30 Halloween Poems for Kids to Enjoy

Halloween is one of the most fun and exciting times of the year for kids! With plenty of playful blend of tricks, treats, and costumes, this holiday sparks is a kids’ favourite, and even adults, too. What better way to celebrate the spooky season than with Halloween poems for kids? These poems bring a delightful mix of chills and giggles, perfect for setting the mood at Halloween parties, bedtime stories, or even school activities. From friendly ghosts and mischievous witches to glowing pumpkins, there’s a poem here to enchant every little monster.

In this article, we’ll dive into a collection of unique and funny Halloween-themed poems designed especially for children. These are easy to read, fun to recite, and sure to bring smiles (and a few playful shivers). Let’s jump right into the fun!

Short Poems About Halloween for Kids

Short Halloween poems are perfect for little ones who enjoy quick, easy-to-remember verses. They capture the spooky charm of Halloween in a fun and simple way. These poems can be shared during storytime, at Halloween events, or even as part of school activities. Let’s explore a few enchanting options that kids will adore!

1. “Five Little Pumpkins” by Anonymous

Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate,
The first one said, “Oh my, it’s getting late!”
The second one said, “There are witches in the air!”
The third one said, “But we don’t care.”
The fourth one said, “Let’s run and run and run.”
The fifth one said, “It’s Halloween fun!”

This playful rhyme is a favourite among young children and makes a delightful chant for Halloween gatherings.

2. “In the Dark, Dark Woods” by Traditional

In the dark, dark woods,
There’s a dark, dark house.
In the dark, dark house,
There’s a dark, dark room.
And in that dark, dark room…
A ghost goes BOO!

Short and spooky, this classic poem is sure to bring giggles and surprise to kids as they recite the final line.

3. “A Witch’s Cat” by Anonymous

A witch’s cat sat on her hat,
And scratched at a pumpkin bright.
With glowing eyes, he prowled the skies,
On a broomstick through the night.

This short Halloween poem paints a vivid picture of a mischievous witch and her loyal feline friend.

4. “Spooky Night” by Unknown

The wind howls loud, the moon shines bright,
The shadows grow on Halloween night.
With ghosts and goblins everywhere,
It’s time for scares—if you dare!

Kids love the rhythm and excitement in this spooky yet cheerful poem, perfect for Halloween-themed activities.

5. “Little Jack O’Lantern” by Anonymous

Little Jack O’Lantern, shining with glee,
Lights up the night for all to see.
With a toothy grin and a candle bright,
He’s the star of Halloween night!

6. Happy Halloween By Anonymous 

Now, you can dress up as your favorite ghoul or pumpkin. There are plenty of tricks and treats out there. So, Happy Trick or Treating!

It’s late, and we are sleepy,
The air is cold and still.
Our jack-o-lantern grins at us
Upon the window sill.
We’re stuffed with cake and cand
And we’ve had a lot of fun,
But now it’s time to go to bed
And dream of all we’ve done.
We’ll dream of ghosts and goblins
And of witches that we’ve seen,
And we’ll dream of trick-or-treating
On this happy Halloween.

7. Halloween is Here By Debbie 

Before you get too enthusiastic, keep in mind that a poem written just for Halloween is not for the faint-hearted.

It’s time for Halloween,
A day for trick or treat,
When the kids dress up in costume,
And walk proudly down the street.

They ring alot of doorbells,
And collect alot of candy, a lot
And if they happen to see aa lotst,
They will be greeted with a boo.

Pumpkins light up the windows,
And decorations adorn the front yard,
So be careful when you come in,
Because the skeleton will be on guard.

So have alot of fun,
And don’t have any fear,
Because it will soon be over,
And you’ll have to wait till next year.

This simple poem celebrates the joy of carved pumpkins, making them a favourite for young children. We hope you enjoyed these short Halloween poems, and they created lasting memories.

Classic Halloween Poems for Children

Classic Halloween poems have a timeless charm that brings the spirit of Halloween to life. These poems often feature witches, ghosts, and spooky settings, making them a perfect way to spark a child’s imagination. Let’s explore a few well-loved children’s Halloween poems that continue to delight readers of all ages.

