Spooky season is upon us! The colder temperatures are rolling in, and the leaves are starting to cover the ground. Once fall and October come around, there seems to be a feeling of anticipation hanging in the air as Halloween night creeps closer. I love feeding into the energy this season brings to the classroom! As I plan, I try to incorporate Halloween-themed activities and read-alouds into our days. Today, I’m sharing with you ten of my favorite Halloween read-alouds for elementary students! I know your students will enjoy them and you will see increased engagement during this highly distractable month!
Favorite Halloween Read-Alouds for Elementary Students
1. Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds
Let’s dive into one of my favorite Halloween read-alouds for elementary students – Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds. This book is a fantastic way to bring some spooky fun into your classroom without going over the top. Plus, who doesn’t love a good carrot-themed mystery?
Creepy Carrots Summary
In this story, Jasper Rabbit is obsessed with eating carrots from Crackenhopper Field. One day, he starts to notice something strange. The carrots are following him! Or are they? With each page turn, our kids will be on the edge of their seats. They’ll be wondering if Jasper’s paranoia is justified, or if it’s all in his head. The illustrations by Peter Brown add to the eerie vibe with a shadowy, gray tone that makes those carrots seem even creepier. It’s a perfect blend of suspense and humor, making it a great read for the month of October.
Simple Classroom Activity
After reading Creepy Carrots, you can have your students create their own “creepy carrot” craft. All you need is orange construction paper, googly eyes, and markers. Have the students cut out carrot shapes, decorate them with spooky faces, and then create a little scene where their carrots might hide. This activity lets our kiddos tap into their creativity while tying in the story’s theme of imagination.
For an extra twist, you can also do a “Carrot Hunt” in your classroom. Hide paper carrots around the room and challenge your students to find them all. They’ll feel like Jasper Rabbit trying to keep track of those creepy carrots!
This book and activity combo is such a great way to kick off your collection of favorite Halloween read-alouds for elementary students. The kids will love it. You’ll have a blast watching their imaginations run wild with these creepy, yet fun, carrots!
2. Big Pumpkin by Erica Silverman
Next up on my life of favorite Halloween read-alouds for elementary students is Big Pumpkin by Erica Silverman. This book is a great mix of humor, teamwork, and a little bit of Halloween magic. It’s a story that kids can’t help but love, and it’s perfect for the spooky season!
Big Pumpkin Summary
Big Pumpkin is a hilarious tale about a witch who wants to make a pumpkin pie for Halloween. There’s just one problem. Her pumpkin is too big to pick! One by one, different Halloween characters like a ghost, a vampire, and a mummy try their luck at pulling the giant pumpkin off the vine. None of them succeed! In the end, it’s the smallest character, a bat, who has the clever idea of working together. With a little teamwork, they finally get that big pumpkin ready for pie. The repetitive text and catchy rhythm make this story an instant hit with younger kids. It’s also a great way to talk about cooperation and problem-solving.
Simple Classroom Activity
After reading Big Pumpkin, a fun and simple activity is to have your students create their own paper pumpkins. Students can cut out and assemble their own pumpkins using basic supplies like orange and green construction paper, scissors, and glue. Then, have them draw or write about what kind of Halloween character might try to pick their pumpkin and how they would work together to get it off the vine.
For a bit of sequencing fun, have your students draw each of the characters from the story on a small piece of paper. Then, using a sentence strip, let them put the events of the story in order.
3. Bone Soup by Cambria Evans
Another one of my favorite Halloween read-alouds for elementary students is Bone Soup by Cambria Evans. This spooky twist on a classic folktale is a perfect way to bring a bit of Halloween magic into your classroom. Your kiddos will love the eerie, yet fun, vibe of the story.
Bone Soup Summary
Bone Soup tells the story of Finnigin, a skeleton with an insatiable appetite. When he arrives in a new town on Halloween, he finds that the townspeople are too stingy to share their food. Finnigin has a clever plan. He pulls out his magical bone and declares he’s making bone soup! Slowly but surely, the curious townspeople begin to contribute ingredients to the pot. Soon enough, they have a bubbling cauldron of delicious soup everyone can enjoy. The story is a great lesson in sharing and community, wrapped up in a spooky package just right for Halloween.
