Halloween Candy Toss

As we step into October, I started thinking about games for our student ministry that had a little bit of a "fall" or "halloween" theme. I also wanted something little more original then the same old games I've played in recent years. So off to the local dollar store to roam the isles looking for ideas.

If you haven't discovered the benefits of stores like, the Dollar Tree, Dollar General, Five Below, or the 99¢ Store (and others like them), you really need to make them part of your ministry planning. These stores offer all sorts of odd and unique products at lower prices tags. Frankly, you never know what you might find on one of their shelves.

I already had the idea for a game. I wanted to have some kind of candy toss. I knew I needed a bowl for candy, a bag of halloween candy, and something to catch the candy with. Fortunately, our local Dollar General was well stocked with halloween supplies and decorations.

Here' what I found...

• 2 web baskets in orange and black ($1.00 each)
• a couple rolls of burlap ribbon ($2.00 per roll)
• a large bag of halloween candy ($9.89)​
• and I already had a large bowl for the candy.

It was prefect. Everything I needed, all in one stop. And, all for under $20.

The webbed baskets would work as the catching bowl. I wanted the baskets to be on the students heads, so the burlap was the perfect item to use to secure it to their heads. The wide burlap really helped to stabilize the baskets.

I fed the burlap through the webbing at the bottom of the basket, leaving enough length to tie it off under the chin. The dumped the candy into a large bowl that I keep with my game supplies at the church.
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Here's the game.

You'll need the item above, plus a chair and some tape to mark the throwing line.

The goal is to toss and catch as many pieces of candy in the basket as possible, before time runs out. Mark on the floor the throwing line with tape. I always use blue painters tape because it's easy to pull back up. About 8 to 10 feet away from the throwing line set up your chair. The student who wears the basket will sit on the chair to catch the candy. On "GO", the student throwing begins tossing the candy, one piece, at a time towards the student catching. The student catching must try to catch the candy without moving the chair or leaving the chair. I gave each pair 60 seconds.
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Here's how to play.

Set up your game space with the throwing line and the catching chair about 8 to 10 feet a part. Call for volunteers, 2 per team. You can play as many teams as you have time for.

​Designate your thrower and your catcher. Tie the basket to the catcher and have them sit on the chair. Have the thrower stand by the bowl of candy. Set 60 seconds on your timer.

With "GO" the game begins. After 60 seconds, count up the candy that successfully landed in the bowl. It's up to you if you choose to candy candy that falls out. Remember, the catcher can move around to try to catch the candy. They just can't move or leave the chair.

Materials...

• 2 baskets or small bowls for catching
• 2 inch ribbon for securing basket to heads
• a large bag of halloween candy
• a large bowl for the candy
• a chair for each catcher
• a table or stool for the candy bowl
• a strip of tape for your throwing line
• prize for the winning pair
• stop watch or timer

Here's how I played the game with our students!
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Halloween Candy Toss. Simple. Easy. Fun. A perfect ice breaker or upfront game to use with your students this halloween season.

I'd love to hear from you! Did you try Halloween Candy Toss? How did it go? Any ideas that made it better?

Share your comments below!

- jay
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Jay Higham is a veteran youth worker of over 25 years; having worked with students in the local church and Christian camping settings. Jay is currently serving as the student ministry director at a church, located in Western PA. Jay has been married to Amy for over 20 years. Together, they are raising 5 kids, (4 boys and 1 girl). Jay is an aspiring author, blogger, speaker, vlogger, and social media junkie. He is passionate about student ministry, family ministry, and training youth workers to love and serve their students with passion and excellence.