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Facebook apps that add howl to Halloween

Anyone who wants to get more out of October 31 than just a bag full of candy can look to Facebook.

Don Reisinger
CNET contributor Don Reisinger is a technology columnist who has covered everything from HDTVs to computers to Flowbee Haircut Systems. Besides his work with CNET, Don's work has been featured in a variety of other publications including PC World and a host of Ziff-Davis publications.
Don Reisinger
3 min read

If you're already possessed by the Halloween spirit, you'll shriek with delight to find that Facebook's cauldron includes a measure of worthy apps.

Check 'em out.

Halloween Apps

HalloweenBuilder is one of those apps that you're unsure of beforehand. But once you start using it, you quickly become a fan.

The basic premise of HalloweenBuilder is simple: create the jack-o-lantern of your dreams. The app offers numerous designs for the eyes, nose, mouth, and other features. From there, simply pick the designs you want and arrange them how you see fit. The app automatically does the cutting for you.

I really enjoyed HalloweenBuilder. I made a few designs, and each was quite fun.

HalloweenBuilder
HalloweenBuilder lets you create your own pumpkin design. Screenshot by Don Reisinger/CNET

Halloween Pumpkins is another app that lets you carve a virtual pumpkin. The only difference between HalloweenBuilder and Halloween Pumpkins is that the latter requires you to carve your jack-o-lantern freehand. If you like your design, you can share it with other app users.

I enjoyed the app. Although its design wasn't overly impressive and the app did a great job of highlighting my lack of artistic ability, I had fun. And comparing my designs to those that were voted most popular by the users was interesting. Halloween Pumpkins is a great app to check out when you're bored.

Halloween Pumpkins
My unique artistic ability. Screenshot by Don Reisinger/CNET

Test Your 'HalloweeN' Knowledge. As much as I tried to keep quizzes out of this roundup, I felt I had to include this one.

Test Your 'HalloweeN' Knowledge asks you several questions about the famed "Halloween" film series. Everything from simple questions, like the name of the movie's main character, to extremely tough questions are asked. When you're done answering the questions, you'll be ranked based on the characters that Michael Myers claimed as victims. The worse you do, the greater the chance that you'll be classified as one of his earlier victims. If you do a better job, you'll be classified as a more prominent character. If you're a fan of horror movies, Test Your 'HalloweeN' Knowledge is worth checking out.

Halloween
Test your horror flick knowledge with this app. Screenshot by Don Reisinger/CNET

What are you wearing for Halloween? If you're the kind of person who doesn't mind showing off your costume before the big day, this app might be right up your alley.

When you start using the app, you have the option of viewing your friends' Halloween costumes and rating them. You can also upload a picture of your costume to see if your friends like what they see. You can even input your costume's category to make it accessible to all the app's users. It's a neat idea, but beware that few people have actually been using the app thus far, so you might have a hard time finding people who will respond.

Facebook
This app lets you share your costume of choice. Screenshot by Don Reisinger/CNET

What should you be for Halloween? If you're having trouble deciding on a costume, this app is a good place to start.

Once you start using it, you'll find a series of questions asking you about yourself. The app asks you about everything your personality to your favorite movie. After it analyzes your responses, it tells you what your costume should be this year. It's as simple as that. If you like what you discover, you can post it to your profile for your friends to see. I took the quiz. Apparently, I should dress up as President Obama this year. Let me know what you should be in the comments below.

Facebook
This app asks you some tough questions. Screenshot by Don Reisinger/CNET

My top 3

1. HalloweenBuilder: With so many interesting ways to change up your jack-o-lantern, HalloweenBuilder is worth trying out.

2. Halloween Pumpkins: Another jack-o-lantern creator takes the second spot, thanks to the possibility of creating something truly unique.

3. What are you wearing for Halloween? It's a social app on a social network. Try it out.