Fun Hocus Pocus Party Ideas: How to Have the Best Halloween
There’s no better way to celebrate the spooky season than with a Hocus Pocus-themed party! Last year I threw a Hocus Pocus movie night for my girls to celebrate the release of Hocus Pocus 2, and they absolutely loved it! Here are some Hocus Pocus party ideas and tips to help you plan your own party.
Setting the Scene: Fun Decorations and Hocus Pocus Decor
To create a magical atmosphere, I decked out our living room with tons of fun decorations inspired by the cult classic. We had witch hats hanging from the ceiling, pumpkins scattered around, and a black flame candle as the centerpiece.
Spider webs and a fog filled cauldron added to the spooky vibe. The color scheme was all about black and purple to match the spooky season.
Themed Food: Delicious Hocus Pocus Party Food
Themed snacks are a must for any Hocus Pocus party. Here are some of fun hocus pocus party food ideas:
- Witches Brooms: Made from pretzel sticks and string cheese. These were easy to assemble and looked adorable on the food table.
- Black Flame Candle Hot Dogs: Wrapped in crescent dough to look like a burning candle. The kids had a lot of fun pretending these were real candles!
- Book Brownies: My favorite brownie recipe topped with chocolate chips. I added some candy eyes and stitches to give them a spooky look, and they were a hit!
- Caramel Apples: A sweet treat that the kids loved. We decorated them with sprinkles and edible glitter to make them extra special.
- Candy Corn and Popcorn Mix: A simple but fun addition to the party spread. I mixed candy corn with popcorn and drizzled it with a bit of white chocolate.
- Witch Fingers: Bugle Chips
- Gummy Worms & Frogs
- Witch Wands: Large pretzel rods
- Rat Tails: Black Licorice
- Monster Mash Fruit Salad: A mix of fresh fruits served in a cauldron, with some spooky candy eyeballs added for fun.
These themed snacks added a magical touch to our party and were a big hit with all the kids. For drinks, we had “Witch’s Brew” punch, complete with dry ice for a spooky effect and green apple Jones Soda.
Fun Activities: Keeping the Little Witches and Wizards Entertained
No party is complete without some fun games and activities. Here are some ideas to keep the little witches and wizards entertained at your Hocus Pocus party:
Witch Hat Ring Toss
Set up witch hats (with 2 liters inside) on the ground and provide small rings for the kids to toss. This classic game is always a hit and easy to organize.
Spell Book Scavenger Hunt
Hide pages of a spell book around the house and give the kids clues to find each one. The final clue can lead to a treasure chest filled with themed snacks and small toys.
Dance Contest
Play the “Monster Mash” and other Halloween favorites like “I’ll Put a Spell on You”, “Thriller” and “Ghostbusters.” Let the kids show off their best dance moves on a makeshift dance floor.
Costume Contest
Encourage guests to dress as their favorite Hocus Pocus characters. Award prizes for the best, scariest, and most creative costumes. Use face paint to complete the looks! Need inspiration? Check out these fun costume ideas!
Potion Making Station
Set up a table with different colored juices, soda, and edible glitter. Let the kids mix their own “potions” and enjoy tasting their concoctions.
Black Flame Candle Craft
Use toilet paper rolls, black paint, and battery-operated tea lights to make black flame candles. This fun craft also makes a great party favor.
Hocus Pocus Bingo
Print out Hocus Pocus-themed bingo cards and use candy corn as markers. This game is a fun way to incorporate the movie into your activities.
Photo Booth
Create a photo booth with Hocus Pocus-themed props like witch hats, brooms, and spell books. The kids will love taking pictures and posing as their favorite characters.
Pumpkin Decorating
Provide small pumpkins, paint, stickers, and markers for the kids to decorate. This is a safe and mess-free way to let them be creative.
Witches’ Relay Race
Organize a relay race where the kids run with a broomstick between their legs. This adds some physical activity and lots of laughs.
Hocus Pocus Trivia
Prepare a list of trivia questions about the movie. Test the kids’ knowledge and see who knows the most about their favorite Halloween film.
