Have a healthier Halloween

Published: 20 October 2025

Halloween doesn’t have to mean sugar overload. We’ve got Halloween games and snacks that are frighteningly good for a party and top tips for a healthier approach to trick-or-treating.

It’s that time of year again – pumpkins on porches, costumes in the shops, and the kids (or grandkids) already planning their trick-or-treating routes.

The good news is, Halloween doesn’t have to mean a sugar overload. With a little creativity, you can turn October 31 into a fun, active, and heart-healthy celebration that everyone will love.

One way to reduce the mountain of lollies is to host a Halloween party instead of opting for trick-or-treating. We’ve got lots of ideas for Halloween games and spooky, heart-healthy food ideas.

Plus, for those with kids insistent on hitting the streets for trick-or-treating, see our top tips for a healthier approach.

Host a healthy Halloween party

Instead of trick-or-treating, why not throw your own spooky celebration? A Halloween party is a great way to keep kids active, engaged, and entertained, without the mountain of lollies.

Combine a selection of our Halloween games with some Halloween-themed food to ensure your kids and their friends have a suitably terrifying time.

Halloween game ideas

Spider web obstacle course: Use yarn or string to make a “web” between chairs. Kids crawl through without touching the strings – it’s great for coordination and focus.

Halloween yoga freeze: Put on spooky music and strike poses like a zombie walk or bat stretch. Freeze when the music stops!

Ghost sack race: Turn old pillowcases into ghost sacks and have the kids hop to the finish.

Witch hat ring toss: Toss glow rings onto witch hats to boost hand-eye coordination. Bonus: label each hat with a healthy habit or fun fact!

Monster tin can bowling: Stack decorated cans into monster towers and knock them down. Add healthy dares like “Do five star jumps!” or “Name your favourite veggie.”

You can also add quieter games like Spooky Charades or Halloween “Would You Rather?”. These are perfect for a group of mixed ages and work brilliantly at family gatherings.

Scarily good Halloween snacks

No Halloween party is complete without suitably spooky snacks. These snacks look amazing on the table at a Halloween party and can also be handed out to little trick-or-treaters. Parents will thank you!

Eyeballs

Quick and easy to make, these eyeballs make a great party snack. Or pop them in a jar and offer them as a treat - or maybe trick - at the door.

Eyeball recipe

Scary mandarins

Draw pumpkin faces on mandarins for a quick, healthy door treat or party option.

Monster toasts

Make monster toasts using wholegrain bread, avocado, and olive “eyes.”

Veggie stick jack-o-lanterns

Carve jack-o’-lantern capsicums and fill them with veggie sticks and hummus.

Margherita pizza with skulls

Try homemade mini pizzas with mushroom “skulls”.

Top tips for healthier trick-or-treating

If the kids can’t resist the call of trick-or-treating, here are a few ways to make it healthier.

• Eat before you go: a hearty, balanced dinner helps curb sugar cravings.
• Choose smaller bags: a smaller container limits how much fits inside.
• Sort and share: let kids pick their favourites, then donate or save the rest.
• Stay active: walk between houses rather than driving.
• Balance it out: add extra fruit, veg, and water to meals in the days after.

With a few clever swaps, Halloween can be just as magical but without as much sugar.

Active games, creative snacks, and balanced choices can make it a celebration that’s fun, festive, and heart-healthy for the whole whānau.

So grab the costumes, cue the spooky tunes, and enjoy a Halloween that’s full of laughs, not lollies!