Halloween Songs and Poems for Kids
Spooky, Scary, and Fun
These are some of the best Halloween songs and poems for kids. Included are some of the most popular spooky songs and poems and ones that are not as well known. Read below to find lyrics, poems, videos, and music links. Other Halloween activities and ideas are in this article as well.
Many of the songs have movements or dances that go along with them. Get your kids moving and grooving as you listen to these songs.
As you read these poems with your kids, dim the lights and play creepy sounds in the background. Read slowly and quietly to make it sound eerier. Use a creaky voice.
Whenever there is a part that is meant to be scary, like "boo!," say it loud and jump. It will add to the spooktacular effect.
Dead Leaves on Halloween Night
Tonight Is The Night
by Harry Behn
(A fun activity to try with kids is to see how fast you can say this poem without getting tongue tied. You can also act out this poem.)
Tonight is the night
when dead leaves fly
like witches on switches
across the sky.
When elf and sprite flit
through the night on a moony sheen.
Tonight is the night
when leaves make a sound
like a gnome in his home under the ground.
When spooks and trolls
creep out of the holes,
all mossy and green.
Tonight is the night
when pumpkins stare
through sheaves and leaves everywhere.
When ghoul and ghost and goblin
host dance round their Queen.
It's Halloween!
Halloween Music for Kids at Amazon
Dry Ice Halloween Witches' Brew
The Witches Spell by William Shakespeare
From Macbeth, Act 4, Scene 1
(This is one of the most popular witch scenes of all time. Three witches are stirring up a magic spell in this scene from Macbeth. You can make a witches' brew with your kids as you say this poem. See the bottom of the article for links about making Halloween punches and brews.)
Thrice the brinded cat hath mew'd.
Thrice and once the hedge-pig whined.
Harpier cries 'Tis time, 'tis time.
Round about the cauldron go;
In the poison'd entrails throw.
Toad, that under cold stone
Days and nights has thirty-one
Swelter'd venom sleeping got,
Boil thou first i' the charmed pot.
Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn, and cauldron bubble.
Fillet of a fenny snake,
In the cauldron boil and bake;
Eye of newt and toe of frog,
Wool of bat and tongue of dog,
Adder's fork and blind-worm's sting,
Lizard's leg and owlet's wing,
For a charm of powerful trouble,
Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.
Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn and cauldron bubble.
Scale of dragon, tooth of wolf,
Witches' mummy, maw and gulf
Of the ravin'd salt-sea shark,
Root of hemlock digg'd i' the dark,
Liver of blaspheming Jew,
Gall of goat, and slips of yew
Silver'd in the moon's eclipse,
Nose of Turk and Tartar's lips,
Finger of birth-strangled babe
Ditch-deliver'd by a drab,
Make the gruel thick and slab:
Add thereto a tiger's chaudron,
For the ingredients of our cauldron.
Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn and cauldron bubble.
Cool it with a baboon's blood,
Then the charm is firm and good.
Three Witches Sesame Street Skit
Three witches mixing a spell on Sesame Street. Kid friendly version of Macbeth's witches. The skit teaches about cooperation.
Grim Grinning Ghosts
When the crypt goes creak,
And the tombstones quake.
Spooks come out for a swinging wake.
Happy haunts materialize,
And begin to vocalize.
Grim grinning ghosts come out to socialize.
Now don't close your eyes,
And don't try to hide.
Or a silly spook may sit by your side.
Shrouded in a daft disguise,
They pretend to terrorize.
Grim grinning ghosts come out to socialize.
As the moon climbs high o'er the dead oak tree,
Spooks arrive for the midnight spree.
Creepy creeps with eerie eyes,
Start to shriek and harmonize.
Grim grinning ghosts come out to socialize.
When you hear the knell of a requiem bell,
Weird glows gleam where spirits dwell.
Restless bones etherialize,
Rise as spooks of every size.
If you would like to join our jamboree,
There's a simple rule that's compulsory.
Mortals pay a token fee.
Rest in peace, the haunting's free.
So hurry back, we would like your company.
Halloween Decorating Ideas
Ghost of John
Have you seen the ghost of John?
Long white bones with the skin all gone,
Ooooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Wouldn't it be chilly with no skin on?
