45 Fun Halloween Songs for Kids That'll Get the Costume Party Going
When you need a Halloween playlist ... who you gonna call?
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Music makes it easy to set a Halloween mood. A little too easy. When it comes to Halloween songs, there are plenty of chilling tunes that will scare the heck out of the youngest trick-or-treaters out there. (Heck, I still feel creeped out whenever I hear Vincent Price's voiceover in "Thriller.")
If you're planning a family-friendly affair, though, and you need some music to set the tone, there are still plenty of Halloween songs for kids that won't keep them up at night. Some are made by beloved children's musicians, like Laurie Bernker, Dan Zanes or Lucy Kalantari, who know their audience well and know how to keep things spooky, but not terrifying. Others are really adult songs that aren't too scary for kids (though, as always, your mileage may vary). And still some are from favorite movies and TV shows that will have kids, tweens, teens and adults all up and on the dance floor together. But who will have the best Transylvania Twist?
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 just isn't a spooky playlist without this classic Halloween song, which both offers a stone-cold groove and teaches you how to dance to it. Throw it on, and the dancing will catch on in a flash.
"The Human Bash" by Billy Kelly
Is the "Monster Mash" too scary? This song hilariously flips the words around to describe an extremely normal Halloween party. Instead of famed guests zombies, the Wolfman and Dracula, this song tells tales of a party that includes "neighbors, family, friends and people from work." It's part of Billy Kelly's Ha Ha Halloween EP, which has lots of funny, Halloween-themed songs.
"What Am I Gonna Be (For Halloween)?" by The Laurie Berkner Band
Laurie Berkner is the undisputed queen of kid's Halloween songs. She has a whole 35-minute video compilation of Halloween songs, with faves like "I Picked One Pumpkin," "Monster Boogie" and this ditty, which runs through different options for Halloween costumes. A new song, “Halloween Train,” will be released on September 9, but these should tide you over until then.
"Spooky, Scary Skeletons" by Andrew Gold
TikTok star Boomer brought this old tune back into the limelight. You can go with the classic version (link below), or the more dance-able "Undead Tombstone Remix" (as heard in this video).
"Party Monsters" by Suzi Shelton and FYÜTCH
The creators of this song say they're inspired by pop music by Sia and the Beastie Boys. The tune, which describes a party, is sure to get your own bash going.
"Ghostbusters" by Ray Parker, Jr.
There's nothing better than the faces kids make when they say, "Who you gonna call?"
“Ghost in the Closet” by Wendy & DB
This song has a jazzy feel that kids can groove to. It also offers helpful advice for what to do when there's a ghost in the closet. (Do you answer the door and say, "How do you do?" Or do you just yell, "Boo!")
"This Is Halloween" From 'The Nightmare Before Christmas'
The best Disney Halloween song, in this tune Danny Elfman blends pop catchiness with goth moodiness in a way that celebrates all of the fun, creepy things about the holiday.
“Confusing Costume” by Joanie Leeds
This singer-songwritery Halloween song is an ode to the homemade costumes that aren't easy to ID on first glance. Anyone can be a princess, but it takes someone special to go door-to-door as Andy Warhol.
"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.
"Los Esqueletos" by Musiquita
Husband-and-wife duo Blanca Gonzalez and Jesse Elder perform kids' music together as the band Musiquita. Their first album comes out in the fall, but they do have a whole playlist of Halloween-themed YouTube songs in Spanish.
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).
"Somebody's Watching Me" by Rockwell
Paranoia has never sounded so groovy. It'll get them all moving — and looking over their shoulders.
"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.
"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.
"I Put a Spell on You" Performed by Bette Midler, From 'Hocus Pocus'
There are many versions of "I Put a Spell on You" that you can choose from — you could go with the classic Screamin' Jay Hawkins track, the inimitable Nina Simone cover or the terrifying version by Nick Cave — but if you have the opportunity to add more Sanderson Sisters into your Halloween, why wouldn't you?
RELATED: See How the Original 'Hocus Pocus' Cast Has Changed Over the Past 26 Years
"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.
"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.
The Theme From 'The Addams Family'
Kids don't have to have seen the original TV series to be familiar with this song — they all know when to snap. (Or, if you really want to throw it back, put on "The Addams Groove" by MC Hammer — it's still a banger and you know it.)
"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.
Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; previously, she wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother. She lives with her toy-collecting husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found helping out her team at bar trivia or posting about movies on Twitter and Bluesky.
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