Peruse the following ideas and ask your kids which ones they would chose for this year's Halloween celebrations.

Family Time

Spending time with family is special! Embrace the opportunity to create some new memories!

Perform Halloween Poetry! I've created a list of Halloween poems that kids will love. Pick one or more, read them out loud in your spookiest voice. For longer poems, assign a stanza to each family member.

Read Halloween books. We have some excellent lists!

• Halloween novels for reading aloud, scary and not-scary choices
• Halloween picture books with a self-esteem theme
• Diverse Halloween picture books
• Halloween early chapter books

Watch Halloween Movies. Common Sense Media has an extensive list of movies organized by age.

Listen to a Halloween audiobook! Our list includes audiobooks suitable for families with kids of all ages, from preschoolers to teens.

Organize a family Halloween minute to win it competition!

Go for a Drive. Get in the car and drive around to check out all the neighborhood Halloween decorations. This is an especially good idea if your family doesn't decorate much!

Sweets and Candy

Make a Haunted Halloween Candy House! Turn gingerbread men into skeletons with a little icing, craft spiders out of licorice whips and tile the roof with candy corn! The Artful Parent shows you how.

Give Out Boo Bags. Boo bags are a simple way to spread cheer Halloween-style. But keep it simple! This post takes you through how to make a deliver boo bags. Be sure to include our Halloween brain teasers inside!

Make Halloween cookies, cupcakes or other treats! Get out the mixing bowl and make some yummy treats. The internet is full of recipes like this Frankenstein Rice Krispie treats or this Halloween cookie pizza.

Get Outside!

You don't have to ring doorbells to have a fun Halloween night. Just refrain from TP'ing the neighbors' houses, okay?

Scavenger Hunt

Try a Halloween scavenger hunt. Make a check list of items for kids to find around the neighborhood. Ideas include: happy jack o'lantern, white pumpkin, giant spider, blue house, orange flowers, etc. Lots of bloggers have created scavenger hunts so you don't have to do any work. Here are some great ones:

• Halloween letter hunt from Red Ted Art. I love how this can be a group activity.
• Halloween scavenger hunt printables:
  • From Red Ted Art
  • Pumpkin face hunt printable from Kids Activities
  • From Edventures

Games

Play these games outside if possible and don't forget your costume!

• Play Halloween charades! Here are some printable Halloween charade cards to get you started.
• Halloween ring toss.
• Halloween tin can bowling.

Arts and Crafts

You've likely made your jack-o-lanterns by now, but why not try one of these easy Halloween paper crafts, too?

Along with these Halloween finger puppets, make a Haunted House with our free printable template!

Print out a costume coloring page!

Forget paper dolls! Make a jack o'lantern paper chain.

Have Fun

However you decide to celebrate Halloween with your kids, remember stay safe and try not to eat all the candy in one sitting. And, if you want to convince your kids not to eat the candy, try our suggestion for reducing the amount of Halloween candy you kids ingest.

The post Halloween Activities as Alternatives to Trick-or-Treating appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.

Seasonal reading is so much fun, and this list of Halloween graphic novels for kids and teens will put everyone in the mood for carving jack-o-lanterns and eating candy corn.

It's fair to say that most of these books are not Halloween-specific. I chose them because they are stories about creatures we associate with the spooky season. There are witches, ghosts, skeletons, monsters of all varieties, and pumpkins! Although a few titles feature very creepy characters, most of the graphic novels aren't really very scary, so you won't have to worry about your kids needing to sleep with the lights on!

Note: this list contains Amazon and Bookshop affiliate links. Purchases made through these links may earn a commission for this blog. Bookshop also supports independent bookstores.

Ages 6-8

The graphic novels and Halloween comics in this first section are great picks for newly independent readers. Kids will also enjoy the titles on our list of Halloween early chapter books.

Skeleanor the Decomposer by Emily Ettlinger

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

Like music? Love puns? This is the adorable and very un-scary Halloween graphic novel you need. Skeleanor longs to play music that others will enjoy. The trouble is that no matter what instrument she tries, everyone seems to run away when she plucks out a melody. The she meets Ms. Ratsimiziva, who runs a music group, and Skeleanor finally gains the confidence to play just the right tune.

I've always been struck by the way Halloween books often include social-emotional learning themes, which is why I put together a list of Halloween books about self-esteem. Skeleanor would feel right at home on it!

Fitz and Cleo (series) by Jonathan Stutzman, illustrated by Heather Fox

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

In this beginning graphic novel series the not-scary-at-all, paranormal adventures of siblings Fitz and Cleo are divided into very short chapters. Their supernatural shenanigans also involve the comic reactions of their rescued cat, Mister Boo.

MORE: Graphic novels for beginning readers

A Super Scary Narwhalloween (series) by Ben Clanton

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

Clanton's popular Narwhal and Jelly graphic novel series includes this winning installment with a Halloween theme (and glow-in-the-dark cover!). Rest assured, despite the title, it's not actually "super scary." Like the rest of the series, Narwhal and Jelly's friendship takes center stage. Jelly is a bit nervous about the upcoming Halloween holiday, Narwhal is excited and their positive relationship dynamic is the reason everything turns out A-OK.

