I remember going to Halloween party’s and dunking for apples! It was great fun and there was always lots of candy and snacks for the kids back in the 1950’s!
Long before haunted houses and elaborate Halloween displays became common, one of the biggest attractions at a neighborhood Halloween party in the 1950s was dunking for apples, more commonly called bobbing for apples. It was inexpensive, easy to set up, and guaranteed plenty of laughter.
How It Was Done
A large galvanized wash tub, enamel laundry basin, or even the family bathtub was filled with cold water. Fresh apples were floated on the surface, and each child took a turn trying to grab one using only their mouth—no hands allowed!
The apples floated and spun away whenever someone tried to bite them, making the game both challenging and hilarious. Children usually had about 30 seconds to one minute per turn
What You Needed
- 12–20 fresh apples
- A large tub or basin
- Cold water
- Plenty of towels
- A few adults to supervise
The Rules
- Fill the tub about three-quarters full with cold water.
- Add the apples and let them float freely.
- Players keep their hands behind their backs.
- On the signal, each player bends down and tries to catch an apple with their teeth.
- The first person to bite an apple and lift it from the water wins that round.
Which Apples Worked Best?
In the 1950’s, many families used:
- McIntosh
- Jonathan
- Rome Beauty
- Winesap
- Delicious apples
Smaller apples were easier for younger children to catch.
A Few 1950’s Party Variations
- Timed Challenge: Whoever caught an apple the fastest won a prize.
- Team Relay: Two teams raced to see who could retrieve the most apples.
- Lucky Apple: One apple had a ribbon tied to its stem. Whoever caught it won a special prize, such as a candy bar or a small toy
Typical Halloween Prizes
Children who won the game might receive:
- A full-size candy bar
- A bag of peanuts
- A box of Cracker Jack
- A comic book
- A Halloween noisemaker
- A small toy or yo-yo
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