If you’re planning a Halloween get-together this year, you’ll definitely want a few games up your sleeve to keep the party lively. Costumes and candy are great, but the real magic often comes from games that get everyone laughing, shouting, and joining in together. One of my absolute favorites for Halloween is the Halloween Taboo Game.

It’s a playful twist on the classic Taboo word game, but with all the spooky, silly, and festive words we love about Halloween. Whether you’re hosting a class party, a family game night, or a costume party for kids, teens, or adults, this game is easy to set up and always a crowd-pleaser.

I’ll walk you through how the game works, share loads of Halloween word ideas, and give you tips to adapt it for different age groups. By the end, you’ll be ready to host your own version and watch your guests howl with laughter.

What’s the Halloween Taboo Game?

If you’ve ever played Taboo before, the Halloween version works the same way, but with a festive twist. The idea is simple: one player gives clues to their team to guess a secret word, but there’s a catch. They’re not allowed to use the “taboo” words listed on the card.

So, let’s say the word is “Pumpkin.” The player can’t say “orange,” “carve,” “lantern,” or “Jack-o’-lantern.” Instead, they might say, “You decorate this in October and sometimes roast the seeds!” Sounds easy, right? But once you’re racing the clock and avoiding those forbidden words, it gets hilariously tricky.

Printable Halloween Taboo/Forbidden Words Cards

Why You’ll Love Playing It at Your Halloween Party

Halloween Taboo checks all the boxes for a good party game:

• Super simple to learn – No complicated rules or long explanations.

• Flexible for all ages – Younger kids, teens, and adults can all join in with age-appropriate words.

• Laughter guaranteed – The “forbidden words” make players come up with the funniest descriptions.

• Inexpensive to set up – Just print or write your cards, grab a timer, and you’re ready.

• Great for groups – Whether you’ve got a handful of kids or a big family gathering, it works perfectly.

Basically, it’s one of those games that gets everyone talking, laughing, and feeling part of the fun.

How to Play Halloween Taboo

Here’s the basic way to play:

What You Need

• A stack of Halloween word cards (homemade or printable)

• A timer (a phone works fine!)

• Paper and pen for scorekeeping

• Optional: a buzzer or bell for extra drama

How It Works

1. Split into two teams.

2. A player from Team One picks a card. The card shows a word at the top (the one their team needs to guess) and several words they cannot say.

3. The player has 60 seconds to get their team to guess the word without saying the “taboo” words.

4. If they slip up, the other team gets to buzz them and the word doesn’t count.

5. Each correct guess earns one point.

6. Switch teams after each round. Keep going until you’ve used all the cards or hit a point goal.

Halloween Taboo Word List Ideas

One of the best parts of this game is creating your word cards. You can go as simple or as tricky as you like, depending on your players. Here are some suggestions:

For Kids

• Ghost (taboo: white, sheet, spooky, haunt)

• Witch (taboo: broom, hat, cauldron, spell)

• Candy (taboo: sweet, sugar, eat, treat)

• Bat (taboo: wings, cave, fly, night)

• Pumpkin (taboo: orange, carve, lantern, seeds)

For Teens

• Vampire (taboo: fangs, bite, Dracula, blood)

• Mummy (taboo: bandages, Egypt, wrap, tomb)

• Skeleton (taboo: bones, skull, body, Halloween)

• Haunted House (taboo: scary, ghost, spooky, abandoned)

• Black Cat (taboo: witch, bad luck, pet, meow)

For Adults

• Ouija Board (taboo: spirit, yes, no, letters)

• Poltergeist (taboo: ghost, noisy, spirit, move)

• Coffin (taboo: box, bury, grave, dead)

• Exorcism (taboo: priest, demon, ritual, movie)

• Cauldron (taboo: witch, pot, brew, boil)

You can make 30–50 cards for a shorter game or 100+ for a longer one.

Fun Variations to Try

Want to give your Halloween Taboo a little extra spook factor? Try one of these twists:

• Costume Round – Players have to give clues in character (a vampire voice, a witch cackle, or a zombie groan).

• Glow-in-the-Dark Edition – Dim the lights and play by flashlight or glow sticks.

• Speed Mode – Shorten the timer to 30 seconds for extra intensity.

• Trick-or-Treat Rule – If a player slips and says a forbidden word, they have to do a silly “trick” like making a monster face or their best werewolf howl.

Halloween Taboo for Different Ages

One of the things I love about this game is that you can easily adjust it depending on who’s playing.

• Kids – Use simple, familiar Halloween objects and symbols. Keep it lighthearted and give candy rewards after each round.

• Teens – Throw in pop culture references (like “Wednesday” or “Hocus Pocus”) and stick to strict timers, they love the competition.

• Adults – Make the words trickier and maybe even add a little party twist, like a sip of a Halloween drink for breaking the rules.

Making Your Own Halloween Taboo Game

DIY’ing this game is easier than you think:

1. Jot down your Halloween word list.

2. For each word, write 3–5 “taboo” words that players can’t say.

3. Write them on index cards or print them on paper.

4. Add some doodles or stickers of pumpkins, bats, ghosts, to make them festive.

5. If you want to reuse them, print on cardstock or laminate.

Of course, if you’d rather skip the prep work, you can get my printable Halloween Forbidden Cards here.

Hosting Tips

If you want to make Halloween Taboo the star of your party:

• Play fun background music (a little “Monster Mash” always sets the mood).

• Decorate your game table with cobwebs, pumpkins, or fairy lights.

• Keep bowls of candy and Halloween treats nearby, because every Halloween game is better with treats!

• Mix it up with a few other Halloween games to keep the party moving.

The Halloween Taboo Game is one of those activities that works for just about any Halloween gathering. It’s flexible, easy to set up, and always delivers lots of laughs. Whether you’re keeping it simple for kids, making it competitive for teens, or adding a cheeky twist for adults, it’s a game that everyone can enjoy.

So grab some cards, round up your players, and get ready for a spooky-good time. Your Halloween party guests will be talking about this one long after the candy bags are empty.