Halloween has long been about monsters, ghouls, ghosts, and scaring the crap out of ourselves. While there are still some symbols of Halloween’s true origins, we often ignore the fact that the celebration is also about the dead, the other world, and how crossing between the worlds of the dead and the living is made easier on October 31st. It goes without saying that incorporating games that deal with the occult, the other side, and the heightening of your extra-sensory perceptions should cause a shiver to run up and down your spine — especially if you “experience” something.
While “bobbing for apples” is an ancient Halloween tradition that dates back to the Roman Empire, you’ll not find such games reserved for children on this list. Our goal here is to present a few of the classic games. Mock them if you will, but there’s a reason that they’re classics and still played to this day — because they literally scare the crap out of many people — kinda like a geriatric with incontinence. Besides, mocking these games is usually a defense mechanism to mask your deep fear.
No.6 Hide and Seek in the Dark
OK, this one is as much for kids as it is for adults. Just turn off all the lights in the house and play the game, which in this scenario is all about sensory deprivation. Everything is scarier when you can’t see — sounds are amplified, touch is sensitive, and smells are more intense. Your imagination is a powerful thing, and with one of your senses removed, it’s gonna fight hard to fill the gap. You’ll be wondering what the breeze was, what brushed up against you, what that sound down the hall was, and more… you just better hope a serial killer didn’t sneak his way into your little game.
No.5 Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board
This is the first game on our list that actually relies on the powers of the other side… or the powers of your collective minds. There have been several accounts of this thing actually working, but everyone in your group (at least four) will have to chant “Light as a feather, stiff as a board. Light as a feather, stiff as a board. Light as a feather, stiff as a board. 1, 2, 3 and LIFT” for it to work. So, one member lies on the ground, stiff as a board, while the remaining four place their middle and index fingers under the person. If it doesn’t freak you out that you were able to lift someone off the ground with minimal effort, then move on to the next game on this list.
No.4 Seance
This one is all about atmosphere, and I’m sure some witches/pagans might be pissed that I’m recommending it for casual use. Truth be told, I wouldn’t mess with this one, but at the same time I don’t see anything wrong with having a little (hopefully) harmless fun.
Basically, for the pedestrian version, set the mood by dimming the lights, setting some candles out, burning some incense, joining hands, closing your eyes, and trying to communicate with the other side. It’s this sort of atmosphere that will scare you when you hear a strange sound, a house pet does something out of character, you feel a cool gust of wind, etc. And these experiences are contagious, which means the whole group will be believing they made contact.
What are the top 3 creepy classic games to play on Halloween? Find out on the other side…
