7 Last-Minute Ideas for Halloween

Did Halloween sneak up on you? It can happen to all of us! One minute they’re putting candy corn on the shelves at the grocery store, and the next minute you realize there’s a costume party tomorrow and you don’t have so much as a mask. Even so, getting into the Halloween spirit is a special part of each year, and there are plenty of ways to celebrate.

These seven last minute ideas for Halloween will have you covered, from treats to costumes, decor to activities, and more. Choose a few to try with your family and let the celebrations begin!

If Halloween is just around the corner and you still need costumes for your family, look no further than your own closets! It can be really fun to get creative and use what you have to create a Halloween costume. A plaid shirt, boots, and tool belt can become a lumberjack costume. Or grab a red skirt or shorts, purple shirt, and a headband for a no-sew Elinor from "Elinor Wonders Why" costume! Brainstorm with your family on a few ideas and dive into your closets to see what you can put together. (For more easy DIY costumes for kids, check out these video tutorials!)

Baking is a wonderful fall family activity! Try an online search for fall baking recipes and let the kids help choose one that looks delicious and fun to make. Breads, cookies, donuts, muffins (like these “Molly of Denali” inspired Spiced Oatmeal Muffins), and more are all great options. As you’re baking, encourage children to help mix, measure, and pour. It’s a fantastic way to work on kitchen skills while creating something together.

Look around the house for materials that you could upcycle into cute Halloween crafts! This adorable bat decor is made from an empty toilet paper roll that found new life. Children can help paint the bat body, cut and glue wings, and draw on a face. Once the bats are finished, they can be used as fun fall decor or Halloween treat holders!

If you’re short on time and want to decorate pumpkins, try painting instead of carving! Younger children can paint pumpkins with foam brushes and nontoxic paint to make their own creations. Or, with older children, try paint pens for a fun alternative. Paint pens make it possible to create more intricate patterns and drawings, and come in lots of fun colors. Try your painted pumpkin art on a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Mini pumpkins might be a great idea for little hands! For another option, try making these pipe cleaner pumpkins.

When in doubt, dance it out! A Halloween dance party is a sure way to get the family in the spirit of the season. Create a playlist filled with spooky classics like “Monster Mash,” “I Put a Spell On You,” and any other family favorites. As you listen to your playlist, try some fun music-based games like freeze dance, musical chairs, and more. Kids can take turns playing DJ and stopping or starting the music for the various games.

For a fun Halloween craft idea, try this paper haunted house! This project comes with a printable template that your children can cut and trace. Or your family can get creative and draw your own houses. Cut out three sides of each window (leaving one intact) and glue the house onto another piece of paper. Then you can draw creepy or silly scenes inside of each window. Open and close the window flaps for a fun peek-a-boo effect! This project is wonderful for working on fine motor skills like cutting, gluing, and drawing.

There’s not much cuter than an animal in a costume! If you have a pet who is willing and able to join in the Halloween fun, make a comfortable costume for your family’s furry friend. Let children help brainstorm ideas — you might be surprised what they come up with! Always be sure to use materials that are safe and nontoxic for animals, and that your pet is comfortable in a costume.