Can you describe “pumpkin” without saying “orange” or “carve”?
How about “ghost” without saying “boo” or “haunt”?
This family-friendly Halloween Taboo game promises to bring a frightfully fun time to everyone!
The best part? It’s a perfect game for all ages, making it a must-play for your next family night or Halloween party!
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Ultimate Guide To Halloween Taboo
Objective
The goal of Taboo is to get your teammates to guess a word without using the forbidden words on the card, all within the time limit.
Supplies Needed
- List of taboo game words
- A timer that makes a sound
- Taboo buzzer (or get creative—use anything that makes noise around the house. Or just shout “buzz!”)
- Scorecard and pen
Find out how to get the printable Halloween taboo cards from the digital store below!


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How To Play Taboo
1. Divide players into two teams. Each team will take turns giving clues.
2. The clue-giver from the first team draws a taboo card (use the words in order below if you don’t have the printable cards).
3. This player has 1 minute to describe the target word to their team without saying any of the forbidden words on that word list. Motions, pointing, or gestures are not allowed.
4. If the clue-giver says any of the taboo words, a buzzer sound is made by the opposing team, and the team does not get a point for that card.
5. The team scores one point for each correct guess within the time limit. If a taboo word is said or if the clue-giver skips a card, no point is earned.
6. After the time is up, the next team takes their turn with a new clue-giver each time.
7. Play continues until all the taboo words are used or a set time or score is reached. The team with the most points wins!
Related: Family-Friendly Taboo Game
List Of Halloween Taboo Game Words


PUMPKIN | WITCH |
orange Jack-o’-lantern carve seed pie |
broom hat cauldron spell magic |
GHOST | VAMPIRE |
boo white haunt invisible spirit |
blood bite Dracula fang coffin |
ZOMBIE | MUMMY |
brain dead walk undead rot |
wrap bandage Egypt tomb grave |
SKELETON | SPIDER |
bones skull body rattle grave |
webs legs crawl bug arachnid |
CAT | CAULDRON |
black bad luck superstition meow pet |
pot boil witch stew potion |
JACK-O’-LANTERN | FOG |
pumpkin carve candle light face |
mist cloud creepy night see |
BROOMSTICK | MOON |
fly ride witch sweep handle |
night light sky full glow |
WEREWOLF | MONSTER |
hairy full moon howl transform beast |
scary creature big ugly roar |
GRAVEYARD | TOMBSTONE |
tombstone dead cemetery bones scary |
grave rock name RIP cemetery |
CANDLE | SCARECROW |
wax light flame fire burn |
field stuffed corn hay bird |
MASK | POISON |
face hide wear costume eyes |
drink kill apple toxic green |
POTION | SCREAM |
mix liquid magic witch bottle |
loud yell fear voice horror |
Related:


FRANKENSTEIN | BOO |
monster green bolt doctor lab |
ghost scare sound fright say |
HORROR | WEB |
movie fear genre scary watch |
silk trap spider net sticky |
SCARY | DEVIL |
terrify frighten jump scream movie |
horns red tail evil fire |
CREEPY | EEK |
weird scary strange spooky odd |
scream scared exclamation surprise jump |
BONES | WAND |
skeleton white hard body frame |
magic spell wave wizard cast |
EYEBALL | BLOODY |
face round see gory blood |
red gore wound hurt knife |
CLOWN | HOCUS POCUS |
circus nose makeup funny scary |
spell witch magic movie sisters |
GRIM REAPER | BATS |
death hood scythe skeleton dark |
fly vampire dark wings cave |
NIGHTMARE | HOOD |
dream scary sleep afraid bed |
cloak head cape wear cover |
GHOUL | FULL MOON |
undead scary grave monster spirit |
sky night round bright Werewolf |
HOWL | TRICK |
wolf loud moon cry animal |
joke prank surprise fool treat |
TREAT | CANDY CORN |
trick candy knock door chocolate |
triangle sweet yellow Halloween treat |
WICKED | LEAF |
evil witch bad mean curse |
tree fall rake red orange |
PUMPKIN PATCH | OCTOBER |
orange field pick fall farm |
Halloween month days fall pumpkin |
OWL | APPLE |
bird night hoot fly feathers |
red fruit pick tree cider |
PARTY | TREAT BAG |
games food drinks treats friends |
candy collect bucket trick-or-treat hold |
BUCKET | FLASHLIGHT |
candy trick treat hold door |
night trick treat see hold |
CANDY | CHOCOLATE |
sweet sour chocolate trick-or-treat bucket |
bar peanut butter cup candy trick-or-treat fun size |
Grab the Halloween Taboo Cards along with other family-friendly games!
Alternative Rules For Playing Halloween Taboo
Rules can cater to the group that is playing.
- Allow younger kids to use some of the taboo words if needed.
- Adults can team up with younger children to help explain the taboo words or give clues.
- Let a player opt to pass on a card one time per game.
- Rule-breaking: Unique penalties can be added for breaking the rules. (Example: Do a pushup whenever you say the word on the paper during taboo.) Or if a player breaks a rule of a round, the opposing team can gain a point.
More Halloween Family Games Like Taboo
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