We will, of course, be talking about quests that you want to conduct yourself at home, in a classroom, children's club, in the country, etc. For professional quests, all props and decorations are made to order.
All of these products in stores are most often sold in the “Halloween” section. I myself don’t like this holiday, I never celebrate, I don’t come up with ideas for the site for the date, but I always look at selections of accessories and decorative elements with pleasure.
The fact is that even a simple quest with tasks printed on a printer turns into a spectacular action against the backdrop of cobwebs with spiders, giant black rats half the size of a child, and comically creepy ghosts made of different materials. It was for children's and teenage quests with a mysterious plot that all this wealth seemed very appropriate to me. By the way, you can decorate your apartment when you use my free script about an abandoned bunker. He himself is not scary, but the surroundings will definitely add glamor to a home event.
Webs with spiders
In the description of the web, see how many square meters it can be spread. For example, a very small lump weighing 60 g will stretch over 10 sq.m. There are more dense webs, and there are weightless ones. Considering the area of decoration, the cost is not very high. There is no need to stretch it evenly, since the disgusting effect we need is precisely achieved by the type of canvas, which in some places is transparent, in others dirty green, gray or yellow.
Often, one or more spiders are attached to the webs, but you can buy additional plastic evil spirits and hang them on the web in the places you need. To enhance the effect, darken the room and place several flashlights with a weak glow on the floor and various surfaces. If there is a holiday in the apartment, close the window with thick curtains, stretch a web between cabinets, cornices and chandeliers, and decorate the corners. Arrange the lanterns so that the web is illuminated from different angles (on sofas, shelves, on the floor). If there are no colored flashlights, cover the glass with a colored film on which zigzags and streaks have been previously applied using a dark felt-tip pen.
Include a moment in the plot in which children will need to push apart the web with their hands (to do this, place it in layers over a chest or artifact).
Here are all sorts of cobwebs (different colors and sizes) that will inspire you to prepare a scary quest. Tarantulas, small spiders and an assortment of nasty insects are also there.
Horror quest theme
Almost all horror quest scenarios rely on three, so to speak, pillars:
- Maniacs
- Ghosts
- Zombie
Each of these topics is capable of awakening the most vivid emotions, causing the necessary associations and making visitors afraid to the core. Let's look at each topic in more detail.
Maniacs
The most popular theme for horror. This is understandable. Maniacs are a reality that really exists in our lives. They are easy to believe. There are a lot of real stories about maniacs who lived in different parts of the planet. Even if you don’t believe in otherworldly forces and zombies, it makes no sense to reject the existence of maniacs.
In addition, it is not difficult to recreate the atmosphere of a maniac’s home. More precisely, it’s quite simple to imagine it in the format of an quest room. Surely this is some kind of warehouse or living space with several rooms, a cage, secret passages. All the props are extremely simple, easy to implement and accessible to the masses.
Often, quests about maniacs have a main character in their arsenal - an actor playing the corresponding role. And here, too, everything is simple and clear - his role in the plot is obvious, his appearance does not raise any questions. And everything is generally smooth, but there is another side to the coin - the great popularity of such quests, and therefore the rapid saturation of the market with projects of a similar type. You go to visit a couple of maniacs and you want to try something different.
Ghosts
The second most popular quest theme in the horror genre. It has become especially relevant with the introduction of a large amount of electronics into quests. Modern technologies make it possible to realize almost any fantasy of the authors. Want a cabinet that opens by itself? Yes please! A piano that plays without assistance? Easily! The stomping of someone's feet on the floor, a ghost in the mirror, a knock behind the door, a flashing light bulb above your head, dying candles, someone's voice from beyond the grave in an empty room - any ideas are easily feasible with the help of modern sensors, wires and a soldering iron, which are available to any quest builder . The only question is the budget of the ideas and the quality of their implementation.
With the help of such things, an atmosphere of the presence of someone who is not actually there is created. The plot of the quest adds unpredictability. The mind cannot explain what is happening - and a real fear of threat rises to the throat. The heart is pulsating in the heels, and the head refuses to make decisions. If you add an actor to such a quest in the right place, you can achieve a complete blackout. Although I know examples where ghost actors were implausible and only spoiled the whole atmosphere of the quest.
The scenery is most often an abandoned house with several rooms. Often there is a “children’s” room - where, no matter how here, you can lay bricks))).
