When the candy’s calling and the kids are bouncing off the walls, there’s only one fix: send them through a Haunted Obstacle Course. No need for Pinterest-level crafting — you can build this whole setup in 10 minutes flat using what’s already lying around your home or garden.
This one’s pure Playland energy — fast, funny, and just spooky enough.
Step 1: Broomstick Jumps
Grab an old broom (bonus points if it’s slightly crooked). Lay it on the grass and have the kids jump over it like witches in training. Make it a race, or time each jumper with your phone — the higher the jump, the bigger the cheer.
Twist it: Add sound effects. Every time someone jumps, the crowd yells “WHOOSH!” like a flying witch.
Step 2: Pumpkin Tunnel
A large cardboard box, an orange bedsheet, or even a pop-up play tunnel instantly becomes your “Pumpkin Tunnel.” Let the kids crawl through it while pretending they’re escaping a pumpkin monster. Fast crawlers get extra candy — slow crawlers get “pumpkin goo” penalties (just high-fives, don’t worry).
Twist it: Stick glow-in-the-dark stickers inside for nighttime spookiness.
Step 3: Ghost Flags
Use white napkins or cloth pieces taped to sticks — boom, instant ghost flags. Place them at the finish line and have kids race to capture them. The rule? You can’t let your ghost touch the ground, or you have to howl like a lost spirit.
Twist it: Hide a few flags around the yard and turn it into a “Ghost Hunt.”
Step 4: Monster March Finish Line
Make the last stretch pure silliness — kids must march, stomp, or crawl like their favorite monster until they cross the line. This burns off the final burst of sugar-fueled chaos before you bring out the snacks.
Bonus: Chill-Down Challenge
When it’s over, turn the haunted hype into calm laughter. Everyone lies down, takes “pumpkin breaths” (deep in, slow out), and giggles about who fell into the broomstick first.
The Haunted Obstacle Course is quick to set up, burns serious energy, and gives kids a story to tell before they even see a single candy wrapper.
Halloween doesn’t need perfection — just laughter, movement, and a bit of spooky magic.
🕸️ Find more playful Halloween adventures at emilysplayland.com.
