When the air turns crisp and the leaves begin to fall, it’s the perfect time to bring some spooky fun into your P.E. classes. Halloween is a season full of imagination and excitement, and it’s also a great opportunity to introduce kid-friendly things that get everyone moving. Whether it’s playing a round of Halloween Scattergories, Halloween charades, Halloween Bingo or setting up a mini pumpkin patch in the gym, there’s no shortage of creative ways to celebrate. With so many fall activities to choose from, why not try something new? Here are 11 original Halloween games for elementary P.E. classes that will keep the energy high and the spirits even higher!

Pumpkin Patch Relay

For a Halloween party, one of my favorite games to play is the Pumpkin Patch Relay. All you need for this Halloween game are some mini pumpkins and a few cones or markers to create a course. The kids are divided into teams, and each team has a set of mini pumpkins. The goal is for the kids to race through the course, carrying a mini pumpkin without dropping it. The twist is that they have to balance the pumpkin on their heads, in their hands, or between their knees—whichever way you decide, it adds to the fun! Watching the kids giggle and stumble while trying to keep their pumpkins steady is always a highlight. The team that successfully completes the relay first wins. It’s a simple, kid-friendly Halloween game that always brings out laughter and a bit of friendly competition.

Mummy Wrap Race

For the mummy wrap race, you'll need a few rolls of toilet paper or white crepe paper for each team. This Halloween edition game is a fun and engaging PE activity, especially for middle school students. When I first played this game, I was surprised by how quickly the kids got into it. The gameplay is simple: you divide the participants into small teams, and each team picks one person to be the "mummy." The other team members race to wrap their mummy from head to toe in the toilet paper or crepe paper. The goal is to be the first team to fully wrap their mummy and have them cross the finish line without the wrap falling apart. Not only does this game bring out the competitive spirit, but it's also a great way to incorporate Halloween math into the fun—teams can estimate how much paper they’ll need and strategize the best wrapping techniques. For a sweet tooth twist, have the little ones wrap halloween candy up in the toilet paper - they'll get to eat it after unwrapping their mummy when they cross the finish line! It’s a fantastic Halloween activity that blends excitement with a bit of problem-solving, making it perfect for a middle school PE game or any Halloween party game lineup.

Pumpkin Bowling

For Pumpkin Bowling, all you need is a small pumpkin, preferably one with a flatter bottom to help it roll, and some pins. The pins can be anything from plastic bottles filled with a bit of sand or water for stability, to actual bowling pins if you have them. This Halloween bowling game is perfect for older students who enjoy a bit of competitive fun. The setup is simple: line up the pins in a triangular formation at one end of your playing area. Then, just like in a classic bowling game, the objective is to knock down as many pins as possible by rolling the pumpkin towards them. One of the things that adds a fun twist is that pumpkins, with their uneven shape, don't roll straight like a regular bowling ball. This unpredictability adds to the challenge and excitement, making it an excellent choice for a Halloween party or as a PE game for older kids. I’ve personally played this game at several Halloween events, and it’s always a hit. Watching the pumpkin veer off course at the last second or wobble its way down the lane never fails to get everyone laughing. It’s a classic game that gets even better with a spooky Halloween twist!

Ghost Balloon Volleyball

For Ghost Balloon Volleyball, all you need are some white balloons, black markers, and a volleyball net or a simple string stretched across a room. This Halloween-themed game is a playful twist on classic volleyball and is perfect for little ones who enjoy fun, kid-friendly things with a spooky twist. To set it up, inflate the white balloons and draw ghostly faces on them with the black markers, instantly transforming them into "ghosts" ready to be spiked over the net. The gameplay is straightforward and perfect for a quick, engaging activity in your lesson plan. Divide the kids into two teams, with each team on either side of the net. The objective is to keep the ghost balloon in the air by hitting it back and forth over the net, just like in regular volleyball. However, the lightweight nature of the balloon adds an element of unpredictability, making it both challenging and fun for younger students. I’ve played this game during a Halloween party, and it’s always a hit—the kids love the Halloween spirit it brings to the activity. Plus, it’s an excellent way to get everyone moving and laughing together.

Monster Mash Dance Off

For a Monster Mash Dance-Off, all you need is a music player with some fun, spooky Halloween tunes, a space big enough for dancing, and a group of energetic participants ready to show off their best monster moves. The game starts by playing a Halloween-themed song, like the classic "Monster Mash," and everyone dances their hearts out. Participants can take turns showcasing their scariest, funniest, or most creative dance moves, while the rest of the group follows along or cheers them on. I remember participating in a Monster Mash Dance-Off at a Halloween event, where the energy was contagious. We were all dressed up in our costumes, and when the music started, it was like a switch flipped—we all turned into our characters, dancing like zombies, witches, and werewolves. One of my favorite moments was when a kid dressed as Frankenstein started doing the robot, and the whole room erupted in laughter and cheers. It was a hilarious and memorable experience, one that brought everyone together in the Halloween spirit.

