Halloween Tricks & Treats for a Family Day In!

Halloween – the one time of year that ghosts, goblins, and gaggles of children demand our unrelenting attention. On the one hand, Halloween is made special by its frights and its fun – spooky costumes, bowls of fear-themed sweets, glowing decorations adorning windows and walls. On the other, though, it’s a chance to slow down and spend time with family, snuggled up indoors, creating memories that’ll last long after the last of the sweet wrappers have been swept up and disposed of.

This year, we encourage you to take the time around this holiday to embrace family days in. Whether it’s crafting homemade décor, bonding while whipping up some seasonal treats, or convening on the big sofa for a Halloween movie marathon, there are plenty of ways to enjoy a festive spirit from the comfort of your home.

 

Dreadfully easy Halloween decor

Once October rears its head, many people’s first thoughts fall directly to decoration – of which I am absolutely guilty. I like to make sure my home is dressed up to the 9s for the entire month, with tattered witches hanging from the fireplace, neon pumpkins bathing my rooms in an orange glow, skeletons and goblins and spiders making themselves at home. We’ve even got a couple little speakers dotted around that project a witch’s cackle every so often (what’s Halloween without a good jump?). In order to get your home in top form for a family day in this year, there are many effective and affordable things we can do.

Start by dimming the lights, or employing the softer, warmer lights of your lamps and candles for a cosy atmosphere. Alongside your bats and spiders, elevate your Halloween setup with cosy touches that add heathy dose of comfort to your overwhelming fright. Scatter some autumn themed or coloured cushions and throws around your living areas for a layer of warmth on those crisper autumn nights. Plus, once the spooky season is over, these pieces will easily translate to your everyday décor, making them value for money products.

Secondly, you don’t need to spend a fortune on Halloween decoration, especially if you’ve got kids. Gather the family together and get creative with some easy and fun DIY décor projects. I recommend creating paper bats which you can dangle from the ceiling, or cutting some spooky ghosts from old bedsheets – these look great facing outwards stuck on to a window, or really any wall. Why not even grab a few washable markers and draw your window a spooky scene for the neighbours to enjoy?

Swap costumes for comfort

Don’t get me wrong – I love a good Halloween costume, and never do a Halloween without. However, I think you’ll agree they aren’t always the best to relax in. When it comes to a comfy family day in, nothing beats good ol’ loungewear. Forget itchy fabrics and restrictive cuts – this time of year is the perfect opportunity to swap costume for comfort. Picture it – the whole family wrapped up in soft, cosy fabric in loud seasonal tones – perfect for the day’s lazy activities.

Loungewear isn’t just about laying around in bliss – it’s the uniform of choice for movie marathons, snack-fuelled craft sessions, and late-night ghost stories. With many options across supersoft hoodie blankets, pyjamas, and onesies, everyone can find something that keeps them cosy while looking effortlessly put-together. With loungewear’s, there is really little room to go wrong. These pieces can be used all year round for moments where comfort is key. While my hoodie blanket is the star of my autumn/winter season, you can trust I rely on that sherpa lining all 12 months of the year! So, go ahead and treat the family to something that’ll do them long after the pumpkins are packed up.

Frightfully fun snacks the whole family will love

Halloween is the perfect excuse to get creative in the kitchen, and the best part? These spooky treats are super easy to make, even if your idea of cooking is unwrapping chocolate bars. Whether you’re a seasoned snacker or a whizz in the kitchen, these fun recipes will have everyone one going back for seconds (of thirds if you fancy).

