Get us in your inbox

The best Halloween songs for kids

Our favourite Halloween songs for kids will send shivers down your spine and put you in a spooky state of mind!

Written by
Will Gleason
&
Danielle Valente
Contributors
Andy Kryza
&
Charmaine Wong
Advertising

Contrary to those old photos of your ‘sexy RBG’ costume hiding in your Facebook profile, Halloween is for the kids. And while there are plenty of spooky songs for the adults, we’re not sure the kiddos are ready to groove to Danzig quite yet. Instead, put these 15 little-ghoul-approved songs on your Spotify queue to help burn off the excess calories, among them kindie-rock darlings, sing-along hits and some ghosts of Halloween past. Happy haunting!

RECOMMENDED: 
👻 The best scary movies for kids
🧟 Wicked thing to do in London for kids
🎃 Where to go pumpkin picking near London this Halloween 
🦇 The best Halloween events in the UK to get spooky

Best Halloween songs for kids

‘This is Halloween’ by Danny Elfman
Image: Disney

1. ‘This is Halloween’ by Danny Elfman

For macabre-minded kids, this theme from The Nightmare Before Christmas has become the ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ of Halloween, a roll-call of creepy creatures that rallies around the titular declaration. It’s also a sneaky introduction to the wonders of Oingo Boingo, in case you’re hoping to school the kiddies on the wonders of Danny Elfman’s new-wave back catalogue. 

‘Monster Mash’ by Bobby ‘Boris’ Pickett and the Crypt-Keepers
Image: Garpax

2. ‘Monster Mash’ by Bobby ‘Boris’ Pickett and the Crypt-Keepers

If you’re going to bust a dance move on Halloween, you would be remiss to forgo playing ‘Monster Mash.’ This '1962 hit has made its way to the black hearts and souls of various generations, and no get-together in the fall is complete without it. How does your ‘Monster Mash’ stack up to the competition?

Advertising
‘Under My Bed’ by Recess Monkey
Image: Recess Monkey

3. ‘Under My Bed’ by Recess Monkey

Little ghouls, goblins and vampires will have no problem jumping along to this folk tune about the creatures who possibly appear when they sleep. Monsters under the bed are certainly a frightening topic come bedtime, but this jingle welcomes the spookiness with fun beats that beg for a quick dance marathon.

‘Spooky Scary Skeletons’ by Andrew Gold
Image: Music for Little People

4. ‘Spooky Scary Skeletons’ by Andrew Gold

A jaunty, spindly, xylophone-heavy ode to the spine-tingling effect of dancing skeletons, Andrew Gold’s goofy tale of misunderstood bags of bones – turns out they only want to hang out – is a crowd-pleaser to be sure. But it’s also the gift that keeps on giving: Once you’ve exhausted the original, pop on the EDM remix. 

Advertising
‘Them Bones’ by Caspar Babypants
Image: Aurora Elephant Music

5. ‘Them Bones’ by Caspar Babypants

Kindie rock favourite Caspar Babypants – AKA The Presidents of the United States of America singer Chris Ballew – takes the classic skeleton song on a funky spin in this creepy-crawly jam that encourages all sorts of twisting, quivering, shivering and noise-making. It essentially renders the ‘Hokey Pokey’ irrelevant.

‘The Monsters Hop’ by Bert Convy
Image: Wacky Tunes

6. ‘The Monsters Hop’ by Bert Convy

This '60s throwback will give you chills! Follow along as Bert catches sight of Frankenstein, Dracula and other ghastly monsters. The bluesy undertones make it practically impossible not to bust a move.

Advertising
‘The Purple People Eater’ by Sheb Wooley
Image: MGM

7. ‘The Purple People Eater’ by Sheb Wooley

Is it a purple creature who eats people? A monster that only eats people who are purple? Who cares: It can rip a crazy good sax solo, and that’s kept this novelty song in the cultural conversation for more than 60 years.

‘Halloween Sharks’ by Pinkfong
Image: Pinkfong

8. ‘Halloween Sharks’ by Pinkfong

If you thought hearing ‘Baby Shark’ a few million times was scary, wait until you get ahold of the Halloween rendition of the toddler fan fave. We're treated to a slower, jazzier tempo and a few ‘boos’ to replace the ‘doos,’ but ultimately it's a safe bet to assume that this is probably going to get stuck in your head, just like the original. 

Advertising
‘Costume Party’ by The Pop Ups
Image: Pop Up City Records

9. ‘Costume Party’ by The Pop Ups

Perusing Spirit Halloween is more challenging than it is entertaining. With aisles of fun costumes, it makes choosing just one almost impossible. This track is for any kiddo who can't decide what to be on the spookiest day of the year.

‘The Darlings of Lumberland’ by They Might Be Giants
Image: Idlewild

10. ‘The Darlings of Lumberland’ by They Might Be Giants

Although They Might Be Giants is one of our go-to bands for kids, we won't judge if you choose to rock out to this catchy industrial jazz tune solo. It’s eerie and unusual enough to put a spin on your Halloween party playlist. These Brooklynites certainly make the kindie scene cool for the adults, too.

Advertising
‘Monster Boogie’ by The Laurie Berkner Band
Image: Two Tomatoes Records

11. ‘Monster Boogie’ by The Laurie Berkner Band

A monster with purple eyes and green teeth is the inspiration behind the rhythmic folk tune from The Laurie Berkner Band. We're more than willing to boogie to anything she sings, but this track is on repeat for us when October hits.

‘Season of the Witch’ by Lana Del Rey
Image: Lionsgate

12. ‘Season of the Witch’ by Lana Del Rey

Del’Rey's airy vocals are the perfect complement to Donovan’s original track. We can't help but feel a sense of mystery brewing every time we listen. Ultimately, the remix just might be even creepier than the original, which is no small feat. No wonder it made it onto the Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark soundtrack. 

Advertising
‘Haunting Days of Halloween’ by Lucy Kalantari & The Jazz Cats
Image: Lucy Kalantari & the Jazz Cats

13. ‘Haunting Days of Halloween’ by Lucy Kalantari & The Jazz Cats

The sing-song jazz tune will draw listeners in and get them groovin' as the dissonant strings start to play. It's spooky, it's fun and, honestly, worth a listen even if your Halloween party is totally free of kids.

‘Ghost In My House’ by Jumpin’ Jamie
Image: Jumpin’ Jamie

14. ‘Ghost In My House’ by Jumpin’ Jamie

The Weezer-esque rock tune makes a ghost in the house sound more fun – and at times irritating – than scary. We get total little brother vibes from this jam. Plus, any paranormal presence that's entertaining and not menacing is a win!

Advertising
‘Ghostbusters’ by Ray Parker Jr.
Image: Arista

15. ‘Ghostbusters’ by Ray Parker Jr.

If there’s something strange in your neighbourhood, who're you gonna call? The Ghostbusters, obvs. And you’d do well to also call on them when it’s time to entertain any little monsters you’re hosting this Halloween. When the theme song to the 1984 film of the same name starts playing, the lyrics come rushing right back. When unknown spirits come a-knocking on your door in the night, just tell them, ‘I ain’t afraid of no ghost.’

Recommended
    You may also like
    You may also like
    Advertising