13 days of spooky dares, silly crafts, and snack pairings that won’t scare off your sanity.
If you’ve got a tween in your house, you already know Halloween isn’t just a holiday—it’s a whole mood. Costumes are debated like Supreme Court cases, candy preferences shift hourly, and suddenly your child is too cool for pumpkin patches but still wants to carve a jack-o’-lantern with dramatic flair.
Somewhere between working full-time and writing blog posts with coffee in hand, I realized: Halloween doesn’t have to be one big sugar-fueled sprint. It can be a slow, silly countdown filled with connection, creativity, and just enough spooky sass.
So this year, I created a countdown that’s equal parts spooky, silly, and tween-approved. It’s 13 days of Halloween magic—with daily dares, easy crafts, and snack pairings that won’t require a culinary degree or a glue gun meltdown.
Begin on October 19th or pace it through your weekends—this countdown blends laughter, creativity, and a pinch of delightful disorder to keep the spirit alive.
The Countdown Breakdown
Each day includes:
- A Dare: Light-hearted challenges like “Speak only in spooky whispers” or “Invent a monster dance move.”
- A Craft: Quick DIYs like ghost garlands, slime potions, or bat bookmarks.
- A Snack: Tween-tested treats like pretzel mummies, monster trail mix, or ghost bananas.
You can follow the full 13-day plan or mix and match based on your tween’s mood (and your energy level).
Sample Days
Day 1: Ghoul Goals
- Dare: Create a spooky nickname for everyone in the house.
- Craft: Decorate a “Haunted Homework Folder.”
- Snack: Ghost bananas with chocolate chip eyes.
Day 5: Monster Mayhem
- Dare: Invent a monster dance and perform it at dinner.
- Craft: Make slime with googly eyes.
- Snack: Monster trail mix with candy corn and pretzels.
Day 7: Costume Chaos
- Dare: Create a costume using only items from one room.
- Craft: Make a mini costume for a stuffed animal or pet.
- Snack: Mummy pigs in a blanket.
Printable Countdown Calendar
I’ve created a printable calendar with checkboxes and a “Ghoul-o-Meter” to rate each day’s fun. Tally the ghost ratings each day and keep track at the bottom using the Spook Score Tracker. You can hang it on the fridge, tuck it in a lunchbox, or use it as a countdown to the big night. And to make things even easier, I’ve included step-by-step instructions for every craft and snack, so you can spend less time Googling and more time giggling.
Why It Works
This countdown isn’t just about crafts and candy, it’s about connection. It gives tweens a chance to be silly, expressive, and involved in the season without feeling too “little kid.” And for moms? It’s a chance to sneak in some joy, creativity, and maybe even a moment of peace between costume debates and candy negotiations.
Want to join the countdown? Download the printable, tag me in your haunted hijinks, and let’s make this Halloween one to remember—without losing our minds or our glue sticks.
Stay spooky, stay silly, and may your snacks be ever in your favor.
With coffee in one hand and spooky treats in the other,
💛 Bethany