Olivia Wolf and the Night of the Giant Monsters (series) by José Fragoso

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

Olivia the werewolf lives in Monstrosity with her creature and human friends. However, gigantic monsters have invaded! The biggest issue is the giant pink baby lightguzzler who eats light. Fortunately, Olivia's brother seems to be the key to preventing never-ending night from taking over. The story includes some battles, but they are not very scary. Translated from Spanish.

Middle Grade (ages 8-12)

Most of these middle grade Halloween graphic novels are suitable for ages 8 to 12, but a couple I've indicated are great choices for ages 7 and up, others best for 10 and up. For reading aloud during the fall season, choose a book from our list of Halloween novels to read aloud, filled with totally not-scary as well as bone-chilling tales.

Garlic and the Vampire (series) by Bree Paulsen

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

How can you not want to read a story featuring anthropomorphized garlic? The adorable Garlic and her fellow vegetable friends work at the village market. They live under the kindly and motherly eye of Witch Agnes who enjoys watching them grow into independent members of a rather unique community. When they learn that a vampire lives in a nearby castle, it falls to the anxious Garlic to muster up the courage to confront him. Fortunately the vampire turns out not to be scary at all. Ages 7 and up.

Yorick and Bones by Jeremy Tankard and Hermione Tankard

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

I honestly loved William Shakespeare's "lost graphic novel," so much that the fact that the main character is a skeleton was all the excuse I needed to recommend it as a Halloween book. Yorick the skeleton wakes up and starts looking to make some friends. He enlists the help of Bones, a nearby dog. This clever, clever tale is written in iambic pentameter but the language is completely accessible and so, so, so much fun. Ages 7 and up.

Silverwing (series) by Kenneth Oppel, illustrated by Christopher Steininger

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

Does this graphic novel version of the 1997 novel have anything to do with Halloween? No. But it's about bats. Creatures of the night! And that is as Halloween as you can get in my book. Shade, a young bat, is separated from the other silverwing bats during the winter migration. His journey is fraught with peril. Along the way, he meets other creatures, both winged and grounded, all of which are brilliantly brought to life with Steininger's illustrations.

The Okay Witch (series) by Emma Steinkellner

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

On Halloween, Moth accidentally discovers that she comes from a long line of witches with a complicated history in her Massachusetts town. All of the witches, except for Moth's mother fled the prosecution of witches and left the human world and live in the parallel of Hecate. Moth's personal coming-of-age story intersects with her school play about town's past and her budding friendship with a descendant of one of the town's 17th century inhabitants. This is an excellent series for readers who enjoy books like Harry Potter.

Lilla the Accidental Witch by Eleanor Crewes

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

Lilla and her older sister, Dani, visit their aunt in Italy. While in Italy, the shy Lilla discovers she comes from a long line of witches and studies a magical book to learn how to use her powers. She encounters Stregamama, a malevolent ancient witch, and in order to avoid disaster, Lilla must look within herself and claim her identity. Also, there is an adorable cat! Ages 8 and up.

Hellaween by Moss Lawton

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

Gwen is a witch who lives in suburbia. This Halloween, armed with a new magic book, she is determined to prove her supernatural worth to friends who have crossed the boundary between the Hallowlands and the human suburbs. However, there's the little problem of Hiro, a human who wants to expose all things supernatural. One of Gwen's spells go awry and everyone must work together to beat back the threat. Note: at the end of the book, there is a single instance of a word that rhymes with "witch". Nothing your kids haven't heard before! Ages 8 and up.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by P. Craig Russell

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

I did enjoy the novel version more, but that's usually the case with me and books which get the graphic novel treatment. However, if you child just won't be reading anything but graphic novels, I recommend Russell's illustrated adaptation of Gaiman's classic tale about the boy Bod, who grows up with his paranormal caretakers. There are two volumes. Ages 9 and up.

Baba Yaga's Assistant by Marika McCoola, illustrated by Emily Carroll

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

Baba Yaga's Assistant is a reimagining of a traditional Slavic folk tale. Distraught at the fact that her father is remarrying, Masha decides to try out for an assistant gig with the local witch. She gets into the house on chicken legs but Baba Yaga puts here through a series of magical tests. Masha draws on her intelligence to outsmart the devious witch. Age 10 and up.

MORE: Graphic novels with a fairy tale theme

YA (Young Adult)

All of these Halloween-ish books have a light romance theme that pushes them into the YA category. I would only consider Hollow, a reworking of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, to be scary. Our list of Halloween audiobooks for families also has some great choices for teens!

Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker, illustrated by Wendy Xu

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

Teen witch, Nova Huang (she wears hearing aids), works at her grandmother's bookshop. After she rescues her werewolf friend, Tam, the two work together to take down the demon who was after him. This is an engaging YA graphic novel with both disability and queer representation that contains magic, adventure and a sweet romance. Ages 12 and up.

