The week before Halloween is always full of excitement, energy, and maybe a little extra sugar! 😅 I love channeling that energy into meaningful, hands-on activities that let students move, explore, and create. Here are a few of my favorite ideas for a festive (and manageable!) week leading up to Halloween.
🍂 Pass the Pumpkin Song
(This adorable idea isn’t mine — but it’s a favorite!)
If your class loves circle games, they’ll go wild for Pass the Pumpkin!
It’s just like “The Wonder Ball,” but with a seasonal twist. Students sit in a circle and pass around a small pumpkin as they sing:
“Pass the pumpkin all around,
Listen to the spooky sound,
Ooo, ooo, will it land on you?
BOO!”
Whoever the pumpkin lands on when you say “BOO!” gets to make a funny or spooky face, dance move, or sound effect before joining back in. It’s a great activity for transitions, indoor recess, or a fun movement break!
🎥 Here’s my students playing so you can see it in action!
💥 Science Fun: Exploding Halloween Bags
Turn your classroom into a mini-lab with this easy (and thrilling!) science experiment. Kids love the anticipation — and it’s a perfect way to sneak in a little chemistry meets Halloween magic!
What You’ll Need:
- Sandwich bags (zip-seal)
- Baking soda
- Vinegar
- Food coloring (orange, green, or purple are fun!)
- Paper towels
- Sharpies
- A tray or shallow bin (for mess control)
Directions:
- Draw a spooky face on each bag — a jack-o’-lantern, Frankenstein, or ghost.
- Pour vinegar into the bag and add a few drops of food coloring.
- Place baking soda in the middle of a small paper towel square and fold it up into a pouch.
- Quickly drop the pouch into the bag, seal it tight, and set it in a tray.
- Step back and watch the explosion! (Okay, more of a puffy pop — but the kids will still think it’s epic!)
🧪 Science tie-in: Talk about chemical reactions — when the vinegar (acid) meets the baking soda (base), it creates carbon dioxide gas, which fills up the bag!
👻 You’ve Been Booed!
Keep the Halloween spirit alive with a fun “You’ve Been Booed” classroom or staff activity!
If you’ve never done this before, it’s like a friendly “Secret Santa,” but spooky-cute. Surprise another class or staff member with a little treat, small toy, or Halloween-themed activity — and include a note encouraging them to “boo” someone else next!
You can find everything you need in my You’ve Been Booed resource on TpT, including printable notes, activity ideas, and easy instructions for setting it up.
🎁 This can be done student-to-student, class-to-class, or even teacher-to-teacher!
It’s a great way to build community and spread joy before Halloween break.
🧡 Wrapping Up the Week
Whether you use one or all of these ideas, they’re guaranteed to bring smiles, laughter, and a little Halloween wonder to your classroom. The key is keeping things simple and joyful — so you can enjoy the fun right alongside your students!