Haunted House Obstacle Course

This is one of the best halloween pe games you can play with your class - to set up a haunted house obstacle course for an elementary PE class, you'll need an assortment of equipment like cones, tunnels, balance beams, ropes, and spooky decorations such as spiders, ghosts, and tombstones. Pool noodles and hula hoops can be used for barriers and safe zones. Design each section of the course to mimic different "rooms" in a haunted house, such as crawling through a "cobweb" tunnel or balancing across a "rickety bridge." The objective is for students to navigate the course, avoiding obstacles and "waking up the ghosts," with speed and accuracy. I remember creating a haunted house obstacle course for an elementary PE class, turning the gym into a spooky maze with eerie music. The kids' faces lit up with excitement, especially when crawling through our "spider tunnel" made from a parachute and string. It was a perfect mix of fun, fitness, and Halloween spirit.

Bat Wing Tag

For Bat Wing Tag, all you need are some large, bat-like wings, which can be made from cardboard or fabric, and a spacious play area. The game is a thrilling variation of traditional tag, perfect for getting kids moving and giggling. In this Halloween-themed version, each player wears bat wings, which are their "wings" to escape from the "tagger." When I played Bat Wing Tag during a Halloween-themed PE class, we all donned our makeshift bat wings, which made for a hilarious and exhilarating experience. The game starts with one player designated as the tagger, who tries to "tag" other players. The twist here is that the wings add an extra layer of fun: players can flap their wings to make their escape look even more comical and dramatic. Once tagged, players become taggers themselves, and the game continues with more frantic flapping and laughter. To keep the game engaging and fair, we used markers to define the boundaries and set up a rotation so everyone got a turn as the tagger. This game was a hit, with the kids enjoying the added Halloween flair and the chance to embrace their inner bats while running around. It’s a fantastic way to blend physical activity with festive fun! For a slower paced version of the game I like to play zombie tag.

Monster Capture The Flag

For Monster Capture the Flag, you’ll need two distinct flags—preferably Halloween-themed like spooky ghosts or jack-o'-lanterns—and a large playing area divided into two territories. Each team, wearing matching colors or costumes, has its own flag hidden within its territory. The objective is to capture the opponent's flag and return it to your own base without being tagged. I remember one Halloween-themed PE class where we played Monster Capture the Flag, and we decided to add a special twist to make it even more exciting. In this version, if a player was tagged, instead of just being sent to a "jail," they had to do a quick "monster dance" to be released. This rule not only added a hilarious element but also gave everyone a chance to show off their spooky dance moves while waiting to return to the game. This added layer of fun kept everyone engaged and made the game even more memorable!

Witches Broom Hockey

For Witches' Broom Hockey, you need a few basic items: brooms or hockey sticks (decorated to look like witches’ brooms for a Halloween twist), a lightweight ball or puck, and goals made from cones or markers. The game is typically played on a defined area or court, with two teams of players using their "brooms" to hit the ball or puck into the opposing team’s goal. I recall one Halloween where we had a blast playing Witches' Broom Hockey during our PE class. To spice things up, we introduced a special rule where, if a player scored a goal, they had to do a quick "witches’ cackle" celebration dance before rejoining the game. This fun rule not only made the game more entertaining but also gave everyone a chance to show off their best cackle, adding to the Halloween spirit and making the entire activity a memorable hit!

Frankenstein’s Monster Stomp

For Frankenstein's Monster Stomp, you’ll need colored cones or markers and small, soft balls or bean bags. Set up a series of colored zones, each with a point value, in an open space. The balls or bean bags are placed in the center. Players, in teams or individually, race to grab the balls and stomp on as many colored zones as possible before time runs out. I remember adding a twist to the game: players earned double points if they stomped on a zone while hopping on one foot or dancing. This made the game even more fun and engaging, perfect for getting kids moving and into the Halloween spirit.

Skeleton Scavenger Hunt

For Skeleton Scavenger Hunt, the equipment you'll need is a set of skeleton-themed items or clues, which can include plastic skeleton bones, Halloween-themed clues, and small prizes or treats. You can also use a timer or a bell to signal the end of the hunt. The game is designed to be a fun, Halloween-themed activity that mixes problem-solving with physical activity. In gameplay, participants, typically divided into teams or working individually, are given a list of skeleton parts or clues to find hidden around the designated area. These items can be scattered around the field or gym, hidden in various spots that encourage both physical movement and critical thinking. Each found item might lead to the next clue or complete part of a skeleton puzzle. I remember organizing this game for a middle school PE class, and it was a hit. We added a little twist by incorporating Halloween math problems into the clues. For instance, finding a hidden bone would also involve solving a simple math problem related to Halloween themes before receiving the next clue. The kids loved the combination of a Halloween party game and an engaging learning activity, making the scavenger hunt both educational and fun.