Indoor Trick-or-Treat Games for Kids: Free Cards for Wet or Dark Evenings

Download the free printable cards

Indoor trick-or-treat card ideas

Tape one task to each door and let children knock before they take part. Here are ready made prompts you can copy onto cards today.

Spooky moves

1. Do five pumpkin jumps
2. Walk like a zombie down the hall
3. Flap your arms like a bat
4. Tiptoe past like a sneaky cat
5. Do your best ghostly wobble
6. Stomp like a friendly monster
7. Spin around three times then freeze
8. Crawl like a spider across the room
9. Hop like a witch's toad to the next door

Silly sounds and words

1. Say boo in your scariest voice
2. Howl like a wolf at the moon
3. Name three things that are orange
4. Count to ten like a counting vampire
5. Make a creaky door sound
6. Say a magic spell word out loud
7. Sing one line of a Halloween song
8. Cackle like a cheerful witch
9. Whisper a secret spooky word

Find and do

1. Find something black in this room
2. Point to something round like a pumpkin
3. Guess what is behind the door before you knock
4. Make a scary face in the mirror
5. Give a high five to a grown up
6. Find a cobweb shape with your fingers
7. Collect one soft toy to be your Halloween friend
8. Strike a statue pose until someone claps
9. Pretend to stir a bubbling cauldron

How to play indoor trick-or-treat, step by step

1. Print and cut out the cards, with a grown up handling scissors.
2. Tape one card to each door around the house.
3. Give each child a bag or bucket for treats.
4. Let them knock, read or hear the task, then do it.
5. Hand over a small treat and move to the next door.

Ways to use indoor trick-or-treat cards

• Rainy night rescue When the weather spoils outdoor plans, set up the doors and keep all the fun inside where it is warm and dry.
• Party game station Hosting a few friends? Send children round the doors in a little group, then settle down with a calm game like Snakes and Ladders with Ludo.
• Treat swap for less sugar Fill the treat bags with stickers, a clementine or a tiny toy instead of sweets. Always check for allergies first.
• Quiet wind down End the game with a gentle door that says 'choose a bedtime story' so children settle after all the excitement.
• Classroom corridor fun Nursery and reception staff can tape cards to cupboard doors and let a small group take turns while others play nearby with wooden building blocks.

Games and gifts for a cosy Halloween in

If trick-or-treating is rained off, these games keep little ones busy and happy indoors. Each one works well for a family evening or a small Halloween gathering.

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Scavenger Hunt GameShop nowSnakes and Ladders with Ludo - Family Board GameShop nowPirate Game - Stacking ToyShop nowWooden Animal SkittlesShop nowGiant Dominoes - Wooden Dominoes SetShop nowGiant Playing CardsShop nowKids Building Blocks - Montessori ToyShop nowRainbow Scratch Paper - Scratch Art PadShop nowMini Whiteboard - Educational ToyShop nowWooden Ice Lollies - Wooden Play FoodShop nowFour in a Row - Counting Game for KidsShop nowSpace Torch & Projector - Space ToyShop nowDinosaur Torch & Projector - Torch ToyShop nowTumble Tower Game - Wooden Animal Blocks & DiceShop now

Indoor trick-or-treat by age and key stage

What children learn from indoor trick-or-treat

• Reading. Children sound out the task words on each card and build early reading confidence.
• Listening. They follow a simple instruction and carry it out in order.
• Taking turns. Knocking, waiting and sharing treats all help with patience and fairness.
• Gross motor. Jumping, hopping and crawling between doors gets bodies moving indoors.
• Confidence. Performing a silly sound or face in front of others builds self assurance.

More free Christmas printables

Every one is free to print, and each has its own guide.

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Halloween Bingo CardsFree printableHalloween Scavenger Hunt ChecklistFree printableHalloween Potion Recipe CardsFree printableHalloween Games Night PlannerFree printableDesign a Pumpkin FaceFree printableSpooky Story Starter CardsFree printableHalloween Award CertificatesFree printable

Make it a Christmas tradition

Indoor trick-or-treat can become a lovely wet weather tradition every Halloween. Save the cards in an envelope and add new ones each year as children grow. Let them write their own tasks once they can, which makes the game feel like theirs. Over time it becomes the thing they ask for the moment October arrives.

Frequently asked questions

What can you do if it is too wet for trick-or-treating?

Bring Halloween indoors. Tape a task to each door and let children knock, do the task and collect a treat.

What can I give instead of sweets?

Stickers, small toys, a clementine or a little sing-song all work well. Always check for allergies first.

What age is this best for?

It suits ages 4 to 8. Younger children enjoy it with a grown up reading the cards, and older ones can run the game.

How long does it take to set up?

About ten minutes to print, cut and tape. An adult should handle the scissors.

How many doors should I use?

Three to six works well. Too many and little ones lose interest, too few and it feels over too soon.

Can we play with just one child?

Yes. One child can go round all the doors alone, or you can take turns being the one who opens the door.

What if children cannot read yet?

A grown up reads the card aloud, or you can draw a simple picture clue on each one.

What games go well after the game?

A calm board or card game helps everyone wind down. See our gift ideas above for a few favourites.

Browse by age and type

Indoor gamesFamily gamesEducational toys for 3 to 5 year oldsEducational toys for 5 year oldsCraft sets for kidsGifts for kidsWooden toysToys for 4 year olds

Jaques of London is Britain's oldest toy and games company, founded in 1795. We have spent over 230 years making games families play together, from chess and croquet to wooden toys for the very young.

Kids' Activities by Age | All free printable activities

Written by the Jaques of London team. Last updated 1 November 2026.