1. “Halloween” by Harry Behn

Tonight is the night
When dead leaves fly
Like witches on switches
Across the sky.
When elves and sprites
Creep into sight,
And the moon laughs out
With a chilly light.

This classic captures the mysterious and magical feel of Halloween night, perfect for sparking the excitement of the season.

2. “The Night Wind” by Eugene Field

Have you ever heard the wind go “Yoooooo”?
’Tis a pitiful sound to hear!
It seems to chill you through and through
With a strange and speechless fear.

This poem blends spooky imagery with a touch of suspense, making it an engaging choice for older children.

3. “The Spider and the Fly” by Mary Howitt

“Will you walk into my parlor?” said the Spider to the Fly,
“’Tis the prettiest little parlor that ever you did spy.”
The way into my parlor is up a winding stair,
And I have many pretty things to show you when you’re there.

This classic poem teaches a moral lesson with a spooky twist, offering a mix of fun and wisdom for children.

4. “Haunted House” by Anonymous

There’s a house upon the hill,
Where shadows shift and creep.
It’s said that if you listen close,
You’ll hear the spirits weep.

Short and spooky, this poem captures the mystery of haunted houses in a way that’s intriguing but not too scary for kids.

5. “Witches’ Chant” from Shakespeare’s Macbeth

Double, double, toil and trouble,
Fire burn and cauldron bubble.
Fillet of a fenny snake,
In the cauldron boil and bake.

6. All Hallowe’en By Pauline Clark 

The tradition of trick-or-treating dates back to medieval times, when people gathered in neighborhoods to exchange soul-cakes for prayers.

Witch and warlock all abroad
Revels keep by field and yard.
In the firelight of the farm
Boy and maiden one by one
Place their chestnuts in the grate
And for omens quietly wait;
To a string their apples tie,
Twirl them till they fallen lie;
Those whose fruits fall in a hurry,
They shall be the first to marry.
Witch and warlock all abroad
Revels keep by field and yard.
Apples from the beam hang down
To be caught by mouth alone,
Mugs of ale on Nut-Crack Night
And many a tale of ghost and sprite,
Come to cheer and chill the heart,
While the candles faint and start,
While the flickering firelight paints
Pictures of the hallowed saints.
Witch and warlock all abroad
Revels keep by field and yard.

7. Spirits of the Dead By Edgar Allan Poe 

Based on Italian mythology, this is one of Poe’s most renowned compositions. 

Thy soul shall find itself alone
‘Mid dark thoughts of the grey tomb-stone;
Not one, of all the crowd, to pry
Into thine hour of secrecy.

Be silent in that solitude,
Which is not loneliness — for then
The spirits of the dead, who stood
In life before thee, are again
In death around thee, and their will
Shall overshadow thee; be still.

The night, though clear, shall frown
And the stars shall not look down
From their high thrones in the Heaven
With light like hope to mortals given,
But their red orbs, without beam,
To thy weariness shall seem
As a burning and a fever
Which would cling to thee for ever.

Now are thoughts thou shalt not banish,
Now are visions ne’er to vanish;
From thy spirit shall they pass
No more, like dew-drop from the grass.

The breeze, the breath of God, is still,
And the mist upon the hill
Shadowy, shadowy, yet unbroken,
Is a symbol and a token.
How it hangs upon the trees,
A mystery of mysteries!

Though written centuries ago, these iconic lines remain a Halloween favourite, with their rhythmic chant and magical imagery captivating children everywhere.

Classic children’s Halloween poems like these are a wonderful way to connect kids with the holiday’s rich traditions and eternal tales.

Funny Halloween Poems for Kids

Halloween doesn’t always have to be spooky; it can be full of laughs, too. Funny Halloween poems add a touch of humour to the holiday while still capturing the creepy fun of ghosts and witches. Kids will love these lighthearted verses that bring out the playful side of Halloween.