Hollow by Shannon Watters and Branden Boyer-White, illustrated by Berenice Nelle

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

Isabel Crane has just moved to Sleepy Hollow. Yep, the Sleepy Hollow of Washington Irving fame. While the town is getting ready for the Halloween madness, Izzy befriends Vicky Van Tassel, a descendant of the famed character in the local legend. Together with fellow classmate, Croc Byun, they discover that the legend of Sleepy Hollow may actually be real. Now, along with all the angst (and a little romance) that accompanies being a teenager they must thwart a Headless Horseman and his evil plans. Ages 12 and up.

Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell, illustrated by Faith Erin Hicks

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

Here's another fun Halloween graphic novel for a YA audience that mixes holiday icons with teenage romance. High school seniors Deja and Josiah work together at the Succotash Hut pumpkin patch every autumn. This Halloween is their last season together and the two are going to make the most of it, including helping Josiah finally talk to his crush. Funny, cute and a little emo, too. Ages 14 and up

The post Sweet and Spooky-ish: Halloween Graphic Novels appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.

The haunted mansion template was designed by author and illustrator, Melanie Hope Greenberg, who does all our monthly coloring pages. The house features empty windows so children can draw in the house's spooky residents. Along with the free printable, we'll give you instructions for how to turn the coloring page template into a 3D house to use as a backdrop for Halloween storytelling.

How to Make the Haunted House

The haunted house template makes putting together the 3D spooky mansion a breeze! This is a great craft for either the classroom, after school at home, or anytime you need a fun boredom buster or Halloween craft.

Kids will love giving the haunted house their own flair by drawing creatures like black cats or witches peering out of the windows and doorways. Add a pumpkin or two, and a Frankenstein monster. Perhaps a witch will fly by on a broomstick!

MORE: Halloween picture books with diverse characters

Cut out the haunted house. You can either cut carefully around the silhouette of the house or leave a wide margin as we did, to accommodate a (second) moon and flying ghosts.

Fold carefully along the dotted lines. Note that the lines don't go to the top of the template, but you'll still want to fold the length of the paper.

If you've printed the house out on card stock or a similar heavy paper, that may be all you need to keep the house standing.

If, like us, you used regular office paper, cut a piece of cardboard to the size of the house. Mark where the fold lines should be and fold the cardboard. We used the cardboard from a cereal box. You may find it easier to score the cardboard with your scissors before folding.

Next, glue your house to the cardboard, and stand it up to create a Haunted House playscape!

Do your kids want to create a whole spooky village? Use our village shop printable coloring page templates and draw in some creepy faces in the windows.

Don't forget to print out the Halloween finger puppets!

About the Illustrator

Melanie Hope Greenberg loves to dress up as a mermaid for Halloween, but alas, she doesn't live in a haunted mansion. You can visit her at her unhaunted website.

She is also an award winning author and illustrator of more than 15 children’s books. She was an Artist-In-Residence at the Eric Carle Museum and her books have been featured as a NY Times Great Children's Read. Her cheerful, vibrant illustrations can be found in books such as Mermaid Parade, Good Morning, Digger, Down in the Subway and A City Is, all of which take place in the city!

*Terms of Service: this coloring page is used with permission from Melanie Hope Greenberg and is for non-commercial use ONLY. You many print out as many copies as you like for personal, library or classroom use. If you would like to share this coloring page, you MUST link to this blog page. It is expressly forbidden to link directly to the coloring page pdf file.

The post Haunted House Template, Free Printable Coloring Page (3D Craft) appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.

You should know I am not a horror fan. I don't like scary movies and I don't usually like scary books. To accommodate those of you with weak constitutions like mine, this list is separated into scary and non-scary Halloween books.

Note: this list contains Amazon and Bookshop affiliate links. Purchases made through these links may earn a commission for this blog. Bookshop also supports independent bookstores.

What's your preference? Ghosts? Witches? Flying pumpkins? Spooky forests? I've got you covered.

Non-Scary Halloween Novels

These Halloween themed short novels are great for families with sensitive kids, and those with young children will also enjoy the titles on our list of Halloween Early Chapter Books.

The Little Leftover Witch by Florence Laughlin

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

Mischievous Felina is a young witch and one Halloween she breaks her broom and can't get back home. She spends a year with a mortal family learning all about what it means to be loved.

Jenny's Moonlight Adventure by Esther Averill

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

Jenny and her urban feline friends gather together on Halloween to hear a performance from nose-flutist Madame Butterfly. But, oh no! The nose flute has gone missing. I love the Jenny and the Cat Club series and your kids will enjoy these classic books that easily stand the test of time.

Little Witch by Anna Elizabeth Bennett

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

Published over 60 years ago, this book still enchants me. Minikin, a nine year old witch, wishes she were an ordinary mortal girl—not one with a witch for a mother. (I could make a joke about that, but I will resist.) Her current goal is to conjure up a fairy. She starts a real school despite her mother's prohibition against it, and makes a mortal friend, Frances. A book with lots of magic, kindness and old-fashioned fun.

The Witch Family by Eleanor Estes

Find it: Your Library | Amazon

Eleanor Estes (an author with multiple Caldecott honors to her name) penned this book about two seven year girls who create an elaborate story about an imaginary "Old Witch." They decide that Old Witch needs to start mending her wicked ways or else there will be no Halloween. The blurred boundary between reality and make-believe worlds is just what every child hopes for. Ages 8 and up.

