Spooky Cheap Halloween Party Ideas

Last year, I almost skipped throwing a Halloween party because, honestly, my wallet was already screaming from all the fall expenses. But then I thought — does a fun night with friends really have to cost a fortune? Spoiler alert: it doesn’t. I ended up putting together a spooky little get-together with some cheap Halloween party ideas that turned out way better than I expected. From DIY decorations made out of old jars to simple snacks that looked like they came straight out of a haunted kitchen, it was such a hit!

If you’ve ever wanted to throw a party but worried about the cost, I totally get it. That’s why I’m sharing a bunch of affordable, creative ways to make your Halloween unforgettable — without emptying your bank account. Ready to see how a little creativity (and a lot of tape) can go a long way? Let’s dive in!

Cheap Halloween Party Ideas

Hosting a spooky celebration doesn’t have to break the bank—Cheap Halloween Party Ideas make it easy to throw a fun and festive event on a budget. With a little creativity, you can enjoy costumes, games, and treats without spending a fortune.

DIY Ghost Lanterns

Okay, so this one’s a total lifesaver if you’re trying to make your Halloween party look spooky without spending big bucks. Last year, I was staring at my plain backyard thinking, “Hmm, this needs ghosts.” So I grabbed a few empty jars (the ones I couldn’t throw away because I might use them someday), stuffed them with cheap string lights, and drew silly ghost faces on them using a black marker. Honestly, it turned out way cuter than I expected. The best part? When it got dark, those glowing jars looked like tiny floating spirits. My friends kept asking where I bought them—and I proudly said, “Nowhere. Made ‘em myself!”

To be fair, if you don’t have jars, even plastic cups or milk jugs work fine. You can hang them from trees or line your walkway. Just add a few cobwebs around them, and you’ve got instant spooky vibes. Trust me, no one will guess you spent almost nothing.

Trash Bag Spider Webs

This one’s ridiculously easy and budget-friendly. I stumbled on it a few Halloweens ago when I was broke but determined to make my place look haunted. All you need are black trash bags and scissors. Yep, that’s it. I remember cutting the first one thinking, “There’s no way this is going to look good,” but once I unfolded it—bam! Instant spider web. I stuck it on my window with tape and felt like a DIY genius. It’s wild how something so simple can transform a space.

In my opinion, the trick is to layer a few webs together and maybe throw in a plastic spider or two (or twenty, if you’re dramatic like me). You can even tape them over your porch lights for that eerie glow-through look. Every time I do this, my neighbors stop to stare—probably wondering how I pulled it off with just trash bags.

Toilet Paper Mummy Game

Oh, this game is pure chaos and laughter rolled into one. I played it first at a friend’s Halloween bash, and I swear my stomach hurt from laughing so hard. The idea’s simple—you split everyone into teams, hand each team a roll of toilet paper, and tell them to “mummify” one person as fast as possible. The fun part? The paper always rips, people trip over themselves, and no one can stop laughing. I’ve found it’s even better if you play some spooky music in the background—it adds to the madness.

When I hosted my own party, I made it a contest. The best-looking mummy won a silly prize (I gave out a plastic eyeball trophy). Honestly, it’s the easiest, cheapest, and most hilarious game ever. Just make sure to clean up the mess afterward—or don’t, if you want your floor to look like a toilet paper graveyard for a while.

Costume Relay Race

Turn costume fun into an energetic party game! A costume relay race gets everyone moving and laughing as they dress up in oversized Halloween items. This low-cost activity only needs a few wacky dress-up pieces.

• Collect old hats, wigs, scarves, gloves, and jackets

• Set up two lines and divide guests into teams

• Players must run, put on all costume items, return, and pass them to the next person

• Time each team to see who finishes fastest

• Encourage silly poses at the end for bonus fun

Spooky Sound Guessing Game

This eerie guessing game is great for smaller parties or quiet moments during the night. It adds mystery and suspense without costing a dime. All you need is a speaker or phone and a little imagination.

• Gather creepy sounds like howling, footsteps, creaking doors, etc.

• Play each sound clip for a few seconds

• Ask guests to write down their guesses

• Offer Halloween candy to the best guesser

• For extra challenge, include unusual sounds (like bubbling potions or bats)

DIY Pumpkin Bowling

Pumpkin bowling is a silly and active game that’s perfect for outdoor or garage parties. It’s fun for all ages and can be made using items you already have.

• Use empty water or soda bottles as pins

• Decorate the bottles with ghost or monster faces

• Find a small round pumpkin as your bowling ball

• Mark a “lane” using tape or string

• Keep score or play just for fun

Mystery Touch Box

Give your guests a spooky surprise with this sensory challenge. Mystery touch boxes are a hit with both kids and adults and are super cheap to create.

• Use small boxes or containers with holes cut out

• Fill each with odd items (peeled grapes = eyeballs, spaghetti = guts)

• Label the boxes with creepy names like “zombie brains”

• Blindfold players or ask them to reach in and guess

• Reveal answers at the end for laughs and shrieks

Haunted Treasure Hunt

Create a thrilling scavenger hunt using household items and themed clues. This budget-friendly activity gets guests moving and thinking.

