Samhain Bonfire: Halloween Story & Activities

A Hidden Story in Every Jar

Samhain BonfireA Light in the Dark

Discover the traditions of Samhain and bring a little Halloween glow home with Gran and the children. Then keep the fun going with four Halloween activities.

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Let the Halloween fun continue

Choose a sheet below, or print this comic, all four activities and the games guide together.

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Spot the spooky differences

Find ten differences between the two Halloween scenes.

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The Midnight Maze

Follow the winding path through our Halloween maze.

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Halloween treasure hunt

Find twelve hidden objects in the cosy cottage.

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Halloween word search

Search for twelve spooky words hidden in the grid.

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Games to play together

Eight favourite ideas for Halloween night, from old favourites to party fun and quieter games.

Eight Halloween games: mystery bowls, apple bobbing, apple on a string, barmbrack fortunes, flour mountain, memory tray, freeze dance and a story game.

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1. Witch’s mystery bowls

Spooky guessing game
You need: Bowls, cloths, peeled grapes, cold cooked spaghetti and mashed banana.

Hide each food under a cloth. Tell players the grapes are witches’ eyes, spaghetti is worms and banana is monster brains! Feel without looking and guess the real food. Reveal at the end. Prefer to peek or use a spoon? That counts too. Touch only, no tasting.

2. Apple bobbing

Old favourite
You need: Apples, a basin, water and a towel.

Float washed apples in shallow water. Try to catch one with your teeth, hands behind your back. Give each player fresh water and their own apple. Or scoop with a spoon!

3. Apple on a string

Old favourite
You need: One apple per player and string.

A grown-up hangs each apple securely at mouth height. Try to take a bite without using your hands. Play one at a time, keep eyes open and hands free.

4. Barmbrack fortunes

Our family version
You need: Barmbrack and paper fortune cards.

A hidden ring traditionally foretold marriage. Keep objects out of the food. Enjoy a slice, then draw a card for friendship, adventure or good luck. Pretend predictions only!

5. Flour mountain

Our spoon version
You need: Flour, a plate, spoons and a grape.

Balance a grape on a flour mound. Take turns scooping flour from the side. If the grape falls on your turn, you lose the round. Rebuild and play again. No face-dipping.

6. Witch’s memory tray

Party game
You need: A tray, a cloth and eight objects.

Study the objects for 30 seconds. Cover the tray and name as many as you remember. Try again with one object missing. Can everyone spot what vanished?

7. Monster freeze dance

Party game
You need: Music and room to move.

Dance like a wobbly monster, a floating ghost or a sneaky cat. Freeze when the music stops! Seated monster moves count too. No one is out.

8. One-sentence spooky story

Quiet game
You need: Your imaginations!

Begin: ‘On Halloween night, something knocked at the door…’ Each person adds one sentence. Will your story be funny, mysterious or spooky? Anyone can pass. Finish together!

Grown-ups: supervise play, check food allergies and keep small items away from little children. Games can be adapted so everyone can join in.

The fortune games are make-believe. Our family versions adapt older customs for children today. Explore the background at the National Museum of Ireland and the Dúchas folklore collection.

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As autumn evenings grow darker, Gran explains that Samhain marked the beginning of winter on 1 November in Ireland’s traditional calendar. Celebrations began the evening before, 31 October, with food, games and stories.

In some places, communities gathered around bonfires. Some people believed the fire helped protect them as the dark season began.

Today, the children watch a community bonfire with Gran from behind a barrier. They want to bring a little glow home, so they make a paper lantern with a battery light. Its glow keeps them company as Gran opens her storybook.

Discovering Irish seasonal traditions and a present-day family celebration.

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