Whether you are planning a big Halloween party or just a festive night at home with the family, these Halloween songs for kids will get everyone into the groove.

Get yourself in the mood for ghosts and goblins with this not-too-scary list of Halloween songs for kids. Don your Halloween costumes and cue up your playlist with old favorites like “Ghostbusters,” “Monster Mash,” and “I Want Candy.” You just might find some new favorite tunes to get you in the Halloween spirit before you dive into those party games!

Halloween songs for young kids

 

The Great Pumpkin Waltz by Vince Guaraldi

This is a classic Halloween song for kids you'll want to add to your playlist for sure! 

Haunting Days of Halloween

By Lucy Kalantari & the Jazz Cats

Haunting days of Halloween
Nothing's quite as it may seem
All the tales you’ve been told
All the creatures you know
Have been walking with you hiding under your nose
But now now now now 
It’s time time time
To be free!

Witches' Brew by Hap Palmer

Dead leaves, seaweed, rotten eggs too
Stir them in my witches' brew
I got magic
Alakazamakazoo

Spider web, moldy bread, mucky mud too
Stir them in my witches' brew
I got magic
Alakazamakazoo

Halloween Rules by Bounce Patrol

Whatcha wanna be for Halloween
A ghosty or a goblin or the fairy queen
A superhero red and blue
A monkey or a mouse
It's up to you

Ding dong, trick-or-treat
Walking up and down the street
Halloween night is way too cool

Ding dong, trick-or-treat
Candy and make believe
Can you shout it out? 
Halloween Rules!

Related: Grinning Ghouls: 35 Halloween Jokes for Kids

Five Little Ghosts

Five little ghosts went out one night
Haunting, spooking what a fright
Mother ghost said, "Booooo, boo!"
But back to the house only four ghosts flew
One, two, three, four

Four little ghosts went out one night
Haunting, spooking what a fright
Mother ghost said, "Booooo, boo!"
But back to the house only three ghosts flew
One, two, three

Down by the Spooky Bay

Down by the bay
Where the pumpkins grow
Back to my home
I dare not go

For if I do
My mummy will say
Did you ever see a ghost
Eating some toast
Down by the bay

Down by the bay
Where the pumpkins grow
Back to my home
I dare not go

For if I do
My mummy will say
Did you ever see a vampire
Making a campfire
Down by the bay

Trick or Treat Nursery Rhyme

By Blippi

Every 31st of October there's a day
Where the people all come out onto the streets and like to play

All dressed up in costumes in all shapes and every size
It can be a little spooky but no need to close your eyes.

Five Little Pumpkins

Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate,
First one said "Oh my, it's getting late!"
Second one said "There are witches in the air,"
Third one said "but we don't care!"
Fourth one said "Let's run and run and run."
Fifth one said "I'm ready for some fun!"
Ooo ooo went the wind, and out went the lights,
And five little pumpkins rolled out of sight.

Halloween Sharks

By PinkFong

Baby shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo
Baby shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo
Baby shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo
Baby shark (BOO)

Halloween, doo doo doo doo doo doo
Halloween, doo doo doo doo doo doo
Halloween, doo doo doo doo doo doo
Halloween!

Skeleton Dance

Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones,
Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones,
Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones,
Now shake dem skeleton bones!

The toe bone's connected to the foot bone,
The foot bone's connected to the ankle bone,
The ankle bone's connected to the leg bone,
Now shake dem skeleton bones!

Monster Boogie

By Laurie Berkner

I'm the biggest monster that you've ever seen
My eyes are purple and my teeth are green
I'm big and I'm scary, you know what I mean
This is what I like to do

I do the monster boogie, the monster boogie
The monster boogie round the room
Everybody does the monster boogie
The monster boogie, the monster boogie

Choc-o-lot in My Pock-o-lot

By Laurie Berkner

When I walk, I walk a lot
And when I talk, I talk a lot
And when I’m not, what do I got?

Choc-o-lot! I got choc-o-lot!
I got choc-o-lot in my pock-o-lot!

I wear my shoes and my socks a lot
And when I paint, I wear a smock a lot
But when I’m not, what do I got?

Choc-o-lot! I got choc-o-lot!

The Purple People Eater

By Sheb Wooley

Well, I saw the thing comin' out of the sky
It had the one long horn, one big eye
I commenced to shakin' and I said "ooh-eee"
It looks like a purple eater to me

It was a one-eyed, one-horned, flyin' purple people eater
(One-eyed, one-horned, flyin' purple people eater)
A one-eyed, one-horned, flyin' purple people eater
Sure looks strange to me (one eye?)

Scooby Doo Theme Song

Scooby-Dooby-Doo, where are you?
We got some work to do now
Scooby-Dooby-Doo, where are you?
We need some help from you now

Halloween songs for older kids

 

Something's Brewing

By Purple Fox and the Heebie Jeebies

Something's brewing in the basement
That's where, the basement
Down, down, down, down, down
Something's spooky on the stairs
There's an empty chair
I think this house is haunted
Look around, look around
What's that sound? 
Don't look now
Is that a blob?
Or is it Bob?

