Halloween Party for Seniors
Our Doubting Believer Community mission emphasis in September is Older Adults–in our churches, our families and our communities. Here’s an easy-to-throw Halloween Party to use with, well, anyone, but it is especially geared toward older adults. You could do all of these activities or just one or two. Not everyone will be into it, but people who love Halloween never stop enjoying it.
Guess the Weight Pumpkin
Bring in a large pumpkin and have guests submit their guess to it’s weight (without picking it up). The winner gets the pumpkin (or some other pumpkin-related prize).
Halloween Selfie Station
Set up a picture station with a simple backdrop and 10 to 12 costume props. Devil’s horns headband, witches hat, mustache, big glasses, etc. Or just Google “Halloween Photo Booth Props” and order some ready made. They’re pretty inexpensive.
Many seniors have their own smart phones, but it would be a good idea to have someone there available to take pictures. If you have some teenagers handy, have them come and give “selfie stick” lessons. You might also want to have a Polaroid on hand for instant prints.
Halloween Story Corps
Set up a corner with some good lighting and someone to video seniors telling their favorite Halloween memory from childhood. If it’s a church group, share with your church. A retirement community, make it available to the activities director to show at a later date. If your crew is internet savvy, post it password protected to YouTube and send out the link and password to all who participated.
Halloween Trivia
These questions can be put in one big list for individuals to answer. You could do a team challenge and read out the questions and see which team gets the most right. Here are some suggested questions, but of course, you can add your own.
What is the word Hallowe’en an abbreviation of? – All Hallows Eve
What is a group of witches called? – A coven
What would you traditionally bob for at Halloween parties? – Apples
What is the traditional name for a pumpkin with a face carved into it, when it is illuminated from within by a candle? – Jack O’ Lantern
What were Jack O’Lanterns carved from before pumpkins were used? – Turnips.
Which song was a 1973 hit for Bobby “Boris” Pickett and the Crypt-Kickers? (lyric clue: it was a graveyard smash.) – “Monster Mash”
Who wrote the novel “Dracula”? – Bram Stoker.
Name the country over which Vlad Dracula once ruled, which still considers him a national hero? – Romania
Hallowe’en was first celebrated by who? – Druids
Who wrote the novel, “Frankenstein”? – Mary Shelley
What was Dr. Frankenstein’s first name? – Victor
Why did the tradition of fancy dress for Hallowe’en begin? – So that when evil spirits see you, they’ll think you’re one of them and leave you alone.
What does the old English word “Hallow” mean? – Saint.
By what Halloween-y name is midnight also known? – The witching hour.
Halloween Bingo
Bingo is always a big hit–especially if you have fun prizes. Here are the calling cards as well as bingo cards to use. Just print off on card stock. You can use candy corn as markers. (see templates at the end of this post)
Eats and Treats
Easy Pumpkin Muffins
1 box spice cake mix
1 can pumpkin
1/2 bag chocolate chips
Mix together and bake according to box directions for cupcakes. Makes about 24 muffins.
Old-Fashioned Nut Roll Mix
Remember these? Candy Corn mixed with equal parts peanuts taste just like them. Really. You can put the mix in little bags or jars. It’s a colorful, sweet and salty snack.
Again, please use any or all of these ideas. And please add your own ideas for such an event in the comments.