Simple Classroom Activity
After reading Bone Soup, one activity idea is to have your students create their own soup using construction paper and markers. Provide them with a large pot template on paper. Let them cut out and decorate their own ingredients to add to the soup, like bones, eyeballs, worms, or any other spooky items they can imagine. Once they’re done, they can glue their ingredients into the pot and share what they added with the class.
Another option is to make your own edible soup. All you would need is a crockpot, some chicken broth, and a variety of veggies. A simple recipe, like this one, is perfect to make in the classroom. Let the class help measure and pour all of the ingredients together and celebrate with a warm lunch or snack later in the day.
4. The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams
Next on my list of favorite Halloween read-alouds for elementary students is The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams. This tale brings just the right amount of spookiness to your classroom. At the same time, showing our kiddos that sometimes, facing your fears can lead to something pretty awesome.
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything Summary
In this story, a brave little old lady takes a walk in the woods, only to be followed by some very mysterious and very noisy objects. First, she hears “clomp, clomp” behind her, then “wiggle, wiggle” and “clomp, clomp”! As more and more spooky things start following her, the little old lady refuses to be scared. Instead, she finds a clever way to put all those creepy objects to good use. The repetitive and rhythmic text makes this book a fun read-aloud. The suspense builds in a way that keeps kids engaged from start to finish.
Simple Classroom Activity
After reading The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything, you can get your students involved in a fun and interactive retelling of the story. Use classroom supplies like paper, scissors, and markers to create the different spooky objects from the book – shoes, pants, a shirt, gloves, and a pumpkin head. Let your students take turns acting out the story, wearing the different “costumes” they’ve made as the class follows along with the familiar sounds of “clomp, clomp”, “wiggle, wiggle”, and more. This activity reinforces the story and gets your kids moving and collaborating.
Another great idea is to have your students draw and write about something they’re not afraid of, just like the little old lady. They can share their creations with the class. You can even display their work in a “We’re Not Afraid” display on a bulletin board or in the hallway. This ties in perfectly with the book’s theme of courage and creativity.
5. Creepy Pair of Underwear by Aaron Reynolds
Continuing with another spooky favorite on my list of favorite Halloween read-alouds for elementary students, let’s talk about Creepy Pair of Underwear by Aaron Reynolds. This book, with its perfect blend of humor and creepiness, is sure to become a hit in your classroom!
Creepy Pair of Underwear Summary
In Creepy Pair of Underwear, Jasper Rabbit is back. This time, he’s convinced he’s a big rabbit who’s not afraid of anything, including a new pair of glow-in-the-dark underwear. When those undies start to glow in the dark, things take a creepy turn. He tries throwing them out, burying them, even mailing them far away. No matter what, the creepy pair of underwear keeps coming back! With a clever and unexpected twist at the end, this story keeps kids laughing while also giving them a little shiver of excitement. The illustrations by Peter Brown perfectly capture the eerie glow of the underwear, adding to the spooky vibes of the book.
Simple Classroom Activity
After reading Creepy Pair of Underwear, an activity idea is to have your students design their own creepy pair of underwear! Students can create their own glow-in-the-dark designs using supplies like white paper and markers. If you want to add an extra touch, you can even use glow-in-the-dark paint or stickers to make their creations shine (literally!). Once everyone is done, let your students share their spooky designs with the class.
If you want to stay away from underwear themed activities, then dive into the glow-in-the-dark theme! Have a glow-in-the-dark day where you leave the classroom lights off and do everything using only the light of glow sticks. Students will love reading in the dark using a glow stick as their flashlight. Grab some glow-in-the-dark stickers and complete a sticker story during writing time. This book will be the perfect read aloud for glow-in-the-dark activities.
6. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Now, let’s dive into a slightly spookier, but still one of my favorite Halloween alouds for elementary students: The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. This book is a perfect pick for older elementary students who are ready for a story that’s a bit more mysterious and full of adventure.