You can find the whole Something's Brewing  . . . It's Halloween album here

Disney Halloween Songs

This medley of Disney Halloween songs includes "This Is Halloween," "Vive La Vi," "The Haunted Mansion Opening Title," "It is Halloween-lo-ween," "I put a spell on you," and "Grim, grinning Ghosts."

Haunted House

Oh no, here we go
Walking through the haunted house
Haunted house, haunted house
What do you see?
I see skeletons!

Oh no, here we go
Walking through the haunted house
Haunted house, haunted house
What do you see?
I see a witch!

Ghost In My House

By Jumpin' Jamie

My homework's missing
There's holes in the sheets
He pushed my sister
And blamed it on me
Always turning on and off the lights
And making noise so I can't sleep at night

There's a ghost in my house
And he's really annoying
And he needs to get a job
But no one will employ him

Monster Mash

By Bobby Pickett

I was working in the lab, late one night
When my eyes beheld an eerie sight
For my monster from his slab, began to rise
And suddenly to my surprise

He did the mash, he did the monster mash
The monster mash, it was a graveyard smash
He did the mash, it caught on in a flash
He did the mash, he did the monster mash

I Want Candy

By The Strangeloves

I know a girl who's tough but sweet
She's so fine, she can't be beat
She's got everything that I desire
Sets the summer sun on fire

I want candy
I want candy
I want candy
I want candy

Related: Halloween Party Games for Kids

Ghostbusters Theme Song

By Ray Parker, Jr. 

Ghostbusters!
If there's something strange
In your neighborhood
Who you gonna call?
Ghostbusters!

If there's something weird
And it don't look good
Who you gonna call?
Ghostbusters!

The Addams Family Theme Song

By Vic Mizzy

They're creepy and they're kooky
Mysterious and spooky
They're all together ooky
The Addams family
Their house is a museum
Where people come to see 'em
They really are a scream
The Addams family

This Is Halloween

From The Nightmare before Christmas

Boys and girls of every age
Wouldn't you like to see something strange?

Come with us and you will see
This, our town of Halloween

This is Halloween, this is Halloween
Pumpkins scream in the dead of night

Costume Party

By The Popups

Went to the closet to put on some costume clothes
and there it was just hanging right above my head
my sister grabbed the tie that grandpa used to wear
and I only had eyes on that lavender dress (really had my eye)

(It's a costume party!) maybe it's the way some things button in the back
some are really scratchy some are silken thread
it's ok to try things on to see how it feels
because clothes I suppose are just the way that you're dressed

Jump in the Line (Shake Senora)

By Harry Belafonte

Shake, shake, shake, Senora,
Shake your body line
Shake, shake, shake, Senora,
Shake it all the time
Work, work, work, Senora,
Work your body line
Work, work, work, Senora,
Work it all the time

Little Red Riding Hood

By Sam the Sham

Owoooooooo!
Who's that I see walkin' in these woods?
Why, it's Little Red Riding Hood
Hey there Little Red Riding Hood
You sure are looking good
You're everything a big bad wolf could want
Listen to me
Little Red Riding Hood
I don't think little big girls should
Go walking in these spooky old woods alone

Related: Underwear Jokes That Are Mostly Clean 

The Ninjas

By Barenaked Ladies

I woke up this morning
And everything was different
Something was strange in the air
I woke up this morning
And everything was different
I knew that the ninjas had been there

Skeletone

by Caspar Babypants (aka Chris Ballew from the '90s band Presidents of the United States of America)

On Halloween he can be seen dancing to and fro
play your bones, Skeletone
In the mist he will insist on a long solo
play your bones, Skeletone

Need a good laugh to get through the spooky season? These Halloween jokes will do the trick

You’ve got your doorway tricked out with decorations, Halloween-themed books on the shelf, and Halloween candy in order. Now it’s time for some good old-fashioned fun that isn’t too frightening. Halloween doesn’t have to be all about the scare: it’s a great time to yuk it up with silly jokes for kids. We’ve rounded up a list of sweet and funny Halloween jokes for kids that are sure to bring on jack-o’-lantern grins. Get ready to start laughing (and groaning) and feel free to head over to this post for some printable Halloween jokes. In the mood for some more giggles? Check out some special toddler jokes and extra squeaky-clean ones.

Click here to save this list to your Halloween board on Pinterest.

Monster Jokes Perfect for Halloween

1. What monster plays tricks on Halloween?

Prank-enstein!

2. What kind of music do mummies love?

Wrap music.

3. What is a monster’s favorite dessert?

I scream!

(Thanks, Kaylen!)

4. What’s big, scary, and has three wheels?

A monster riding a tricycle!

5. Why does Frankenstein’s Monster always finish his dinner first?

Because he bolts it down.

6. What kind of car does a goblin take to go Trick or Treating? 

A monster truck.

7. Why did the zombie skip school?

He felt rotten.

8. What is a zombie’s favorite thing to eat?

Brain food.

Vampire Jokes Perfect for Kids

9. What kind of tests do vampires give their students?

Blood tests.

