Halloween story times seemed like a must because Halloween is all my kids can talk about these days. What costumes they’ll wear, the spookiest decorations on our block, what they’ll carve into their pumpkins this year.
I tried to channel all of that excitement into these story times. The story times below are built around standard Halloween themes – pumpkins, witches, ghosts, etc – and are full of great read aloud children’s books, songs to sing, and activities to put at the table or in your learning environment afterwards.
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10 Halloween Story Times
As with most things in our house and in my classrooms over the years, the best ideas were inspired by books. Here are our favorite book inspired ideas for the Halloween season.
Also Read: New Halloween Books for Kids age 3-10
1. Pumpkins
Read:
5 Little Pumpkins by Dan Yaccarino
This depicts the classic Halloween poem wonderfully illustrated by Yaccarino. It’s truly hard to beat when it comes to Halloween books and toddlers or preschoolers.
More Pumpkin Themed Books:
Seven Orange Pumpkins: A Counting Book by Steve Savage
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Little Boo by Stephen Wunderli
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How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin? by Margaret McNamara
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Sing:
- The 5 Little Pumpkins rhyme is a classic. This story time uses that, some fun pumpkin themed picture books, and a FREE printable. Read Full Post
- I’m a Little Pumpkin from Jbrary
Play, Make, and Learn:
- 5 Little Pumpkins Story Time & Dabber Art from My Storytime Corner
- Five Little Pumpkins Craft from I Heart Crafty Things
- Five Little Pumpkins Playdo Retelling from Growing Book by Book
- Pumpkin Shapes Memory Game from Rainy Day Mum
- Pumpkin Faces Light Table Play from Where Imagination Grows
- Pumpkin Scavenger Hunt from Teaching Ideas
- Spookily Pumpkin STEM Challenge from Little Bins for Little Hands
- The Big Pumpkin Sequencing Activity from The Preschool Toolbox
- Five Little Pumpkins Cut and Paste Printable from School Time Snippets
2. Witches
Read:
Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson
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A Very Brave Witch by Alison McGhee
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The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams
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Sing:
3 Little Witches from Kiboomers
Play, Make, and Learn:
- Room on the Broom Preschool Math from My Storytime Corner
- Witch’s Potion Juice Lab from Inspiration Laboratories
- Room on the Broom Broom Craft from Homebound But Hopeful
- Room on the Broom Sequencing from Growing Book by Book
- Room on the Broom Preschool Printables from Totschooling
- Room on the Broom Learning Ordinal Numbers from Rainy Day Mum
- Retelling Activity from Rubber Boots and Elf Shoes
- Retelling with Story Rocks from Crafty Moms Share
- Acting Out the Story / Drama Activity from Teaching Ideas
- Sequencing Activity from The Preschool Toobox
- Witch’s Brew Sensory Bin from My Bored Toddler
- Science Exploration and Potion Lab from Inspiration Laboratories
- Counting Ingredients for Your Cauldron from 3 Dinosaurs
3. Spiders
Read:
The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle
Find on Amazon.
Aaaarrgghh! Spider! by Lydia Monks
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Anansi the Spider by Gerald McDermott
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Miss Spider’s Tea Party by David Kirk
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Sing:
The Itsy Bitsy Spider
Play, Make, and Learn:
- Very Busy Spider Story Time & Sensory Bin from My Storytime Corner
- Spider Snack from Primary Playground
- DIY Spider Costume from Pink Stripey Socks
- Spider Sensory Rice Bin from My Bored Toddler
- Life Cycle of a Spider Coding Activity from JDaniel 4’s Mom
- The Very Busy Spider Counting Activity from School Time Snippets
4. Pirates
Read:
How I Became a Pirate by Melinda Long & David Shannon
Find on Amazon
The Night Pirates by Peter Harris
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Trick Arrr Treat by Leslie Kimmelman
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Sing:
4 Pirate Songs for Kids from Let’s Play Kids Music
5 Little Pirates Song from My Storytime Corner! Lyrics and printable visuals are available in my Story Time Pack along with an extra table activity.
Play, Make, and Learn:
- 15+ Pirate Learning Extension ideas from My Storytime Corner
5. Monsters
Read:
Go Away Big Green Monster by Ed Emberley
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Leonardo the Terrible Monster by Mo Willems
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There’s a Monster in Your Book by Tom Fletcher and illustrated by Greg Abbott
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The Monster at the End of This Book by Jon Stone illustrated by Michael Smollin
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Sing:
Go Away Big Green Monster – rather than sing a song I like to re-tell this story on a flannel board with kids for this story time.
Play, Make, and Learn:
- 80+ Monster Activity Ideas
- Monster Collaborative Art Activity in this alterative Monster Preschool Storytime also on My Storytime Corner.
6. Skeletons
Read:
Skeleton Hiccups by Margery Cuyler
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Skeleton Meets the Mummy by Steve Metzger
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Halloween Hustle by Charlotte Gunnufson
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Sing:
The Skeleton Dance from Super Simple Songs
Play, Make, and Learn:
- Skeleton Craft from Rubber Boots and Elf Shoes
- 4 Skeleton Activities from Babies to Bookworms
- STEAM Halloween Art from Mrs Jones Creation Station
7. Ghosts
Read:
The Scariest Book Ever by Bob Shea
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Ghost in the House by Ammi-Joan Paquette
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Boo Who? by Ben Clanton
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Sing:
1 Little Ghost from No Time For Flashcards
Play, Make, and Learn:
- Straw Blown Ghost Craft from Rainy Day Mum
- Easy Paper Ghost Craft from I Heart Craft Things
8. Costumes
Read:
Ladybug Girl and the Dress Up Dilemma by David Soman and Jacky Davis
Find on Amazon
Birdie’s Happiest Halloween by Sujean Rim
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Not a Box by Antoinette Portis
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Sing:
Knock Knock Trick or Treat from Super Simple Songs
Play, Make, and Learn:
- Costume Creative Invitation from My Storytime Corner
- Halloween Costume Playdo Mat from Homebound but Hopeful
9. Bats
Read:
Bats at the Library by Brian Lies
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It’s Raining Bats & Frogs by Rebecca Colby
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The Secret Life of Little Brown Bat by Laurence Pringle
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Sing:
Play, Make, and Learn:
- Halloween Bat Shape Craft from JDaniel 4’s Mom
10. General Halloween
Read:
Click Clack Boo by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin
Find Online
PLUS Any of the Books Listed Above
Sing:
Halloween Zoom Zoom Zoom from Jbrary
Play, Make, and Learn:
- I-Spy Printable Coloring Sheet from Homebound but Hopeful
- Counting With Halloween Books from Homebound by Hopeful
- Sound Effects Box for Click Clack Boo Retelling from Paper and Glue
- Hands on Multiplication Fun Inspired by 2×2 = BOO from Math Geek Mama
- Halloween Colors Yoga from Kid Yoga Stories
For Even More Story Time Ideas…
