-Friendly Games: Choose games that allow for easy movement in costumes, so everyone can stay comfortable and safe.
Halloween in the backyard is a perfect opportunity to bring family and friends together for a night of fun, laughter, and a little bit of fright! With spooky twists on your favorite games, you’ll create memories that last well beyond Halloween night. Happy haunting!
