Elevators

This challenge started as a way to lift a tiny pumpkin. My original idea was to use a small gourd-type pumpkin but I could not find any.

So, I used these plastic pumpkins instead. I found them at Dollar Tree and have used them for several years now. They were not heavy enough so I added sand. You could also add water.

The challenge is to rig a device that will lift the pumpkin and carry it back down safely.

Haunted House Maze

My students really love this. They love all mazes but decorating one with Halloween items just makes it more fun.

You can make these inside a gift box or use a box that soft drinks come in. Both are a great size.

I bought the Halloween decoration at Dollar Tree and we used a rolling eyeball to get through our mazes.

The challenge is to make a maze with turns and dead ends.

Pumpkin Launchers

This annual event is one my older students look forward to. They love building the launchers and then firing those candy pumpkins.

We set up cups to knock down with the pumpkins and also have competitions for the longest distance.

I buy the candy at Dollar Tree. One tip is that you will need to re-supply teams as they use those candies. They soften from being held and will get lopsided!

Reading

This informational reading set is perfect in the days leading up to Halloween. The passages are in two reading levels and one page is a newspaper style article page.

The focus of my sets is on using text features. Each passage has basic comprehension questions. It’s a fun set.

Just Print and Read!

Here is a perfect alternative for reading nonfiction. This amazing set of Spiders Nonfiction Text Features Task Cards has a four-page magazine-style ending set with tasks.

Use these with a game of Halloween scoot and award students those little plastic spider rings when they complete the task cards!