Pumpkin Games for Fall
When pumpkin spice everything hits the shelves, you know it’s officially fall! And what better way to celebrate the season than with good old-fashioned fun involving the star of Autumn: pumpkins!
Whether you’re planning a fall festival, a backyard gathering, a school party, or just want to keep your kids entertained on a weekend, pumpkin games are the perfect way to sprinkle some seasonal magic into the mix.
I’m a Mom, so trust me when I say, I’ve seen firsthand how pumpkins can turn into the ultimate fall party prop. They’re round, orange, funny-looking, and surprisingly versatile. You can roll them, toss them, stack them, decorate them, and even race them. Basically, pumpkins are the unsung heroes of fall fun. So grab your sweater, maybe a hot apple cider, and let’s talk pumpkin games that will keep everyone smiling this autumn.
Pumpkin Games for All Ages
Pass the Pumpkin Printable Game
Try this fun Halloween themed pumpkin game. A fun twist on the traditional pass the parcel, this game is great for all ages.
Pumpkin Bowling
Who needs a bowling alley when you have a pumpkin patch? For this game, you’ll need:
- Small round pumpkins (pick ones with smooth bottoms so they roll better)
- Empty soda bottles, plastic pins, or even water bottles (filled with just a little water to stay upright)
Line up the bottles like bowling pins and let players roll their pumpkins down a flat surface. Kids will giggle watching pumpkins wobble their way to a strike. Adults? They’ll probably get competitive and start aiming like pros.
Variation: Paint the bottles with Halloween faces to make them look like ghosts. Spooky strikes all around!
What is Your Pumpkin Name?
This “What’s Your Pumpkin Name?” game adds the perfect mix of silliness and seasonal magic to Halloween parties, fall festivals, classroom events, trick-or-treat nights, or any spooky get-together. It’s also a super cute icebreaker for fall birthdays, family game nights, or Halloween parties!
Pumpkin Ring Toss
This one is easy to set up and loads of fun. Grab a few pumpkins with long, sturdy stems. Use glow-in-the-dark rings, hula hoops, or even DIY rings made from rope taped into a circle. Players take turns tossing the rings onto the pumpkin stems.
You can set different distances to make it harder for older kids or adults.
Pumpkin Tic-Tac-Toe
This game is adorable and perfect for kids. All you need are mini pumpkins (get two different colors or paint some white/orange for variety) and a tic-tac-toe board. You can draw the board on cardboard, tape it on the floor, or even paint it onto a big piece of fabric for a reusable version.
Kids love putting pumpkins in place, and let’s be honest, it’s way cuter than playing tic-tac-toe on paper.
Pumpkin Relay Races
Need to burn off some of that pumpkin pie energy? A relay race with pumpkins is the way to go. Hand participants a medium-sized pumpkin and challenge them to race from one end of the yard to the other, without dropping it! You can make it harder by:
- Carrying the pumpkin between the knees
- Balancing it on your head
- Rolling it with a stick instead of carrying it
Trust me, kids love the silliness, and adults can’t resist giving it a go.
Pumpkin Hunt
Think Easter egg hunt, but with pumpkins! Hide mini pumpkins all around your yard or house and let kids run wild finding them. You can even paint them different colors and assign bonus points depending on which one they find.
Want to make it even more fun? Write silly challenges on the bottom of some pumpkins (like “Do a pumpkin dance!” or “Sing a Halloween song”). It keeps the energy high and everyone laughing.
Pumpkin Decorating Contest
Okay, technically not a “game,” but trust me, it feels like one when you add a little friendly competition. Lay out paint, stickers, markers, googly eyes, glitter (if you dare), and let everyone decorate their pumpkin. At the end, vote for categories like:
- Funniest pumpkin
- Spookiest pumpkin
- Most creative pumpkin
- Cutest pumpkin
This works for kids, teens, and adults, because who doesn’t love a little creative chaos?
Pumpkin Stack Challenge
Who can stack the most mini pumpkins without toppling the tower? It sounds easy… until that third or fourth pumpkin starts wobbling!
