Halloween is the perfect time for some fun Halloween scares, creative Halloween pranks, and exciting activities—especially if your teens have outgrown trick-or-treating. From simple spooky tricks to laugh-out-loud fake-outs, these ideas are sure to keep your teens on edge and make this Halloween one to remember!
20 Fun and Spooky Halloween Pranks
It all started at the checkout line in Spirit Halloween, when a bag of plastic cockroaches caught my eye. Since then, I’ve been jump-scaring my teens—and some unsuspecting randoms—ever since. From Roach-A-Roni pizza to a bed full of insects, I can’t resist a good Halloween prank! If you’re looking for more ways to celebrate beyond trick-or-treating, these pranks will have you covered.
Here are 20 Halloween scares that are oh-so fun (and spine-tingling!).
Easy and Funny Halloween Pranks
1. Jell-O Juice Surprise
Freeze orange Jell-O in clear cups with a straw. Your teens will think they’re getting a drink, but it’s solid Jell-O! Their confusion will quickly turn into laughter.
2. Ghostly Bathroom Mirror Message
Write “I’m watching you” with soap on the bathroom mirror. When it gets steamy, the hidden message will appear, sending chills down their spine.
3. Skeleton Hand Snack Bowl
Hide a plastic skeleton hand in a candy bowl. When someone grabs a piece, the hand will seem to grab back. This easy prank adds instant Halloween spookiness.
4. Wormy Spaghetti Lunch
Pack gummy worms into a container of spaghetti for your teen’s lunch. The sight of “worms” in their meal will give them a hilarious shock.
5. Fake Bug Attack
Tape fake spiders or roaches to the inside of lampshades. When the light is turned on, shadows of creepy crawlies will appear on the walls.
6. Roach-A-Roni Pizza Prank
Order a cheese pizza, carefully add fake cockroaches, and write “Roach-A-Roni” inside the box. Watch their excitement for pizza turn into horror!
7. Monster in the Closet
Rig a Halloween mask to fall out when the closet door opens. A classic jump scare that will have everyone on edge!
8. Frozen Eyeball Ice Cubes
Freeze gummy or plastic eyeballs in ice cube trays and drop them into your teen’s drink. The floating eyes will definitely deliver a spooky surprise.
9. The Haunted Hairbrush
Attach fake hair from an old wig to the bristles of your teen’s hairbrush. When they go to use it, they’ll think a ghost left some hair behind!
10. The Creepy Crawly Bed Surprise
Scatter fake bugs under their bed covers. When they crawl in, the sensation of “something moving” will definitely make them jump!
Spooky and Silly Pranks
11. The Haunted Refrigerator
Place a realistic rubber rat or snake inside the fridge or freezer. When someone opens it for a snack, they’ll get an unexpected fright!
12. Fridge Full of Eyes
Stick googly eyes on everything in the fridge. When they open the door, it’ll feel like all the food is staring back at them!
13. Glow-in-the-Dark Spider Web
Use glow-in-the-dark string to create a spider web in their room. Hang plastic spiders for an extra creepy effect.
14. The Possessed Computer Screen
Change their screensaver to a ghostly face or creepy message. When the screen goes idle, they’ll get quite a scare!
15. Mystery Footsteps
Sprinkle flour or baby powder on the floor to create ghostly footprints that lead to a basement or attic door. Leave a note at the end: “I’m here…”
16. Hidden Messages in Mirrors
Use soap to write messages like “Help me” on multiple mirrors. The words will keep appearing whenever the bathroom steams up!
Creative and Harmless Pranks
17. Spooky Nail Polish Soap
Paint a bar of soap with clear nail polish and leave it in the bathroom. When your teens try to use it, they’ll find it impossible to get any lather—cue the frustration and laughs!
18. Creepy Photo Frame
Replace a family photo with a ghostly or monster-themed picture. Watch their reaction when they notice the eerie change!
19. Toilet Paper Ghost
Decorate a roll of toilet paper with ghostly eyes and a mouth. Leave it in a random spot, like their bed or the bathroom, for a fun surprise.
20. Ghostly Handprints on Windows
Use washable, glow-in-the-dark paint to make handprints on their window. When it gets dark, the ghostly hands will appear out of nowhere, adding to the Halloween scares.
Wrap Up: 20 Fun and Spooky Halloween Pranks
From the moment I picked up that first bag of plastic cockroaches, I’ve loved watching my teens—and sometimes a few innocent bystanders—get the fright of their lives with these Halloween pranks. So, whether you go for a simple frozen eyeball or a bed full of insects, remember: Halloween is all about the scares, the laughter, and the unforgettable pranks that make it special.
