13 Halloween Songs for Kids

13 HALLOWEEN SONGS FOR KIDS

Take a look at this list of 13 Halloween songs for kids. Listen to one or a few a night all October to get into the mood of the season, or create a playlist with them all for a party. They’e all perfect for Halloween parties, as well as personal listening or even the classroom.

The “BUY” buttons below the CD covers have all been linked to Amazon for your convenience. Get more information on the ones that interest you, or buy them and help support Felipe Femur and his friends, as well as the talented artists who created the music.

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5 Little Pumpkins Sitting on a Gate – The Kiboomers

Though first on this list of thirteen Halloween songs for kids, remember it is in alphabetical order, and not in order of quality or the editor’s personal choice of best to less great. Still, while not worthy of a Grammy award, 5 Little Pumpkins Sitting on a Gate is a fun song for the Halloween season. This entry is for very young children and is in tune with preschool/kindergarten activities performed all over the country, so in essences a nursery rhyme. It’s the perfect song to play just before sending the youngest kids to bed, while the older ones stick around for the other songs and the best Halloween party they’ll ever have the pleasure of attending. The image to the left is linked to the entire Halloween Kiboomu album of equally cute and fun songs, so you can put music to a preschooler Halloween party with a single CD. For everyone else, keep scrolling for the best songs for the Halloween season or to liven up a Halloween party.

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Addams Family Theme – Victor Mizzy

Victor Mizzy and His Orchestra and Chorus. Who could resist snapping along to this classic? You’d have to be a monster to refrain from the contagious fun of the song. Get it? A monster? Bu-dum-chh! No? Well, ok then. The fact remains, that this song is fun for all the young goblins and ghouls at the party, and a source of sweet nostalgia for the older generations. If you don’t want party goers to be distracted by singing along then perhaps opt for the instrumental version of the song instead. Both are great.

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Bad Moon Rising – Creedence Clearwater Revival

The refrain in the chorus is not the commonly thought, “There’s a bathroom on the right,” but rather, “There’s a bad moon on the rise,” thus categorizing this song as perfect for Halloween. After all, the moon is not only a symbol of the night, but also an iconic symbol of the Halloween season. For example, most every Halloween silhouette cutout is backed by a full moon. Not to mention the moon’s relation to the classic werewolf. It’s easy to hear something beyond the horror of a weather apocalypse that the song’s lyrics discuss, to the other things that can go bump in the night: owls, witches, goblins, and werewolves especially. Also, check out these two amazing covers of Bad Moon Rising: the first is a deeper male voice, with a darker feel, and a slower tempo by Mourning Ritual; and the second is a haunting rendition with a female vocalist–Rasputina.

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Ghostbusters – Ray Parker Jr.

If you want a great Halloween party, who you gonna call? That’s right, the Ghostbusters, or at least bring their theme song to the music mix. You could even create a whole Ghostbuster themed party if you wanted. Green Kool Aid could be a tribute to Slimer, or if you can get your hands on some Ecto Cooler Hi-C, all the better. Make some spooky snacks such as Stay Puft Marshmallow Man treats with marshmallows and toothpicks. Pretend water guns are proton packs and take turns being the ghost or play pin the ghost trap on the ghost. Draw ghost faces on white balloons, or Slimer’s face on green ones for decoration. If you put your mind to it, you could come up with plenty more great ideas for a Ghostbuster themed party. Or you could just have the song play in the background of a more traditional affair.

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Halloween – Wendy Wiseman

Another song aimed primarily at younger kids, however the vocals and the tune can resonate with older generations, as well. It’s by no means a mature song, as the classic rock song above or those below might be considered, but it is an enjoyable listen and a fun addition to a Halloween song list.

Not much more to be said about this one, other than it’s undeniably Halloween themed.

Also, don’t judge the song by the CD cover.

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Li’l Red Riding Hood – Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs

The song is not directly linked to Halloween, that’s a given, but the fact that it is sung from the perspective of the classic antagonist The Big bad Wolf gives this the haunting Halloween feel. The song fits werewolf movies perfectly, such as Cursed (2005) [PG-13], with its opening scene at the carnival, in which the band Bowling for Soup performs a cover of the song. If that’s not enough to convince you this song is great for Halloween, then there is the opening howl and the howls throughout to spook the kiddies during the party. Wolves can be quite scary when they’re talking about eating little girls. Check out the awesome cover of Li’l Red Riding Hood by Bowling for Soup.