The Worst Witch (series) by Jill Murphy

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

This series takes place at a  boarding school for magic kids. In the introductory novel, Mildred begins her first year by getting a black cat and a broom. Poor Mildred, however, is not exactly the most skillful, coordinated witch in her class and her cat is a tabby! She mixes up potions and spells causing all sorts of chaos (and fun, of course).

The Little Witch by Otfried Preussler

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

First published in 1957, Preußler's The Little Witch has been released in translation by the New York Review Children's Collections. After she sneaks away from Walpurgis Night, the other witches take away Little Witch's broomstick as punishment. In order to get it back, she must exhibit witch-worthy behavior for a year. But the little witch finds out that she likes being a good witch much better! The way she manages to be a good witch in every sense made for a very satisfying ending.

Invisible Inkling: Dangerous Pumpkins by Emily Jenkins

Find it: Your Library | Amazon

I absolutely adore this series set in Brooklyn, and so do my two boys. This is the second book about fourth grader Hank Wolowitz whose invisible pet loves Halloween and decides to take charge of the holiday. Quirky, kooky and lots of crazy hijinks that will have your kids laughing out loud.

The Best Halloween Ever by Barbara Robinson

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

The chaos-creating band of kids from the classic, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, bring just as much mayhem to Halloween as they did to Christmas. When the Herdmans cause too much trouble with their mischievous ways and pranks, the mayor threatens to cancel Halloween. If what you really want is a funny Halloween book, this is the one to check out!

Earwig and the Witch by Diana Wynne Jones, illustrated by Paul O. Zelenski

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

I found Diana Wynne Jones’ final book fairly odd, but then so is the main character (you might expect the same from a girl named “Earwig”). Earwig was adopted by a very bizarre, but very magical couple. Shes hopes to learn magic, but is treated as a servant instead. However, the clever Earwig and a talking cat are soon able to outwit their guardians. This is for kids who love pure fantasy with odd-ball humor.

No Such Thing as a Witch by Ruth Chew

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

You could chose any one of Chew's classic Matter of Fact Magic series for a magical Halloween holiday read. Nora and Tad have a new neighbor who loves animals and whose delicious fudge has magical properties. But there's no such thing as a witch! Or is there?

Slightly Spooky and Scary Halloween Novels

Families with older kids will enjoy these scary Halloween novels. They vary in range of spookiness, but they are not for the easily scared! For more books in this vein, peruse our list of gothic middle grade novels! Check the age range for each book, they range from 8 and up to 10 and up.

Bunnicula: A Rabbit Tale of Mystery (series) by Deborah and James Howe

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

I remember all the kids talking about this book when I was growing up. It's told from the viewpoint of Harold the dog, which makes for some fun read aloud moments. Bunnicula is a vampire rabbit who sucks the juice from—wait for it—vegetables. Ages 9 and up.

The House with a Clock in Its Walls (series) by John Bellairs, illustrated by Edward Gorey

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

What would Halloween be without Edward Gorey illustrations? I'm sure I don't know. Add this 1973 classic to your read aloud list if you're looking for a weird and gothic Halloween mystery. The orphan (it's always an orphan, isn't it?), Lewis Barnavelt, goes to live with his warlock uncle in a great big house. Lewis discovers that the house's previous owners (evil as they were) placed a clock in the walls. A clock that was programmed to destroy all mankind. Dun dun dun. Ages 10 and up.

Small Spaces (series) by Katherine Arden

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

In this spine-tingling horror story, 11-year-old Ollie spends her time reading stolen books. She reads a ghost story about a "smiling man" who will grant a wish at a steep price. On a class trip, Ollie starts to believe the smiling man may be real. When her wristwatch gives her the warning to run, she and two classmates head towards the woods. Super, super creepy. Ages 10 and up.

The Dollhouse Murders by Betty Ren Wright

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

This book scared the bejeezus out of me when I was a kid. I am still freaked out thinking about it! Amy hears mysterious sounds coming from her dollhouse at night and her Aunt Claire is exceeding distressed about the dolls. Amy wonders if the dolls have a connection to the murders of her great-grandparents. If your kids like a good scare, this is the book to read this Halloween.  Best for families with kids ages 10 and up.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

This is a wonderful, beautifully written book, bittersweet and magical. Nobody Owens, or Bod as he is known, was supposed to be murdered the night his parents were. But as a toddler, he managed to escape. Now he lives in the graveyard where he is raised by ghosts. The narrative is formatted into small, episodic stories and makes a great read aloud, especially when the wind is whistling and the leaves are swirling. Gaiman's Coraline is another good read aloud choice. Ages 9 and up.

Ghosthunters and the Incredibly Revolting Ghost (series) by Cornelia Funke

Find it: Your Library | Amazon

We read Funke's Santa book at Christmas, so it's only natural we would turn to her at Halloween, too! Nine-year old-Tom becomes an apprentice ghosthunter after finding a ASG (Average Spooky Ghost) in the basement. Lots of fun, and also a good independent read for kids ages 7-10.