Pumpkin Spoon Race
Like an egg-and-spoon race, but with tiny pumpkins. Players race while balancing a mini pumpkin on a big spoon. Drop it? Back to the start!
Pumpkin Bean Bag Toss
Carve out a giant pumpkin face with a wide mouth or cut holes in a large piece of cardboard painted with pumpkins. Then, grab some bean bags (or rolled-up socks if you’re improvising) and let the tossing begin.
Each hole or section can be worth different points, and players compete to rack up the highest score. It’s simple, classic carnival fun with a fall twist.
Pumpkin Balloon Pop
Ok so not technically pumpkins but still lots of fun. Stick paper slips with prizes or silly dares inside orange balloons. Blow them up and let kids pop to reveal their surprise.
Pumpkin Musical Chairs
Take the well-loved game of musical chairs and give it an autumn spin. Instead of chairs, place pumpkins in a circle. When the music plays, participants walk around, and when it stops, they have to grab a pumpkin. Remove one pumpkin each round until you’ve got your winner.
Pumpkin Obstacle Course
If you’ve got space, set up an obstacle course with pumpkins as the stars. Ideas include:
- Crawling under a row of pumpkins
- Hopping over small pumpkins
- Balancing a pumpkin on a spoon while walking
- Rolling a pumpkin through cones
You can time players for some extra excitement. This works especially well at fall festivals or school events.
Pumpkin Pie Eating Contest
Not for the faint of heart (or stomach), but it’s definitely memorable! Give each participant a small pumpkin pie, hands behind their back, and see who finishes first. It’s messy, hilarious, and guaranteed to leave everyone in stitches.
For a kid-friendly version, give them a slice instead of a whole pie, or replace it with pumpkin-shaped cookies.
Pumpkin Weight Guess
Want an easy icebreaker? Line up a few pumpkins of different sizes and let guests guess the weight of each one. Write down guesses and reveal the true weights. It’s surprisingly hard to judge just by looking! The winner gets a fun little prize like a pumpkin spice candle or caramel apple.
Pumpkin Memory Game
Perfect for indoor play. Place several mini pumpkins on a tray, each decorated slightly differently (painted, stickers, ribbons). Show them to the players for 30 seconds, then cover them. Remove one pumpkin and see if players can guess which one is missing.
This game works great with kids and can even be adapted for classrooms.
Glow Pumpkin Toss
For nighttime fall parties, carve or paint pumpkins with glow-in-the-dark paint, or put glow sticks inside hollowed-out pumpkins. Then, toss bean bags or rings at them in the dark. The glowing pumpkins make it feel magical.
Pumpkin Balancing Act
Give players a medium-sized pumpkin and challenge them to balance it on their head, shoulder, or even while walking across a line. Kids will be in fits of giggles trying not to drop theirs. Adults? They’ll be walking like circus performers trying to keep that pumpkin steady.
Pumpkin Guessing Jar
Fill a clear jar with pumpkin seeds or candy pumpkins. Let players guess the number inside. Closest guess wins the jar! This is a simple but always-popular game at parties.
Tips for Hosting a Pumpkin Game Party
- Prizes make it extra fun. Candy, stickers, fall-scented candles, or mini pumpkins make great rewards.
- Mix active and calm games. Balance running games (like relay races) with calmer ones (like decorating contests).
- Keep it age-friendly. Little kids love simple, silly games. Teens enjoy challenges and competitions. Adults secretly love them all.
- Embrace the mess. Pumpkin games can get messy, especially decorating or pie-eating. Lay out tablecloths, old sheets, or play outside.
- Don’t forget the snacks! Pumpkin cookies, apple cider, and caramel apples go hand-in-hand with all this fun.
So this fall, grab a few pumpkins, invite some friends or family over, and turn your backyard into a pumpkin playground. You’ll have memories, laughter, and probably some funny photos you’ll treasure long after the pumpkins are gone.