10. What happens when a vampire goes in the snow?

Frost bite!

11. What is a vampire’s favorite fruit?

A blood orange.

—Rianna G., age 10

12. Why don’t vampires have more friends?

Because they are a pain in the neck.

13. What do you give a vampire when he’s sick?

Coffin-drops.

14. What kind of dog does Dracula have?

A blood hound.

15. Where do vampires keep their money?

The blood bank.

16. How does a vampire start a letter?

Tomb it may concern…

17. What do you get when you cross a vampire and a snowman?

Frost bite!

18. How can you tell a vampire has a cold?

She starts coffin.

Ghost Jokes Perfect for Halloween

mom telling son in a ghost costume halloween jokes
iStock

 

19. How do ghosts wash their hair?

With shamboo.

20. What happens when a ghost gets lost in the fog?

He is mist.

21. What room does a ghost not need?

A living room.

22. What position does a ghost play in hockey?

Ghoulie.

23. What kinds of pants do ghosts wear?

Boo-jeans.

24. Where do baby ghosts go during the day?

Dayscare centers!

25. What is a ghost’s nose full of?

Boooooogers!

26. Why are ghosts bad liars?

Because you can see right through them.

27. What’s a ghost’s favorite fruit?

Boo-berries.

—Elijah, age 11

Jokes About Witches Kids Will Love

28. What’s a witch’s favorite subject in school?

Spelling.

29. What does a witch use to do her hair?

Scarespray!

30. What do you call two witches living together?

Broommates.

31. What do you call a witch who goes to the beach?

A sand-witch.

Related: 14 Halloween Minute to Win It Games for Kids

Skeleton Jokes for Kids

A skeleton and a pumpkin on a front stoop
iStock

 

32. What instrument does a skeleton play?

The trombone.

33. Why didn’t the skeleton go to school?

His heart wasn’t in it.

34. Why didn’t the skeleton go to the dance?

Because he had no “body” to dance with.

35. Have you heard how popular the local cemetery is?

People are just dying to get in.

36. Why do skeletons stay so calm?

Because nothing gets under their skin.

37. Why didn’t the skeleton cross the road?

Because there was no body on the other side.

—Grandpa Jo, 54
38. Why didn’t the skeleton cross the road?

He didn’t have the guts.

—Londynn, 9

39. Why did the skeleton avoid going to see a horror movie? 

They didn’t have the stomach for it.

Related: 20 Halloween Party Ideas That Are a Scary Good Time

Halloween Jokes for Kids

jack o lanterns
David Menidrey on Unsplash

 

40. What does a pumpkin like to read?

Pulp fiction.

41. What happens when you stay up all night on Halloween?

Something dawns on you.

42. Why was there thunder and lightning inside the laboratory?

Because Dr. Frankenstein and Igor were brain “storming.”

43. Why did the headless horseman start his own business? 

He wanted to get ahead in life.

44. What fruit do scarecrows love the most?

Straw-berries.

45. How do you fix a cracked pumpkin?

A pumpkin patch.

46. When is it bad luck to be followed by a black cat?

If you are a mouse.

47. What did the little boy say when she had to choose between a tricycle and candy?

Trike or Treat!

48. What candy do you eat on the playground? 

Recess pieces.

49. What do birds say on Halloween?

Trick or Tweet!

50. Are black cats bad luck?

Only if you’re a mouse.

51. Why was the broom late?

It over swept.

52. What does an evil hen lay?

Deviled eggs.

53. What time is it when the clock strikes 13?

Time to get a new clock.

 

 

Check out these spooky Halloween minute to win it games that all the kiddos will love!

Halloween is right around the corner, and if you’re looking for fun Halloween games to make the holiday extra spooky, these minute-to-win-it ideas are exactly what you’re after. Whether you’re staying in this year or going out for trick-or-treating, these party games will keep your kids entertained for hours. While you’re at it, make the night extra special with some fun Halloween jokes, kid-friendly ghost stories, easy Halloween treats, and awesome Halloween crafts.

What’s a minute to win it game?

Simply put, it’s a 60-second game using items typically found around the house. Participants attempt to see who can finish a challenge first or who can complete a task the most times in under a minute. You can try these holiday minute to win it games when Halloween is over or attempt some year-round minute to win it favorites!

Halloween minute to win it games
Denny Müller via Unsplash

1. Candy Face

Take their favorite piece of Halloween candy (that isn’t too messy, of course) and place it on your child’s forehead. They’ll need to use their facial muscles to move it down their face into their mouth without using their hands.

2. Pumpkin Balance

This involves two players balancing mini pumpkins on their heads and racing to a certain point without dropping the pumpkin. You can make it tougher by making it a running race!

3. Donut Race

Slide a donut on a string and see who can eat it off the string the fastest. What a delicious game to play!

4. Candy Balancing

Put the end of a craft stick in your mouth and stack a candy of your choice on top. Whoever stacks the most pieces wins! You can make the game more challenging by choosing a non-flat candy.