1. “The Skeleton Parade” by Jack Prelutsky

The skeletons are on parade,
Their bones go click and clack.
They rattle, clatter down the street,
And then they march right back!

This playful poem brings the skeletons to life in a way that’s funny instead of scary, perfect for younger children.

2. “The Candy Gobbler” by Anonymous

Beware the Candy Gobbler, they say,
Who steals your treats on Halloween day.
With chocolate on his chin and a grin so wide,
He’ll munch through your stash and won’t even hide!

Kids will laugh at the idea of a silly gobbler sneaking their Halloween candy, making this poem a crowd-pleaser.

3. “A Witch in My Kitchen” by Anonymous

There’s a witch in my kitchen, brewing a stew,
With bat wings and worms—oh, what will I do?
She’s added some spiders and stirred with a broom,
And now my whole house smells of doom!

This humorous take on witches cooking up trouble is sure to get giggles from children.

4. “The Friendly Ghost” by Shel Silverstein

There once was a ghost, as kind as could be,
But scaring folks was his family’s decree.
He said, “I won’t boo, I won’t make them flee,
I’ll just wave and say hi, that’s good enough for me!”

This lighthearted poem about a ghost who prefers friendliness to fright is a great way to keep Halloween fun and positive.

5. “Pumpkin in My Bed” by Anonymous

I woke up last night with a pumpkin in my bed,
It had googly eyes and a hat on its head!
It whispered, “I’m here to give you a scare,”
But I just laughed and said, “Nice try, Mr. Square!”

This silly poem turns a creepy moment into a laugh-out-loud story, keeping the Halloween spirit fun for kids.

6. “Monster Dance Party” by Anonymous

At midnight sharp in a haunted hall,
The monsters gather, big and small.
They boogie and spin to a spooky beat,
With stomping claws and ghostly feet!

7. A Trick of a Treat By Nancy Hughes 

Culturally, the Trick or Treat ritual has taken root and thrived.

Dressed up little creatures
on a dark October night
run from door to door
giving everyone a fright.

They come and ring your doorbell
and before they will retreat,
they beg you for some candy
by yelling “trick or treat”.

When their bags are full,
they run home to eat their fill.
They taste a bit of everything
and by morning they are ill!

So to keep the youngsters healthy,
I’ve figured out a deal.
This year instead of candy,
I’ll give them all oatmeal!

8. Halloween Memories at Grandma’s By Julian 

Enjoy a spooky Halloween at Grandma’s. You may be a ghost or a witch or witches! The options are infinite! 

11 foot tall Frankensteins,
Ghosts hanging from the trees,
Every time I see it I drop to my knees.
Mist comes out
and lights flash about,
Kids line up waiting to get in.
Enter at your own risk,
But you will never win

One at a time they dare to enter,
Quickly running out to the center.
I start laughing at all the dares,
And now I wonder who is really in there.

9. The Witch By Jack Prelutsky 

An eerie poem that will keep you flipping the pages, The Witch will keep you on the edge of your seat.

She comes by night, in fearsome flight,
In garments black as pitch,
the queen of doom upon her broom,
the wild and wicked witch,

a crackling crone with brittle bones
and dessicated limbs,
two evil eyes with warts and sties
and bags about the rims,

a dangling nose, ten twisted toes
and fold of shriveled skin,
cracked and chipped and crackled lips
that frame a toothless grin.

She hurtles by, she sweeps the sky
and hurls a piercing screech.
As she swoops past, a spell is cast
on all her curses reach.

Take care to hide when the wild witch rides
to shriek her evil spell.
What she may do with a word or two
is much too grim to tell.

This fun and energetic poem about monsters dancing together is a perfect mix of creepy and comical.

Funny Halloween poems like these remind kids that Halloween isn’t just about scares—it’s about having fun and celebrating with a big smile!

Interactive Halloween Poems for Kids

Interactive Halloween poems are a great way to engage kids and make the holiday even more exciting. These poems encourage movement, gestures, or even sound effects, making storytime or group activities lively and memorable. Here are a few famous Halloween poems that kids can actively participate in.

