Halloween Bucket List for Grown Ups: 23 Cozy, Spooky Things to Do This October
Somewhere between buying costumes, signing up for class party snacks and remembering which night is trunk or treat, Halloween season can turn into one long to do list for moms. I love making it magical for my boys. But this year I made a separate list, just for me. Little cozy, a little spooky, totally doable on a weeknight.
This is my Halloween bucket list for grown ups. Pick a few, pick them all, and give yourself permission to enjoy October too.
Heads up, the product links in this post are affiliate links, which just means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only share things I would actually use.
Cozy nights at home
- 1. Light a spooky candle every night in October. These bat candles make even a Tuesday feel festive.
- 2. Rewatch a classic Halloween movie under a Halloween throw blanket. Hocus Pocus counts as self care.
- 3. Read one spooky novel. Gothic, mystery or a cozy witch story, whatever you are in the mood for.
- 4. Make a fall drink at home. Hot apple cider with a cinnamon stick, or a spiked version after bedtime.
- 5. Take a long bath with the lights off and a candle glowing. Yes, this is on the list on purpose.
- 6. Wear something festive for no reason. A Halloween sweatshirt on a random Wednesday is a mood booster.
Out and about in Kansas City
- 7. Go to a haunted house with your friends, not your kids. My Kansas City haunted houses guide has the scariest picks.
- 8. Take a ghost tour or walk a historic neighborhood after dark.
- 9. Visit an apple orchard and actually pick apples instead of just supervising. Here is my list of apple orchards near Kansas City.
- 10. Have a Halloween date night. Spooky themed bar, scary movie, or a fall dinner on a patio before it gets too cold.
- 11. Drive the fall color. Grab a big tumbler of coffee and take the long way home.
- 12. Hit a fall festival like Weston Applefest or Louisburg Ciderfest. Check what is happening in Kansas City this weekend.
Make it festive at home
- 13. Carve a pumpkin just for you. Your design, no little hands helping.
- 14. Style one Halloween vignette. A mantel, an entry table or a bar cart. My spooky chic Halloween decor has ideas that are not gory.
- 15. Host a small Halloween dinner with a fun platter and a big pot of chili.
- 16. Bake something spooky like my new mummy cookies.
- 17. Make a Halloween playlist for cooking dinner all month.
- 18. Dress up, even a little. Cat ears and red lipstick totally count.
Little traditions worth starting
- 19. Write your kids a Halloween note and tuck it in their lunch box.
- 20. Take one family photo in costume before everyone melts down.
- 21. Save one piece of your favorite candy from the trick or treat haul. Mom tax is real.
- 22. Leave a treat for a neighbor or boo a friend with a little bag on their porch.
- 23. Light your jack o lanterns and sit on the porch for a few minutes on Halloween night just to take it in.
Why a grown up bucket list matters
When you are a mom, holidays can feel like something you produce instead of something you enjoy. A short list just for you is a reminder that the season is yours too. Even crossing off three or four of these will make October feel different.
Looking for the kid version? I have Halloween traditions with little kids too. Everything spooky lives on my Halloween hub, and you can find Thanksgiving and Christmas ideas on Browse by Holiday.
What would you add to the list? Tell me in the comments, I want to steal your ideas.
So glad you are here.
xo, Pam