Related: 20 Halloween Party Games That Are a Scary Good Time

Halloween minute to win it games
S. Massey

5. Mummify Me

A two-player game that involves wrapping the other player in toilet paper to look like a mummy.

6. Stack 'Em

Using apples, gourds, or mini pumpkins with the stems cut off, little ones have one minute to stack five apples or pumpkins (or three for younger kids) on top of each other and get them to stay for three seconds.

7. Candy Toss

Have two players take turns tossing their favorite candy (wrapped or unwrapped) into a bowl or cauldron. Whoever gets the most pieces into the cauldron in a minute wins.

8. M&M Switch

Each player will need two plates; one filled with M&Ms and one empty. Players use a straw to suck up each M&M and drop it onto the other plate. Whoever gets the most M&Ms onto the other plate wins!

Related: 33 Minute to Win It Games Perfect for Family Time

9. Halloween Bowling

Make ghost or mummy Halloween pins out of toilet paper rolls or white/clear plastic cups. Use a mini pumpkin or a regular-sized pumpkin (real or fake) as your bowling ball and get rolling. 

10. Witch's Hat Ring Toss

Connect glow sticks or fuzzy craft sticks into rings. Each player takes turns tossing their rings onto the witch's hat, and whoever gets the most rings onto the hat wins (You can also use a pumpkin stem to catch the rings.)!

11. Candy Unwrapping

Have your contestants take a wrapped piece of candy (choose a difficult one for a challenge) and have them unwrap it one-handed.

12. Dig for Creepy Crawlies

Crumble up your favorite cookie (that resembles dirt) and fill a bowl or bucket. Hide plastic creepy crawlies inside the dirt and have the players dig for them with a spoon. Whoever finds the most creepy crawlies wins.

Mary Jane Duford on Unsplash

13. Candy Corn Towers

To play this game, bite the ends off of the pieces of candy corn and stick them on top of each other to create a stack. 

14. Spider Race

Using a straw, blow a plastic spider from one end of the table to your set finish line. Whoever crosses that line first, wins!

 

These funny and spooky ghost stories for kids keep that eerie vibe going through the night

There’s nothing like telling ghost stories over a campfire or at a sleepover. Of course, we don’t want your little ones to be scared during this special bonding time, so we’ve rounded up 30 scary stories for kids that will leave your little ones laughing instead. Curious about other ways to keep the mood creepy but cute? Try out some DIY magic potions, or watch a few scary movies for kids 

Ghost Stories for Younger Kids

parents reading ghost stories for kids
iStock

Sneakers — Ready for a scary story about a pair of stinky shoes? This not-so-scary story is a great one to tell around the campfire.

The Ball Pit — While those pits full of plastic balls are some parents' worst enemies, this story isn't quite scary, but it has a spooky twist for kids to enjoy.

Dem Bones — A colorful skeleton band and the illustrated book teaches kids about anatomy, rhyme, and language through this traditional African-American spiritual song.

The Ghost of the Bloody Finger — With blood, fingers, and ghosts, you'd think this story is too much for the young camper. But rest assured—it's a great way to introduce scary stories to kiddos.

Tommy Knockers — The ghosts of California miners are featured in this story that has a twisted and silly ending.

Underpants — This ghost keeps haunting his former wife because he has an important message for her. But what happens when she's too afraid to talk with him?

Yellow Ribbon — Jane and Johnny fall in love, but Jane can't forget the feeling of a yellow ribbon around her neck. One day, she tells Johnny to untie the ribbon, and the kids won't believe what happens next.

Rap, Rap, RapA little old lady doesn't believe the rumors about her house being haunted. But then, one night, she hears a mysterious sound coming from downstairs. She follows the sound and what she finds is more silly than scary! Be sure to draw this one out with somewhat spooky sound effects. 

The Hairy Toe — What happens when an old woman finds a hairy toe in the woods and decides to eat it? You'll be surprised to find out, and we promise a laugh too.

The Lady with the Emerald Ring — This scary story has a happy ending when a woman returns from the dead because her husband has summoned her back.

The Open Window — A little girl tells a neighbor a spooky story, but the prank is on her.

The Pink Jellybean — How is a story about a pink candy haunted? You'd be surprised to find out about the spooky aspects of where this jelly bean lives.

Magic Castle — A curious woman decides to check out a magic castle at midnight, despite being warned to stay away. Yet she keeps going further and what she finds is a big surprise.

 

Related: Want to Hear a Ghost Story? Ask Alexa 

Scary Stories for Older Kids

bonfire is good for telling ghost stories for kids
Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

Cow's Head — This ghost story is a twist on the classic "Cinderella." Young Oksana is tasked by her evil stepmother to go into the woods and find food. She encounters a spirit in a cow's head, and the rest is up to you to read.

The Coffin — This tale is about a haunted coffin that chases a camper. But rest assured, it's defeated in the funniest of ways.

Thing at the End of the Bed — One day, an old man sees something spooky at the end of his bed. But he's surprised to discover what lies at his feet.

The Thirteenth Floor — This ghost story is a little bit scarier than the others on the list! Find out why most buildings don't have a 13th floor according to this tale of a Halloween party gone wrong. 