If you are a quest builder, then this advice is for you: in order to create a high-quality effect of the presence of a ghost, the important point is to create the most inexplicable phenomenon. For example, if you drop a shelf in a closet for a surprise effect, players shouldn't be able to see the hardware behind the action, such as wires or magnetic locks. If you “play” the piano with the keys, then the sound of the mechanisms should not prevail over the rest of the sound, and even more so over the sounds of the piano itself. Yes, the player will instinctively flinch at the right moment, but if he is curious and can rationally explain how it worked, all the feeling of fear will disappear.
Zombie
Perhaps the rarest form of horror, for a simple reason: this theme is the most difficult to implement. For starters, it's hard to make a horror movie about zombies without zombies themselves. If a maniac and ghosts can still be realized without the participation of the characters themselves, then to catch up with the horror with the words: “In an hour zombies will break into your place” will clearly not be enough. Actors are urgently needed, and it is better that there is more than one actor. The appearance of the actors must match: either naturalistic masks or high-quality makeup, and it is not so easy to select and apply it before each game.
The area of the project should also correspond to the theme. A zombie simply standing still will not last long in fear. In addition, a zombie does not actually have a sense of fear, which means that if it appears, it must constantly pursue the players. It will be strange if he simply disappears in one of the rooms, like he changed his mind about chasing... He shouldn’t think at all!)) Accordingly, the project area must be decent in order to realize the dynamics. And, of course, the decorations. The most popular topic for such a topic is a laboratory in which an antidote was invented, but something went wrong... If the area is more than 200 sq.m., then the limits of imagination sharply expand to abandoned houses, a warehouse, a supermarket, etc. But are there many projects that have such space at their disposal?
Another feature of projects with zombies is the presence of weapons. This adds some flair. In Moscow, the number of such projects has already exceeded 5. You shoot at a zombie, it dies, and a new one appears. It turns out to be a kind of mixture of performance and action game. Such a theme will not work with ghosts, but the maniac can only be shot at the end of the plot, otherwise we will end up in a dead end, as a result, if there is a shootout, it is only for a short time and cannot become a driving part of the plot. Therefore, weapons in a zombie performance can become one of the main features of such a project. Where else can you control the development of the plot so clearly?
The bats
Almost realistic ordinary mice are also available in sets in many Halloween stores. We put them in boxes and jars with artifacts. But plastic bats are good for entourage and decorating a photo zone for a holiday in the style of a “Horror Movie” or a scary quest.
Don't forget about the lighting options. Even a small LED attached to the figure can turn a plastic toy into a real monster.
Bats, spiders and all kinds of evil spirits are here.
Horror quests from “Lokap”
By the way, many of our clients love horror quests for their emotionality. We decided to meet this need halfway and built three horror films of different formats at once. We list them by level of fear from least scary to most frightening.
The first project was created based on the film “Saw” of the same name. It has all the trappings of a scary atmosphere, except the actor. An excellent version of the first horror film, which will allow you to immerse yourself in the right atmosphere and provoke the release of a moderate amount of adrenaline, without fanaticism. However, you will still have to flinch a couple of times; there are cunning traps here that will make you nervous. Book your game on this page.
The second project is called “Minotaur” and, as you guessed, it’s about a cannibal maniac. This project is for those who want to try horror and are not afraid of actors. You can find out more about the project and book the game on this page.
The third project opened its doors in January 2021 - a ghost quest called “House on the Outskirts.” The quest contains a character who enhances the atmosphere and helps reveal the plot of the quest. The level of fear can be adjusted at the request of the players. The legend of the quest is simple and understandable to everyone from many horror films: you and your friends are traveling by car to places unknown to you, suddenly the car breaks down and you turn for help to the nearest and seemingly completely harmless house on the outskirts. The door is unlocked - you go inside... bang... the lights go out... and then the fun begins. But let’s not spoil the intrigue, come and see everything for yourself. Photos of the quest and schedule can be viewed at the link.
Paper garlands for a scary photo zone
Paper garlands aren't that scary, to be honest. More like creepy and humorous. For some purposes, bones with skulls alternating on threads, bats, spiders, funny skeletons, etc., are quite suitable. The idea is more suitable for decorating a photo zone. Thematic elements can be supplemented with paper honeycomb balls, forfeits and tassels in the desired color. Black, gray and blood red, for example. There are also ready-made sets of Halloween balls, which are often used to decorate a birthday party with a scary quest.
What could the plot be? Anyone!
