With Halloween right around the corner, now’s the moment to plan a campout or gathering that’s filled with spooky fun! Instead of the same old snacks and ghost stories, try turning your event into a Halloween-themed camping party. These five ideas will keep kids engaged, parents involved, and everyone ready for a night of festive chills. From a craft table where Scouts or family members can create creepy decorations, to a snack station that doubles as a hands-on activity, each option lets you assign roles and share the work so planning feels simple.

Perfect for your unit, den, pack, or family, these activities can transform an overnight camping trip into a Halloween adventure—or work just as well at a day outing or troop meeting in the park. Whether you want pumpkin-inspired crafts, costume-ready skits, or ghostly campfire games, you’ll find easy ways to make the season come alive outdoors. Try all five or pick your favorites, and get ready to make this Halloween camping trip a memory your favorite people won’t forget. 

1. Host a Halloween Campsite Decorating Contest

2. Cook a Spooky Halloween Campfire Dinner

3. Set Up Halloween-Themed Camping Activity Stations

4. Create a Halloween Craft Table for Kids and Scouts

5. Organize a DIY Halloween Snack-Making Station

Bring the campground to life with a Halloween campsite decorating contest. Families, troops, or dens can team up to design the spookiest spot using string lights, jack-o’-lanterns, and homemade decorations. A little friendly competition adds energy to the evening and makes the whole campsite feel festive. Judges can be leaders, parents, or even kids. Hand out small prizes like patches or glow sticks to keep things fun and low-pressure. This activity works at overnight campouts, backyard campfires, or even troop meetings held outdoors.

Skip the plain hot dogs and make a Halloween-themed campfire dinner that doubles as entertainment. Think mummy-wrapped hot dogs in crescent roll dough, pumpkin-shaped quesadillas, or black bean “witch’s cauldron” chili. Cooking together over the fire gives Scouts and families a chance to learn outdoor skills while enjoying festive food. Keep it simple enough for kids to help, but creative enough to feel like a holiday meal. Use foil-pack recipes, Dutch ovens, or skewers to keep prep manageable. Campfire cooking becomes a highlight when it ties into Halloween traditions.

Activity stations give everyone a chance to move around and try something new. You can rotate Scouts and families through games like a flashlight scavenger hunt, “pumpkin bowling” with painted gourds, or a costume relay race. Halloween camping games keep energy high and give kids a way to burn off excitement before bedtime. Activity stations also make it easier to split responsibilities among leaders and parents. Whether you’re running a unit event or a family campout, Halloween-themed games create memories that last.

A Halloween craft table is an easy way to engage kids of all ages during downtime. Stock the table with supplies for projects like paper bag lanterns, ghost windsocks, or pumpkin masks. Crafts give children a way to be creative while parents or leaders prepare dinner or set up other activities. Scouts can also work together in small groups, building teamwork while making decorations for the campsite. Halloween crafts are simple, low-cost, and always popular, making them a great fit for a camping trip or community gathering.

The Scouting America Sherpa Blanket is the perfect companion for chilly fall evenings. Soft, oversized, and built for comfort, it’s made to keep you warm while swapping ghost stories or roasting marshmallows.

Turn snack time into an activity with a DIY Halloween snack station. Set out simple ingredients for campers to build their own treats, like monster trail mix, marshmallow “ghosts,” or caramel apple slices. Kids love the freedom to create, and parents appreciate a structured activity that doubles as food prep. A snack station keeps everyone engaged and provides an easy way to refuel during the event. Tie it into your Halloween camping theme by using orange, black, and purple supplies or serving items in cauldrons and pumpkin bowls.

Make your spooky campout easier (and tastier) with the right gear. ScoutShop.org has all the camp kitchen essentials to keep your event running smoothly. Here are a few standouts to feature:

• Lodge 6-Qt Cast Iron Dutch Oven
  A campfire classic that doubles as your “witch’s cauldron” for chili, stew, or cobbler. Heavy-duty, long-lasting, and perfect for outdoor Halloween meals.

• GCI Slim-Fold Cook Station
  You can set up your own outdoor kitchen in seconds. With shelves and prep space, it’s perfect for snack stations and campfire dinners.

• GCI Master Cook Station Folding Camp Kitchen
  The deluxe setup for bigger groups. Multiple surfaces let you organize food, drinks, and spooky-themed snacks without the clutter.

• GSI Destination Kitchen 24-Piece Set
  You'll need all the utensils, tools, and basics for cooking, crafting, and serving. Compact, organized, and Scout-friendly.

• GSI Crossover Kitchen Kit
  This portable set is great for quick meals and smaller outings, such as troop meetings in the park or family Halloween gatherings.

End your Halloween camping trip the classic way—with a sweet treat and a spooky campfire story. Pass out s’mores, caramel popcorn, or other Halloween-inspired snacks while everyone gathers around the fire. Then let leaders, parents, or Scouts take turns sharing ghost stories or campfire tales. Keep it light and fun for younger kids, or go for more chilling legends with older Scouts and teens. Campfire storytelling builds connection, sparks imagination, and ties the whole Halloween camping experience together. This final moment becomes the memory everyone takes home.

Get ready for your Halloween camping adventure with everything you need from ScoutShop.org. From camping gear and outdoor essentials to Halloween-themed crafts and accessories, Scout Shop is the official source for Scouting America families. Stock up before your event so you can focus on the fun—whether that’s cooking spooky campfire meals, setting up games, or sharing stories by the fire. Visit ScoutShop.org today and make your next Halloween campout unforgettable.