A boo basket exchange, also known as Ding Dong Ditch or Ding Dong Witch, is a fun Halloween game to play with friends or for a neighborhood fall family activity.
Here’s everything you need to know about doing a Boo Basket exchange for Halloween…
All About A Halloween Boo Basket Exchange Game
A Halloween boo basket, also called a boo bucket, boo box, boo great way to get into the Halloween spirit with friends and is so much fun for a fall season kids activity.
What is Boo Basket Ding Dong Ditch?
The Ding Dong Ditch game is where you fill a Halloween container, Halloween-themed basket or fall gift bag with fun treats and other Halloween-themed items.
Then, you secretly leave it at a friend’s door or on a neighbor’s doorstep with a note that says, You’ve been BOOed!
That person is then supposed to pick 1-2 other family members to make a basket for during the Halloween season and surprise them.
It was created as a fun kindness activity during Halloween.
What’s supposed to be in a Boo Basket?
You can put anything you want in a boo basket like:
- Halloween socks
- Glow sticks
- Halloween themed books
- Mini toys
- Halloween cookies
- Candy apples or caramel apples
- Pumpkin lights necklaces
- Hot chocolate packs
- Stickers
- MadLibs
- Mini pumpkins
- Halloween toys
- Stretchy skeletons
- Sticker book
- Mini craft kits
- Spooky candy
- Kids’ books
- Bubbles
- Halloween Peeps
- Halloween popcorn
Or any other fun thing you want to put in your boo basket!
The treats and prizes don’t have to be expensive. Just something fun for the fall holiday.
What are the rules for Ding Dong Ditch Boo Basket game?
There really are no “official rules” for Ding Dong Ditch Booed Game and people play it different ways.
Initially, the game was created to surprise a friend or neighbor by leaving a basket at their door, knocking or ringing the doorbell, and then running away.
However, some parents were concerned about the safety of ringing a neighbor’s doorbell (that didn’t know you were leaving something) and then running away. (Plus, everyone has a security camera now, so it’s hard to really surprise someone and stay anonymous.)
Many parents and neighbors now coordinate with each other and let the group know that it’s “Boo Basket Week” (or something like that).
HALLOWEEN GAME TIP:
If you’re worried about safety (or “Booing” someone who really doesn’t want to play the game), then do a sign-up list for your neighborhood or friend group. Pick one person or family to start the Ding Dong Ditch Boo Basket and then keep it going from there.
To Play The Boo Basket Game:
- Make a Boo Basket filled with Halloween treats and small surprises.
- Include a You’ve Been Booed! note with the basket, but don’t sign your name! (The goal is to be anonymous.) You can even put a description about what being “Booed” means.
- Choose a friend, neighbor, or family to Boo.
- Secretly leave the basket at their front door.
- Ring the doorbell or knock once and quickly leave.
- Try not to get caught or reveal who left the basket.
- The people who get boo baskets should put up a sign on their door or in their window that says We’ve Been Booed! so others know your house has already been Booed (especially helpful if playing in a neighborhood).
- The person who gets Booed should make a Boo Basket for one or two other households.
- Keep the game going until Halloween.
REMEMBER: Go with your kids while they are delivering the Boo Baskets. Keep it safe and respectful! Don’t trespass, ring repeatedly, or visit too late at night.
MORE HALLOWEEN GAMES FOR FALL FUN
Happy Halloween!
Have fun with your boo basket exchange!