These activities will ensure your Hocus Pocus party is filled with laughter, excitement, and memorable moments. They are simple to set up and provide tons of fun for everyone involved!
Movie Time: The Main Event
Finally, we settled down for our Hocus Pocus viewing party. With cozy blankets and popcorn in hand, we watched the new film. It was a glorious morning (and evening) reliving the magic of the iconic Sanderson Sisters. We couldn’t wait for the release of the second movie!
Check out these other Halloween movies that are perfect for a kid-friendly movie night!
Fun Facts About the Hocus Pocus Movie
The cult classic Hocus Pocus has been a favorite Halloween movie staple for decades. With its enchanting story, memorable characters, and iconic performances, it’s no wonder fans of all ages adore this film. Here are some fun facts about Hocus Pocus that will make you love this spooky favorite even more!
- Bette Midler’s Favorite Role: Bette Midler has often said that Winifred Sanderson is one of her favorite roles she has ever played.
- Real Bats: The scenes featuring bats included both real bats and animatronics. The filmmakers used a combination of the two to create a realistic effect.
- The Sanderson Sisters’ House: The exterior of the Sanderson Sisters’ house was built specifically for the movie and wasn’t a pre-existing location.
- Impressive Makeup: The makeup for Billy Butcherson, played by Doug Jones, took over three hours to apply. His zombie look was a combination of prosthetics and makeup.
- Iconic Song Performance: Bette Midler’s performance of “I Put a Spell on You” became iconic. The song was not in the original script but was added to showcase Midler’s singing talent.
- Hocus Pocus Wasn’t Always a Hit: When it was first released in 1993, Hocus Pocus didn’t perform well at the box office. However, it has since gained a massive cult following and is now a Halloween favorite.
- Thackery Binx’s Voice: The voice of Thackery Binx (in cat form) was provided by actor Jason Marsden, though the human Thackery was played by Sean Murray.
More Fun Facts About the Hocus Pocus Movie
- Sarah Jessica Parker’s Ancestry: In a twist of fate, Sarah Jessica Parker, who plays Sarah Sanderson, discovered during an episode of “Who Do You Think You Are?” that one of her ancestors was accused of witchcraft during the Salem Witch Trials.
- Allison’s House: The house used for Allison’s family home is the Ropes Mansion, which is located in Salem, Massachusetts. It is a historic house and is open to the public.
- Real Cats for Binx: Multiple real cats were used to portray Binx, the talking black cat. Each cat was trained for different types of scenes.
- Originally a Different Title: The movie was originally going to be called “Disney’s Halloween House,” and it was much darker and scarier than the final version.
- Director Cameo: Director Kenny Ortega makes a brief cameo appearance as a man dressed as a skeleton attending the Halloween party at City Hall.
- Pumpkin Carving: Despite being set during Halloween, there are no pumpkins visible throughout the entire movie. This unusual detail was noted by fans long after the movie’s release.
- Three Decades Later: Nearly 30 years after the original film’s release, a sequel was announced, much to the delight of fans of this beloved classic.
- Instant Classic Lines: Many of the movie’s lines, like “It’s just a bunch of hocus pocus,” have become iconic and are quoted every Halloween season.
Sweet Treats and Great Party Favors
To end the night on a sweet note, here are some fun dessert themed snack ideas:
- Custom Hocus Pocus Cookies
- Hocus Pocus Cake Toppers: Top a vanilla ice cream cake with mini witch hats and chocolate chips.
- Mini Cauldrons Filled with Candy: Fill plastic cauldrons from the dollar store with candy corn, ring pops, and other goodies.
Final Touches: Making It Extra Special
Overall, our Hocus Pocus party was an amazing Halloween party filled with laughter, magic, and lots of fun ideas. If you’re planning your own Hocus Pocus party, these tips and tricks will help you create a night to remember. Happy Halloween and may your witching hour be full of magic!
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Enjoy planning your Hocus Pocus halloween party, and may it be the spookiest Hocus Pocus-themed party ever!
