October Family Night Ideas and Fun Activities List
Fall is in full swing and Supermom Shuffle has prepared an October Family Night Ideas and Fun Activities List to help you get started for some fun in the month of October!
Happy October!! Fall is in full swing and Halloween is just around the corner!! Fall is such a fun time of year and there are SO many fun things you can do together as a family during the Fall! And preparing and decorating for Halloween is SO. MUCH. FUN! This time of year is just my favorite and I can’t wait for you to read some of my ideas for family theme nights and crafting ideas! I hope this finds you having a wonderful October so far and that it will be a wonderful Fall season for you and your families!!
Table of Contents
Importance of Family Time
A happy family is always super important to me and the value of family time cannot be overstated. Regular family nights as well as general family time are really important and strengthen your family bond. It’s a good idea to spend time together with the entire family regularly because it’s key to the development of your kids, and it boosts your general well-being also! It’s a fundamental part of offering emotional support, sharing triumphs, and navigating through challenges.
What To Expect?
What should you expect from each month’s guide for fun family night ideas? Each month will have a theme and then it will include the following ideas and activities planned around that theme!
Sections of the Guide”
- Family Dinner Conversation Starters
- Printable Conversation Starter Cards
- October Weekend Activity List
- Family Theme Night Suggestions
- Game Night Ideas
- Movie Night Ideas – October and Fall Theme
- October Baking Ideas
- October Craft Ideas
- October Family Bucket List
More on each section of our guide to come!
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When To Have Family Night
Any night is fine for family night. You’ll want to do it on a night when there are no other activities planned. It is supposed to be a fun night, not something you stress about fitting into the schedules. Make the time and do the family nights regularly. It’s one of the best things in life, and you don’t want to miss it! I think Friday night is kind of fun to do them on so we don’t have to worry about homework or it being a school night. Try out some different times and see what works best for your family.
October Family Night Guide
Conversation Starters:
Use these for the dinner table or a longer car ride. Have fun with it and play along too! There are also cards to follow if you want to cut them out and put them in a jar and pick one each day!
October Conversation Starters
- What is your most favorite Halloween costume you’ve ever had?
- Is there anything you don’t like about Halloween?
- International Coffee Day is in October. Do you like how coffee smells? Tastes?
- October 5 is “National Do Something Nice Day.” What is something nice you could do for others?
- October 14 is “National Dessert Day.” What is your very favorite dessert? Least favorite?
- Do you like caramel apples? What kinds of candies do you like to sprinkle on the outside?
- What is your favorite Halloween movie?
- What is your favorite Halloween Tradition?
- Would you rather be a ghost or a witch? And why?
- If I had a flying broom… I would…
- If you had to choose a costume for your teacher, what would it be?
- Would you rather bob for apples or carve a Jack-O-Lantern?
- Would you rather be a spider or a bat?
- October 1 is World Vegetarian Day. Could you be a Vegetarian? What would you eat?
- October 2 is Charlie Brown and Snoopy’s Birthday. What is your favorite Peaunuts character and why?
- The first week of October is Fire Prevention Week. What is your family fire safety plan? How much do you know about fire safety?
- The month of October is Pasta Month. What’s your favorite pasta dish? What’s your favorite pasta shape?
- What is your favorite Halloween candy?
- October is pizza month. What is your favorite pizza?
- What is your favorite thing about Fall?
- Do you like to carve pumpkins? Why or why not?
- Why do you think people say “Trick or Treat” on Halloween?
- Do you like scary movies? Why or why not?
Printable Cards
If you sign up for the free October guide, there are printable cards you can print out. I love to print them on cardstock, cut them out, fold them up, and put them in a jar. Then each night at dinner you can draw a conversation starter and everyone gets to answer the question each day. You can modify it for little kids or big kids as best suits your family’s needs.
Game Night Ideas:
Family Game Night is such a fun way to connect! Here’s a list of games we think are great fun for October and early Autumn! Some of these will require a little more work and prep than a regular board game but are much more fun for the season. Search Google/Pinterest for the idea for exact instructions!
Family Game Night Ideas
Little Guys (Age 3-6)
- Pop The Pig
- Crocodile Hop
- Fall Themed “I Spy”
- Spot It
- Hissss
- Memory – Fall Edition
- Candyland
- Tell Me a Story
- Busytown Eye Found It Game
Bigger Guys (Age 7-10)
- Sneaky Snacky Squirrel
- Hoot Owl Hoot
- Ruckus
- Connect 4
- Wildcraft!