The Knife in the Grave — When two friends decide to make a bet about who is most scared, they learn a lesson about how fear is often just in your head.

The Shrunken Head — This story is more than a little eerie, so save it for the older kiddos!

Fifty-Cent Piece — A couple is traveling home in a carriage when they have to stop at a house for the night. Before leaving the next day, they're given a fifty-cent piece, and what happens afterward is a spooky tale that won't leave kids scared.

Ghost Ship of Captain Sandovate — A group of pirates learn a valuable lesson after they dehydrate their captain to death. After their ship sinks, it becomes haunted and the sailors end up needing water.

Golden Hand — When a man tries to marry a woman with a golden hand, he then decides to poison her to get the gold for himself. It works, but he learns a valuable lesson and pays a price in the process.

The Flying Dutchman — You might recognize the name from "The Pirates of the Caribbean," but there's a real story to be told. Word has it that this ghost ship has been unable to make port, doomed to sail the seas for eternity. 

The Purple Gorilla — Nothing sounds scarier than a huge purple gorilla that's hunting people. But in reality, this beast isn't that scary after all.

kids listening to ghost stories
iStock

The Wendigo - Originating from Native American legend, this scary story tells the tale of how a monstrous creature came to be in existence. 

The Guitar Player - This story is about a man who plays guitar and encounters a man who asks to play his guitar, but is it a man?

The White Cap - This one is a spooky story about a fearless girl who has an encounter with a ghost, but it does not end expectedly.

Blue Hands - Your kiddo will find this story freaky at the very least! Find out what happens to Jose when he meets a figure with glowing blue hands.

The Hitchhiker - A classic ghost story for kids about a mysterious girl who gets picked up late a night. This one is fun to embellish or make your own. 

Something Was Wrong - This ghost story about a man who doesn't know he's a ghost is suitable for older kids because a little bit of gore is included! 

 

 

Take the lingering light of the day by storm with these easy and incredibly fun night games to play

There’s something undeniably magical about that time just after the sun sets but before dark settles in—and it’s not just because the mosquitos aren’t out in full force yet. Take advantage of the lingering light of day (hint: you’ll tire the kids out before bedtime!) with these games to play in the dark. From spooky games like Ghost in the Graveyard to tamer night games like Limbo and Charades, there’s something for everyone.

1. Sardines

Like hide-and-seek, but in the opposite direction, if you’re playing with little kids, consider sending them out in pairs of two to hide. Then, have the rest of the players count to 50, then let them loose. As kids find the hiding players, they squeeze into the same hiding spot, until all the players are squished together like a can of sardines! The kids who discovered the pair first get to hide during the next round, and so on.

2. Spotlight Charades

Your favorite party game is fun at dusk, too. Grab a flashlight, and a group of kids, and have them act out their favorite movies, characters, TV shows, or book.

3. Flashlight Limbo

Don’t put that flashlight away! Use it for another fun game to play in the dark. Simply grab a speaker, and stream your family’s favorite tunes as the “limbo stick” holder lowers the beam of light lower, lower, low!

4. Ghost In the Graveyard

This classic summertime game adds a little extra thrill to the average round of hide-and-seek. Here’s how to play this fun night game:

Choose your players and your boundaries: This one is best for a group of at least 3 neighborhood kids or friends. More is better. Pick front or backyards, a park field, etc. Just be sure everyone knows and agrees on the borders. Be sure and designate a spot as a home base, where you need to get when the ghost is discovered. It should be large enough that the whole group can touch it, stand on it, etc.

Get It: Choose an “it” to be the first ghost. (The next round’s “it” is designated as the last person to reach the safe zone of the home base.) While everyone but the ghost stays at home base and counts without looking, the ghost hides. The rest of the group counts—One o’clock, two o’clock, three o’clock, etc. up to 11 o’clock. When you reach midnight, chant: “Midnight!/The time is right/All ghosts come out tonight!”

Hunt your ghost: Now all the players except the hiding ghost venture away from “home” while looking for the ghost. Split up, and scan as much space as you can. As soon as someone spots the ghost, they shout as loud as they can, “Ghost in the graveyard!” Now everyone must get back to the safe zone before the ghost tags them.

5. Statue & Tourist

Perfect for a forested glen or even indoors as the light is fading (or in a dark room). One player is the “tourist” who is viewing the amazing statue garden. They get a flashlight.  All the other players must stay as still as a statue: they are allowed to move when the light is off, but as soon as the tourist turns the flashlight on they must stay still. When the flashlight is on the statue, the tourist tries to make the statue giggle or wiggle. If they do, they join the tourist’s team and go tour the next statue.

6. Flashlight Tag

This is your basic game of tag, but instead of having to touch the person to make them “it,” you use your flashlight to try and “catch” them.

7. Twilight Treasure Hunt

In the fading light, an ordinary scavenger hunt takes on an exciting new dimension. Create clues and riddles for the players to solve together along the way, leaving each one at the sight of the last riddle’s solution. Give the group a flashlight to help spot tricky hidden clues. This one is great because you can set it up during daylight hours while the kids are splashing around and won’t notice your stealthy moves.

