If you need to round up some quick, fun Halloween games for a party or just to keep little ones entertained at home, you’ll definitely want to add this one to your list!
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One of my kids’ favorite backyard games is Ghosts in the Graveyard. So, I thought it would be perfect to reuse the name for a fun Halloween game that mixes soccer and tag up into a fun competition that can be played in the light or the in the dark!
WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
-12 Bowling pins
-12 white cloths (could also use tissue paper, paper towel) draped over the top of the pin secured with a rubber band or tape
-A ghost face drawn on each white cloth with marker
-Sidewalk chalk or a rope to divide your playing space down the center
-2 balls (one for each team)
-A group of kids!
WHAT TO DO:
Set up the “graveyard” in your yard, on your driveway, or in the basement! Create a center line that divides the playing area into two halves. On each half, spread out six of the ghost bowling pins. A ball should also be place on each side.
Divide the kids into two teams. Explain that they will be trying to knock over the other team’s “ghosts” by kicking ball to the other side of the playing area. No one can cross the center line into the other team’s playing space.
As one child attempts to kick down a ghost bowling pin on the other team’s side, the rest of their teammates have to be on guard to protect their team’s ghosts from the opposing team. The goal is to try to be the last team with ghosts still standing in their “graveyard”.
HOW TO CHANGE IT UP:
-Try rolling or throwing the ball to knock over ghosts instead of kicking.
-The bigger the playing area, the bigger the challenge!
-To play this at night, use glow sticks as ghost jewelry! Wrap a glow stick around the neck of each bowling pin — use one color for each team.
SKILL AREAS ADDRESSED: Gross motor skills, coordination, social skills, balance, endurance
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