A Tale Dark and Grimm (series) by Adam Gidwitz

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

In this subversive re-imagining of "Hansel and Gretel," a sly and snarky narrator offers warnings, observations and opinions on the action.  The story, in which the siblings journey on to try and find a set of decent parents, somehow manages to merge eight different Grimm fairy tales into one cohesive tale. An engaging story, but not for the faint of heart. Ages 9 and up.

The Witches by Roald Dahl

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

When I was a kid, this is another novel that scared the bejeezus out of me. Other children may not feel the same way, but the whole idea of witches turning little kids into mice did not sit well with me. Perhaps your kids will feel otherwise. Nevertheless, this book has all of Dahl's wonderful trademark weirdness. Ages 8 and up.

Doll Bones by Holly Black

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

Three kids, Poppy, Alice and Zach have spent their childhood in make-believe worlds and adventures in which a bone china doll is The Great Queen. When Zach's father forces him to stop playing, Poppy says that the doll is actually made from the bones of a dead girl, Eleanor, and that the three kids must give her a proper burial so Eleanor can finally be put to rest. (Newbery Honor Book). Best for families where all the kids are ages 9 and up.

The Night Gardener by Jonathan Auxier

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

This book oozes atmosphere and will remind you of a good Victorian gothic novel. It will be much too scary for sensitive children. The Night Gardener is a malevolent spirit that haunts the grounds of an old English manor house. Two Irish siblings, trusty Molly and courageous Kip meet the Night Gardener and become embroiled in the strange, creepy curse that envelops the place. Ages 10 and up.

Ghost Squad by Claribel A. Ortega

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

Ortega's ghost story draws upon Dominican mythology. Despite the creepy themes, this story of friends, Lucely and Syd, who accidentally awaken evil spirits in their St. Augustine home also manages to be funny and sweet. Lucely's father runs a ghost tour business and when her grandmother's spirit disappears during one of the tours, Lucely and Syd hunt for a spell book to wake her up. Ages 8 and up.

A Properly Unhaunted Place by William Alexander

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

Rosa Diaz and her mother have just moved to Ingot, the only unhaunted town in the country. However, Rosa's mother is a library ghost appeasement specialist so Rosa doesn't understand why they have come to Ingot. Rosa and her new friend Jasper start to discover that reason Ingot is no longer haunted and they set out to restore the balance by letting the spirits back in where they belong. Recommended for ages 8 and up, only slightly spooky.

The post Scary & Non-Scary Halloween Novels for Family Read Aloud Time appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.

Note: this post contains affiliate links.

Thaumatropes

Learn about the scientific concept persistence of vision and challenge children to put their engineering and design skills to work by making thaumatropes. Make and design your own, or use our Halloween thaumatrope template to watch bats fly, spiders spin and pumpkins grin.

Tessellations

Tessellations are a great math art project. Your kids can get into the Halloween spirit by making black cat tessellations for very simple Halloween STEAM project, but it would be easy for students in a math or art class use our open-ended, standard tessellation instructions to create their own creatures like ghosts and monsters.

Halloween STEAM Kids

We've got so much more Halloween STEAM activities and STEM projects in our Halloween STEAM Kids ebook. Some of the projects include:

• Fizzing Pumpkins
• Spider Web Science
• Magic Potions Density Tower
• Milk Jug Skeletons

The digital format makes it easy to have all the instructions at your fingertips without having to go back and search for them all over the internet! PLUS, you get 31 Days of Halloween STEAM Challenge Cards FREE!!

The post Fun Halloween STEM Activities appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.

These Halloween chapter books are generally for kids ages 5-10 (depending on reading level, of course!) and for kids who love comic books you'll find several more choices on the list of Halloween graphic novels. For chapter books for kids ages 8-10, that also make excellent family read alouds, check out these fantastic Halloween novels. And for many hundreds more early chapter books for kids ages 5-10 see all of my lists in the archives here.

Note: this list contains Amazon and Bookshop affiliate links. Purchases made through these links may earn a commission for this blog. Bookshop also supports independent bookstores.

Halloween Chapter Books for Ages 6-10

I made an attempt here to arrange the books from the earliest reading level to the latest. Nate the Great starts us off with a Halloween book that is close to an easy reader and Invisible Inkling easily qualifies as a middle grade book that is great Halloween reading for 8-10 year olds.

Nate the Great and the Halloween Hunt by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat, illustrated by Mac Simont

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

This series is perfect for kids on the upper level of easy reader books who are excited about moving on to books with real chapters. Nate the Great is a classic, reliable series. In this book he helps a friend find her lost cat.

Dragon's Halloween by Dav Pilkey

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

Words cannot express how much I love the hysterical misadventures of Dragon. This whole series is a hoot, especially if you like dry, tongue in cheek humor. It's Halloween and Dragon is going in search of the biggest pumpkin so he can make a super scary jack o'lantern. But all that is left in the pumpkin patch are 6 tiny pumpkins! This is a very easy to read, very early Halloween chapter book that will have kids in stitches.

Mercy Watson: Princess in Disguise by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Chris Van Dusen

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

Porcine wonder Mercy Watson is a seriously crazy pig and of course Halloween with her will be both disastrous and hilarious. It will also include buttered toast.

