- Bean-bag tosses don't have to feature elaborate vertical cutouts. Create an easier and more colorful bean-bag toss using tape and colored paper to design a large jack-o'-lantern on the floor. If your church prohibits scary items, make a jack-o'-lantern with a smiling face. Using a black permanent marker, draw point values in each section of the pumpkin. For example, the triangle eyes might be worth five points, while the larger orange space inside of the pumpkin might only be worth one point. Give each child three bean bags, and let him toss them to try to get the most points possible. Have prizes available for each point range or give the child the number of candies equal to the number of points earned.
- In this game, small groups compete to see who can put together a scarecrow first, using newspaper or straw for the stuffing, a shirt, overalls, ha and a pumpkin or brown paper bag for the face. This game can vary widely depending on what additional items or rules are added. For example, the scarecrow could also have gloves and boots for hands and feet, as well as a hat or hair. Provide each group with markers for a face, and give an extra prize to the group that creates the friendliest or most interesting expression.
- Divide the guests into two equal teams and have them roll pumpkins or gourds down a path and back. While this may seem simple, in practice pumpkins and other gourds do not roll smoothly or in a straight line. Make sure the participants understand that picking up the pumpkin or gourd will disqualify them. The first team to successfully have all participants roll the pumpkins or gourds up and down the path wins a prize. Another game is to choose several pumpkins of different sizes that all have long stems. Set them in a group and have guests toss rings at them in an attempt to "ring" a stem.
