Halloween and spooky season aren’t just for horror fans — they’re for families too! While many tabletop games lean into intense scares or heavy strategy, there’s a growing list of family-friendly spooky board games that deliver thrills without nightmares. Perfect for parents and kids alike, these games make for festive Halloween fun, family bonding, and plenty of laughs.
At The Game of Nerds, we’ve already rounded up our Board Games & Tabletop Picks for Spooky Game Night for adults and horror lovers. But if you’re looking to create a kid-friendly spooky game night, here are 10 great choices that balance chills and giggles with easy-to-learn mechanics.
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1. Ghost Fightin’ Treasure Hunters
- Players: 2–4
- Playtime: 30–45 minutes
- Publisher: Mattel
This cooperative game has players exploring a haunted house full of ghosts. The team must collect treasures and escape before the house is overwhelmed.
Why Kids Love It: The ghosts are colorful and cartoonish instead of scary, making it fun but approachable for ages 7+. The teamwork aspect helps siblings or friends work together instead of against each other.
2. Hocus Pocus: The Game
- Players: 2–6
- Playtime: 30 minutes
- Publisher: Ravensburger
Based on Disney’s Hocus Pocus, this cooperative card game tasks players with stopping the Sanderson Sisters before they brew their potion.
Why Kids Love It: Familiar characters and movie references keep kids engaged, while the rules are simple enough to pick up in minutes. Parents who grew up with Hocus Pocus will enjoy the nostalgia, too.
3. Mysterium Kids: Captain Echo’s Treasure
- Players: 2–6
- Playtime: 20–30 minutes
- Publisher: Libellud
A kid-friendly spin on the popular Mysterium game, this version replaces complex deduction with sound clues. One player plays the ghost, giving audio hints (like tapping or humming) to guide the group.
Why Kids Love It: The sound-based mechanic is silly and fun, leading to plenty of laughter. It’s also great for kids who aren’t reading yet, since clues don’t require text.
4. Monster Chase
- Players: 1–6
- Playtime: 15 minutes
- Publisher: Placote
In this cooperative memory game, players help send goofy-looking monsters back to the closet by finding the toy they’re scared of.
Why Kids Love It: With bright, funny artwork, this game helps younger kids face “monsters under the bed” fears in a safe, lighthearted way. Rounds are short, making it ideal for ages 4+.
5. Outfoxed!
- Players: 2–4
- Playtime: 20–30 minutes
- Publisher: Gamewright
While not strictly spooky, this detective game has players solving a mystery of a stolen pie before the fox escapes. It’s cooperative and uses dice-rolling with clever clue mechanics.
Why Kids Love It: It makes them feel like little detectives. The mystery theme ties in perfectly with Halloween, without being scary.
6. Spooky Stories (Storytelling Game)
- Players: 2+
- Playtime: 20 minutes
- Publisher: Various versions available
Storytelling games like Spooky Stories let players take turns building a Halloween tale with silly or spooky prompts. Many versions are card-based, giving kids fun directions like “add a haunted house” or “introduce a funny monster.”
Why Kids Love It: It gives them permission to be creative and silly, and no two stories are ever the same. Great for older kids who like telling jokes or acting out characters.
7. Zombie Kidz Evolution
- Players: 2–4
- Playtime: 15–20 minutes
- Publisher: Scorpion Masqué
This legacy-style game has kids protecting their school from invading zombies. As they play more rounds, the game evolves with stickers, unlockable envelopes, and new challenges.
Why Kids Love It: Zombies are cartoonish, not frightening, and the evolving rules keep kids excited to play again and again. It’s one of the most beloved children’s games on the market.
8. Scooby-Doo! Betrayal at Mystery Mansion
- Players: 3–5
- Playtime: 25–50 minutes
- Publisher: Avalon Hill
A kid-friendly reimagining of Betrayal at House on the Hill, this version features Scooby, Shaggy, and the rest of the Mystery Inc. gang solving spooky mysteries in a haunted mansion.
Why Kids Love It: Scooby-Doo is already synonymous with family-friendly frights. This game blends mystery, light strategy, and classic cartoon charm.
9. Ghooost!
- Players: 2–6
- Playtime: 15–20 minutes
- Publisher: IELLO
A card game where players try to get rid of all their spooky cards — ghosts, bats, and haunted houses — before everyone else.
Why Kids Love It: The rules are simple and fast-paced, making it easy to replay multiple rounds. The cartoonish art keeps the Halloween theme fun rather than frightening.
10. Goosebumps: The Board Game
- Players: 2–6
- Playtime: 30–45 minutes
- Publisher: Out of print, but still widely available
Inspired by R.L. Stine’s beloved books, this game lets players face off against classic Goosebumps monsters while racing to the finish.
Why Kids Love It: It connects with kids who enjoy Goosebumps books or shows and gives a perfect “spooky but safe” thrill.
Tips for Hosting a Family-Friendly Spooky Game Night
A spooky game night for kids is about more than just the games. Here’s how to make it a memory:
- Decor: Hang cobwebs, pumpkins, and string lights to set the mood.
- Music: Create a Halloween playlist with classics like “Monster Mash” and kid-friendly movie soundtracks.
- Snacks: Serve themed treats like candy corn, monster cupcakes, or “witch’s brew” punch.
- Costumes: Encourage kids to play in costume for added fun.
Make it immersive, but keep it lighthearted so kids leave the table excited, not spooked.
Why Family-Friendly Spooky Games Matter
Spooky games aren’t just seasonal fun — they also:
- Encourage teamwork and cooperation.
- Build problem-solving and deduction skills.
- Spark creativity through storytelling and roleplay.
- Provide a safe, playful way to confront common childhood fears like monsters, ghosts, or darkness.
Most importantly, they help families create traditions together. For many kids, playing a spooky board game might become just as memorable as trick-or-treating or carving pumpkins.
Final Thoughts
Spooky board games don’t have to be terrifying. With options like Ghost Fightin’ Treasure Hunters, Hocus Pocus: The Game, and Scooby-Doo! Betrayal at Mystery Mansion, families can celebrate Halloween together in a way that’s festive, funny, and just the right amount of creepy.
Whether you’ve got little ones ready for their first cooperative game or tweens eager for something with more mystery, there’s a family-friendly spooky board game for every table.
For parents who want something a bit scarier after bedtime, check out our full roundup of Board Games & Tabletop Picks for Spooky Game Night — perfect for adult gamers looking to dial up the fright factor.
Happy Halloween, and happy gaming!