  • Mummy Hot Dogs – These are so easy, it’s scary. All you need are some hot dogs (or regular sausages, as I prefer), a roll of puff pastry, and a little imagination. Wrap your hot dogs in strips of pastry, leaving little gaps for the eyes. Bake until golden, and then add two little dots of either ketchup of mustard for the eyes, and voilà! Cute – and slightly creepy – mummies! They’re a huge hit with kids and, honestly, adults can’t resist them either.
  • Monster Mac ‘n’ Cheese Bites - Turn a favourite comfort food into a spooky snack by making mini mac 'n' cheese bites. Use a muffin tin to bake small, handheld portions of mac 'n' cheese, then add “monster faces” with a bit of creativity—place two small pieces of cheese or veggies for eyes and jagged pieces of bacon for teeth. They’re bite-sized, cheesy, and perfectly creepy for the little ones!
  • Spooky Meatball Eyeballs - Use your favourite meatball recipe and give it a spooky twist! After cooking your meatballs, place a small mozzarella ball or piece of cheese on top, and stick a sliced round of red pepper or tomato over it for the “pupil.” Bake until the cheese is melty, and you’ve got eerie meatball “eyeballs” that are perfect for a Halloween snack.
  • Monster Marshmallow Pops - These are a fun and colourful treat that the whole family can enjoy together. Start with marshmallows on sticks, dip them in melted chocolate and decorate with edible googly eyes and coloured sprinkles. Use food colouring or icing to add mouths, fangs, or monster “hair.” They’re like mini edible art projects that taste just as good as they look!
  • Frankenstein Rice Krispie Treats – Finally, transform regular Rice Krispie squares into little Frankenstein monsters! Dye the marshmallow mix green with food colouring, then form into squares. Use melted chocolate or black icing for the “hair” on top, and add candy eyes and a little drawn-on scar for his face. These are fun to make, look impressive, and are a spooky twist on a classic treat that everyone will love.

 

Enjoy a Halloween movie marathon!

For me, no Halloween season is complete without a comprehensive movie marathon. A family Halloween movie marathon is the perfect way to blend cosy time with spooky fun! Set the scene by transforming your living room into a snug movie cave—pile on soft blankets, plush cushions, and add some glowing Halloween décor like pumpkin string lights for that eerie effect.

Time for, arguably, the most important thing to consider – your movie selection. Keep it family-friendly with a mix of fun and light chills: classics like Hocus Pocus and The Addams Family, animated hits like Monsters, Inc. and Hotel Transylvania, and a bit of spooky flair with Coraline and Ghostbusters. These picks keep both kids and adults entertained without any nightmares later! Once the kid’s go to bed, follow my lead and bust out the cult horrors!

 

Games and activates to keep your little goblins at bay

Starting with a somewhat predictable but classic activity – enjoy a pumpkin carving contest. I think we can all agree that nothing says Halloween like a beautifully carved pumpkin. Well, I use beautiful loosely – my skills could use a little improvement. We tend to set up a little station at the kitchen table and let everyone just go wild. You can make it a friendly competition with categories, like “scariest”, “funniest”, even “most creative”. I recently discovered saving the seeds for roasting, which I will be doing this year for a treat later.

Secondly, a Halloween scavenger hunt. Transform your living space or back garden into a spooky hunt for everyone to enjoy together. Create a list of Halloween-themed items for the kids to find – think plastic spiders, mini pumpkins, Halloween stickers, even a few sweets and treats as a little pre-Halloween collection. We did this last year and decided to add some clues for the kids to make it more engaging. It’s a great way to get everyone moving and having a good time together. 

Lastly – a year-round staple in my home – a themed dance party. The theme, this time round, is of course Halloween. Who doesn’t love a dance-off? Create a playlist of Halloween-themed songs—think “Monster Mash,” “Thriller,” or any fun pop hits with a spooky twist. Get everyone moving, and have a dance party right in your living room! You can incorporate your fun costumes to really get into the spirit of things.

 

I have to say – this is one of favourite times of year. Halloween feels magical when the air turns crisp, and creativity can be channelled in so many ways. By blending cosy loungewear, festive décor, delicious snacks, and fun activities, you can create a Halloween experience that brings the whole family together. So, whether you’re dressing down in your cosiest PJs, embarking on a pumpkin carving adventure, or enjoying a movie marathon, remember that the heart of the holiday lies in spending quality time with friends and family. Happy Halloween!

 

Explore the Halloween collection from OHS for festive and spooky prints!