With Halloween just around the corner, now is the time to start thinking about how you will celebrate this spooktacular holiday this year. Will you watch your favorite scary movie? Will you indulge in some sweet treats? Will you throw a party? If you can’t decide how to spend October 31st (and the days leading up to it) this year, check out our Halloween party ideas for seniors for inspiration.
Top Halloween Party Ideas For Seniors
Outdoor Lantern Social
If the weather accommodates you, why not throw an outdoor lantern social? During the day, you can prepare your lanterns. Kits are available at craft stores in the form of pumpkins, leaves, witch hats, mummies, and the like. You could also purchase basic lanterns or decorate with Jack-o’-Lanterns. Find secure places to hang the lanterns, and consider adding strings of twinkle lights (for aesthetic appeal) or a bonfire (for warmth). Surrounded by the beautiful glow of the lanterns, you can socialize and share your favorite Halloween memories.
Fall Drink Bar
At your party, consider offering a fall drink bar with hot cocoa and apple cider. Add fun flavors and garnishes to enhance the beverages. For example, you could provide ginger, orange, cinnamon, or other spices for the cider. For the hot cocoa, be sure to offer marshmallows, peppermint syrup, cinnamon syrup, and any other scrumptious additions you can think of. Be sure to offer some sugar-free options for diabetics. You might also consider offering coffee, hot tea, and apple juice.
Pumpkin Painting
Instead of carving pumpkins, which can be difficult for seniors (and potentially dangerous), paint them for a fun craft activity. Offer a variety of colors of acrylic paint, which guests can use to paint their pumpkins. Although many people will likely go for a Jack-o’-Lantern-like look, they could also paint a simple design on their pumpkin (like stripes or polka dots), a festive scene, or anything else they might imagine. Encourage creativity, and consider voting on the best-painted pumpkins at the end of the night.
Halloween Movie Marathon
To ensure all of your guests enjoy your movie marathon, skip the modern horror movies. Instead, focus on fun and thrilling classics like Young Frankenstein, The Ghost and Mr. Chicken, and episodes of The Twilight Zone. If you aren’t sure what to screen, ask your guests for suggestions beforehand. You could even gather several options and then have guests vote on the movies they would most like to see. Be sure to serve snacks at your movie marathon, like popcorn (of course), candy corn, and hot cocoa. For some extra excitement, have a trivia break between each movie.
Host a Trick or Treat Party for Local Children
Retirement communities might consider hosting a Trick or Treat party for local children. Residents could invite their grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and any other youngsters in their lives. The event could also be advertised at local schools, grocery stores, daycares, etc. Invite children to stop by at a specified time dressed in their costumes, ready to Trick or Treat. Then, play festive tunes (like The Monster Mash and The Addams Family) and consider setting up a craft station (perhaps with Halloween-themed coloring pages). Finally, be sure to hand out plenty of candy to all your little guests.
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We hope these Halloween party ideas for seniors have inspired you. October 31st only rolls around once each year, so take advantage of it!
Are you looking for an assisted living community in Tennessee? If so, be sure to check out Hearthside Senior Living Place, located in Bartlett, Tennessee. We would be happy to schedule a tour for you so that you can explore the community, meet some of the residents, and ask any questions you might have. For more information, please call 901-854-6590. We look forward to meeting you!