Halloween is here, people! 🎃
The costumes are ready, the candy buckets are waiting, and somewhere there's a gamer getting ready to turn off every light in the house before playing something absolutely terrifying.
Me? I'm making sure the controller is charged, the snacks are within reach, and nobody mistakes my screaming for an actual emergency.
But Halloween isn't just about horror games and collecting enough candy to open a convenience store. If you've got little trick-or-treaters running around, there's something important to think about: What's actually going into those candy buckets?
So we're doing things a little differently this Halloween. I've got eight games worth checking out, from spooky family fun to downright nightmare fuel. After that, we're talking about inspecting Halloween candy, what parents should watch for, and some alternatives that might be better for your little monsters.
Let's get spooky!
Eight Games Worth Playing This Halloween
Family-Friendly Frights
Come on, it's Luigi! The man already looks terrified before anything even happens.
Nintendo's ghost-catching adventure takes our favorite green-clad plumber through a haunted hotel filled with puzzles, mischievous spirits, and plenty of goofy moments.
It's a great choice for families who want Halloween atmosphere without diving straight into serious horror. Some younger children may still find certain ghost encounters frightening, so parents should judge their comfort levels.
2. Costume Quest 2 — ESRB: E10+ (Everyone 10+)
What happens when you mix trick-or-treating, costumes, and turn-based battles? You get one of the most Halloween-appropriate adventures around.
Kids transform into powerful versions of their costumes while battling villains and exploring a colorful holiday adventure.
It's charming, funny, and a great reminder that a game doesn't need blood and screaming to capture the Halloween spirit.
3. Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed — ESRB: E10+
WHO YOU GONNA CALL?!
Grab your proton pack because we're hunting ghosts!
Players can join a team of Ghostbusters or turn the tables by playing as a ghost causing chaos. The multiplayer format makes this an entertaining choice for family members and friends who want some friendly competition.
Parents should remember that online interactions are part of the experience. Check the multiplayer and communication settings before younger players jump in.
For Teens Who Want a Little More Terror
4. Five Nights at Freddy's: Into the Pit — ESRB: T (Teen)
Animatronics? Creepy buildings? A terrifying creature hunting you?
NOPE. Absolutely not.
Okay, maybe just one more try.
This pixel-art horror adventure trades realistic graphics for atmosphere, suspense, and some seriously uncomfortable encounters.
The time-travel story, exploration, and puzzle-solving help make it more than a collection of jump scares.
But don't let those colorful pixels fool you. The game contains disturbing themes and frightening moments, so its Teen rating deserves attention. Try before they play, it's free on Luna.
5. Little Nightmares III — ESRB: T (Teen)
Sometimes the scariest thing isn't what's chasing you. It's knowing something might be waiting around the next corner.
Little Nightmares III sends players into a disturbing world of oversized threats, environmental puzzles, and unsettling imagery.
Its cooperative gameplay makes it especially interesting for two friends looking to survive a frightening adventure together.
It's beautifully creepy, but there's blood, violence, and disturbing imagery. Definitely not a game to mistake for a children's fairy tale.
When the Kids Are Asleep
6. Dead by Daylight — ESRB: M (Mature 17+)
One killer. Four survivors. A lot of screaming.
And somebody is definitely going to blame somebody else when the match goes sideways.
Dead by Daylight is practically built for a Halloween gaming session with friends who enjoy competitive horror. Every match brings the possibility of escape, betrayal, or one truly disastrous decision.
Just remember that this isn't family-friendly entertainment. Its violent content is intended for mature players.
7. The Quarry — ESRB: M (Mature 17+)
Imagine watching a horror movie where you get to make the decisions.
Now imagine realizing your decisions are absolutely terrible.
Welcome to The Quarry.
This interactive horror adventure follows a group of summer camp counselors whose final night together becomes something much worse than expected.
It's a strong choice for adults looking for a Halloween movie-night experience with a controller in hand.
The violence is graphic, so don't mistake its cinematic presentation for a mild thriller.
8. Silent Hill f — ESRB: M (Mature 17+)
Want to end Halloween with something truly unsettling?
Silent Hill f takes psychological horror into a haunting Japanese setting filled with disturbing creatures, mystery, and grotesque imagery.
This is the kind of game that makes you question whether you really want to open that next door.
It's intense, violent, and designed for mature audiences who can handle the material.
And yes, you're allowed to leave the lights on. I'm not judging!
Parents: ESRB ratings are a starting point, not a guarantee that every child will enjoy or tolerate a game's frightening content. Read the content descriptions as well.
For more horror recommendations, check out our earlier feature: Remain Calm – A Really Good Horror... Short! + Horror Games Worth Considering!.