Princess Posey and the Monster Stew by Stephanie Greene, illustrated by Stephanie Roth Sisson

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

There are a number of early chapter book series that have Halloween editions. This Princess Posey edition is quite enjoyable. I found it surprisingly charming and it thoughtfully addressed anxieties over the Halloween scare factor.

The Skull: A Tyrolean Folktale by Jon Klassen

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

I adored the weirdness of this tale. On a dark night, Otilla meets a talking skull who becomes her friend. Otilla aims to protect Skull from headless skeleton chases, which pursues him each night. More oddball than spooky, Klassen's signature illustrations and wry humor are on full and glorious display.

Crimson Twill: Witch in the County by Kallie George, illustrated by Birgitta Sif

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

In the sequel to Crimson Twill: Witch in the City, the eponymous witch invites her friends from New Wart City to Cackle County. Things go a little haywire, however, when it starts to rain rotten applesauce and magic broom straw causes Wesley to float away. Not to worry–with humor, word play and a cauldron of stew, Crimson Twill will figure things out.

Jenny's Moonlight Adventure by Esther Averill

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

Jenny and her urban feline friends gather together on Halloween to hear a performance from nose-flutist Madame Butterfly. But, oh no! The nose flute has gone missing. I love the Jenny and the Cat Club series and your kids will enjoy these classic books that easily stand the test of time.

The Best Halloween Ever by Barbara Robinson

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

The chaos-creating band of kids from the classic, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, bring just as much mayhem to Halloween as they did to Christmas.

Invisible Inkling: Dangerous Pumpkins by Emily Jenkins

Find it: Your Library | Amazon

I absolutely adore this series set in Brooklyn, and so do my two boys. This is the second book about fourth grader Hank Wolowitz whose invisible pet loves Halloween and decides to take charge of the holiday. Quirky, kooky and lots of crazy hijinks that will have your kids laughing out loud.

Goosebumps series by R.L. Stine

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

I won't lie. I have never enjoyed horror genre books. However, that's not to say your kids won't love the very popular Goosebumps series. It goes without saying that this is the most Halloween-ish of Halloween chapter book series! Ghosts, monsters, witches, slime and spooky scares galore. There are several spin-off series, including Goosebumps House of Shivers.

If your child has a favorite early chapter book series, whether it be My Weird School or Katie Kazoo or Ready Freddy, check the shelves because there is sure to be a Halloween themed book in the series!

The post Halloween Early Chapter Books for Kids appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.

You are tired, and busy, and trying not to focus on how much sugar your child will be ingesting in two days' time. (But here are some ways to reduce that Halloween sugar consumption, if you want!)

It is extremely tempting to buy a cheap Halloween costume version of your child's favorite licensed cartoon character. After all, they are cheap, take zero effort and with a certain online retailer, you can get it in two days' time.

Deep down you know you want to encourage your child to make their own Halloween costume, but you are definitely worried that you will end up doing all "made" part of "homemade."

You don't have to make their costume! (Spoiler alert: your child will make it.)

Even though you'd rather spend your time reading aloud a Halloween novel or a stack of diverse Halloween picture books, I'm here to encourage you to help your child make their own Halloween costume.

It might not be effortless, but it will probably be cheap (or free!), and you can definitely have it done in two days' time.

How to Make a Halloween Costume the Easy Way

Congratulations! You've made it this far and so you obviously value your child's creativity and encouraging their growth mindset by giving them a good challenge!

Give the challenge to your child

First. The hard part. Your child must finally make a firm decision about what they want their costume to be. My kids chose "school bus" and "subway train." (Yes, I know.)

The second part is also for your kid. (See, no work for the parent, yet!) Have them sketch out a design, or describe to you what they want their costume to look like.

Third, your child will tell you how they plan on making their costume. Note that I said, "how THEY plan on making their costume."

Offer a little help from grown-ups

The fourth step is where you come in. You might need to drive them to the thrift store or art store, or help them locate items in the home.

However, you can also encourage your child to ask others for help! The local thrift store clerk can help your child locate good items for piecing together pirate, princess or storybook character costumes. The local art store clerk can help your child figure out how to transform a cardboard box into a robot or train.

Finally, watch your child's face light up as they don their new, diy Halloween costume and head out to trick-or-treat, or for one of these alternatives to trick-or-treating.

Homemade Halloween Costumes Examples

My kids came up with ideas for their transportation-themed Halloween costumes, and I assisted at their direction. Yes, younger kids will need more assistance than older kids, but the more work they do, the prouder they will be with their costumes.

My older son decided he was going to be a school bus for Halloween. He fashioned it from a cardboard box. I helped him cut the yellow poster board and put on the straps, but he decided on the design of green windows, heart and smiley face, cut it out and put it together himself, with a little help from double stick tape. He was so excited about wearing it for Halloween.

In addition, we made this subway train costume, which was even easier. The train costume could have been made in the same way as the school bus, but again, when you let your child decide how to make the costume, it will look how they want it to. And it doesn't get much better than that!