Immediately think about what the children will find at the end, according to your plot. It must be some kind of surprise. It is important that the gift can be divided among all guests, and no one leaves offended. For example, children can look for parts of a map on which pirates have marked the place where treasure is hidden. Then prepare some chocolate medals. If only girls will participate in the game, then you can hide colorful hairpins and arrange a quest for the princesses. Or maybe a toy dog full of sweets and small toys got lost? If your children love dinosaurs, then you can look for an egg, and until the very last moment no one will know which one will hatch from it. You can come up with anything - the more unusual the plot, the more interesting. A Piñata can be a wonderful ending to the quest. It's a papier-mâché ball full of candy. After the children find it, they need to hang it (at the sports complex or in the doorway) and give the children the bat =). Everyone takes turns hitting the Piñata until it bursts and candies fall out. This game is very impressive, and children are always delighted. Making a Pinata is simple: you need to cover the balloon with pieces of paper, leaving a small hole on top, wait until everything dries, deflate and take out the balloon. Pour some candy, drape the hole - and you're done! The piñata can be white, if it is, for example, a dinosaur egg, or it can be in the shape of some familiar character or anything that fits the plot. It is very interesting to make Pinata with children.
Banners and portraits of creepy characters
I liked the large finished pictures. There are banners and thematic posters in human size. For example, a creepy mirror that reflects something from the other world. Or a “crack” in the wall, in the depths of which skeletons are visible. Isn't it creepy? There are also sets with portraits of vampires and other unsympathetic personalities. Some of them are attached as temporary stickers, others need to be attached with double-sided tape. The main thing is that in a few minutes you will create in any room a branch of an ancient house in which strange events have been taking place for 500 years.
I posted a really creepy one in the photo; there are calmer and nicer horror banners. Banners in the form of windows, behind which silhouettes of monsters are visible, look especially impressive.
Determine the topic and number of participants
According to the organizers, first of all it is necessary to decide on the topic and participants. It could be a party with fun puzzles for friends, a pleasant and unusual date for two, or a joyful and exciting children's party.
Photo: lifehacker.ru
Photo: elle.ru
Photo: Clubkid.ru
Skulls and bones
There is quite a lot of this goodness in stores. There are entire string bags with sets of almost life-size skulls. There are garlands (chains) with small skulls, skeletons and bones. All this can be used to design a photo zone and create an ambience for the place. For example, pour sand into the box, lightly riveting the skulls and sprinkling the bones. Let the necessary artifact also be in this box.
There was something similar in the scenario of the quest about Robinson.
Imagine that a slime with a key needed for the game is inserted into the jaw... Children need to get an artifact from this slime. Ugh…
Tasks for quests in kindergarten and school
It is not necessary to organize traditional matinees to celebrate the New Year, February 23, March 8. This interesting quest will appeal to active and lively kids much more. In addition, the game creates team spirit, teaches you to work together, develops competitive skills, while uniting and charging you with a good mood.
Relay races are ideal for preschool educational institutions. This quest can be done in a gym or school yard.
Puzzle
For the task, you can purchase a simple children's puzzle with a picture of an object in which the next clue is hidden. For example, a kettle, a table, a cooler. Another option is to print out a text with a riddle on a piece of paper, the answer to which is the place to look for the next clue. Next, the sheet is cut into several shaped parts. Children must collect the note, read the message and guess the word.
The first type of puzzles is suitable for kindergartens; children 5-6 years old can easily cope with the task. And text puzzles are the best option for elementary school students (age 7-10 years).
The following note can be attached to the aquarium, and the colorful puzzle will give a hint
Relay race
The game can be played in honor of the New Year, February 23, Maslenitsa, and May holidays. Children are required to be divided into 2 or more teams, and then asked to complete a test strip in a certain time. Tasks for the relay race should be selected depending on the age of the players. It is advisable to prepare diplomas for the winners and certificates for the remaining participants. Children will also be pleased to receive medals and cool souvenirs.
Examples of tasks:
- running in bags;
- hitting the ball into the hoop;
- juggling;
- run to the basket with the ball between your legs and place it inside without using your hands;
- tug of war;
- passing the flag after passing the obstacle course;
- speed running;
- timed jumping rope;
- carrying a balloon on a badminton racket across the entire hall;
- bring the ball like in basketball to pass to the next participant.
Move the stick so that the answer is correct
An ideal task for quick wits. It consists of laying out an example on a sheet of matches or counting sticks. Children only need to move 1 stick so that the answer is correct. For example, it is written 8+3-4=0, moving one line leads to the correct solution: 9+3-4=8.
For examples of puzzles with matches, see the photo:
