Spooky Halloween Poems for Children

The spirit of Halloween is best expressed for many in the ageless stories and traditions we revisit each year. As the big day approaches, we've compiled a compilation of our best eerie Halloween poetry. While each poem is enjoyable on its own, they are considerably creepier when read aloud.

We've selected some of our best lines from these poems, but it's well worth your time to read the complete poem. So, turn out the lights, gather around the fireplace, and try not to be too scared.

Let us read and sing the top Halloween poems listed in this article, but before that let’s know a bit about Halloween.

About Halloween

All Hallows' Eve, or Halloween, is celebrated on October 31st, the night before All Saints' (or All Hallows') Day. The festival begins the season of Allhallowtide, which lasts three days and ends with All Souls' Day, the day before the Western Christian feast of All Saints. Halloween is generally non-religious in much of Europe and the majority of North America.

Halloween has its roots in the ancient Celtic holiday of Samhain, which was celebrated by the Celts of ancient Britain and Ireland. The new year was thought to begin on November 1, which corresponded to November 1 on modern calendars. The herds returned from pasture and land tenures were renewed on that date, which marked the start of the winter season. 

The souls of people who had died during the year were supposed to journey to the otherworld at the Samhain festival, and those who had died during the year were believed to return to visit their homes.

People built bonfires on hilltops to relight their hearth fires for the winter and frighten away evil spirits, and they wore masks and other disguises to avoid being recognised by the ghosts they believed were present. Witches, hobgoblins, fairies, and devils became connected with the day as a result of these practices. 

Marriage, health, and death were also regarded to be favourable during this time period for divination. When the Romans conquered the Celts in the first century CE, they added their own festivals of Feralia, which commemorated the passing of the dead, and Pomona, the goddess of the harvest, to the Celtic calendar.

Halloween Poems for Elementary Students

1. Boo 

Here you are, dressed up for the night, You knock and knock hoping to fright, Instead I am dressed up too, I give you a fright when I yell BOO!

                                   - Emma Walsh

2. Halloween Fun

We like to go, on Halloween All up and down our street, Dressed up like ghosts and witches bad, And frighten those we meet.

I like the lively jack o' lanterns That wink and blink at me. The screeching bats and creeping cats Are funny as can be.

I like to eat the pumpkin pies That mother makes - yum, yum! Oh, I'm so very glad each year, When Halloween has come!

                             - Ada Clark

A shop selling Halloween masks

Summary of Halloween Poems for Kids

Halloween began as a magical holiday for those who practised it. Since then, it has evolved into something entirely different. The thrill of dressing up and pretending to be someone else for a night is what Halloween is all about. Trick-or-treating and children consuming an excessive amount of candy.

Attending costume parties and the thrill of a good scare are two of kids’ favourite things to do, in addition to carving jack-o'-lanterns out of pumpkins and decorating houses. Halloween has evolved into an Autumn festival. The holiday may also have a bad side when children who believe they are entitled to candy destroy property.