• Write simple rhyming clues or riddles that lead to hidden treats

• Hide candy, small toys, or Halloween stickers

• Set up clues in different rooms or around your yard

• Make the final prize something everyone can share

• Use glow-in-the-dark tape or mini flashlights for nighttime fun

Pin the Hat on the Witch

This Halloween spin on a classic game is perfect for kids and easy to make at home. It brings laughs and doesn’t require expensive materials.

• Draw or print out a large witch figure and hats

• Blindfold each guest and spin them before their turn

• Let them try to stick the hat in the correct spot

• Use double-sided tape or sticky tack

• Offer small treats to participants for added fun

Halloween Charades

Charades never get old, especially with a spooky twist. You don’t need anything fancy—just your imagination and a few themed ideas.

• Write Halloween-related actions or characters on slips of paper (witch, zombie, carving a pumpkin)

• Divide into two teams

• Take turns acting out and guessing

• Add a time limit for each round

• Keep score or just play for laughs

Creepy Cupcake Decorating

Let guests show their spooky creativity with a cupcake decorating station. It doubles as both an activity and dessert!

• Bake simple vanilla or chocolate cupcakes in advance

• Offer toppings like gummy worms, candy eyes, and orange frosting

• Provide plastic knives, piping bags, and napkins

• Encourage a contest for the creepiest or funniest cupcake

• Let guests eat or take home their creations

Skeleton Puzzle Race

Test your guests’ speed and knowledge with a DIY skeleton-building race. It’s fun, interactive, and educational for kids too.

• Cut out paper skeleton pieces from a printable template

• Mix them up in a pile for each team

• Players must assemble the skeleton in the correct order

• Time each team or have a race-style competition

• Tape the finished skeleton to the wall as decoration

Monster Freeze Dance

This high-energy game combines music, dancing, and hilarious monster moves. It’s perfect for kids and doesn’t cost anything to organize.

• Play Halloween-themed music (Monster Mash, Ghostbusters)

• Have players dance like monsters while music plays

• When the music stops, everyone must freeze

• Anyone who moves is out

• Keep going until one monster remains

DIY Halloween Bingo

Create your own bingo cards using Halloween symbols for a simple and engaging party game. It’s a great icebreaker and can be reused every year.

• Design cards with icons like pumpkins, spiders, black cats, etc.

• Use candy corn or buttons as bingo markers

• Call out symbols or show printed images

• First to get a line shouts “BOO!” and wins a prize

• Offer small treats for every participant

Glow Stick Ring Toss

A glowing game that’s especially fun in the dark, this ring toss activity adds a bright twist to your party. It’s easy to make and super affordable.

• Use glow sticks to form rings and a central stick (like a paper towel roll or soda bottle)

• Set up in a dark area or turn off the lights

• Have players stand back and toss rings

• Award points based on how many rings land

• Make it harder by increasing distance or adding obstacles

Tips for Saving Even More

Planning a Halloween party on a budget doesn’t mean cutting corners on fun. With a few smart tricks, you can stretch your money even further and still host a celebration that’s full of spooky charm. These extra savings tips will help you reduce costs without sacrificing creativity or quality.

• Buy items in bulk or during off-season sales
  Stock up on decorations, party supplies, and candy when stores offer post-Halloween discounts. You’ll be prepared for next year while saving big.

• Use online free printables for games, decor, and invites
  Take advantage of the many free resources available online. From spooky signs to game cards and invitation templates, you can print everything at home and skip store-bought extras.

• Host a potluck-style party
  Ask guests to bring a Halloween-themed dish, snack, or drink. This not only cuts food costs but also adds variety and gets everyone involved in the fun.

• Repurpose old decor from previous years
  Dig through your storage to reuse items like string lights, spider webs, or costume pieces. A little creativity can give old decorations a fresh twist.

Let these budget-friendly tips guide your planning so you can focus more on the thrills and less on the bills!

FAQ

How can I throw a Halloween party on a tight budget?

You can throw a great Halloween party by focusing on DIY decorations, simple homemade snacks, free printables, and low-cost games. Hosting at home and asking guests to bring a dish (potluck style) also helps save money.

What are some cheap Halloween decorations I can make at home?

Use items like black trash bags for spider webs, empty milk jugs for ghost lanterns, and cardboard boxes for tombstones. Dollar stores are also great places to find affordable Halloween décor.

How do I plan Halloween games without spending too much?

Many classic party games can be Halloween-themed for free—like mummy wrap races using toilet paper, Halloween charades, or scavenger hunts with printable clues. You only need basic materials and a little creativity.

Are DIY costumes really cheaper than store-bought ones?

Yes! You can use old clothes and basic materials to create fun costumes like zombies, ghosts, or scarecrows. You can also mix and match accessories from past years or borrow from friends.