Got a kid who loves scary stories? We’ve compiled a list of mildly spooky horror stories that could still give them (and maybe you) goosebumps.
Just like us, some kids love a good spooky story. Perhaps it’s the mystery and unknown that unfolds with every page. Or, it could just be that they want to experience a little thrill through the safety net of the fictional world. So if you think your kids are ready to read some dark tales by themselves, we’ve got a list of not-so scary horror books that are kid-friendly to recommend (yep, we at HoneyKids HQ do read kid’s horror sometimes)! While they may not be Stephen King-level scary, these books could still give the kids (and you, perhaps?) some goosebumps…
Kid-friendly scary stories for little horror fans
1. The Night Gardener by Jonathan Auxier
This book has everything that a classic horror story needs: a dilapidated manor house and a reclusive family who looks ghostly pale. Despite hearing rumours that the Windsor Estate and its family were cursed, siblings Molly and Kip were still determined to join the household staff. True enough, the siblings started seeing an evil-looking spectre who tends to visit the garden at night. But it wasn’t just that, their deepest, darkest desires seem to magically come true…
2. Doll Bones by Holly Black
The kids may have heard of Holly Black from The Spiderwick Chronicles fame. And if they loved the Spiderwick series, they’ll be sure to love Doll Bones too. The novel talks about three friends who often engage in pretend play with their dolls and action figures. However, disaster struck as one of them decided to quit the game to ‘grow up’. The antique doll that the trio used to play with started to haunt one of the girls, revealing its gruesome origins, and directing the friends to return it to its owner’s grave, or else…
3. Ten Sorry Tales by Mick Jackson
Here’s an anthology of ten short stories that may frighten you and make you laugh at the same time. You’ll find the tales of two antisocial and murderous sisters, butterflies that come back to life, dark and cursed forests, as well as unlucky undertakers. As the title suggests, you may feel sorry for some of the characters in these darkly humorous short stories.
4. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Think of it as The Jungle Book, but taking place in a graveyard instead of the wild. The graveyard is the only world that Bod knows. He has a mentor in the form of a vampire; a werewolf as a teacher; and his adoptive parents are resident ghosts of the graveyard. Bod has adventures in the graveyard every now and then, most of them being near-miss incidents. But the real danger comes in the form of a living, breathing man who has ties to his past. Because sometimes, the scariest and most evil of hearts exists in the living…
5. Coraline by Neil Gaiman
What if you stumble upon an alternate universe where things are more fun and cool, and you get everything you wish for? Sounds like everyone’s dream, doesn’t it? Coraline found this in the Other world, which exists in a small door in her boring flat’s drawing room. The Other Mother and Father are willing to play with her, unlike her actual parents. The same goes for her Other neighbours too, who are more interesting than weird, which her actual ones are. But there’s something sinister about all these, especially those black button eyes they have…
6. Christmas Dinner of Souls by Ross Montgomery
Here’s an interesting read that’s perfect for both Halloween and Christmas! What’s more, it features seven stories within a story. As punishment for vandalism, Lewis has to spend Christmas Eve serving dinner to the Dean and selected alumni of Soul’s College. What seems like a tedious job quickly turned into a life-threatening affair, as all the dinner guests turned out to be violent and murderous. As per tradition, each guest competes to see who is capable of telling the scariest story. And the winner gets to claim an ancient, gruesome prize in the crypt…
7. Deep and Dark and Dangerous by Mary Downing Hahn
Ali is super happy to spend summer with her aunt Dulcie’s family. However, things took an ominous turn when the cousin she’s babysitting befriended a really rude girl. Not only is she a bad influence on her cousin, but this new friend also tried to drown her cousin as well. Then there’s also that torn photograph of her mum, aunt Dulcie, and an unknown girl named T, whom the adults refused to talk about. Could T and her cousin’s new friend be related? And why is this new friend always so angry… and bloodthirsty?
8. The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury
More than just a classic Halloween tale, this novel actually teaches children about the origins of several holidays that resemble or are linked to Halloween. It all started one Halloween night when Pipkin failed to meet up with his group of friends at the neighbourhood haunted house. With the help of the mysterious Mr. Moundshroud, Pipkin’s friends journey through time and space to save their friend from the Dark Something. Their quest takes them through Ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, Celtic Europe, and other civilisations as they learn about the truth of All Hallows’ Night.
Fancy a horror tale for yourself? Check out our Halloween book list and Asian horror novels recommendations!
