There are so many great Halloween songs out there. The problem is: They’re too great. I still shudder every time I hear Vincent Price’s voiceover in “Thriller,” and I’ve been like that since I was a kid. When it comes time to have a kid Halloween party or a family costume dance-off, it’s time to prune the playlist a little. (Sorry, “Psycho Killer” — you’re out!)
These Halloween songs for kids still evoke a witchy, late-October vibe, but they won’t keep the kids up all night with visions of Jasons and Freddy Kruegers dancing in their heads. (Your mileage my vary: some are spookier than others.) There are dance crazes to get the party started, sing-alongs with lots of repetition for toddlers and preschoolers, classic TV theme songs and even a few adult songs that passed our not-so-scary test. Throw them on, and get ready to Monster Mash late into the night. (Or at least until 8 pm.)
When you’re done checking these out, take a look at some of Good Housekeeping’s other great family Halloween ideas, including Halloween movies for kids, Halloween crafts for kids and easy pumpkin-carving ideas.
“The Monster Mash” by Bobby “Boris” Pickett
It’s an all-time classic Halloween song and a dance craze in one! Throw this on and challenge kids to show off their favorite Transylvania Twist.
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“This Is Halloween” From ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’
Danny Elfman blends pop catchiness with goth moodiness in a song that celebrates all of the fun, creepy things about the holiday.
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“Ghostbusters” by Ray Parker, Jr.
There’s nothing better than the faces kids make when they say, “Who you gonna call?”
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“Halloween Sharks” by Pinkfong
You think you’d be able to avoid “Baby Shark” at Halloween? Think again. This song is the classic “Baby Shark” melody with a slower, spookier twist.
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The Theme From ‘The X-Files’
This song is 100% mood, no lyrics, so you don’t have to worry about putting any scary images into their heads (but the whistling might creep them out).
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“Somebody’s Watching Me” by Rockwell
Paranoia has never sounded so groovy. It’ll get them all moving — and looking over their shoulders.
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“Under My Bed” by Recess Monkey
Who knows what lurks under there? When they hear these folky hooks, kids might not be afraid to go look under their beds anymore.
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“Monster Boogie” by the Laurie Berkner Band
This song is short, but packs in a lot of energy: little ones will show off their own Monster Wiggle and Monster Roar when they hear it.
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“Superstition” by Stevie Wonder
Running afoul of a superstition will give you bad luck. Getting this song stuck in your head, though, is all good vibes.
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“I Put a Spell on You” Performed by Bette Midler, From ‘Hocus Pocus’
“Little Shop of Horrors” from “Little Shop of Horrors”
This song is a word of warning, wrapped in a ’60s girl group dance-a-thon.
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“Magic Dance” Performed by David Bowie, From ‘Labyrinth’
Bowie transforms into the Goblin King for the movie Labyrinth, but, surrounded by his chorus of goblins, he makes it sound really fun. Kids love repeating the call-and-response “You remind me of the babe” beginning.
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The Theme From ‘The Addams Family’
“Five Little Pumpkins” by the Kiboomers
This simple song is easy to learn and fun to sing along to, making it a great choice for toddlers and pre-schoolers.
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“The Time Warp” From ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’
Another dance craze! There are classic Frankenstein story elements in there, but it’s so energetic, your kids will be too involved to be afraid.
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“Ghost In My House” by Jumpin’ Jamie
If it gets kids to rock out this hard, maybe a ghost in the house isn’t such a bad thing?
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“Costume Party” by The Pop Ups
Your kids have spent so long trying to think of the perfect costumes for their parties. Let them listen to a song that acknowledges the struggle.
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“Bumps in the Night” by KB Whirly
Kids can definitely relate to this one: It’s about the spooky sounds you hear at night (Halloween or otherwise), and how you have to be brave about them. Parents might dig the Scooby Doo-inspired video, too.
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“We Only Come Out at Night” by Smashing Pumpkins
This song isn’t explicitly about zombies, but it totally sounds like it is, with the bonus that there’s no talk of gore. It even has a lilting, zombified beat.
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The Theme From ‘The Munsters’
Even though this song has no words, and your kids haven’t seen The Munsters, they’ll be able to tell that this song has the Halloween vibe they’re in the mood for.
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“Purple People Eater” by Sheb Wooley
No one else has captured a monster quite so groovy as the one-eyed, one-horned, flying purple people eater.
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“Grim, Grinning Ghosts” From the Haunted Mansion
“Moonlit Town” by Dan Zanes
This country-sounding songs by children’s-music legend Dan Zanes, about what it’s like to think about Halloween once it’s over, has more of a wistful feel than a scary one.
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“Little Ghost” by The White Stripes
It’s so hard when you fall in love with a ghost, right? This song is about a ghostly romance, but it’s so upbeat that everyone will be up and dancing.
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“Ghostbusters” by Andrew & Polly
If the original “Ghostbusters” song is too scary, this take on it by Andrew & Polly makes it cuter and less intimidating. It still has that good beat, though.
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“Halloween Night” by Like Father, Like Son
This song has lots of fun ghost noises that your little monsters will love to sing along with.
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“She Writes Frankenstein” by Mr. Singer and the Sharp Cookies
A good Halloween song and a history lesson in one, this song is about Mary Shelley, the author of, of course, Frankenstein. It comes from a whole album of Halloween songs from Mr. Singer and the Sharp Cookies, so if you’re not into Shelley, you can take your pick.
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“Ain’t No Party Like Halloween” by Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
Agent 23 Skidoo brings a hip-hop flavor to kids’ music with this party jam that borrows from “In the Hall of the Mountain King.” (The band’s song “Monsters” works thematically, too.)
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“Halloween Is Finally Here” by Bears and Lions
Your kids are thinking it! You might as well let them sing it out loud.
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“Season of the Witch” by Donovan
The witchy women in your life (and all the warlocks, too) to will love the way this song has a slow build to a big chorus.
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“It’s Halloween” by Lucy Kalantari
“This Is the Night” by the Weird Sisters
The Weird Sisters (aka Jarvis Cocker from the British band Pulp) may have rocked the Yule Ball in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, but “This Is the Night” is definitely a Halloween song if we’ve ever heard one. The lyric, “There’s something out there, and it don’t seem very friendly does it?” is basically the beginning of every Halloween movie ever.
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“Skeletone” by Caspar Babypants
Caspar Babypants — aka Chris Ballew from the band Presidents of the United States of America to the ’90s kids — offers this ode to a skeleton who can play the bones like a xylophone.
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“Dinner With Drac” by John Zacherle
John Zacherle, the “Cool Ghoul,” sings three verses about his run-in with monsters, but they’re more like funny limericks set to a 1950s rock ‘n’ roll sound.
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“Witch Doctor” by David Seville
Did you know: Seville (whose non-stage name was Ross Bagdasarian Sr.,) used a sped-up tape effect to make the voice of the “Witch Doctor” — and then went on to create The Chipmunks.
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“Trick or Treat” by Justin Roberts
This one is so catchy, you might want to listen to it even when it’s not Halloween. It’s perfect for a party — or when you’re sorting through that post-Halloween candy haul.
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“Robot Parade” by They Might Be Giants
The melody of this is so sweet, you might not realize it’s about a robot uprising. The lyrics also evoke the idea of a Halloween parade.
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“Werewolves Rock” by Gustafer Yellowgold
“The Cat Came Back” by Fred Penner
Spooky, Scary Skeletons
Kidz Bop has put out a dance-music-style version of this Halloween tale, so its perfect if you’re looking for a dance party.
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