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Monster Mash – Bobby Pickett & the Crypt-Kickers

Arguably the most iconic Halloween song on the list, Monster Mash is certainly a classic. A good fraction of Halloween decorations utilize the song for their sound boxes, it’s replayed on the radio all season nearly everywhere, and it has been featured in Halloween specials such as Alvin and Chipmunks’s Trick or Treason; Futurama, The Big O, Happy days, and many others. Recited from the point of view of a mad scientist, the song introduces the hottest thing since the Transylvania Twist, and while the moves of the Monster Mash are up to interpretation, the fun the song brings to the party is universally accepted as great. Only Dracula might disagree with that statement, so unless you want your party to “suck” like him, add the song to your Halloween song roster. For a different, faster paced version of the song, take a look at the Misfits cover of it.

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Pet Sematary – Ramones

Don’t let the misspelling of cemetery discourage you from giving this great song a listen. The name comes from the Stephen King novel by the same name, which has a pet cemetery founded by children who spelled the name phonically. With lyrics such as “Molars and fangs, the clicking of bones. Spirits moaning among the tombstones,” it’s easy to see why this song should be included on a Halloween party music track list. Also don’t let the fact that the song is performed by the famous punk rock band the Ramones deter you either. The song has a smooth, nonabrasive sound to it, and the lyrics are clean, though dark. And dark is perfect for the season.

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Smoke – The Coffin Daggers

Probably the least conventional song on this list, Smoke by the Coffin daggers remains a strong addition to any Halloween party playlist. It’s entirely instrumental, making it appropriate for all ages, and it certainly gives off a creepy Halloween vibe. It’s Neo-surf at its best. The whole album Monsters from the Id is worth a listen through and could supply a good forty-four minutes of background music for the party should you want a non distracting, eerie playlist, all in one purchase. Smart too, with the title including a reference to Sigmund Freud’s psyche model and the psychic apparatus the id, as in the id, the ego, and the super-ego. In other words, the instinctive drives of a person, the animalistic side. And what’s more scary than a human being? That’s right, nothing. This song, as well as the entire album of subconscious surf music is sure to spook and delight.

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Tales From The Crypt – Danny Elfman

Danny Elfman is perhaps the most iconic composer of all time when it comes to music in the vein of Halloween and quirky horror. Think nightmare before Christmas (as shown below), and, of course, Tales from the Crypt. If you don’t have episodes of Tales from the Crypt playing at the party, you better at least have this song. In fact, take it a step further as the host and dress up as the Crypt Keeper himself. Just be sure to get the iconic cackle down in order to sell it to all the boils and ghouls.

Remember to keep it punny.

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This is Halloween – Danny Elfman

(Residents of Halloween Town). Danny Elfman’s work is so great, he’s made the list twice. Make it three times if you feel the urge to add his Beetlejuice theme. This is probably better with the video to go with it, as the claymation is stunning and the look of the characters adds a lot to the music, but it’s still a great addition to a Halloween playlist, even without the video aspect.

Marilyn Manson did a cover of the song fairly recently. And why Marilyn Manson might not be parents’ top choice of music artists for their children to be listening to, he does a great job with the song and keeps it clean. Maybe use this as a “don’t judge a book by its cover” lesson and let kids have a listen to the “evil” Mr. Manson. Teach the children to be accepting of even the strangest people, and show them that the man has a pure side. A wide range of talent.

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Thriller – Michael Jackson

Ask anyone to name a Halloween song, and I’m willing to bet that after Monster mash, Thriller is the second most frequent choice. The King of Pop brought us this gem, and if any song on this list can get people up and dancing, it’s this one. So, if you want dancing to be a main attraction of your party be sure to have this one play early on to break the ice and get people moving. The thriller dance moves are not only unforgettable, but also fun.

The music video would be good to show, as well, especially if you have a large TV or projector. Use it as a instructional video if this is the first time your guest have had the pleasure of listening to Thriller.

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THE HEARSE SONG – HARLEY POE

For Halloween, the only thing more iconic than the vampire Dracula and his Transylvania Twist (which has fallen from fashion) is death itself. While Harley Poe as a whole is not the most kid friendly of artists, his eerie rendition of The Hearse Song is. The song originated in war, but was popularized by Alvin Schwartz’s with his children’s horror book, Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark. It’s the perfect song to creep the older kiddies out, but should probably be downloaded by an adult as the album it’s from contains explicit songs as well, explaining why the true CD cover could not be used (bad words). Linked in the YouTube video of the song.

The Hearse Song brings us brings us to the end of our list of thirteen Halloween songs appropriate for children, but it’s just the start of the best Halloween party you have yet to throw. Don’t forget to check out the other Felipe Femur posts on great Halloween ideas, including Halloween movies to watch, books to read, and costumes to wear. Print out some free bingo cards, hangman sheets, and spooky word searches to add some fun to your party, as well. Click here for the free templates.

Thanks for reading, and happy listening.