17 Best Halloween Books for Kids: Fun & Not-So-Scary Read Alouds

These Halloween books for kids are sure to leave kids begging for more! Use the book activity ideas and the Halloween Fun Pack to explore all things spooky this fall in the classroom or at home!

Spooky (But Not Scary) Halloween Books for Kids

Halloween is almost here, and things are about to get a whole lot spookier… in the best way! From silly monsters to creepy carrots, these Halloween books for kids are perfect for fun read-alouds, not too scary, and full of laughs. Pair them with activities that encourage students to think, create, and celebrate the season, and kids will be eager for more Halloween fun all month long!

Read-alouds are a simple way to spark curiosity, build listening skills, and encourage discussion in the classroom. Stories like these Halloween books engage students’ imaginations, introduce new vocabulary, and give them a chance to connect with characters and ideas, all while making learning fun and interactive.

Top Halloween Books for the Classroom or Homeschool

Ready for a fantastic list of Halloween read-alouds? Take a look at these titles and some of the ways they can be used in the classroom or homeschool.

1. Dragon’s Halloween by Dav Pilkey

Dragon wants to enjoy Halloween, but his spooky attempts lead to funny mishaps. The story highlights the importance of creativity and friendship, encouraging kids to share their own experiences with trying new things and making mistakes.

2. The School is Alive by Jack Chabert

When the school magically comes to life at night, students encounter playful surprises. Kids can imagine what a classroom would do if it came alive, sparking conversations about creativity and teamwork.

3. Hardly Haunted by Jessie Sima

A friendly ghost tries to scare visitors but keeps failing in hilarious ways. Kids can talk about times they tried something new that didn’t go as planned and what they learned from it.

4. The Good, the Bad, and the Spooky by Jory John & Pete Oswald

Classic Halloween characters come to life in funny, engaging stories. Kids might share which characters they find most interesting or compare different spooky creatures and their traits.

5. Pig the Monster by Aaron Blabey

Pig dresses up for Halloween and causes chaos wherever he goes. This story encourages children to reflect on silly or creative moments in their own lives and share laughs about the funny mistakes they’ve made.

6. That Monster on the Block by Sue Ganz-Schmitt

A neighborhood monster seems scary at first, but the kids soon discover he is friendly. It can lead to conversations about judging by appearances and what makes someone a good friend.

7. Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds

Jasper Rabbit loves carrots until he notices they might be following him. Kids can share times when something seemed scary at first but turned out to be harmless, encouraging empathy and imagination.

8. The Pomegranate Witch by Denise Doyen

A clever witch uses her wits and pomegranates to outsmart tricksters. Kids can discuss problem-solving strategies and share ideas for creative ways to face challenges.

9. Pick a Pumpkin by Patricia Toht

Children explore a pumpkin patch to find the perfect pumpkin. The story invites kids to talk about traditions, favorite fall activities, and what makes Halloween special to them. It’s the perfect pairing for a pumpkin activity!

10. Big Pumpkin by Erica Silverman

A kind witch struggles to lift a giant pumpkin, and with friends’ help, she succeeds. Children can reflect on teamwork by sharing stories about how working together helped them solve a problem.

11. Halloween Is Coming! by Cal Everett

Rhyming text and playful illustrations show kids all the fun parts of Halloween. It sparks ideas for kids to share their favorite costumes, candy, or Halloween experiences.

12. The Hallo-Weiner by Dav Pilkey

A brave dachshund wears a funny costume and saves the day on Halloween night. Kids can discuss times they felt brave or creative and how they helped someone else.

13. Gustavo, the Shy Ghost by Flavia Z. Drago

Gustavo is a shy ghost who learns to make friends and enjoy Halloween. Kids can relate to feelings of shyness and share ways they overcome nervousness in social situations.

14. There Was an Old Mummy Who Swallowed a Spider by Jennifer Ward

A mummy swallows a series of Halloween-themed items in this silly, rhyming tale. It encourages kids to predict what might happen next and talk about their favorite funny moments.

