Spooktacular Fun: Get Your Free ‘You’ve Been Booed’ Printables & DIY Halloween Treat Bags

This post has been sponsored by BUTTERFINGER®. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

As autumn leaves begin to fall and a crisp chill fills the air, there’s an undeniable buzz of excitement for one of the most beloved holidays: Halloween! Beyond the trick-or-treating and costume parties, there’s a charming neighborhood tradition that brings communities closer and fills the season with mystery and delight: the “You’ve Been Booed” game. Imagine the joy of secretly delivering a basket of Halloween candy and treats to a neighbor’s doorstep, then watching the excitement unfold as the tradition spreads throughout your community.

This year, we’re making it easier than ever to join in on the fun with our **FREE “You’ve Been Booed” printables**. These vibrant, easy-to-use printables are designed to help you create adorable DIY Halloween treat bags, complete with instructions for your recipients. Get ready to create lasting memories with your kids and spread some unforgettable Halloween cheer!

Why “Booing” Your Neighbors is a Must-Do Halloween Tradition

The “You’ve Been Booed” game, also known as “Ghosting” or “Booing,” is a cherished pre-Halloween activity that transforms your neighborhood into a playful community network. It’s a fantastic way to engage kids in a wholesome, exciting activity that encourages kindness and connection. The premise is simple: you secretly leave a bag of Halloween goodies and a “You’ve Been Booed” sign at a neighbor’s door. The sign includes instructions for them to “Boo” two other neighbors, thus perpetuating a delightful chain of surprise and generosity. It’s truly magical to see the “Boo” signs pop up in windows throughout your street, signaling a shared spirit of festive fun.

With just a few sheets of paper, your home printer, and a trip to Walmart for some Halloween candy, you can effortlessly whip up these charming Halloween treat bags. Planning ahead? When you’re doing your grocery shopping, grab a few large bags of individually wrapped Halloween candy. Not only will you be stocked for trick-or-treaters, but you’ll also have the perfect fillers for these DIY “You’ve Been Booed” kits!

Gather Your “Boo” Essentials: What You Need to Make “You’ve Been Booed” Printable Halloween Treat Bags

Creating your “You’ve Been Booed” treat bags is incredibly simple and requires only a handful of readily available items. Here’s a detailed list to ensure you have everything before you start:

Computer Paper & Home Printer: Standard 8.5 x 11″ printer paper works perfectly. For a sturdier bag or signs that will hold up better to outdoor elements, consider using a slightly heavier cardstock.
Tape, Scissors, and Hole Punch: Essential crafting tools for assembling your bags neatly. A good pair of scissors will make cutting out the ghost quick and easy, while tape will secure your treat bag. The hole punch adds a nice finishing touch for tying off the bag.
BUTTERFINGER® Peanut Butter Cup Skulls and SweeTARTS® Ropes: These candies are absolute must-haves for adding bold flavor and festive flair to your Boo bags. You’ll find them in the seasonal Halloween aisle at Walmart, not the traditional candy section.
Free “You’ve Been Booed” Printables: The star of our show! Download these below to get started on your boo-tiful creations.

The Perfect Candy Duo: BUTTERFINGER® Skulls & SweeTARTS® Ropes

When it comes to filling your “You’ve Been Booed” bags, the right candy can elevate the entire experience. We highly recommend these two showstoppers that are sure to be a hit with any recipient:

If you’re a peanut butter cup enthusiast, these **BUTTERFINGER® Peanut Butter Cup Skulls** are about to become your new favorite Halloween treat. They feature a thick layer of rich chocolate enveloping a soft, creamy center, delivering that iconic, peanut-buttery taste that Butterfinger is famous for. Their unique skull shape makes them perfectly festive for Halloween, adding a bold statement to your treat bags. These crunchy, satisfying delights are individually wrapped, making them ideal for sharing.

Complementing the rich chocolate and peanut butter, **SweeTARTS® Ropes** offer a delightful contrast. These treats are a delightful hybrid between chewy licorice and vibrant fruit snacks, bursting with flavor. Each chewy, delicately tart rope features a fruit-punch filling that creates a mouthwatering explosion of texture and taste. What makes them perfect for “Boo” bags is that they come in individually wrapped packs, each containing two small ropes, making them the ideal portion size for a sweet surprise.

Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your “You’ve Been Booed” Printable Halloween Treat Bags

Follow these simple instructions to assemble your charming “You’ve Been Booed” treat bags. It’s a fun and easy craft for all ages!

Download and Print: Start by downloading our free “You’ve Been Booed” printables. Print one copy of each page on standard 8.5 x 11″ sized paper. Carefully cut out the ghost shape from the “We’ve Been Booed” sheet – this ghost will be your official “I’ve Been Booed” sign.
Prepare the Pouch Base: Take the main “BOO” sheet (which will form the back of your treat bag) and back it with a blank piece of paper. You can use craft glue or a glue stick for this, ensuring it’s securely attached. This step adds durability and makes the bag opaque.
Form the Pouch: Use a long strip of tape to seal three of the four sides of your “BOO” sheet, leaving the top side open. This will create a functional pouch ready to be filled with treats. Press firmly to ensure a strong seal.
Fill the Pouch: Fold the “You’ve Been Booed” instruction sheet (which explains the game rules) in half. Slip this instruction sheet, along with the ghost sign you cut out earlier, into the newly created pouch. Now, comes the fun part: fill the pouch generously with your assortment of Halloween candy, including those delicious BUTTERFINGER® Peanut Butter Cup Skulls and SweeTARTS® Ropes!
Seal the Top: Once your pouch is filled, fold over the top edge to create a neat flap. Then, use your hole punch to punch two holes through this flap, spaced evenly apart.
Final Secure & Gift: Thread a festive string, ribbon, or even use a staple to securely close the top of your treat bag. Your “You’ve Been Booed” treat bag is now complete and ready for gifting! Proceed to the next section for instructions on how to play and deliver your spooky surprise.