- Operation
- Trouble
- Scrabble Jr
- Taco vs. Burrito
- 20 Questions, Summer Edition
- Catan Junior
- Summer Tic Tac Toe
- Twister
Bigger Guys (Age 7-10)
- Apples to Apples
- Exploding Kittens
- Yahtzee
- Taboo
- Pass the Pigs
- Azul
- Isle of Sky
- 5ive Straight Board Game
- Gravity Maze
- Zobmond Bucket Blast
- Suspend
- Skyjo
- Mastermind
- Jenga
- Guess in 10
- Rush Hour Traffic Jam
- Double Ditto
- Klask
- Darts
- Pizza Co
- Bop-It
- Catch Phrase
- Scrabble
October Weekend Activity Ideas:
It’s finally Fall! And Halloween!! Get out and do all the fun Autumn things there are to do during this season!!! It’s flying by already!
- Carve Pumpkins
- Trunk or Treats
- Boo at the Zoo
- Fall Nature Walk
- Go to a Football Game
- Go to the zoo
- Go for a bike ride
- Go on a city tour
- Museum tour
- Take a day-long bus tour
- Scavenger hunt
- Family BBQ
- Apple Picking
- Sidewalk Chalk Art Competition
- Go on a hike
- Go fishing
- Visit the library
- Do a jigsaw puzzle
- Drive-In Movie
- Volunteer
- Movie Marathon Day
- Rearrange a room
- Camping
- Visit a National Park
- Go for a scenic Fall drive
- Smores Night
- Farmer’s Market
- Amusement Park
- Putt Putt Golf
- Visit an amusement park
- Outdoor concerts
- Help a local farm harvest
- Attend a parade
- Go canoeing
- Visit a farm
- Collect Fall Leaves
- Fall Scavenger Hunt
- Bowling
- Fall/Nature Crafts
- Make a Halloween Gingerbread House
- Rake Leaves
- Take family photo sessions
- Decorate the house for fall
- Fall Festivals
- Corn Maze
- Haunted Houses
- Plant bulbs for next Spring
- Rent a mountain cabin
- Make pinecone bird feeders
- County Fairs
- Make a scarecrow
- Start a gratitude journal
- Fall Picnic
- Make Halloween costumes
- Make applesauce
Family Theme Nights:
This is one of my favorite ideas and things to plan. Family theme night is so much fun. Here’s what you do:
Pick a theme and go with it for a fun family night! There’s one for each week in February plus extras!! Some of these fun night ideas are more involved than others. The sky is the limit, so go for it and have some fun. (PS – As a side effect – trying some of these new ideas might even help your child expand their diet and try new foods!)
Pumpkin Carving
Choose a night to make a mess and everyone gets to carve their pumpkins! Make funny pumpkins and scary-faced pumpkins, too! If you don’t want to have knives out, paint your pumpkins! That’s just as much fun for the little guys, plus, much less mess!! I’ve also seen some cute kits that are kind of like a “Mr. Potato-head” kit where you pin on the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, etc and that would be super fun too!
Football GameDay
Is there a local college where you could go to a Saturday afternoon football game? Take some picnic and tailgating supplies and make a day of it. Get to the stadium in time for the kids to see the band for the pre-game. The kids might not last the entire game, but it’s guaranteed to be a fun experience for all!
Halloween Movie Night
Pick a Halloween-themed family movie to watch together and make all Fall-themed snacks! Make a fun menu together for your movie night and don’t forget to include dessert. See the movie suggestions page for ideas on movies for ages and interests! My personal favorite is “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”
Pumpkin Baking Night
Look up some fun pumpkin-baking ideas to try and make some treats! There are all kinds of pumpkin bread, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin cake, there is even pumpkin pasta! And, if you aren’t a big fan of pumpkin flavor? No worries? Make apple recipes instead!! Or try our Pumpkin Crunch! I’m not a big pumpkin fan but I love it!
Hocus Pocus Dinner
Grab some dry ice and a plastic cauldron! Throw some candles and spooky stuff on the table and have a “magical” dinner. If the kids are old enough, watch “Hocus Pocus” afterward!!
Theme Night
Pick a theme for the night — and everyone has to dress up for the theme. If it’s sports fan night, everyone dons their favorite sports team wear from head to toe. Superhero night? Everyone dresses as a superhero. You could do book characters, TV shows, movies, etc. The sky is the limit! If you can incorporate dinner into it, all the more fun!!
Swap Places Night
Draw names out of a hat and everyone swaps roles for the night. If you draw Mom, you have to act like Mom, say things Mom would say, do all of Mom’s jobs for dinner, etc. This can be hugely fun for older kids and younger kids alike! Make sure you snap some pictures.
“It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” Night
This is a classic and it must be watched! Have a night where you watch Charlie Brown as a family! Have some popcorn, grab some candy, and welcome the Great Pumpkin for the night!
Twilight Scavenger Hunt
A nighttime scavenger hunt with flashlights and lanterns! How fun is that! Let the kids explore the backyard! Give them glow-in-the-dark bracelets and necklaces and make a map that will lead them all over the backyard!
Movie Suggestions:
Need some fresh ideas for Family Movie Night? Here are some that match October and Autumn Themes! Check out the movie beforehand to make sure there’s nothing to scare your kids! I haven’t seen ALL of these to confirm myself!
Younger Kids:
- Charlie Brown – It’s the Great Pumpkin
- Charlie Brown – Thanksgiving
- The Hunchback of Notre Dame
- Toy Story of Terror
- Coco
- Pooh’s Heffalump Halloween Movie
- Mickey’s House of Villains
- Monsters, Inc
- Monsters University
- Scoob
- The Incredibles
- Inside Out
- The Adams Family (2019)
- Gnome Alone
- Super Monsters Save Halloween
- Room on the Broom
- Curious George: A Halloween Boo Fest
- Paranorman
- Hotel Transylvania
- Frankenweenie
- Spooky Buddies
- Mickey’s Treat
- Halloween is a Grinch Night
- Doc McStuffins “Boo-Hoo to You”
- Little Einsteins – A Little Einsteins Halloween
Older Kids: (12+)
- Harry Potter Movies
- Maleficent
- The Haunted Mansion
- Hocus Pocus
- The Princess Bride
- Jurassic Park
- Hubie Halloween
- Ghostbusters
- ET
- Nightbooks
- Cruella
- The Witches
- A Babysitter’s Guide to Monster Hunting
- The House with a Clock in Its Walls (2018)
- Fun Size
- Twitches
- Halloweentown
- The Goonies
- Scooby-Doo The Movie (2002)
- Casper
- The Adams Family (1991)
- Beetlejuice
- Edward Scissorhands
Baking and Crafting Suggestions:
Here are some ideas for fun baking and crafting sessions this month! Google or Pinterest for yummy recipes and craft ideas!!
Baking:
- Monster Cookie Bars
- Ghost Meringues
- Ghost Cake Pops
- Monster Cupcakes
- Pumpkin Cookies
- Ghost Nutter Butters
- Fall Leaf Cookies
- Pumpkin Bars
- Monster Bundt Cakes
- Halloween Trail Mix
- Apple Cider Donuts
- Halloween Sugar Cookies
- Monster Oreos
- Frankenstein Rice Krispy Treats
- Ghost Pretzels
- Pumpkin Hershey Kiss Cookies
- Caramel Apples
- Halloween Marshmallow pops
- Halloween Strawberries
- Rice Krispy Treat Pumpkins
- Candy Corn Fudge
- Halloween Boo Bites
- Halloween Sprinkle Cookies
- Ghost Popcorn Balls
- Ghost Fruit Kabobs
- Cinnamon Roll Pumpkins
- Pumpkin Patch Brownies
Craft Ideas:
- Pine Cone Mummy
- Pool Noodle Halloween Crafts
- Monster Pumpkins
- Flying Ghosts
- Ghost Pom Pom Popper
- Painted Pumpkins
- Halloween Salt Dough
- Mason Jar Pumpkins
- Q-Tip Painted Pumpkins
- Paint Splat Cauldrons
- Toilet Paper Roll Monsters
- Burlap Scarecrows
- Popsicle Stick Halloween Crafts
- Haunted House Crafts
- Halloween Marble Art
- Coffee Filter Bats
- Spider Tootsie Pop Holders
- Jack-O-Lantern Sun Catchers
- Pipecleaner Pumpkins
- Halloween Paper Plate Pumpkins
- Tissue paper pumpkins
- Cotton Ball Ghosts
- Lace Up Frankenstein Paper Plates
- Handprint Bats
- Mosaic Pumpkins
Bucket List
In your free printable guide, there is also a template for an October Family Bucket List. Decide what is on your list as a family and get to work crossing activities off the list and have some Summer fun!
Wrap-Up – October Family Night Ideas and Fun Activities List
Fall is in full swing, and October is going to be such a fun month. Not to be cliché, but I love Fall most of all. I love the colors and the crisp, cool air, the football, the warm soups, scarves, and the fun activities. I just adore this time of year, I always have! All these family night ideas will keep you pretty busy for the month of October, and even beyond that! Keep this guide handy and use it month after month, year after year! I can’t wait to hear all about the fun ideas and quality time you spend with your family this month! Happy October! And as always, Just Keep Shuffling!!!
Did you like this post? Then you’ll love these!
- April Festivities: A Guide to Fun April Holidays
- May Festivities: A Guide to Fun May Holidays
- June Festivities: A Guide to Fun June Holidays
- July Festivities: A Guide to Fun July Holidays
- April Family Night Ideas and Fun Activities List
- May Family Night Ideas and Fun Activities List
- June Family Night Ideas and Fun Activities List
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