Jack-o'-Lantern Bean Bag Toss

Toss bean bags through the mouth of a jack-o'-lantern for Halloween gross motor fun! A cardboard box with a jack-o'-lantern face painted on it — the mouth cut out for tossing — makes a game that works for a whole party.

What You'll Need

• Large cardboard box — at least 18 inches square
• Orange and black paint — for decorating
• Scissors or box cutter — to cut the mouth hole (adult only)
• Bean bags — or small pumpkin beanbags
• Tape — for a throwing line

How to Do It

Step 1: Paint. Paint the box orange. Let dry, then add black triangle eyes, a nose, and a jagged mouth.

Step 2: Cut the mouth. An adult cuts out the jagged mouth opening — about 6 inches across.

Step 3: Prop the box. Stand it up and brace it so it won't fall over.

Step 4: Toss! Children stand at the tape line and toss bean bags through the jack-o'-lantern's mouth.

Step 5: Score. Count successful tosses. Try from closer or farther for different challenges.

🎓 Skills Your Child Will Develop

Aim and throwing — Targeting a small opening builds coordination and motor planning.

Persistence — Missing and trying again builds resilience.

Tips & Variations

• Score different values for different openings: cut multiple holes with different point values.
• Add silly sound effects when a bag goes in: "BWAHAHAHA!"

My Two Cents

The jagged mouth shape is part of the charm — make it exaggerated and silly. Children take the accuracy challenge very seriously but are also completely delighted by the absurdity of feeding a pumpkin.