Fun Games to Play In The Dark For Kids

Planning a sleepover party and looking for fun games to play in the dark with kids. Keeping the children entertained is easier than you think with these party game ideas.

When the children aren’t quite ready to go to bed, here are fun solutions to keep the fun going throughout the night. These activities were specifically created to be played in the dark.

What are some fun games to play in the dark for kids? Consider options like flashlight tag, hide and seek, telling scary stories, Ghost in the Graveyard, or shadow puppets. These options and more will entertain the kids all night long.

Fun Games to Play In The Dark For Kids

Whether you are having a sleepover party, have siblings that are looking for a little bonding time, or if you want some to create some lasting memories with your littles, here are things you can do in the dark with kids.

Flashlight Tag

If you enjoy traditional tag played during the day, you will LOVE this version at night. All you need are a few flashlights and four or more players.

The goal of this game is the same – to tag everyone in the game. However, instead of chasing the target and placing a hand on them to tag, the tagger has to find the other players first and point their flashlight on them.

Some variations of the game also require saying the name of the hidden player out loud. After someone is tagged, they then become IT! Imagine hiding in the dark – hearts pounding, adrenaline rushing, eyes straining to see. Super fun!

Hide and Seek

Playing hide and seek in the dark is scary. And you know what? I am all for it. The game requires more than three people (the more the merrier, of course), and the goal is to find every single player who is hiding.

If you play outdoors make sure clear borders are defined for safety reasons. When someone is found, try to scare them!

Ghost in the Graveyard

Ghost in the Graveyard is a genius mix of both tag and hide-and-seek. To be successful, you will need both speed and the ability to hide.

A group of players (three or more) needs to choose one place – home base – where they will define who the ghosts are for the game. The ghosts have to hide while non-ghosts count from “one o’clock” to “midnight”.

As non-ghosts look for ghosts they must warn the others by yelling “Ghost in the graveyard!” every time they spot one. Then everyone (except for the player who yelled the warning) races to the base. Ghosts try to outrun and tag non-ghosts before they reach the base. Whoever is too slow and gets tagged become the ghosts during the next round.

Scary Stories

Although it’s not exactly a game, telling scary stories is a classic moment in a child’s life. When you think about a group of friends hanging out at night, no sleepover or camping trip should be considered successful without a scary story. I mean, if nobody loses their desire to sleep because they were too scared… was it even worth it?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtvDpuoR1j4

Gazing at the Stars

Ok, not every night should be associated with fear and monsters. While it’s a great time to play all these scary games, we can’t forget that kids can have an equally lovely time admiring the beauty of the moon and stars.

With younger kids, you can play the “What do you see?” game, guiding them to use their imagination and find shapes in stars. Teenagers can show off their knowledge of constellations.

Shadow Puppets

If you are looking for a game suitable for younger children, consider shadow puppet theatre! It’s the perfect game to play in the dark. Shadow puppets are easy to create, and you don’t need much to pull it off.

Create a shadow theatre by using a simple cardboard box, a lamp, and a white piece of paper. For the puppets, draw the outlines on your own, download a template, or purchase what you need from sites like Etsy.

Flashlight Scavenger Hunt

There are so many ways to play scavenger hunts – you can search for letters, art, secret code, leaves – but most of those are played when the players can see what they are looking for. Playing with a flashlight, however, makes it more challenging and infinitely more interesting.

All you need is enough flashlights for each player and a map. The best part of the game is that playing it indoors is just as great as playing it outdoors.

Zombie Base Survival

Of course, I could explain the rules of the game, but then I’d be robbing you of a good laugh. Just watch this video and watch how awesome Zombie Base Survival really is! I have a feeling you might start organizing a zombie base in your own home before the video even ends!

Playing in the dark is exciting for kids and it’s an easy way to add a little excitement to a boring night in. Even the games you grew up with suddenly have a bit of thrill to them once you turn the lights off.

But remember to let your kids know that darkness isn’t all fun and games. You have to take added precautions when you turn off the lights. It’s always best to have some source of light with you – no matter your age. Adult supervision is always recommended.