Costumes, candy, decorations, and more! Halloween is one of the most electrifying holidays for kids. There are also endless opportunities to incorporate the holiday fun into the classroom. Here are a few ideas that can be adapted for all ages.

Photo by Beth Teutschmann on Unsplash

1. Read spooky Halloween stories

It doesn’t matter what ages your students are because most love being read to. Reading a spooky Halloween story to the class is the perfect way to get into the spirit. Don’t worry if you have older students, Edgar Allen Poe, Roald Dahl, and Ray Bradbury have the perfect short stories with just the right amount of spook. If you have younger students, here are a few ghostly options.

• Bunnicula by James Howe.
• A Very Brave Witch by Alison McGhee.
• Scary, Scary Halloween by Eve Bunting.
• Boris and Bella by Carolyn Crimi.
• Pumpkin Soup by Helen Cooper.
• Room On The Broom by Julia Donaldson.

2. Design a Haunted House

This one can be complicated or simple to meet the needs of your learners. If you teach high school, let students design a haunted house as a math activity. Students can use grid paper and calculate the area and perimeter. Younger students can use construction paper and draw pictures of their ghoulish creations. Afterwards, students can write creative stories describing all the details of their petrifying places.

3. Spookley the Pumpkin cooking

If you haven’t had the chance to read the book, The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin, it is a good one! Spookley is square and at first a little insecure that no one wants to take him home. In the end, he learns to accept himself even though he looks different from the other pumpkins at the patch. Kids of all ages will benefit from this powerful lesson on self love. Afterwards, kids can make their own Spookley using graham crackers and orange frosting. What kid doesn’t like cooking in class and a treat with frosting? Check out some examples from The Resourceful Mama!

https://www.theresourcefulmama.com/book-inspired-pumpkin-snacks/

4. Halloween STEM activities

There are a plethora of Halloween STEM activities to choose from. Students can use candy corn, pumpkin seeds, and cobwebs for some scientific fun. One of my favorite projects is making ghosts fly with the use of static electricity! Cut some ghosts out of tissue paper and use balloons to make them float. Check out the Homeschool Scientists for some instructions!

https://thehomeschoolscientist.com/halloween-science-static-electricity-ghosts/

Halloween activities can be academic, uplifting and a ton of fun for teachers and students alike. What are some of your favorite Halloween activities? Share some ideas in the comments below!