35 Scary Games to Play: Spooky Challenges, Sleepover Rituals & Urban Legends
Dare to explore eerie quests filled with chilling fun, haunted tales, and mystery thrills!
Image: ShutterStock
35 Scary Games to Play: Urban Legends, Paranormal Rituals, and Chilling Challenges
Looking for ways to make your next party, sleepover, or late-night gathering unforgettable? Goblins and ghosts may be fiction, but the chill of a darkened room and the tingle down your spine when you play a scary game are very real. From classic urban legends to eerie rituals and nerve-wracking group challenges, we have compiled 35 of the scariest games for anyone seeking a good scare. Read on if you dare—but don’t say we didn’t warn you!
Why Do We Love Scary Games?
Humans have always been attracted to fear in controlled settings. Psychologists suggest that the thrill comes from a mix of sensation-seeking behavior and the adrenaline rush sparked by fear, all within the safe confines of a game. The excitement, group bonding, and pride that comes from facing our anxieties drive us to these chilling experiences, especially at sleepovers and gatherings .
Table of Contents
- Classic Urban Legend Games
- Schoolyard & Trust Games
- Solo Scares & Reflection Rituals
- Paranormal Challenges & Supernatural Risks
- International Superstitions & Scary Customs
- Phone Games & Digital Chills
- Frequently Asked Questions
Classic Urban Legend Games
Some of the most chilling games come directly from the rich tradition of urban legends. These spooky rituals have stood the test of time, captivating generations with frightening folklore:
1. Bloody Mary
Perhaps the most infamous supernatural challenge, participants stand in a dark bathroom, staring into a mirror while chanting “Bloody Mary” three times. Legend says a vengeful spirit appears in the reflection—or worse.
2. The Candyman
Like Bloody Mary, this chilling game involves repeating “Candyman” five times in front of a mirror, invoking the terrifying spirit from a classic horror tale.
3. Ouija Board
The classic “spirit board” game where participants lightly touch a planchette and ask the board questions, hoping to receive answers from entities beyond. Tales abound about the board spelling out cryptic or threatening messages—and sometimes refusing to say goodbye.
Schoolyard & Trust Games
Not every scary game is about spirits. These trust-based schoolyard challenges blend group psychology and urban legends for memorable (and sometimes uncanny) experiences:
4. Concentrate
Participants stand in line, facing the back of another person’s head, reciting an unsettling poem (“Concentrate, concentrate…”). With eyes closed, the person visualizes clues about how they’ll die, supposedly revealed by the poem’s symbolism. For example, ‘orange’ could signify fire, while ‘white’ means peaceful old age .
5. Light As A Feather, Stiff As A Board
Two or more players attempt to levitate another using only their fingertips while chanting. Legend says supernatural forces are at work when the lifted person seems to become weightless .
6. The Elevator Game
This does-it-yourself urban legend supposedly takes you to another dimension. Using a building with at least 10 floors, you enter a specific sequence of elevators. Complete the ritual correctly to travel to the “Other World,” but beware—the rules require precise focus, and there’s risk in returning.
Solo Scares & Reflection Rituals
For those who dare face the darkness alone, these games heighten the sense of vulnerability and test one’s nerve in isolation:
7. Midnight Man
A risky solo game inspired by ancient pagan rituals. At precisely midnight, you invite the ‘Midnight Man’ into your home by writing your name on paper, pricking your finger, and lighting a candle. The challenge: wander in the dark, avoiding the entity until 3:33 AM. Lose, and face terrifying hallucinations—allegedly.
8. The Mirror Game
Sitting in a dark room with only a candle lit, stare into your own eyes in the mirror and wait for the reflection to distort, shift, or even reveal someone else standing behind you. Is your mind playing tricks—or is something else present?
9. Red Door, Yellow Door
Also called “Doors of the Mind,” this game guides someone into a trance as another participant talks them through a visualized corridor of doors. What you find behind each may leave you unsettled—but don’t open a door if you sense something sinister.
Paranormal Challenges & Supernatural Risks
These games are said to flirt with the boundaries of the supernatural, daring participants to invite unknown forces or spirits into their environment.
10. Charlie Charlie
This viral game involves balancing pencils over a paper grid labeled ‘Yes’ and ‘No.’ Ask “Charlie, Charlie, are you here?” and watch as the pencils move seemingly of their own accord—though skeptics attribute it to physics, others believe it’s a spirit’s response.
11. Three Kings
A complex ritual played in a dark room with three chairs and mirrors. Supposedly, it allows you to enter a realm between reality and the unconscious, seeking answers from “kings” or shadows in the mirrors. Follow the rules strictly—or risk losing yourself.
12. The Devil’s Face
A group challenge where participants stare at a candlelit mirror, chanting until a diabolical visage appears among them. The legend warns: look away quickly, or risk being cursed.
13. Baby Blue
Standing in a bathroom with the lights off and pretending to cradle a phantom baby, you chant “Baby Blue” thirteen times. Supposedly, you feel its weight grow heavier—and sometimes get scratched by its wrathful mother if you fail to get rid of the invisible child quickly.
International Superstitions & Scary Customs
From Japan to South America, frightening folklore has birthed some of the world’s most intriguing and chilling games:
14. The Thumb Game (Japan)
Based on an urban legend about a murdered woman missing her thumb, participants sit in a circle, hold the left thumb of the person next to them, and chant to be transported to the murder site. The group’s task is to solve the mystery—without breaking the chain, or the spirit may appear .
