Two Bats, One Stone: Our Halloween Party 2-for-1
- Jessica Doberneck
- Oct 28
- 3 min read
Hosting one class party for Halloween is a feat in and of itself, but two back-to-back? That was our challenge this year! My daughters, in different classes, both wanted to celebrate. Instead of two separate setups and cleanups, or combining all the kids into one huge gathering, we decided to kill two birds (bats?!) with one stone by hosting one party on a Friday night and a very similar bash the following day. It sounded a little bit clinically insane at first, but it actually ended up being a game-changer!
Here's a peek into how we pulled off a weekend of spooky fun, including some festive ideas you can totally throw together at the last minute for a Halloween bash of your own this week!
My new favorite Halloween party hack
The self-proclaimed genius of the back-to-back parties raised some eyebrows but it actually required minimal extra effort. We did one main setup and then a quick replenish of snacks the next day. Same activities, same decor, maximum efficiency!
Classic Games with a Twist
We kept the activities simple, silly, and highly engaging for both groups.
Mummy Wrapping Race: Always a hit! Kids pair up and they get to take turns mummifying their partner with toilet paper. It's frantic, fun, and makes for great photos.
The (Messy!) Donut Eating Contest: Forget plain donuts! We went for white powder donuts. The messier, the better.
Pro Tip: Tie all your donuts to separate strings before the party. As the kids arrive, have their parent(s) tie their donut's string to your one long main string. This prevents tangles and allows you to easily hang them at the perfect height for each child!
Sack Races: A crowd favorite! A pack of 10 affordable sacks from Amazon is an easy investment for endless giggles. SHOP HERE
The Nostalgic Cake Walk: Everyone loves a cake walk! We had each child bring a baked item for the "prizes." We numbered our cones and played the ultimate spooky tune: "Monster Mash." I still remember winning my favorite Betty Crocker Rainbow Chip cupcakes as a kid. The nostalgia is real!
Wind-Down Movie Night: To bring the energy down and allow parents to visit, we ended the night with an outdoor movie. We love "The Scariest Story Ever: A Mickey Mouse Halloween Spooktacular.” It's only 22 minutes long, which is the perfect length. Popcorn, blankets, and a spooky cartoon is the best way to say goodnight!
Moodier Vibes and Reusable Decor
My decor strategy this year was all about cozy, moody vibes and reusability.
Thrifted Pumpkins: I found great Target pumpkins for about $10 each at a thrift store! We painted a few to tie into my new rug and living room colors. The darker hues are giving me that perfect "moodier vibe" I'm loving this season.
The Ultimate Life Hack Garland: I adore my mantle garlands! Even better, I take out the spooky stuff after Halloween and leave the garlands and pumpkins up for Thanksgiving! Instant, effortless fall decor.
A Special Touch: My girls got beautiful quilts from their grandma, and their room is darling. We always pull out the special Halloween books, and after the party, the table bunting went right up onto their wall to extend the festive feel.
Cinderella and Her Crew
The real magic came down to the costumes. Once my daughters decided to be the pink and blue Cinderellas, my husband and I knew exactly what we had to be!
I was busy prepping the party, mopping the floors in my costume, when my daughter looked at me and said, "Mom! You're like the real Cinderella!" Ha! If only she knew! My husband was quite dashing in his get-up this year, and we loved that Grandma joined the fun as our enchanting Fairy Godmother! (We tried to convince Grandpa to be Gus Gus the mouse, but he respectfully declined! Maybe next year!)
This year's party was a huge success, proving that a little bit of planning and a lot of heart can make a back-to-back event totally manageable and incredibly memorable.
Your Turn!
What's your best "kill two bats with one stone" party hack?
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