Creative Themes for Halloween Parties

Halloween is the perfect excuse to throw a fun party for your tween and her friends. But before you do, you need to consider themes for Halloween get-togethers. A theme will help you plan the event, from invitations to goody bags, and it will make it fun and exciting for your party guests. Consider the themes below with your child, and then choose one that you both know will work within your budget and make for some serious Halloween fun.

Themes for Halloween Parties

Vampire Prom Party: Everybody wants to go to the prom, but what about the vampire prom? Turn your Halloween party into a prom for blood suckers and their dates. Decorate with candles, black silk roses, black and red balloons and table wear, and bat silhouette cutouts that you make using black construction paper. A coffin-shaped cake and red blood punch make for perfect treats. Party games could include a vampire growling contest, pin the fangs on the count, or a vampire trivia game. Fill goody bags with plastic vampire teeth and red and black lollipops. Watch campy vampire movies from the 1950s and 1960s.

Zombie Apocalypse Party: Zombies make great party guests, and you can turn an ordinary Halloween bash into a zombie apocalypse party. Have guests come dressed in play clothes, and then whip up a batch of fake blood. Give your guests a zombie makeover using the fake blood and theatrical make up. Then host a zombie parade, offering awards for the best lumber, best stumble and best moan.

A Pumpkin Party: A Halloween party doesn't have to be scary, if you don't want it to be. Some children may prefer a tamer festivity. If you're thinking of throwing a Halloween party without all the fright, a pumpkin-themed party might be your answer. To make the most of this party, decorate with pumpkins and have your guests participate in a pumpkin carving contest. Pumpkin-themed snacks, drinks and goody bags bring it all together.

Famous American Costume Party: A Halloween party can double as a history lesson if you ask your guests to come dressed as a famous American. Have guests write down three facts about their American on a sheet of paper when they arrive, and once everyone is there, take turns guessing who is who. Or, you could have every guest write the names of three famous Americans they'd like to have dinner with, and then the crowd takes turns matching the lists with your party guests. Offer your guests traditional Halloween snacks and treats, and don't forget to dance or lip sync to traditional Halloween songs such as Monster Mash and Werewolves in London. Bobbing for apples is another must, and make sure you have a special treat for your winner.

Dead Wedding Party Theme: Weddings are the best of celebrations and a dead wedding party is a chance for some Halloween fun and games. Invite the undead to your wedding reception, pick a bride and groom, and then have a blast. Invite guests to dress as vampires, werewolves, zombies or ghosts. Table wear, table clothes, napkins and streamers should all be black and decorate your wedding cake with an undead bride and groom. (Just take plastic bride and groom cake decorations and have fun turning them into a headless couple or zombies in love.) Dance to Halloween music and give your undead guests plenty of snacks and activities, such as a zombie obstacle course. Have your zombie friends work their way through the course, hand out awards to the winners.