The Graveyard Book Summary
The Graveyard Book is a tale about a boy named Nobody Owens, Bod for short. He is raised by ghosts in a graveyard after his family is tragically taken from him. The graveyard becomes his home, and the ghosts and other supernatural creatures become his family. As Bod grows up, he learns life lessons from the dead. He also encounters plenty of eerie adventures along the way, all while trying to avoid the man who wants to finish what he started. Neil Gaiman weaves together a story that is both haunting and heartwarming. It’s filled with suspense, mystery, and just the right amount of spookiness for the Halloween season.
Simple Classroom Activity
Since The Graveyard Book is a bit longer and more complex, it works well as a chapter book read aloud over several days or weeks. After each reading session, you can engage your students with a creative activity that ties into the story. One simple idea is to have the students design their own gravestone for one of the characters in the book. They can create an epitaph and design that reflects the character’s personality or story using paper, markers, and their imaginations. This activity reinforces their understanding of the characters and allows them to explore the book’s unique setting.
Another engaging activity is to create a “Graveyard Map” of Bod’s adventures. As you progress through the story, have students draw and label different parts of the graveyard where key events take place. This can be done on a large poster or individual sheets of paper. By the end of the book, you’ll have a detailed map that helps the students visualize Bod’s world and follow along with his journey.
7. Pumpkin Soup by Helen Cooper
Let’s move on to another cozy and slightly spooky favorite Halloween read-aloud for elementary students, which is Pumpkin Soup by Helen Cooper. This story brings a warm, fall feel to your classroom, making it a perfect choice for Halloween.
Pumpkin Soup Summary
Pumpkin Soup tells the tale of three friends, a Cat, a Duck, and a Squirrel, who live together in a little cabin in the woods. Every day, they make the most delicious pumpkin soup. They each have their own special role in the process. But things quickly go awry when Duck decides to switch roles and stir the soup. The friends have a falling out. Duck runs away, leaving Cat and Squirrel to realize just how much they miss him. The story is a heartwarming lesson about friendship, cooperation, and the importance of working together even when things don’t go as planned.
Simple Classroom Activity
After reading Pumpkin Soup, have your students create their own recipe for pumpkin soup. Using construction paper and markers, they can draw a big pot and add their own ingredients, both real and imaginary! Encourage them to think of what they would put in their soup to make it special. Then, have them share their recipes with the class.
Another great idea is to create a “Friendship Recipe” with your class. Have your students brainstorm the key ingredients that make up a good friend (like kindness, sharing, and understanding). Write them down on a large pot drawn on the board or on a poster. This ties in beautifully with the story’s theme and allows you to discuss the importance of teamwork and friendship in your classroom.
8. The Witches by Roald Dahl
Let’s dive into one of the most iconic stories on my list of favorite Halloween read-alouds for elementary students – The Witches by Roald Dahl. This book is perfect for older elementary students. Get ready for a thrilling and slightly sinister tale that still manages to have a touch of Roald Dahl’s signature humor.
The Witches Summary
The Witches tells the story of a little boy who stumbles upon a secret gathering of witches. Real witches, not the kind that wear pointy hats and fly on broomsticks. These are the terrifying kind who are disguised as ordinary women and have a deep hatred for children. When the boy and his grandmother discover the witches’ plan to turn all the children in England into mice, they set out on a daring adventure to stop them. This book is perfect for Halloween with its suspenseful plot, unforgettable characters, and a mix of humor and horror. Quentin Blake’s illustrations add to the quirky and eerie atmosphere.
Simple Classroom Activity
After reading The Witches, you can engage your students in a creative writing activity. Have them imagine they’ve uncovered a group of witches in their own town or school. What would the witches look like? What evil plan would they be hatching? How would the students stop them? This activity encourages imagination and lets your kids put themselves into the story’s spooky world.
For a hands-on project, consider making “witch masks” with basic supplies like paper plates, markers, and yarn. Let the students design their own scary or silly witch faces inspired by the witches in the story. You can even use these masks for a dramatic reading or a mini-play based on a scene from the book. It’s a fun way to bring the story to life and engage the kids in Halloween-themed creativity.
9. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz
Let’s turn up the spookiness with a true classic that belongs on every list of favorite Halloween read-alouds for elementary students. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz was a favorite when I was growing up, and so many of my students love these spooky tales. This collection of short, creepy tales is perfect for those who love a good scare. It’s a great way to introduce your students to the thrill of spooky stories during the Halloween season.