Before the Candy Feast, Parents: Check Those Buckets!
Now let's talk about something that deserves just as much attention as selecting the right game.
Your child's Halloween candy.
But checking candy is still a smart habit, particularly when allergies, choking hazards, damaged packaging, and products that resemble ordinary sweets are involved.
The FDA recommends waiting until children get home before allowing them to eat their trick-or-treat candy.
That means the candy inspection happens before the candy celebration!
Candy and Treats Parents Should Watch Closely
1. Opened, damaged, or unusually packaged candy
Look for wrappers with tears, tiny holes, unusual discoloration, or signs they have been opened and resealed.
If something looks suspicious, throw it away. Don't taste it to determine whether it's safe.
2. THC edibles disguised as familiar sweets
Here's an important distinction: it's rare for someone to intentionally place drug-containing candy in a child's trick-or-treat bag.
However, some cannabis edibles are packaged to resemble ordinary gummies, chocolates, and other popular snacks. Accidental consumption can make children seriously ill.
Parents should examine unfamiliar packaging for THC, cannabis, delta-8, or similar ingredient warnings. Keep any cannabis products already in the household locked away, separately from ordinary food.
3. Hard, sticky, or chewy candy for very young children
Those jawbreakers, hard candies, gummy sweets, popcorn, chewing gum, whole nuts, and sticky caramels might be perfectly familiar to older children and adults.
For babies and toddlers, however, they can become serious choking hazards.
Parents should remove treats that aren't appropriate for their child's age and chewing abilities. Even small toys and loose wrappers can become hazards.
4. Candy containing allergens
Peanuts, tree nuts, milk, wheat, soy, sesame, and other ingredients can create serious problems for children with food allergies.
Here's the sneaky part: miniature or fun-sized versions of familiar candy may not have exactly the same ingredients or manufacturing conditions as full-sized versions.
Always read the label. If you can't verify that a treat is safe for your child's allergy, don't give it to them.
5. Homemade or unlabeled treats from unfamiliar sources
A homemade brownie or cookie might be a thoughtful gift, but it can be difficult to know what's inside.
For traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating, commercially wrapped and clearly labeled treats are the safer choice.
This isn't an accusation against neighbors. It's a sensible way to reduce uncertainty.
What About Candy That's Too Sweet?
Not every Halloween candy concern involves poisoning or contamination.
Consuming large amounts of sweets can cause stomach discomfort and increase the risk of tooth decay.
Parents can help by agreeing on reasonable portions, keeping regular meals in the schedule, offering water, and making sure children brush their teeth.
Halloween can still be fun without attempting to finish the entire candy bucket in a single sitting.
And adults, that includes us. Yes, even the candy we claim we're taking away for inspection!
Safer Halloween Treats That Are Still Fun
Who says every Halloween surprise needs to come with a mountain of sugar?
Individually packaged snack options: Depending on the child's age and allergies, consider factory-sealed applesauce pouches, age-appropriate soft snacks, or other clearly labeled alternatives. Always check ingredients and packaging.
Non-food goodies: Sticker sheets, bookmarks, crayons, small coloring books, and age-appropriate Halloween activity cards are fun alternatives.
The Teal Pumpkin Project: A teal pumpkin outside a home signals that non-food treats are available for trick-or-treaters, including children with food allergies. It's a simple way to make the holiday more welcoming.
Just remember that non-food items have safety considerations, too. Avoid tiny toys or detachable pieces that could become choking hazards for young children.
The Halloween Candy Checkpoint
Before the kids dive into their loot, make this a family tradition:
Give the kids a meal or snack before trick-or-treating.
Keep collected candy unopened until an adult has checked it at home.
Throw away anything damaged, unwrapped, spoiled, or suspicious.
Review ingredients and allergy warnings carefully.
Remove choking hazards and treats unsuitable for younger children.
Separate approved treats and agree on how they'll be enjoyed over the coming days.
If a child may have swallowed an unknown substance or cannabis edible, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 in the United States for immediate guidance. Call 911 for severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing, seizures, or unresponsiveness.
One More Thing Before the Night Ends
Halloween should be about making memories.
Whether that means walking around the neighborhood collecting candy, dressing up in a ridiculous costume, sitting down with family for some ghost-catching fun, or challenging your friends to survive a horror game, there's something special about this time of year.
The important thing is knowing what kind of scares you're signing up for.
Choose games that suit your household, check the candy before anyone digs in, and don't let avoidable surprises spoil the celebration.
And if you happen to hear somebody screaming at midnight?
Well, hopefully they're just playing Dead by Daylight.
Have a happy, fun, and safe Halloween, everybody!
Safety Resources