1. “Stomp Like a Monster” by Anonymous

Stomp, stomp, stomp like a monster,
Growl, growl, growl like a beast!
Wave your claws high, let out a roar,
Then gobble your Halloween feast!

This fun poem gets kids moving with actions like stomping and growling, making it perfect for classroom or party games.

2. “The Witch’s Brew” by Anonymous

Stir the pot and wave your wand,
Add a frog and wave your hand.
Clap your hands, say “Bubble, bubble,”
Now watch the brew begin to trouble!

Kids love pretending to make a spooky potion as they recite this interactive poem. It’s great for combining creativity with play.

3. “The Ghost in the Mirror” by Anonymous

Wave your arms and make a ghostly face,
Boo in the mirror, then hide in a space.
Creep back out with a spooky cheer,
And watch the ghost slowly disappear!

This playful poem encourages kids to act out ghostly movements, creating a blend of fun and pretend play.

4. “Pumpkin Toss” by Anonymous

Pretend to toss a pumpkin high,
Catch it quick before it flies!
Spin around, then jump with glee,
Pumpkins are silly as can be!

This rhyme gets kids moving and laughing as they act out tossing and catching pumpkins. It’s a hit for group activities.

5. “March of the Bats” by Anonymous

Flap your arms and fly like a bat,
Circle around, then land on your mat.
Screech and squeal as bats do at night,
Then take off again for a spooky flight!

6. It’s Halloween By Jack Prelutsky 

If you’re looking for a wonderful Halloween read-aloud for kids, this is it.

It’s Halloween! It’s Halloween!
The moon is full and bright
And we shall see what can’t be seen
On any other night.

Skeletons and ghosts and ghouls,
Grinning goblins fighting duels,
Werewolves rising from their tombs,
Witches on their magic brooms.

In masks and gowns
we haunt the street
And knock on doors
for trick or treat.

Tonight we are the king and queen,
For oh tonight it’s Halloween!

7. Witches Stew By Gareth Lancaster 

One of the most haunting and scariest Halloween poems we’ve ever read!

Bubble, blubber, squirm and gloop,
Boiling broth of bat’s tail soup.
Wobble, slobber, liquid goo,
Add the sole of one old shoe.
Spooky shadows dance around,
Of frogs and rats and snarling hounds.
Steam swirls rising to the roof,
Add one small ear and one old tooth.
Gnarly, scratchy, tickle and itch,
Stir round and round to make it rich.
Mushy, sticky, sizzle and stew,
They’re making mischief just for you

This interactive poem combines movement with a touch of Halloween fun, making it an engaging choice for younger children.

Interactive poems bring famous Halloween poems to life, helping kids experience the holiday in a hands-on way while enjoying the magic of rhymes and imagination.

FAQs

1. What are Halloween poems for kids?

Halloween poems for kids are short, fun, and often spooky rhymes that capture the magic of Halloween. They feature themes like pumpkins, ghosts, witches, and candy, making them perfect for the holiday.

2. How can I use Halloween poems with kids?

You can read them aloud during storytime, use them for classroom activities, or recite them at Halloween parties. Interactive poems are also great for adding movement and fun to celebrations.

3. Why are Halloween poems popular with children?

They combine rhymes, imagination, and a little spookiness, which kids find exciting. These poems are easy to remember and help create lasting Halloween memories.

Halloween poems are a wonderful way to bring the spooky season to life for kids. Whether they are funny, interactive, or filled with classic charm, these poems add magic and excitement to the holiday. They are perfect for sharing at bedtime, in classrooms, or during Halloween celebrations. By encouraging kids to recite, act out, or even create their own verses, these poems spark creativity and laughter. From playful pumpkins to friendly ghosts, the themes capture the fun of Halloween in a way children adore. So, gather your little ones, pick a favourite poem, and enjoy the spooky joy of Halloween together!

Also Read:

Funny Poems for Children
Short English Poems for Kids
Beautiful Nature Poems for Kids
Famous Poems about Animals for Children