Skin and Bones
(Sing the song quietly until the last line. When it is time to say "Boo," scream really loud to scare your audience.)
There was an old woman all skin and bones Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
She lived down by the old grave-yard Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
One night she thought she'd take a walk. Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
She walked down by the old grave-yard. Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
She saw the bones all lying round. Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
She went to the closet to get a broom. Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
She opened the door and BOO!
The Skeleton Dance
Easy and fun song for kids that combines movement with science. Kids will learn about body parts and names.
Wee Sing for Halloween on Amazon - Kids' Favorite!
Wee Sing for Halloween is a great collection of kids music for Halloween. These songs become favorites that they will sing over and over. It is fun to listen to and not too scary.
Halloween Songs Poll
Spooky Halloween Party Food Ideas
Magic Chant
by Samuel Exler
(Great poem for teaching rhymes. It is also a great example of how to deal with fear. Halloween can be a scary time for kids. This poem teaches kids what to do when they feel afraid.)
If in the dark you're frightened,
Here's all you have to do.
Say: Igga bigga,
Hunka bunka,
Dinka danka doo.
These words give you protection
From ghosts-and witches, too.
Say: Igga bigga,
Hunka bunka,
Dinka danka doo.
So if at night a monster
Should whisper, I'll get you,"
Yell: Igga bigga,
Hunka bunka,
Dinka danka doo.
Five Little Pumpkins - Easy counting rhyme about pumpkins sitting on a gate at Halloween.
Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate.
The first one said, "Oh, my it's getting late!"
The second one said, "We don't care!"
The third one said, "There are witches in the air!"
The fourth one said, "I'm ready for some fun!"
The fifth one said, "Let's run and run and run!"
Then Whoooooosh... went the wind,
And out went the light!
And the five little pumpkins rolled out of sight.
The Monster Mash
I was working in the lab late one night
When my eyes beheld an eerie sight
For my monster from his slab began to rise
And suddenly to my surprise
He did the mash
He did the monster mash
The monster mash
It was a graveyard smash
He did the mash
It caught on in a flash
He did the mash
He did the monster mash
From my laboratory in the castle east
To the master bedroom where the vampires feast
The ghouls all came from their humble abodes
To get a jolt from my electrodes
They did the mash
They did the monster mash
The monster mash
It was a graveyard smash
They did the mash
It caught on in a flash
They did the mash
They did the monster mash
The zombies were having fun
The party had just begun
The guests included Wolf Man
Dracula and his son
The scene was rockin', all were digging the sounds
Igor on chains, backed by his baying hounds
The coffin-bangers were about to arrive
With their vocal group, "The Crypt-Kicker Five"
They played the mash
They played the monster mash
The monster mash
It was a graveyard smash
They played the mash
It caught on in a flash
They played the mash
They played the monster mash
Out from his coffin, Drac's voice did ring
Seems he was troubled by just one thing
He opened the lid and shook his fist
And said, "Whatever happened to my Transylvania twist?"
It's now the mash
It's now the monster mash
The monster mash
And it's a graveyard smash
It's now the mash
It's caught on in a flash
It's now the mash
It's now the monster mash
Now everything's cool, Drac's a part of the band
And my monster mash is the hit of the land
For you, the living, this mash was meant too
When you get to my door, tell them Boris sent you
Then you can mash
Then you can monster mash
The monster mash
And do my graveyard smash
Then you can mash
You'll catch on in a flash
Then you can mash
Then you can monster mash
Worm Cake for Halloween
The Hearse Song (The Worms Crawl In)
(For younger kids, use just the part starting from "The worms crawl in..." It has funny rhymes that will be humorous to kids. The first part of the song may be too morbid for younger children. Make a worm cake to eat as you say the poem. See the links at the bottom for spooky food ideas.)
Don't you ever laugh as the hearse goes by,
For you may be the next to die.
They wrap you up in a big white sheet
From your head down to your feet.
They put you in a big black box
And cover you up with dirt and rocks.
All goes well for about a week,
Then your coffin begins to leak.
The worms crawl in, the worms crawl out,
The worms play pinochle on your snout.
They eat your eyes, they eat your nose,
They eat the jelly between your toes.
A big green worm with rolling eyes
Crawls in your stomach and out your eyes.