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Summary
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is a collection of folk tales and urban legends retold by Alvin Schwartz, with spine-chilling illustrations by Stephen Gammell. The book features various eerie stories, from ghostly apparitions to haunted houses and mysterious creatures. Some of the tales are more humorous. Others are downright terrifying, making this book a versatile choice for different age groups and scare levels. What makes this collection especially fun for Halloween is that many of the stories have a “jump-scare” moment. The reader or listener gets a sudden fright, which is perfect for keeping your students on the edge of their seats!
Simple Classroom Activity
After reading a few of the stories from Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, you can get your students involved in creating their own spooky tales. It’s the perfect way to explore the mystery genre or focus on word usage and adjectives. Give them some simple prompts, like “a ghost in the attic” or “a strange noise in the dark.” Have them write and illustrate their own scary stories. This activity encourages creative writing and art while allowing students to explore their spooky imaginations.
Another fun activity is to hold a “Scary Story Circle.” Have the students sit in a circle and take turns telling their own scary stories or retelling one from the book. To add an extra element of spookiness, you can dim the lights and use a flashlight to create a campfire-like atmosphere. This activity helps build public speaking skills while allowing everyone to share in the Halloween fun.
10. The Hallo-Weiner by Dav Pilkey
Let’s move on to a fun and lighthearted choice on our list of favorite Halloween read-alouds for elementary students, which is The Hallo-Wiener by Dav Pilkey. This book is perfect for younger students and brings a mix of humor, friendship, and Halloween spirit.
The Hallo-Wiener Summary
The Hallo-Wiener tells the story of Oscar, a lovable dachshund who is often teased by other dogs because of his long, hot-dog-shaped body. Despite the teasing, Oscar remains a kind and good-hearted pup. When Halloween rolls around, Oscar is excited to join in the fun. His mom surprises him with a hot dog costume that is complete with mustard! Embarrassed but determined, Oscar bravely wears the costume, even though it only fuels the other dogs’ teasing. However, when a scary “monster” threatens the other dogs, Oscar’s bravery and unique costume saves the day. This earns him the respect of his peers. This heartwarming tale is a great way to talk about kindness, courage, and being proud of who you are.
Simple Classroom Activity
After reading The Hallo-Wiener, a great hands-on activity is to have your students design their own Halloween costumes, just like Oscar’s hot dog costume. Using supplies like construction paper, markers, scissors, and glue, students can create a drawing or a mini version of a costume they’d love to wear on Halloween. Encourage them to think outside the box and create something unique or funny. Once they’ve finished, have them work on descriptive word usage by writing about their costume.
Another fun and engaging activity is to hold a discussion or writing session about the book’s themes. This book is a great springboard for discussions on bullying, kindness, and accepting differences. You can ask your students to write about a time when they were brave, like Oscar, or a moment when they helped others, even if it was hard. This is a great way to reinforce the story’s message of kindness, courage, and being proud of who you are. No matter what others might say.
Increase Student Engagement With These Amazing Read Alouds for October
As you plan your October activities, these favorite Halloween read-alouds for elementary students are sure to capture your class’s imagination. They will also bring a little spooky fun into your classroom library. From the laugh-out-loud moments to the edge-of-your-seat suspense, each of these stories offers a great way to engage your students and spark their creativity. As you share these stories, you’re not just celebrating Halloween. You’re helping students develop a love of reading, encouraging teamwork, and building an atmosphere where creativity thrives. Whether it’s through drawing, writing, or even a little acting, these simple, budget-friendly activities will make your favorite Halloween books for elementary students even more memorable. Get ready to watch your students’ eyes light up as they embark on these spooky, fun-filled adventures. Happy Halloween, and happy reading!
Looking for More Halloween Activities?
If you’re looking for even more activities to do during this spooky season, explore the following resources!
- 5 Halloween/Fall Activities to Engage Your Students
- Fall STEM October Activities for Halloween | Halloween STEM Hands On Activities
- Halloween Math Activities | Halloween Math Mystery | Who Done It Mysteries
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