8. Glow Big

Use glowsticks to illuminate plastic water bottles for this game to play in the dark. Now line ’em up and try to strike them down with a small kickball, rubber ball, or tennis ball. Use bottles with water (or add after you’ve rinsed and placed glow sticks in). You can adjust how much water you put in to make it easier (or harder) to knock them over. You can also try glow ring toss. Just set up a stick on the ground and toss glow bracelets or necklaces around it. Like horseshoes, but with glowsticks!

9. Glow-in-the-dark ring toss

All you need for this simple, all-ages game is a glow stick and necklaces. Separate into teams and the first to 10 points wins! For an added level of difficulty, try it with glow bracelets. Here are a few other glow-in-the-dark games.

10. Nighttime “Marco Polo”

Just like the popular pool game, except this version keeps kids dry. Determine the space they’ll play in, and make sure there’s nothing they can trip over since they’ll be blindfolded, then you’re good to go!

 

Florida is home to some of the most charming beach towns in the South and keeping them a secret almost feels like a crime. Situated along the Gulf of Mexico in the northwestern part of the state lies our favorite of them all: Destin-Fort Walton Beach.

The area not only offers parents some much-needed relaxation but also provides a variety of adventures for the water babies in your family–both the young and young at heart! From building the ultimate sandcastle and joining a dolphin excursion to ghost crabbing along the shoreline, Destin-Fort Walton Beach offers unforgettable activities. So grab your towels, bathing suits and sunscreen, and let’s show you some of the ways your family can dive right in.

1. Dolphin Excursions

Did you know the Gulf of Mexico is home to nine species of dolphins? With a private catamaran tour that sets sail from Destin-Fort Walton Beach, your little ones will get an up-close view of marine life including bottlenose dolphins–which are the most common species in the area. The majestic mammals are fun, friendly and always ready to put on a show.
Throughout the remainder of the ride, you’ll be taken to a calm area of the Gulf where everyone can stop for a swim and snorkel.

Eye spy with my little eye an awesome dolphin excursion!

2. Snorkeling

A trip to Destin-Fort Walton Beach isn’t complete without a snorkeling adventure. At John Beasley Park, James Lee Park, Crystal Beach and Okaloosa Island, underwater explorers will find artificial reefs that enhance and protect the marine environment. Explore the waters at your leisure or go on a guided snorkeling tour that pairs education with adventure.

As you splash around the crystal clear waves, keep an eye out for crabs, stingrays, dolphins, redfish, and maybe a sea turtle, too—give ‘em some fin, noggin, dude! Pro tip: bring a flotation device (like a boogie board or paddleboard) in case you and the kids want to take a moment to rest or linger a bit longer to take it all in.

If you’re snorkeling with youngsters who are new to swimming, or if you simply prefer calmer waters, head to the tide pools at Norriego Point. There you’ll find horseshoe-shaped jetties that feature a swim rope to separate the open waters of East Pass with its swimming area. Your kiddos can safely enjoy the water and explore the site for nearby hermit crabs along the rocks.

Dive in and book your snorkeling trip today!

3. Beginner Inshore Fishing

Catching your first fish is a big moment for kids and parents alike. Not only do your littles get bragging rights for the remainder of the trip but you get to see them light up with excitement as they reel in their hard work.

Book a beginner inshore fishing trip that’s completely private, where your captain will take you to the calm waters of Choctawhatchee Bay (say that quickly three times!). There your tots will receive one-on-one fishing lessons, from how to bait a line and casting a net to reeling in a big catch. Don’t forget to snap a photo of this memorable day!

The catch of the day: a private inshore tour!

4. Explore the Beach at Night

In Destin-Fort Walton Beach, the end of the day signals more time for play. Check out the beach after the sun sets to discover ghost crabs that come out of hiding. Grab a bucket and net, and hit the quiet sands in search of these nocturnal creatures.

With sea turtle season occurring May through October, be sure to snag a special, red-filtered flashlight to keep nesting turtles and their hatchlings protected. You can pick one up for free at either Destin City Hall, the Destin Chamber of Commerce, Destin History & Fishing Museum, Emerald Coast Science Center, Henderson Beach State Park, or the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park. If you shine the red flashlight on a ghost crab, they’ll likely freeze up, making it easier to scoop them up into your bucket free of harm. After meeting the little fellas, simply release them back into the sand.

Who ya gonna call? Ghost crabbers!

5. Sandcastle Sculpture Lessons

There are sandcastles…and then there are jaw-dropping masterpieces that make you question the physics of sand. That’s what Beach Sand Sculptures, a local-based sand sculpture company, is set out to teach families who are up for the challenge.

Led by professional instructors, you and your group of budding architects will learn how to craft a three-foot-tall sandcastle with exclusive techniques, like how much water is needed, where to find the best sand and which household items make all the difference. With your new skills and your very own Sandcastle Toolkit in tow, the family will be wowing beachgoers throughout the remainder of your stay!

