Bobbing for apples is a game that has been around for centuries. An autumn tradition often associated with Halloween and other fall festivals, the concept of bobbing for apples is, according to History.com, rooted more in romance than Halloween trickery. As a British courting ritual, young ladies and their potential suitors would vie for certain apples to land a potential mate. Eventually, the tradition faded into obscurity. But apple bobbing was reinvented in the Americas when  immigrants introduced the game to children and adults during Halloween parties.

Recently, apple bobbing has fallen out of favor again, with parents lamenting the unsanitary conditions and potential spread of germs, not to mention the hazard of drowning. Thankfully, there are various alternatives to apple bobbing that can still make for an exciting Halloween game.