Your stomach turns a slimy green,
And pus pours out like whipping cream.
You spread it on a slice of bread,
And that's what you eat when you are dead.
The Nightmare Before Christmas - This Is Halloween
[SHADOW]
Boys and girls of every age
Wouldn't you like to see something strange?
[SIAMESE SHADOW]
Come with us and you will see
This, our town of Halloween
[PUMPKIN PATCH CHORUS]
This is Halloween, this is Halloween
Pumpkins scream in the dead of night
[GHOSTS]
This is Halloween, everybody make a scene
Trick or treat till the neighbors gonna die of fright
It's our town, everybody screm
In this town of Halloween
[CREATURE UNDER THE BED]
I am the one hiding under your bed
Teeth ground sharp and eyes glowing red
[MAN UNDER THE STAIRS]
I am the one hiding under yours stairs
Fingers like snakes and spiders in my hair
[CORPSE CHORUS]
This is Halloween, this is Halloween
[VAMPIRES]
Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! Halloween!
In this town we call home
Everyone hail to the pumpkin song
[MAYOR]
In this town, don't we love it now?
Everybody's waiting for the next surprise
[CORPSE CHORUS]
Round that corner, man hiding in the trash cam
Something's waiting no to pounce, and how you'll...
[HARLEQUIN DEMON, WEREWOLF & MELTING MAN]
Scream! This is Halloween
Red 'n' black, slimy green
[WEREWOLF]
Aren't you scared?
[WITCHES]
Well, that's just fine
Say it once, say it twice
Take a chance and roll the dice
Ride with the moon in the dead of night
[HANGING TREE]
Everybody scream, everbody scream
[HANGED MEN]
In our town of Halloween!
[CLOWN]
I am the clown with the tear-away face
Here in a flash and gone without a trace
[SECOND GHOUL]
I am the "who" when you call, "Who's there?"
I am the wind blowing through your hair
[OOGIE BOOGIE SHADOW]
I am the shadow on the moon at night
Filling your dreams to the brim with fright
[CORPSE CHORUS]
This is Halloween, this is Halloween
Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! Halloween!
Halloween! Halloween!
[CHILD CORPSE TRIO]
Tender lumplings everywhere
Life's no fun without a good scare
[PARENT CORPSES]
That's our job, but we're not mean
In our town of Halloween
[CORPSE CHORUS]
In this town
[MAYOR]
Don't we love it now?
[CORPSE CHORUS]
Skeleton Jack might catch you in the back
And scream like a banshee
Make you jump out of your skin
This is Halloween, everyone scream
Wont' ya please make way for a very special guy
Our man jack is King of the Pumpkin patch
Everyone hail to the Pumpkin King
[EVERYONE]
This is Halloween, this is Halloween
Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! Halloween!
[CORPSE CHILD TRIO]
In this town we call home
Everyone hail to the pumpkin song
[EVERYONE]
La la-la la, Halloween! Halloween! [Repeat]
Witches' Brew - By Hap Palmer
What will you put in your witches' brew? Hap Palmer mixes fun and learning in one of the best kids Halloween songs of all time.
Lyrics:
Dead leaves, seaweed, rotten eggs, too.
Stir them in my witches' brew.
I got magic!
Alakazamakazoo.
Spider web, moldy bread, mucky mud, too.
Stir them in my witches' brew.
I got magic!
Alakazamakazoo
ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
My witches' brew
ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
What's it gonna do to you?
Boo!
Floor wax, thumb tacks, purple paint, too.
Stir them in my witches' brew.
I got magic, Alakazamakazoo.
Finger nails, lunch pails, apple cores, too.
Stir them in my witches' brew.
I got magic, Alakazamakazoo.
ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
My witches' brew
What's it gonna do to you?
Boo!
Wrinkled prunes, mushrooms, motor oil, too.
Stir them in my witches' brew.
I got magic, Alakazamakazoo.
I got magic, Alakazamakazoo.
School Kids Performing Witches' Brew
Use motions to go along with the song. Pretend like you are throwing all of the ingredients into a cauldron. When the song says "Stir them in my witches' brew," pretend to stir the pot. At the "I've got magic..." part, move your hands around and wiggle your fingers (spirit fingers) or spin like the kids in the video.
