Trying to teach a traditional lesson on Halloween is like whispering during a rock concert. No matter how great your lesson is, the excitement in the room is LOUD. Instead of fighting the energy, channel it into something engaging—like a digital escape room or a Halloween-themed puzzle!
Between the candy overload, the excitement of costumes, and the general spooky season energy, keeping students focused feels next to impossible. That’s exactly why interactive activities are a must!
Instead of battling distractions, lean into the excitement with an activity that keeps their brains just as engaged as their bodies. Interactive activities – like digital escape rooms, scavenger hunts, and Halloween-themed puzzles – channel that energy into problem-solving, critical thinking, and teamwork while still feeling like fun.
The best part? You won’t be stuck repeating directions a million times or trying to get students to focus on a dry lesson. Instead, they’ll be so immersed in the challenge that they won’t even realize they’re practicing key skills. Win-win!
So, if you’re tired of Halloween turning into pure chaos, try an interactive activity that works with your students’ energy instead of against it. Trust me – your sanity (and your students’ engagement) will thank you!
1. DIGITAL HALLOWEEN ESCAPE ROOM
Looking for a way to make Halloween educational and insanely fun? Say hello to the Halloween Interactive Digital Trivia Escape Room: Around the World!
This no-prep, self-checking digital escape room takes students on a spooky adventure across the globe as they solve trivia questions about Halloween traditions from different countries.
No more disengaged learners or wasted class time – this activity keeps them hooked with critical thinking, problem-solving, and a little friendly competition!
Perfect for upper elementary and middle school, this escape room works on any internet-enabled device (no accounts or logins needed!). Students will unlock challenges as they explore fascinating traditions, from Mexico’s Día de los Muertos to Ireland’s Samhain. Plus, because it’s self-checking, you get to sit back and enjoy watching your students actually excited about learning—no extra grading required!
Whether you need a Halloween-themed bell ringer, a fun review activity, or an engaging way to celebrate without the sugar rush, this digital escape room is the answer.
2. HALLOWEEN ESCAPE CODE
Instead of battling sugar highs and distractions, let’s channel all that excitement into an interactive close reading and comprehension challenge that doubles as an epic global adventure! Students will “travel” to different countries, uncover fascinating Halloween traditions, and crack codes to escape.
It’s like a mix of reading comprehension, social studies, and brain-boosting puzzles—all wrapped up in one exciting game!
Why You’ll Love It:
✔️ Keeps students engaged and learning (even on the most chaotic day of the year!)
✔️ Builds reading comprehension in a fun, hands-on way
✔️ Encourages critical thinking & teamwork
✔️ Works great for small groups, stations, or whole-class activities
✔️ NO PREP! Just print and go!
Students will work individually (or in pairs) and race to see who can crack the code first! A friendly competition always increases engagement. After completing each “task” students will earn a “CLUE” to shade boxes on their answer grid. In the end, the grid will reveal a four-digit code!
This Halloween reading escape room will make your students forget they’re even doing schoolwork—while sneaking in meaningful learning.
3. PRINTABLE HALLOWEEN ESCAPE
ROOM
Instead of zoning out with worksheets, your students will dive into a reading comprehension challenge, cracking codes and solving puzzles to uncover fascinating Halloween traditions from different countries. They’ll be so caught up in the adventure, they won’t even realize how much they’re learning!
Why This Escape Room is a Must-Have:
✔️ Keeps students engaged & learning (even with sugar overload!)
✔️ Turns reading comprehension into an interactive challenge
✔️ Builds critical thinking, problem-solving & teamwork
✔️ Works for small groups, stations, or whole-class fun
✔️ No Prep Needed! Just print or assign digitally and go!
HOW DOES IT WORK?
There are 4 clue cards and 4 puzzle decoders. Each clue card includes a short reading passage, questions to check for understanding, and a secret message to decode. Students will have to use deductive reasoning to determine which puzzle decoder corresponds with which clue. A set of labeled decoders is included for differentiation or younger grades.
Students will work in pairs (or individually) and race to complete all 4 clue cards. A friendly competition always increases engagement. As students progress through the escape room, they will earn “clues” to determine the final 4-digit code. The final code is also a puzzle! In order to “escape” students must present correct answers for EVERY question as well as the decoded secret messages and final 4-digit code.
4. HALLOWEEN CUBES
This hands-on Halloween Around The World Cube Code lesson is a winning combination of stations, close reading and comprehension skills, coloring, secret codes, cut and paste, citing evidence and critical thinking! Everything a teacher dreams of wrapped up into one FUN and engaging activity.
Students will revisit their non-fiction reading passage several times (at each station) to seek answers and cite evidence.
With their reading passage in hand, students will move around the classroom visiting 6 stations. At each station, they will earn a “part” of their cube and determine a 4-digit code (stations 1-5) before moving on to the next station. Station 6 is a main idea, writing activity.
After completing all stations, students can color and assemble their cube. The “flaps” of the cubes have a fun design to add a pop of color and make assembly easier. Hang the cubes in the classroom or hallway and let others admire the COOL cube creations from your students.
5. HALLOWEEN STATIONS
With their reading passage in hand, students will move around the classroom visiting 5 stations. At each station, they will determine a 4-digit code and reveal a “letter clue” to determine the final ALPHA code. In order to “escape” students must present the 4-digit code for EVERY station as well as the final 4-digit ALPHA code. They must show completion on all stations.
To ensure understanding of the subject matter, students will answer questions that can be found directly in their reading passage. No prior knowledge is needed.
Students will work in pairs (or individually) and race to complete all 5 stations. A friendly competition always increases engagement. Students will read the informational text, answer questions and reveal letter clues, which ultimately lead to a final 4-digit ALPHA code.
You do NOT need a lock! You do NOT need fancy envelopes! There’s no odd shapes to cut out! This PRINT AND GO product is meant to make your life easy! The only thing you need to do is place the station cards around the room! NOTE: Each station reveals a numeric code, and the final code is an alpha code. (6 codes total)
6. HALLOWEEN COLOR BY NUMBER
Practice reading comprehension skills with this Halloween Around the World Color by Number Close Reading Activity. Students will examine the non-fiction, informational text multiple times. This activity includes TWO options for students (individual coloring page or group collaborative poster).
First, students will read the passage. Using close reading skills, they will read the passage a second time and circle their answers to 12 multiple choice questions. Next, they will color the image based on their answer. They will reread the passage to find evidence in the text and underline it using the same corresponding color.
Option 1: Individual work – Students work on their own to complete the questions, coloring, and underlining. Lastly, they will write a summary statement or main idea.
Option 2: Group work – Students will create a collaborative group poster. Place students in groups of four. Each member of the group will receive a different page to color. In the end, the group will assemble their picture with tape or glue. The group images will result in a colorful pop-art poster.
Halloween doesn’t have to be chaotic in your classroom – turn it into an exciting, educational adventure instead! What do you do on Halloween in your classroom? Share your activities and comment below!
