There’s something thrilling about scary games at a sleepover. Whether you’re in your pajamas, wrapped in a blanket, or holding onto a flashlight, the atmosphere of the night enhances the fear and fun. Scary games can turn a regular sleepover into a memorable experience filled with screams, laughter, and adrenaline. From whispered legends to eerie challenges, there are plenty of games that will keep everyone wide awake long past midnight. The best scary games for sleepovers are easy to set up, encourage imagination, and create just the right amount of tension.
Why Scary Games Are Perfect for Sleepovers
Sleepovers are already designed for bonding, storytelling, and staying up late. Adding a spooky game makes the experience more exciting. With the lights dimmed and the night silence setting in, scary games create a unique atmosphere that taps into everyone’s imagination. Fear and fun mix well when everyone’s surrounded by friends, making even the scariest games feel thrilling instead of terrifying.
Setting the Mood
Before jumping into the games, it’s worth spending a few minutes setting the right tone. A dark room, candles (or safe battery-powered versions), and spooky background music can make the experience much more immersive. Encourage everyone to put their phones away for better focus and fewer distractions.
Classic Scary Games to Play in the Dark
1. Bloody Mary
One of the most well-known scary sleepover games, Bloody Mary is played in a dark bathroom with a mirror. Players enter the bathroom one at a time, look into the mirror, and chant Bloody Mary three times. Legend says that her ghost will appear. While there’s no real danger, the anticipation and suspense often lead to nervous laughter or screams.
2. Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board
This game mixes mystery and curiosity. One person lies on the floor while others gather around them, placing two fingers underneath the body. As a chant is repeated light as a feather, stiff as a board everyone slowly lifts the person. The illusion of levitation makes this game eerie and memorable, even if science explains it away.
3. The Midnight Game
This game comes with a strong warning: it’s meant to simulate summoning a spirit. It’s best for older teens who are comfortable with fear-based roleplaying. It involves writing your name on a piece of paper, placing it with a candle in front of a door, knocking 22 times, and then carrying the candle through your house without it blowing out. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, the game can make your heart race in the dark.
Group Scary Games for Sleepovers
4. Murder in the Dark
This simple but suspenseful game is perfect for larger groups. Write roles on slips of paper one for the murderer, one for the detective, and the rest as townspeople. Lights go out, and the murderer kills people by tapping them. When someone screams and the lights come back on, the detective tries to guess who did it. The tension, darkness, and accusations make it a hit at any sleepover.
5. Werewolf (or Mafia)
In this classic party game with a spooky twist, players are assigned hidden roles. Some are villagers, one or more are werewolves. Every night, werewolves secretly pick a player to eliminate, and every day, the group debates and votes on who they think the werewolf is. The game involves bluffing, strategy, and paranoia, making it perfect for a sleepover setting.
6. Wink Murder
Another fun group game that can turn creepy depending on the atmosphere. One player is secretly chosen as the murderer and kills by winking at others. When someone is winked at, they dramatically fall dead. The goal is to figure out who the killer is before you’re next. Add eerie lighting and sound effects for maximum fun.
Scary Story-Based Games
7. Tell Me a Scary Story
This is a game of creativity. Each player takes turns telling part of a scary story, continuing where the last person left off. The stories can go in unexpected directions and become scarier as they build. Add props like a flashlight under your chin for extra drama.
8. The Fortune Teller Game
Using paper fortune tellers or improvised mystic cards, someone pretends to read the future. Give it a creepy twist by adding spooky predictions or using an old deck of tarot-style cards. The mix of seriousness and play-acting adds a haunted vibe that enhances the sleepover atmosphere.
9. The Ghost Summoning Game
This game is all about mood and suggestion. Players sit in a circle, and one person pretends to summon a ghost using a made-up ritual. They tell a story about the ghost and slowly build suspense. The trick is in how convincing the storyteller is. Even if no ghosts show up, the tension alone makes it memorable.
Outdoor or Backyard Scary Games
10. Flashlight Tag with a Scary Twist
If you have a safe backyard, flashlight tag at night can be eerie and exciting. Choose someone to be the monster who can only move when the flashlight is off. Players take turns trying to catch others or hide. Add costumes or creepy sound effects to turn up the fear factor.
11. Ghost in the Graveyard
This classic outdoor game is a cross between hide-and-seek and tag. One person hides while the others count. When the ghost is found, everyone runs back to the base before getting caught. In the dark, this game takes on a chilling new intensity that makes hearts race and kids scream perfect for a spooky sleepover.
Tips to Keep It Fun and Safe
Scary games are supposed to be fun, not genuinely terrifying. Here are a few tips to keep the mood enjoyable:
- Make sure everyone is comfortable and knows they can opt out anytime.
- Avoid games that involve summoning or fear of the supernatural if anyone in the group is deeply uncomfortable with them.
- Have a safe word or pause button if things get too intense.
- Mix scary games with lighter activities to keep the balance.
Creating Lasting Sleepover Memories
What makes scary sleepover games so great isn’t just the fear it’s the shared experience. The laughter after a good scare, the stories whispered under blankets, and the memories that last for years make these games more than just entertainment. They’re bonding moments wrapped in mystery and fun.
Whether you’re summoning ghosts, telling haunted tales, or playing a dark game of tag, scary games at a sleepover add a thrill that ordinary activities can’t match. With the right group, a little imagination, and a taste for the spooky, any night can become an unforgettable adventure. So next time you’re hosting or attending a sleepover, try a few of these scary games and get ready for a night full of chills and cheers.