spooky stories for kids

Top 6 Spooky Stories for Kids to Read This October

Okay, so it might be a bit too cold in some areas for a campfire, but there is no shortage of ways for kids to enjoy scary stories.

For example, they can build a fort in their living room, turn off all the lights, and then listen to a scary audiobook story in the dark or dimly lit fort.

However kids and parents decide to enjoy spooky stories for kids, the facts are that:

  • Spooky stories are a great way to get kids excited about books
  • October is the perfect time for spooky stories

Today, parents can learn about some of the best scary campfire stories, horror stories for kids, and some fun, short scary stories that the whole family can enjoy.

Scary Stories That Will Keep Kids Thoroughly Entertained 

Around this time of year, parents are often looking for funny ghost stories for kids or Halloween scary stories for kids.

Here are the top, parent-approved spooky stories for kids from Audiobook Store.

1. Frankenstein by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

A true classic, there’s no scarier story than that of Dr. Frankenstein’s monster.

Besides being a classic with the ability to scare the bejesus out of a reader, the story behind the story is inspirational, especially for families with daughters.

Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein, is technically the first person (not just the first woman!) to write and publish a science fiction novel. She did so at just 18-20 years of age.

The book was written during a rainy stay in Geneva. Mary, her future husband (poet Percy Bysshe Shelley), and their friend (Lord Byron) passed the time together telling scary stories. They had a competition to see which one could tell the scariest story – and Mary won.

Frankenstein is a fun book to read, but it can also inspire girls and young women to go after their goals, like writing a novel in a short period of time or breaking the glass ceiling. Anything is possible!

2. The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux

Another classic story is The Phantom of the Opera. The great thing about this story is that it has a good mix of creepy, gothic atmosphere and heartbreaking romance.

The story of the Phantom and Christine is so beloved that this story has been revamped into multiple films and a long-running Broadway musical.

The Phantom is a character that is, at times, frightening. Ultimately, though, his undying love for Christine wins over the audience, whether they’re watching the play/movie or reading the book.

3. Phantasmagoria by Lewis Carroll

Phantasmagoria is actually a poem written by Lewis Carroll (of Alice in Wonderland fame). It’s written in seven cantos, or sections, and is a narrative discussion between a man named Tibbets, and a ghost called the Phantom.

The story explains how the Phantom isn’t much different from humans – when he scares people, he’s basically just doing his job. The story goes on to explain the society in which the Phantom lives, as well as the hierarchy of that society and what happens if they disregard the rules of their society.

The poem can be found on Audiobook Store as a companion to Through the Looking Glass, the sequel to Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

4. Hansel and Gretel by The Brothers Grimm

Hansel and Gretel might be one of the first scary children’s stories that most people are familiar with. The story is about a lost brother and sister who happen upon the cottage (made of tasty treats like cake and candy, no less) of a witch.

Readers shouldn’t let the witch’s yummy abode deceive them, though – she uses her home to lure children like Hansel and Gretel so she can eat them.

Do they escape?

It’s a classic and kids might already know the story, but it’s a fun story to re-read during this time of the year.

5. Coraline by Neil Gaiman

Kids love adventure and that’s exactly what they’ll get with Coraline. The main character, Coraline, discovers that one of the doors in her house leads to another house that is oddly similar to her very own home. Of course, this “other home” seems better than her real-life home, with wondrous surroundings and happenings.

Unfortunately, the mom and dad within the walls of this home want her to stay with them. They don’t ever want to let her go. It will take all the courage Coraline has to escape what seemed like awesome surroundings and return to the comfort and safety of her true home.

6. How to Catch a Monster by Adam Wallace

For those who are looking for sweet yet short, scary stories, this is an ideal book for kids. How to Catch a Monster is perfect for the four to eight-year-old age group or anyone else who has been scared by the monster in their closet.     

In this story, a brave little ninja heads into the closet to face the scary monster within. What the hero of this story finds is that the monster might not be that scary at all. In fact, the monster and the little ninja just might become the best of friends.

How to Catch a Monster is a light-hearted, comedic story about bravely facing fears and seeing the best in others.

Why Horror Stories for Kids Are More Than Entertainment

Spooky stories for kids shouldn’t just be left to the month of October. These stories can (and should) be read year-round. Why?

Scary stories have the power to engage a child’s imagination so much that they quickly develop a love of reading.

Authors like R.L. Stine know this, which is why they’ve written so many scary stories for kids and young adults.

Horror and thrillers are completely entertaining, and when a child is entertained, they won’t be able to put a book down. If they find out that there are more books that can give them this type of entertainment, they’ll soon become avid readers – and that’s a win for everyone.

So, whether a child is into sweet and scary, or haunted kids: true ghost stories types of books, or even sweet, semi-scary books – it doesn’t matter. If they’re entertained, books will continue to be an important part of their daily life.

Looking for audiobooks for your kids? Browse our wide selection of shildren’s books. You’ll find horror, educational, fantasy, and much, much more that your kids are sure to love!

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