Making Costumes Boosts Kids' Confidence

Designing and making their own Halloween costume builds kids' self-esteem! Not only will they be able to bask in a sense of accomplishment, but the reaction from the treat-handing-out-public to homemade costumes gives kids a super-charged confidence boost!

(Self-esteem is also a common Halloween theme in picture books!)

In fact, the boys' loved their costumes so much they wore them multiple years in a row. And reusing a costume is the cheapest, easiest and fastest way to make a Halloween costume that I can think of!

Also note I'm not the only slacker mom who doesn't want to make elaborate Halloween costumes!

The post The Best Halloween Costume is Homemade appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.

But sometimes the weather is just a bit too crisp, you know what I mean? On those days, it is handy to have an easy autumn activity to fall back on, especially if that activity is pumpkin related.

Let me introduce you to our absolute favorite fall art project: mini pumpkin prints.

Pumpkin stamping art is so simple and once you have it set up the kids need very little supervision. Unless, of course, they start printing on surfaces other than paper. Then you are on your own.

MORE: 65 Fun Fall Family Activities

Pumpkin Printing Materials

Mini pumpkins, any color (you can save them afterwards to play gourd ball)

Paint. We recommend washable paint.

Paint trays. Disposable containers or lids work well

Paper. We recommend paper from a big paper roll like butcher paper, but any art paper will work.

Optional: carrots or other root vegetables

Optional: paint brushes

Mini Pumpkin Print Instructions

Slice each mini pumpkin in half. Slice some lengthwise and others widthwise, for variety. You can also leave some whole. Scoop out the seeds.

Squirt out paint onto trays. We used autumnal colors like orange, green and brown. Of course you could choose pink and purple sparkly paints if that's what your kids want. Why limit yourself?

Set out paper on work surface. I covered the entire table with paper from a large roll.

Press the mini pumpkin half into the paint trays, then stamp on paper to make a print. Repeat as desired!

The boys also decided to print with the whole pumpkins.

For variety, add in a few carrots with the tops sliced off. They make nice circle prints. For more fall art fun, try apple printing.

When we were done I ended up hanging the large sheet of now-decorated paper above the table on the wall. It makes some lovely seasonal artwork that adds a bit of autumn cheer to the apartment.

The printing might also inspire some more traditional pumpkin painting like this gem. Be sure to look closely at the moon.

Idea first published 2009, updated 2023.

The post Deliriously Easy Mini Pumpkin Prints Art Project appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.

NOTE: Recommended ages are listening ages.

This post contains Audible and Libro.fm affiliate links. Libro.fm supports independent booksellers. Use code CHOOSEINDIE at Libro.fm to receive 2 free audiobooks with your membership. You can try Audible out for free here which also gives you 2 free audiobooks.

MERCY WATSON: PRINCESS IN DISGUISE by Kate DiCamillo

Listen: Libro.fm | Audible

You can never go wrong with Mercy Watson! Princess in Disguise is the perfect non-scary Halloween audiobook for families with young children who want something a bit longer than a picture book. The Watsons squeeze their porcine wonder into a princess costume, but all Mercy can think of is buttered toast. Let the mayhem begin! Ages 3 and up. 20 minutes.

MORE: Non-scary and scary Halloween novels to read aloud

UPSIDE-DOWN MAGIC (series) by by Sarah Mlynowski, Lauren Myracle & Emily Jenkins

Listen: Libro.fm | Audible

My son gobbled up the audiobooks of this cute and clever series that centers on a group of kids with unconventional magical abilities. The action follows the adventures of the children as they learn to harness and control their magic while navigating the typical ups and downs of school life. The series was also adapted into a DisneyPlus series. It's not scary at all. Ages 5 and up. 3 hours 8 minutes.

MORE: Magical October Read Alouds for the Whole Family

THE BOGGART by Susan Cooper

Listen: Libro.fm | Audible

We loved this hilarious book about an invisible, magical and mischievous spirit. The Boggart lives in an old Scottish castle but he accidentally gets transported to Toronto while trapped in an old desk. He has fun making mischief in his new digs but soon he feels homesick and searches for a way to get back to Scotland. Ages 6 and up. 4 hours 48 minutes

THE WITCH FAMILY by Eleanor Estes

Listen: Libro.fm | Audible

Estes penned this book about two seven year girls who create an elaborate story about an imaginary "Old Witch." They decide that Old Witch needs to start mending her wicked ways or else there will be no Halloween. The blurred boundary between reality and make-believe worlds is just what every child hopes for. Ages 5 and up. 4 hours 42 minutes

THE BEST WORST HALLOWEEN EVER by Barbara Robinson

Listen: Libro.fm | Audible

The chaos-creating band of kids from the classic, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, bring just as much mayhem and laughs to Halloween as they did to Christmas. This time, when the Herdmans cause too much trouble with their mischievous ways and pranks, the mayor threatens to cancel Halloween. Ages 4 and up. 1 hour 33 minutes

