Halloween is one of the most exciting (and profitable) times of year for Family Entertainment Centers. But what if you haven’t had time to plan a big event? Don’t worry—there are still plenty of last-minute ways to make your facility festive, create memorable guest experiences, and boost revenue. 

Last-Minute Halloween Ideas to Engage Guests & Drive Sales 

Below, we’ll share quick and easy Halloween ideas you can launch right away. 

You don’t need to transform your entire facility—just a few themed touches can make a huge impact. 

• Pumpkins & hay bales at your entryway. 

• Spiderwebs & string lights in party rooms or arcade corners. 

• Blacklight effects to turn ordinary spaces into eerie glow zones. 

• Themed photo booth backdrop for guests to snap and share. 

Pro Tip: Encourage guests to tag your FEC on social media for free exposure! 

If you serve food and drinks, a few themed specials can help boost sales: 

• “Monster Pizza” (extra toppings, spooky name) 

• “Witch’s Brew” punch or soda float 

• “Mummy Dogs” (hot dogs wrapped in crescent rolls) 

• Candy corn sundaes or Halloween cupcakes 

Even just renaming existing menu items with a spooky twist can make them more fun. 

 Run a Costume Contest

Guests love showing off their costumes—and you can encourage participation while driving engagement. 

• Host a costume parade on the arcade floor. 

• Offer gift cards or free attraction passes as prizes. 

• Snap photos of participants and post them on your social channels. 

This can be promoted with little to no prep time and gets families excited to visit your center. 

Offer a Halloween Party Add-On

If you already host birthday parties, create a quick Halloween upgrade package: 

• Themed tableware (pumpkins, ghosts, black & orange). 

• Trick-or-treat goody bags. 

• Glow sticks or mini flashlights. 

• Optional face painting or temporary tattoos. 

Upselling themed party add-ons is a simple way to increase per-party revenue in October. 

Launch a Spooky Promotion

Promotions don’t have to be complicated—here are a few you can run instantly: 

• “BOO-nus Card” – Load an extra $5 on every $25 arcade card purchase. 

• Family Costume Discount – Families who arrive in costume save on admission or receive bonus tickets. 

• Trick-or-Treat at the Front Desk – Every child gets a small candy or prize. 

Even small promotions like these add excitement and help you stand out from competitors. 

Host a Mini Halloween Event

If you have just a few days, you can still pull together a themed event: 

• Glow Party Night with music, blacklights, and glow necklaces. 

• Pumpkin Bowling or Mini Golf (swap regular pins/balls with Halloween props). 

• Spooky Story Time in your party room for younger guests. 

These simple experiences make your FEC the place to be for families looking for last-minute Halloween fun. 

Promote, Promote, Promote!

Even if you’re launching a last-minute idea, you’ll want to get the word out quickly: 

• Post daily on social media with fun graphics and hashtags (#HalloweenFun, #FamilyHalloween). 

• Send a quick email blast to your list promoting your specials. 

• Update your Google Business Profile with Halloween hours or events. 

Don’t underestimate the power of urgency—guests are always looking for fun things to do “this weekend.” 

Final Thoughts 

Halloween is the perfect time to create festive memories while boosting revenue. Even with limited time, you can roll out fun décor, themed food, quick promotions, and small events that make a big impact. 

With the right mix of creativity and promotion, your FEC can deliver spook-tacular experiences that keep families coming back long after Halloween ends. 

Pro Tip for Operators: Using Party Center Software’s online booking, point-of-sale, and marketing tools makes it easy to launch last-minute offers, manage promotions, and track success—without the stress.