It is that time of the year again. Halloween is around the corner, and what better time to huddle with your kids and ready out chilling stories! Here is our list of the 21 best Halloween stories that you should read with your kids.
The popularity of Halloween is increasing exponentially. It is celebrated in 31st October every year. Halloween is the modern name given to an ancient Celtic holiday “Samhain”. This day is celebrated by people as a spiritual beginning of a new year. Most of the activities done during Halloween are usually associated with the idea to obtain good fortune.
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Here is a list of 21 Halloween stories your kids must not miss.
21 Halloween Stories for Kids
1. The Green Ribbon
This story has numerous versions floating around. It revolves around the changing color of the ribbon worn by a girl around her neck. However, the chilling ending is same in each one of them. When the husband finally removes the ribbon, he discovers the horrifying reason to this. This story is, however, somewhat on the scary side.
2. The Scare: A Halloween Story
Apt for kids aged 3-10 years, this is a creative and fun way to share spooks with your kids. With a creative story line, this book is a fun way for kids to enjoy scary stories. This is a tale of two best friends – a mouse named Jim and a pig named Simon and includes funny illustrations to keep the kids engaged.
3. Happy Halloween!
Written by Uncle Amon, this is perfect for a little fright that wouldn’t keep them awake all night. This story is just the perfect choice for kids below 10 years of age. Akin to other stories like “The Shadowy Figure” and “The Haunting”, your kids are surely going to like this one as well to add it to their list of favourites.
4. Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich
This book by Adam Rex is a fun collection of silly, scary poems perfect for kids between 6-9 years.
5. Tell Me another Scary Story… But not TOO Scary!
In this story by Carl Reiner, kids can decide whether to move forward as the story gets scarier – or end it just there. This is a sequel to Tell Me A Scary Story… But Not TOO Scary! It is perfect for kids over 9 years of age. Besides, even adults can enjoy the story and not feel bored because of the creative illustrations.
6. The Scarecrow
This first-person narrative has numerous elements of a perfect scary story and is simply great for the elementary school group.
7. Haunted
Written by Harris Tobias, this is a kid-friendly story that revolves about ghosts who love partying. Kids of every age group follow this short story with proper attention. They are surprised by the delightful ending.
8. The Vinder Viper
Although it sounds like a scary tale, it is actually a comic tale – best delivered in a dramatic manner. This great story has been an old summer camp favorite of many kids. Besides, it is simply great for younger kids who like stories with happy endings.
9. Shadows in the Mirror
This Halloween tale contains all the elements of good ghostly mystery for older kids who won’t be easily frightened by the idea of a ghost in their home.
10. Looking for Dracula
This story is a winner for the preschool or elementary crowd. Kids love to follow the lyrics and acting out the story.
11. The Pleading Ghost
James M. Deem is a great author of children’s books. He has collected some of his all time favorite ghost stories and managed to provide them online in his “Haunted House”. This story is not very scary, but it is about a boy who died young. Written by James M. Deem, this story is from his book Ghost Hunters.
12. The Canterville Ghost
Just imagine yourself in a haunted house, but make it possible to turn the tables on your ghosts. In an adaptation of the classic Oscar Wilde story, the tale of The Canterville Ghost shows how an entire family deals with a ghost in their new house – and finally help him move on.
13. White Dog
A good and entertaining dog story is everyone’s all time favourite. This is one of the stories on the TLC website that can be enjoyed by the entire family. It revolves around a loyal dog, an adventurous boy, danger, and a ghost. Well, it’s not that scary for young kids as well.
14. Dem Bones
This story is perfect for kids who are crazy for pirates. This is the tale of Captain Kidd and his band of pirates who bury treasure on the New Jersey shore and then return to haunt the area. This tale, retold by S.E. Schlosser reminds you about the ghost stories form olden days.
15. The Hairy Toe
This spooky story revolves around an old woman who, for some reason, eats a hairy toe found in the woods behind her cottage. Written by S.E. Schlosser, this tale contains enough fantasy to it that it is not terribly scary for the younger ones.
16. A Warning to the Curious
This is something really dark, rich, and strange. It is beautifully written by MR James, this is something that started “Thirteen Chairs Off”.
17. A Christmas Carol
Written by Charles Dickens, this is an obvious choice. The Muppet version of the story is equally good.
18. The Ghost of Thomas Kempe
This is a Carnegie medal winning tale of a poltergeist disturbing a family’s rural idyll. The recent and beautifully written Folio Society edition is also worth reading.
19. Jessica’s Ghost
Witten by Andrew Norris, this Halloween tale is not really scary at all. At least the supernatural element is not. However, the story does have a ghost in it. It is a perfectly judged piece of work tackling a tricky subject matter with a light touch.
20. The Dark Matter
Written by Michelle Paver, this supernatural tale can be set best in the Arctic. The novel and the song are aptly chilling and atmospheric.
21. The Ghost and the Bonesetter
Written by J Sheridan Le Fanu, this is not a terrifying ghost story, but neat, clever, and funny. It is narrated in a brilliant voice.
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