15. Hitori Kakurenbo (Japanese Hide-and-Seek Alone)
This one-player game asks you to hide from a possessed doll you’ve set up yourself. Supposedly, if the doll finds you, it brings bad luck or worse. Burn sage after—just in case.
16. Satoru-Kun
Summon the ghost of a boy named Satoru who answers one question truthfully for you after you text him on your phone and wait for his call. But don’t let him reach you in person, or legend says you won’t survive the encounter.
Phone Games & Digital Chills
In our connected age, scary games enter the digital realm, blending old fears with modern technology:
17. The Answer Man
Gather a group of at least ten, each with a mobile phone. Everybody calls the person to their left at once. Most calls won’t connect—but if you somehow hear a voice, you’ll be speaking to the Answer Man, who will answer one question in exchange for a personal secret .
18. The Dead Man’s Phone
Text a question to a specific number at midnight, as the online legend goes, and an anonymous reply gives a chilling (and often cryptic) answer to your deepest query—if you’re lucky enough to get a response.
Group Games for Sleepovers & Parties
Whether horror is the main event or just a daring detour at your gathering, these group games are designed to spook everyone:
19. The Sandman
One player lies down while others take turns describing how the imaginary sandman adds “sand” to each limb until it’s impossible to move. Some report feeling paralyzed at the end—a classic group mind trick.
20. The Hooded Figure Game
A group chooses a cloaked figure from among them to haunt the rest of the players. Quietly nodding, staring, and softly singing, the hooded one is supposed to chill everyone’s nerves until the next ‘victim’ takes their place.
21. The Closet Game
Participants stand in a dark closet, holding a match, and summon the devil with a phrase. Light the match quickly to banish the evil—but beware, some claim to see glowing eyes peering back if they hesitate.
Scary Board & Video Games Inspiration
If supernatural thrills aren’t for you, try these horror-themed games for group fun:
22. Werewolf / Mafia
Group deduction games where townsfolk try to unmask secret werewolves or mafia members before they become the victims. Paranoia, accusations, and suspense ensure a thrilling night.
23. Ghost Stories
With the lights off, participants tell ghost stories, often trying to out-scare each other. For an extra jolt, use props, sound effects, or act out parts for immersive experiences.
24. Scary Video Games (e.g., Fears to Fathom, Slender Man, Five Nights at Freddy’s)
Take turns playing creepy video games that build suspense and make the heart race, with friends watching from the safety of the couch .
Quick-Play Scary Mini-Games
- 25. Truth or Scare: Classic truth or dare, but tailored for spine-tingling questions and creepy dares.
- 26. Ghost in the Graveyard: A backyard tag game in the dark—one ghost hides, others seek. Get caught, and you become the ghost!
- 27. Wink Murder: A group sits in a circle; one is secretly the murderer and kills by winking at others. Guess wrong, and you’re out.
- 28. Shadow Tag: Play outside at dusk, trying to step on each other’s shadows. If your shadow is tagged, you’re ‘it.’
The Scariest Games by Category: A Comparison
| Type | Game Example | Appeal | Risks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Legend Rituals | Bloody Mary | Classic, widely known | Mild psychological fear |
| Paranormal Challenge | Midnight Man | Solo, adrenaline rush | Fear, hallucinations, isolation |
| Trust/Group Game | Light as a Feather | Social, fun with friends | Embarrassment or mind tricks |
| Digital/Phone Game | Answer Man | Modern, interactive | Scam calls, digital privacy |
| International Rituals | Thumb Game | Unique cultural lore | Unease, cultural superstition |
Important Safety & Psychological Notes
- Never play these games if you or someone involved is easily frightened or experiences anxiety.
- Urban legend games are purely for fun, but some can unintentionally trigger genuine panic or distress.
- Always respect cultural origins of rituals—do not mock or trivialize traditions deeply held by others.
- Be mindful of your environment (candles, sharp objects, electronic devices).
- Candles and darkness can be dangerous; never leave burning flames unattended.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are these scary games safe to play?
Most are safe when played responsibly in a familiar, controlled environment with trusted friends. However, always prioritize psychological safety—never pressure anyone to participate.
What makes a game scary?
The best scary games exploit anticipation, darkness, group psychology, and the power of suggestion. The unknown outcome is what makes these games truly memorable and terrifying.
Do these games really summon ghosts or spirits?
There is no scientific evidence that any of these rituals actually call forth supernatural forces. Most effects are due to imagination and the brain’s response to fear and suggestion. However, they remain thrilling and entertaining for those who play along.
What’s the best game for a large group?
Werewolf/Mafia, Wink Murder, or Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board are excellent choices for big gatherings. They engage many players and build suspense.
Which scary game is best for solo players?
Midnight Man, Hitori Kakurenbo, or a horror video game like Fears to Fathom give solo thrill-seekers a taste of the supernatural—if they dare.
Final Thoughts: The Power of Playful Fear
Scary games foster togetherness, sharpen storytelling, and let us bravely face the unknown—from legendary mirror rituals to modern digital dares. So next time you’re bored, restless, or looking for a heart-pounding adventure—try one of these 35 chilling games. Just remember: the scariest thing in the dark might be your own imagination.
References
Community Experiences
Join the conversation and become a part of our vibrant community! Share your stories, experiences, and insights to connect with like-minded individuals.
Read full bio of Medha Deb