Ghostbusters
If there's something strange
in your neighborhood
Who you gonna call?
Ghostbusters!
If there's something weird
and it don't look good
Who you gonna call?
Ghostbusters!
I ain't afraid of no ghost
I ain't afraid of no ghost
If you're seeing things
running through your head
Who can you call?
Ghostbusters!
An invisible man
sleeping in your bed
Oh, who you gonna call?
Ghostbusters!
I ain't afraid of no ghost
I ain't afraid of no ghost
Who you gonna call?
Ghostbusters!
If you're all alone
pick up the phone
And call:
Ghostbusters!
I ain't afraid of no ghost
I hear it likes the girls
I ain't afraid of no ghost
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Who you gonna call?
Ghostbusters!
Well, if you've had a dose of
a freaky ghost baby
You'd better call:
Ghostbusters! Ow!
Let me tell you something
Bustin' makes me feel good
I ain't afraid of no ghost
I ain't afraid of no ghost
Don't get caught alone, oh no
Ghostbusters!
When it comes through your door
Unless you just want some more
I think you better call
Ghostbusters!
Ow!
Who you gonna call?
Ghostbusters!
Who you gonna call?
Ghostbusters!
More Halloween Poems
Want more spooky and chilling poems? This site is full of great poems for Halloween.
- Things That Go Boo
Halloween poems, classic spooky poetry, and more!
Comments and Questions - Add your own ideas...
Bud chaser on November 07, 2020:
I love anything musical--and this lens is a wealth of Halloween music. It's so nice to have it all in one place. Thanks.
Caroline Paulison Andrew from Chicago, IL on October 25, 2014:
Great article! Some of the poems brought back great memories from when our kids were little. Fun!
Michelllle on September 03, 2013:
This is great. I even love the disgusting ones. Older kids and tweeners love this stuff. Fun fun fun.
Michelllle on September 03, 2013:
This is great. I even love the disgusting ones. Older kids and tweeners love this stuff. Fun fun fun.
Candace Bacon (author) from Mad Laboratories on October 13, 2012:
@anonymous: There are actually a lot of "kid" songs that have unpleasant meanings. Ring around the Rosies is about the Bubonic plague. Think about the meaning behind many nursery rhymes. Jack and Jill are about people falling down a hill and breaking their neck. Mother Hubbard is so poor she is starving. Humpty Dumpty is broken forever. Kids really don't understand the meaning behind most of these things. We teach them to kids because they have funny lyrics, rhyme, or have a fun beat.
anonymous on October 03, 2012:
Excuse me but how is "The Worms Crawl In" considered a kids song? The subject matter is way too disgusting and grim. I mean it's basically about your body being eaten by worms while you lie on your deathbed not being able to do anything about it.
anonymous on October 24, 2011:
I never knew there were so many Halloween songs or poems, great lens :)
Candace Bacon (author) from Mad Laboratories on October 18, 2011:
@anonymous: Cutesie Halloween stuff is the best way to go with kids. Thanks.
anonymous on October 18, 2011:
This is the cute side of Halloween, I like cute :)
Candace Bacon (author) from Mad Laboratories on October 17, 2011:
@lbrummer: Thank you! Isn't Halloween spooktacular?
Loraine Brummer from Hartington, Nebraska on October 17, 2011:
Great lens with lots of great Halloween songs.
Candace Bacon (author) from Mad Laboratories on October 15, 2011:
@Tonigr: It's amazing how many songs there are about one day out of the year. And what's even more amazing is that there are tons more that I didn't include. Thanks!
Toni Grundstrom from Minneapolis, MN on October 15, 2011:
I did not realize how many Halloween songs there were. I also like your dancing ghost.
Candace Bacon (author) from Mad Laboratories on September 09, 2011:
@anonymous: Hope you enjoy these songs as you celebrate Halloween. Thanks!
anonymous on September 09, 2011:
I love anything musical--and this lens is a wealth of Halloween music. It's so nice to have it all in one place. Thanks.
Candace Bacon (author) from Mad Laboratories on August 20, 2011:
@bolsen19: Thanks bolsen19! Hope you have a spooktacular Halloween.
bolsen19 on August 20, 2011:
This is a great resource. I'm definitely coming back here when Halloween comes closer.
