Spooky Stories to Read to Your Kids of All Ages

Halloween is all about the tricks, the treats and the scary stories, of course! You want Halloween to be fun for little ones, and maybe a bit spooky for the older kids too, so we’ve compiled an age-appropriate list of spooky stories for everyone. So get those flashlights primed and your evil laugh all warmed up!

1. B is for Boo (by Greg Paprocki)

Board book, ages 0–3

This sweet and colourful board book not only familiarizes Halloween first-timers with some of the popular symbols surrounding the occasion, but it also teaches little learners the alphabet in the process.

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2. Little Friends: Trick or Treat: A lift-the-flap book (by Roger Priddy)

Ages 0–3

Boo! There’s a surprise around every corner of this fun and interactive board book. Little hands will love opening all the flaps and discovering who or what is hiding underneath. This title is from the popular Little Friends series, which has sold over 100,000 copies.

3. Baby Touch and Feel: Halloween (Published by DK)

Ages 0-3

Little fingers will be able to explore the different textures throughout this board book, not to mention examine the colourful real-life photographs of some Halloween faves: pumpkins, cats, candy and more. Touch and feel books encourage sensory development, language skills and early reading skills while teaching colours, shapes, patterns and opposites.

4. Boo Who (by Ben Clanton)

Ages 3–7

Boo the ghost is having some trouble finding his place amongst his friends, until they try out a game of hide-and-seek. Filled with funny Halloween characters, this book teaches a lesson about acceptance too.

5.) Herbert’s First Halloween (by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Steven Henry)

Ages 3–7

Herbert is super excited about his first Halloween, and with some help from his dad, he’s able to come up with the perfect costume. And just wait till he gets that candy — it’s everywhere! This is a super cute before-bed read.

6.) I Love You More Than Swamp Gas (by Kevan Atteberry)

Ages 4–8

Does Papa love the swamp more than he loves his little monster? You’ll have to see in this monster-centric tale, which is sweet, funny and a tiny bit gross too!

7.) In A Dark, Dark Room and Other Scary Stories (by Alvin Schwartz, illustrated by Victor Rivas)

Ages 4–8

Ideal for new readers who like a little scare in their stories, this collection of folktales is sure to get the hairs on the back of your neck standing at attention. Can you handle The Teeth, In the Graveyard or The Ghost of John?

8.) Mary McScary (by R.L. Stine, illustrated by Marc Brown)

Ages 4–8

From classic scary storybook author R.L. Stine comes Mary McScary, the girl who loved to scare everybody. But what happens when she tries to scare the unscareable Harry McScary? You’ll just have to read this one to find out!

9.) Haunted Canada 7 (By Joel A. Sutherland)

Ages 9–12

Not for the faint of heart, Haunted Canada is back for its seventh instalment… and this one is more bone-chilling than ever! Based on true Canadian happenings, if the stories don’t scare you, the mysterious black and white illustrations throughout the book will make your blood run cold.

10.) Don’t Read This Book Before Bed (By Anna Claybourne)

Ages 9–12

If your tween loves zombies, real-life monsters, freaky phenomena and mysteries, strange disappearances and anything else that is unusual, scary or paranormal, then this book is for them. Go inside hidden graveyards and haunted houses while reading this title around a campfire at night. Read one story or several… If you dare!