Engaging Halloween Activities for Middle & High School
As teachers, we know that Halloween week can be one of the most chaotic times of the year. It’s a perfect storm of excitement and distraction. Trying to get our students to focus on atoms or ecosystems when they’re thinking about all the upcoming candy can be a challenge.
Some years I am all in on doing a Halloween lab but other years I am just not feeling that vibe….If you want a calm Halloween, I have got you covered.
Why Teaching During Halloween Week Is So Challenging
Halloween brings a lot of fun energy to school—but also a fair bit of chaos. Teachers often face:
Off-the-charts energy levels. Students are hyped up and easily distracted.
Short attention spans. Even your most focused learners start to drift.
Classroom management struggles. Simple transitions can suddenly take twice as long.
Safety concerns. Costumes, props, and candy wrappers don’t mix well with science labs.
And yet… you still have curriculum to teach. You still want meaningful learning to happen.
So how do you make that happen when your students are in full Halloween mode?
Keep Learning Fun With These Two Engaging Halloween Activities.
Here’s the good news: you can make Halloween week both fun and productive. I lean into the Halloween spirit with two of my favorite engaging, fun, but also educational Halloween-themed activities.
My goal is “All the fun, none of the chaos.”
My first favorite is the Halloween Digital Escape Room- Good for any content area!
Turn your classroom into a spooky science adventure! Students solve puzzles and use critical thinking skills while working through a Halloween-themed escape challenge on Google Slides. They put their answers into a Google Form so it’s fully digital, self-paced, and great for individual or group work.
My second favorite is the Halloween Science Scavenger Hunt- No prior science knowledge needed!
Perfect for those high-energy days, this activity gets students moving around your classroom, hallway or even outside! They go on the hunt for 30 cards containing science clues with a Halloween twist. It reinforces key skills while keeping students engaged and focused. Students fill in the missing facts then get the secret codeword! You can do this anytime during the year!
A Halloween Classroom That’s Fun and Focused
Instead of dreading Halloween chaos, use it to your advantage. By integrating Halloween science activities, you’ll tap into your students’ excitement and turn it into genuine engagement.
Let them experience the fun of the season—without your classroom descending into mayhem.
So, when your classroom starts buzzing with Halloween energy, remember:
You don’t have to fight the chaos.
You can channel it.
Try my Halloween Science Scavenger Hunt- and Halloween Digital Escape Room to keep your students engaged and learning this Halloween!
