Halloween Feely Bowl Fun
Halloween isn’t something I usually celebrate or make a big fuss of in the classroom here in Australia — it’s always felt more like an American tradition to me. That said, there’s no denying the fun that comes with a good “feely box” activity! There’s something about students touching weird, odd, or “gross” textures that gets everyone laughing (and maybe squealing a little). Plus, you can easily link it to the Science curriculum through sensory exploration or observation skills — and who doesn’t love a bit of hands-on fun on a Friday afternoon?
Before you begin, there are a few things to gather, including blindfolds and a mix of mystery items. Keep in mind that some “body parts” (like cooked spaghetti or peeled grapes) might need to be prepped the day before.
Set the scene by telling your students they’ve entered a haunted house where mysterious body parts have been left behind. As brave detectives, their mission is to identify each one — using only their sense of touch! They’ll record their guesses on the worksheet provided and see who can solve the spooky mystery.
Students should be blindfolded and can work individually or in teams. Their task is to feel each item in the bowl or box and record what they think it might be. The grosser, the better — it adds to the fun! Here are some ideas for “body parts” you can include:
Eyeballs – Olives or peeled grapes
Ears – Dried apricots
Fingers – Cheese sticks
Fingernails – Slivered almonds
Toes – Baby carrots
Brain – Cauliflower
Teeth – Corn kernels
Heart – Peeled tomato
Nose – Canned pear halves
Tongue – Banana sliced lengthways
Hand – Rubber glove filled with flour
Guts – Cooked 2-minute noodles
Liver – Canned peaches
At the conclusion of the activity, regroup and go through students’ predictions. Which guesses were spot-on? Which were hilariously wrong?
Do you do anything for Halloween in your classroom each year? Have you tried a feely box activity before? How did it go? We’d love it if you joined the conversation and left a comment below.
Looking to add even more Halloween magic to your classroom? Try these ideas that your students will love:
Classroom Halloween Activities