Become a pro sandcastle sculptor today!

 

There are countless water activities in Destin-Fort Walton Beach that make for a perfect family vacation–we’re certain your guppies will thank you. Explore these excursions today at destinfwb.com/little-adventures.

Now that it’s October, it’s time to scare the neighborhood with some spooky inflatables

Whether you’re a family that loves the lighter side of Halloween, or you prefer all things scary, there’s a lawn inflatable for you. From Disney villains like Oogie Boogie to classic Halloween ghosts, decorating for the season can be as simple as you want to be thanks to these finds that bring instant boos to your home.

Animated Ursula

Home Depot

With moving tentacles and that iconic smirk, six-foot tall Ursula is here to spice up your lawn. She is super easy to set up and take down and comes with both the stakes and tethers.

Available at Home Depot, $199

Star Wars the Child with Pumpkin

Wayfair

Baby Yoda is here for your non-spooky Halloween decor. He comes with features bright, energy-efficient LED lights, a plug and stakes for easy setup. 

Available at Wayfair, $60

Oogie Boogie with Lock, Shock, and Barrel

halloween inflatables
Home Depot

Mean green Oogie Boogie stands tall in any fun Halloween scene. Bright white LED lights illuminate the creepy creature and his minions in this inflatable that is versatile for both indoor and outdoor use. He inflates in seconds and comes with tethers and stakes so he stays put.

Available at Home Depot, $199

Related: The Home Depot Is Selling ‘Hocus Pocus’ Themed Lawn Inflatables

Skeleton Dog

Amazon

This five-foot long inflatable skeleton puppy is carrying a sweet pumpkin candy basket with matching floppy ears. With super bright LED lights built inside, this pooch is sure to be seen.

Available on Amazon, $29.99

Jack Skellington

Target

We found the perfect counterpart to your Oogie Boogie inflatable: Jack Skellington! The seven-foot tall blow up is dressed to the nines and works for both indoor and outdoor use.

Available at Target, $60

Related: Home Depot Has Christmas Inflatables from “Christmas Vacation” & So Much More

Coco's Miguel & Dante

Coco Inflatable
Home Depot

This six-foot tall Coco Miguel and Dante Halloween Inflatable is available at Home Depot. This inflatable easily self-inflates in seconds for easy setup. With energy-efficient LEDs, it provides lasting, season-long illumination. Simply plug it in and stake in the ground.

Available at Home Depot $129.

Netflix just released a teaser trailer for all of their 2022 movies and you’re going to want to watch it

Netflix just unveiled a very lengthy lineup of their 2022 movies, and a teaser trailer to go along with it. The streaming giant has so many superstars lined up, you’re going to have weekend plans for the rest of the year! Practice getting the kids to bed early, because in addition to a nice chunk of family content, there’s a long list action, drama, and suspense movies that will make you crave your couch.

Here’s a teaser trailer with so much star power — it’s impossible not to get excited:

JLo, Ryan Reynolds, Jason Momoa, Jamie Foxx, Eddie Murphy, Charlize Theron, Chris Hemsworth, Halle Berry… the list goes on and on. Here’s the entire list of movies Netflix is releasing in 2022.

For the Whole Family:
13: The Musical
Boo!
Ivy & Bean
Matilda
Rescued by Ruby
The School for Good and Evil
Slumberland
Tall Girl 2
We Have A Ghost

Netflix

Animated & Anime:
Apollo 10 ½: A Space Age Childhood
Bubble (Anime)
Drifting Home (Anime)
Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio
My Father’s Dragon
The Sea Beast
The Seven Deadly Sins: Grudge of Edinburgh Part 1 (Anime)
Wendell & Wild

Netflix

Action/Adventure/Sci-Fi:
The Adam Project
Athena
Carter
Day Shift
Enola Holmes 2
The Gray Man
Interceptor
The Mother
The Mothership
Spiderhead
They Cloned Tyrone

Comedy:
BigBug
The Bubble
Knives Out 2
Me Time
Metal Lords
Senior Year
The Takedown
Tyler Perry’s A Madea Homecoming
You People

Drama:
A Jazzman’s Blues
Against the Ice
All Quiet on the Western Front
Blonde
The Good Nurse
Hustle
Luckiest Girl Alive
Operation Mincemeat
The Pale Blue Eye
Rustin
Spaceman
The Swimmers
White Noise
The Wonder

Thriller + Horror:
Black Crab
Brazen
Choose or Die
End of the Road
The Inheritance
Monkey Man
Mr. Harrigan’s Phone
Texas Chainsaw Massacre
The Weekend Away
Windfall

Romance:
Along for the Ride
Don’t Blame Karma!
Falling for Christmas
Lady Chatterley’s Lover
Love in the Villa
The Noel Diary
A Perfect Pairing
Persuasion
Purple Hearts
The Royal Treatment
Through My Window
Untitled Holiday Rom-Com

Your little skippers will be ready for a high-seas adventure after learning a few fun words and phrases and their nautical origins. And if you like these, check out our pirate dictionary. You never know, one of these terms just might bale you out of the doldrums in just a couple of shakes. Read on!

photo: andreas160578 via pixabay

Adrift: Evolved from the word ‘drift’ or float, it became a way of describing a ship moved by wind and tides. It is now used to describe anything that is lost, as in, “Her matching sock were adrift among the piles of laundry.”

