The Quick Answer
Apple games were part of autumn and Halloween customs in Ireland and Britain, often tied to fortune-telling about love and marriage.
The Story
Apples were a harvest fruit, and many Halloween games used them. Young people bobbed for apples or peeled them in one long strip, believing results hinted at future sweethearts. Some historians connect apples with a Roman harvest festival, but that link is uncertain.
Legend vs. History
The connection to the Roman goddess Pomona is often repeated, but evidence is weak.
Tell the Kids
“Long ago, people played apple games at harvest time and pretended they could tell the future!”
Did You Know?
In Ireland, Halloween was sometimes called 'Snap-Apple Night.'
Try This Tradition
Try 'donut on a string' — a less wet version of bobbing for apples.