15. The Witch’s Cat by Sonica Ellis

A clever cat helps a witch prepare for Halloween. Children can explore their curiosity, problem-solving skills, and devise ingenious solutions in their own adventures.

16. Weird but True Halloween by National Geographic and Julie Beer

This nonfiction book shares fascinating and quirky Halloween facts. Kids can share what surprises them most and ask questions about Halloween traditions around the world.

17. The Halloween Tree by Susan Montanari

A group of friends embarks on a spooky adventure that explores Halloween traditions. Children can discuss topics such as friendship, teamwork, and the traditions they enjoy during fall celebrations.

Activities to Pair with Halloween Books

Teachers and parents love great activities paired with excellent books, so try these simple ideas!

Character Costume Design

Pair with: The Hallo-Weiner, Pig the Monster, or The Good, the Bad, and the Spooky

After reading, students can design their own Halloween costume for a favorite character from the book. They can draw it, label it, and explain why their character would choose that costume. This sparks creativity and helps kids think about personality traits and character choices.

“Witches Brew” How To Writing

Pair with: The Pomegranate Witch

Read this story about trying to get pomegranates from the witch’s yard and then discuss what a witch might do with the fruit. Model how to make a witches’ brew and let students create their own expository writing piece.

Prediction & Sequencing Activity

Pair with: Creepy Carrots or There Was an Old Mummy Who Swallowed a Spider

Before turning each page, kids can predict what might happen next. After reading, they can create a sequencing chart of events or a fun “story map” that shows the cause-and-effect relationships in the story. This strengthens comprehension and encourages attentive reading.

Frankenstein Writing Activity

Pair with: That Monster on the Block

Introduce kids to the idea of new kids on the block and how they can treat them. Discuss the similarities and differences between themselves, and then have them write about how they could treat a new friend. They can use a writing prompt and Halloween craft to share what they would do if they were Frankenstein.

“Halloween Traditions Around the World” Exploration

Pair with: Weird but True Halloween or The Halloween Tree

Children can research or share Halloween or fall traditions from different countries. They can compare them to their own experiences and create a mini-poster or digital slide highlighting similarities and differences. This promotes curiosity, discussion, and cultural awareness.

Haunted House Fill in the Blank

Pair with: Hardly Haunted

Read the story and then allow students to complete a creative writing task where they fill in the blanks about a haunted house. Model writing a story for them and then send them on their way to make hilarious or spooky stories of their own.

Make Halloween Fun with the Halloween Fun Pack!

Pair your favorite Halloween books for kids with the Halloween Fun Pack. It’s the perfect companion to bring stories to life in your classroom! This all-in-one resource keeps kids engaged, builds essential skills, and saves you time on planning and prep.

What’s included in the Halloween Fun Pack:

15-page Halloween Packet Activity Book with Coloring Page, Word Search, and Color by Number

• Halloween Bulletin Board & Posters
• Halloween Vocabulary
• Halloween Writing Prompts, Paper, & Activities
• Halloween Poetry Activities
• Halloween Literacy Activities
• Reading Challenge & Bookmarks
• How to Catch a Witch Book Activities & Witches Brew Craft
• 10 Halloween Math Worksheets (addition, subtraction, numbers, graphing, patterning)
• Candy Corn Math Measurement Activity
• Halloween Science Experiment (Dissolving Pumpkins)
• Halloween STEM Activity (Candy Corn Catapult)
• Halloween Crown Hat Craft
• Frankenstein Craft
• 5 Halloween Party Games
• Pumpkin Halloween Directed Drawing

Everything you need to incorporate Halloween into your classroom for October is included! These activities are perfect for small groups, whole groups, centers, independent work, morning work, or even a classroom Halloween party.

Skill-based and low-prep, these activities fit seamlessly into your existing literacy, math, writing, and science routines, giving students engaging, thematic practice while saving you valuable planning time.

More Halloween Ideas & Activities

Halloween Haunted House Writing

Halloween classroom activities

Frankenstein drawing for Halloween

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