How to Play “You’ve Been Booed”: The Neighborhood Fun Begins!

The magic of “You’ve Been Booed” lies in its secrecy and the ripple effect of kindness it creates. Here’s how to initiate and participate in this delightful Halloween tradition:

The Secret Delivery: Starting as early as October 1st, select an unsuspecting neighbor. Once your treat bag is assembled, discreetly leave it on their doorstep, ring the doorbell, and then quickly “boo-gie” out of there! The element of surprise and the mystery of who left the treats are central to the fun, so avoid leaving any clues about your identity.
Passing the Fun On: The lucky recipient will then discover the treat bag, read the instructions within, and learn about the game. Their task is to then “Boo” two other neighbors by making two new treat bags, including the instructions and a “We’ve Been Booed” sign. The ultimate goal is for your entire neighborhood to be “infiltrated” with these cheerful “Boo” signs, spreading joy from door to door.

Note: One crucial part of the game is the “We’ve Been Booed” ghost sign. If you’re the one starting the Boo chain and don’t want to be “Booed” back (or simply want to signal that your house has already participated), print an extra ghost sign and prominently display it in your door or window. If you’re choosing a recipient and notice they already have a ghost sign displayed, it means they’ve already been “Booed,” so pick another friend or family member to surprise!

“You’ve Been Booed” Beyond the Neighborhood: Office & School Versions

While traditionally a neighborhood game, the “You’ve Been Booed” concept is so versatile it can bring smiles to many other environments. Adapting this game for different settings is a fantastic way to extend the Halloween festivities!

How to Play “You’ve Been Booed” Office Version:

This was a hugely popular pre-Halloween game when played at our office, and it’s just as much fun for adults as it is for kids! Instead of delivering to neighbors’ doors, you secretly deliver **two** “Boo packs” to coworkers’ desks. To maintain the element of surprise, the best time to do this discreetly is either before or after office hours, or during the lunch break when the office is mostly empty. We recommended delivering two packs per person to help the game spread through the office quicker. If you’re in a smaller office, one pack per person might suffice. Once a coworker has been “Booed,” they put the ghost sign on their desk, office door, or cubicle, letting others know they’ve already received their treats.

“You’ve Been Booed” for Schools or Classrooms:

With teacher permission, this game can also be a hit in schools! A teacher could start by “Booing” a few students, and then those students “Boo” others. Alternatively, parents could prepare small, non-candy Boo bags for their child’s classmates, coordinated with the teacher. It’s a lovely way to foster classroom community and celebrate the season in a positive, inclusive manner.

Frequently Asked Questions

What else can I fill the Halloween treat bags with?

In addition to the delicious BUTTERFINGER® and SweeTARTS®, here are a few other fun “You’ve Been Booed” filler ideas to spark your creativity:

Homemade Halloween Cookies: Imagine the delight of receiving freshly baked cookies! These easy eyeball cookies, for instance, would be a fun and spooky addition. Remember to wrap homemade treats securely.
Halloween Trinkets from the Dollar Store: Small, inexpensive toys and novelties are always a hit. Think spider rings, glow sticks, mini-slime, vampire teeth, small erasers, or temporary tattoos.
Craft Supplies: Tiny packs of crayons, mini notepads, or Halloween-themed stickers can provide creative fun.
Mini Books or Puzzles: For a non-candy alternative, small Halloween-themed storybooks or mini puzzle games are thoughtful choices.
Themed Kits: If you want to go bigger, use a larger basket or bag and deliver a Halloween cake mix, a can of frosting, festive cupcake liners, and sprinkles for a fun “Halloween Cupcake Decorating Activity” kit!
Healthy Snacks: Small bags of pretzels, fruit snacks, or Halloween-themed fruit leathers can be a good option for those looking to include healthier choices.

Can I print these “You’ve Been Booed” printables in black & white?

Absolutely! We intentionally designed these PDF files to use minimal color so that they would look fantastic and crisp even when printed in black and white. This makes them accessible for everyone, regardless of printer capabilities, and helps save on colored ink!

When should I start “Booing” my neighbors?

The “You’ve Been Booed” tradition typically kicks off at the beginning of October, around the first of the month. This allows plenty of time for the game to spread throughout the neighborhood before Halloween night itself. It’s a wonderful way to build excitement and anticipation for the holiday throughout the entire month!

Download Your Free “You’ve Been Booed” Printables Now!

Ready to get started? Click the link below to download your free “You’ve Been Booed” printables. These include the “You’ve Been Booed” message, instructions for your neighbors on how to play, and the all-important “We’ve Been Booed” ghost sign to display once you’ve received your treats.

Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to make Halloween even more memorable this year. It’s a simple act of kindness that fosters community spirit and creates a truly magical experience for kids and adults alike. So grab your BUTTERFINGER® Peanut Butter Cup Skulls and SweeTARTS® Ropes from Walmart, print your free sheets, and let the booing begin!

Happy Halloween, and happy booing!