Bale/bale out: To remove water from a vessel, this phrase now means to help someone out of a sticky situation. (Note: alternate, Old nautical English spelling of bail).

Becalm: To cut off the wind from the sails of a ship. Can be used interchangeably with sooth, as in, “The mother was able to becalm her child temporarily with the promise of a cookie.”

Booby: A fearless little sea bird that is known for being easy to catch. The term booby or boob is sometimes used to describe someone who may not be that bright.

Bumboat: A privately owned boat that sells goods or merchandise. Fun to say.

Caboose: Sure, you know it as the little red car at the end of a train but a ship has a caboose too! It’s the kitchen or galley on a small ship.

Cats paws: A term to describe small waves produced by light, variable winds on otherwise calm waters.

Chew (chewing) the fat: Salt pork or fatty, jerky-like meat was common food on sailing vessels as it lasted a long time without rotting. Sailors would complain about the food while gnawing away at the fat, thus the term became synonymous with gabbing, casual conversation or gossip.

Cranky: A crank was an unstable ship or vessel, now a term to describe a toddler who hasn’t napped.

Cringle: Not to be confused with Kris Kringle or the delicious pastry, kringle, this nautical term describes a rope loop at the corner of a sail for fixing the sail to the spar (see definition of spar below).

Dinghy: A dinghy can be a small boat carried or towed by a larger ship, often inflatable and used as a life raft; a type of racing yacht; or a rowboat.

Dog watch: A short watch period (for sailors on deck) from 4–6 p.m. or 6–8 p.m. it can also refer to any night shift, most often the last shift. As in, “Tonight Dad was on dogwatch for the little one’s feeding so mom could get some much-needed sleep.”

Doldrums: An area in the equatorial region of the Atlantic Ocean with calms, sudden storms and unpredictable but light winds. Because of the variable weather ships would get stuck in the doldrums. Now we use it as a term to describe being stuck or stagnant. As in, “Our nightly dinner routine is in the doldrums.”

Dolphin: A man-made structure in the sea or river used as a marker.

Earings: Nope, not (earrings) the kind with bling. These are the small lines that secure the upper corners of the largest sail to the yardarms. (See below for yardarms definition).

Fore and aft: From stem to stern or lengthwise of a ship. “Please vacuum your room fore and aft and not just the entryway.”

Ghost: To sail slowly.

Gob-stoppers: Grapeshot put in the mouth of a young, gabby sailor. Now used to describe the hard, chipped-tooth-inducing candy.

Grapeshot: Small cannonballs; basically smallish balls of lead fired from a canon used to damage rigging or aimed directly at sailors on an enemy ship (cannon balls would be used to cause more structural damage and sink the ship).

Hog: A rough flat scrubbing brush for cleaning the ship’s bottom underwater. No comment.

Horse: To move or adjust a sail by hand, using brute force rather than running rigging.

Hulk: An old ship that has become obsolete. (not all that incredible).

Jack, also jack tar:  A sailor. Also sometimes a flag on a ship.

Jury rig: The act of rigging temporary mast or sails, also the actual mast or sail that has been temporarily rigged. This is now used interchangeably with makeshift.

Mind your P’s & Q’s: When sailors would go to a port town and visit the local tavern, the barkeepers would give them credit. A “P” would indicate pint and a “Q” was a quart. So when payday came and it time to pay their tab, they’d be minding their Ps and Qs. It is now considered a term for good manners.

Ship Shape: A term now used to say something is clean, tidy and ready to go, in the 1800s, ships were inspected to make sure they were okay to port. If a vessel was in “ship shape” it was free of disease or other unsavories. “Timmy’s room was in ship shape before the play date.”

Show your true colors: A warship would have many colored flags on board to try and deceive enemy ships. The true color would only be revealed when it was too late. Now it’s a term used to describe someone who has shown their true nature.

Spar: Not to be confused with the verb which means to fight, a spar is a pole, usually of wood or metal, used to support the ship’s sail. Sometimes called a pelican striker.

Spin a yarn: This phrase means to tell a story or a tale and is comes from the stories sailors would tell to pass the time while doing monotonous tasks such as making spun-yarn.

Starboard and Port: Starboard is the ship’s right and port its left. Fun fact: the term “posh” originated from port out, starboard home, said to be the way to get the best view, and so where the elite class was seated or bunked.

Two shakes or a couple of shakes: Used to describe a short period of time, as in, “Give me two shakes and I’ll have your PB&J ready.” Sailors would measure short periods of time by the shaking of the sails.

Whole nine yards: Old ships had three masts, each of which had three-yard sails, so the whole nine yards meant all sails were up. Now it means all of something.

Yardarms: Either end of a yard of a square sail.

What’s your favorite nautical term or phrase? Share it with us in the comments below. 

—Amber Guetebier