MORE: A Year of Family Audiobooks

THE WITCHES by Roald Dahl

Listen: Libro.fm | Audible

When I was a kid, this novel that scared the bejeezus out of me. Other kids may not feel the same way, but the whole idea of witches turning little kids into mice gave me the creeps. Perhaps your kids will feel otherwise. Nevertheless, this book has all of Dahl's wonderful trademark weirdness. Ages 5 and up. 4 hours 28 minutes

THE GRAVEYARD BOOK by Neil Gaiman

Listen: Libro.fm | Audible

This is a wonderful, beautifully written book, bittersweet and magical.  Nobody Owens, or Bod as he is known, was supposed to be murdered the night his parents were. But as a toddler, he managed to escape. Now he is being raised by ghosts and lives in the graveyard. There are two audiobook versions–read by the author and a full cast. Go for the full cast reading! Ages 8 and up. 8 hours 24 minutes

THE HALLOWEEN TREE by Ray Bradbury

Listen: Libro.fm | Audible

When a group boys go trick or treating and one of the boys gets taken away by a mysterious element, it's the creepy Carapace Clavicle Moundshroud who journeys with the boys through time to find him. The journey teaches them the history of Halloween and traditions surrounding death, ghosts and spirits. Older kids and teens will also enjoy Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes. Ages 9 and up. 3 hours 38 minutes

MORE: Thanksgiving Audiobooks

THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW by Washington Irving

Listen: Libro.fm | Audible

If your kids can handle a scary Halloween audiobook, Irving's 1820 classic ghost story will be right up their alley. Schoolmaster Ichabod Crane arrives in Sleepy Hollow and falls in love with Katrina Van Tassel. However, a local man, “Brom Bones” Van Brun, is also vying for her hand. One fateful night after Ichabod's suit is rejected, he rides home on his trusty horse, Gunpowder, only to meet, with tragic consequences, the ghost of a headless Hessian soldier. Ages 10 and up. 1 hour 17 minutes

VARIOUS WORKS by Edgar Allen Poe

Listen: Libro.fm | Audible

You'll be able to find a plethora of audiobook versions of Poe's work. I can't say that I recommend one over the other, although Vincent Price is a fun narrator. Choose whatever your library has for you to download into your listening app. A collection of his works will give you and your kids the opportunity to listen to creepy favorites like "The Raven" and "The Tell-Tale Heart." Ages 8-10 and up. Listing times vary.

MORE: Gothic Children's Books

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Halloween books about learning to accept oneself makes sense. Donning a literal costume on Halloween makes us think about the figurative costumes and masks we wear in real life.

But enough of philosophy. The main point is that theses Halloween picture books about self-esteem are awesome, they will make you smile—and in some cases laugh out loud.

Trick or Treat and Happy Reading! (Please note: links to purchase books are affiliate links that may earn commission.)

Herbert's First Halloween by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Steven Henry.

Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

Herbert (who, as you can see, is a cute little pig) is nervous about his very first Halloween. His dad is very understanding and coaches him through the process of getting ready for the big day. They carve pumpkins, put together a swell tiger costume and even practice roaring. Herbert has gained so much confidence and enjoyed the big day's festivities that he even declares that next year he will be a bear!

The Hallo-Weiner by Dav Pilkey

Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

This is truly the funniest Halloween book you will ever read. When you're a wiener dog it is pure torture to have a mom make you wear a hot-dog costume! All of Oscar's fellow dog friends make fun of him. But soon the joke is on them because the other dogs are actually scaredy-cats! Oscar, it turns out this the bravest wiener dog around and earns his friends' appreciation when he saves the night.

The Ugly Pumpkin by Dave Horowitz

Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

What's a pumpkin to do at Halloween when he doesn't look like his fellow pumpkins? No one wants him around. As it turns out, it's best to wait until Thanksgiving when you will discover your real peer group!

MORE: Halloween audiobooks

A Tiger Called Tomás by Charlotte Zolotow, illustrated by Marta Álvarez Miguéns

Find it: Amazon

Renowned picture book author, Charlotte Zolotow penned this lovely story of the new kid in the neighborhood who is too shy to meet his neighbors until he dons a tiger costume. When he discovers that his neighbors all know him despite the costume the result is heartwarming. Zolotow's original, A Tiger Called Thomas, has been re-illustrated several times, so your library may have a different version.

Excuse Me Are You a Witch? by Emily Horn, illustrated by Pawel Pawlak.

Find it: Amazon

A little black cat named Herbert is quite lonely. He doesn't have a family or friends. And the windy, cold weather makes him feel absolutely miserable. One day he goes into a library and starts to read a book called "The Encyclopedia of Witches." He learns that witches love black cats! If only he could find a witch! So he sets off to find a witch to whom he can belong. At first it's not so easy. But when he gets back to the library, his fortunes change and he finds his place in the world.

The Bumpy Little Pumpkin by Margery Cuyler, illustrated by Will Hillenbrand.

Find it: Amazon

I adore this sweet book about the youngest witch of three sisters who wants to make a jack-o-lantern out of not-so-perfect pumpkin. Her sisters poo-poo the idea, but a few friendly animals help her out.

More Halloween books: 

• Diverse Halloween books
• Halloween novels to read aloud
• Halloween chapter books for kids

The post Halloween Picture Books About Self-Esteem appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.