Kids love a little thrill, whether it’s gathering around a campfire, turning off the lights for a spooky bedtime story, or sharing ghostly tales at a sleepover. The right scary stories for kids can be exciting, suspenseful, and just creepy enough to send shivers down their spines without keeping them up all night! So, grab a blanket, dim the lights, and get ready for some spine-tingling fun! These 10 kid-friendly scary stories will spark their imagination and leave them wanting more.
Get ready for a thrilling ride through ten short but chilling tales perfect for kids who enjoy a little scare. From whispering dolls to shadowy figures in the night, these stories will make you think twice before turning off the lights.
1. The Whispering Doll
Lily found an old doll in her grandmother’s attic. It had button eyes and a stitched smile. That night, as she lay in bed, she heard a whisper.
“Play with me…”
Lily’s heart pounded. The doll was sitting on her dresser. She was sure she had left it in the attic. She threw it in the closet and locked the door.
The next morning, the closet door was open, and the doll sat on her pillow, whispering again.
“Why won’t you play with me?”
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2. The Shadow in the Corner
Tommy loved to read before bed, but every night, he noticed a shadow in the corner of his room. It never moved, never spoke-just stood there.
One night, he worked up the courage to ask, “Who’s there?”
A voice whispered back, “I live here.”
Tommy leaped from his bed, turned on the lights-nothing was there. But when he turned them off again, the shadow had moved closer.
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3. The Vanishing Footsteps
Emma walked home from her friend’s house when she heard footsteps behind her. She turned. No one was there.
She walked faster. The footsteps followed.
She ran. The footsteps ran too.
She reached her house, slammed the door shut, and looked out the window.
No one was there. But wet footprints led from the sidewalk… to her door.
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4. The Closet That Never Closed
Ben’s new bedroom had a closet door that never stayed shut. Every night, he would close it, and every morning, it was open again.
One night, he decided to stay awake and watch.
At midnight, the door creaked open slowly.
Ben held his breath. Two glowing eyes peered out from the darkness.
The next morning, his parents found his bed empty. The closet door was shut… and locked.
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5. The Crying Boy
Sophia’s family moved into an old house. Every night, she heard a boy crying.
One night, she followed the sound to the basement.
“Hello?” she called.
The crying stopped.
A voice whispered behind her, “I was waiting for you.”
She turned, but no one was there. The next morning, she asked her parents.
They went pale. “No one has lived here since the boy who disappeared… in the basement.”
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6. The Ice-Cold Hand
Jake woke up in the middle of the night feeling a cold hand grab his ankle. He kicked and turned on his lamp.
Nothing.
The next night, it happened again. This time, he didn’t turn on the light.
He whispered, “Who are you?”
A voice beneath the bed answered, “I used to sleep here too.”
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7. The Mirror That Watched
Lucy loved her grandmother’s antique mirror. But sometimes, when she looked into it, her reflection didn’t move right away.
One night, as she brushed her hair, her reflection grinned. Lucy didn’t.
She stepped back. Her reflection raised a hand and waved.
Lucy ran from the room. When she returned, the mirror was empty, and her reflection was gone.
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8. The TV That Never Turned Off
Ethan’s TV turned on by itself every night at 3 AM.
One night, he unplugged it.
At 3 AM, static filled the screen, and a blurry face appeared.
A whisper crackled through the speakers: “Let me out.”
Ethan ran. In the morning, the TV was shattered like something had broken out.
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9. The Thing Under the Bed
Danny always kept his feet under the blanket-just in case.
One night, he forgot.
A cold, bony hand wrapped around his ankle.
He screamed and turned on the light. Nothing was there.
But his blanket had been pulled… halfway under the bed.
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10. The Forgotten Friend
Mia had an imaginary friend named Toby. They played together every day until she grew up and forgot about him.
One night, she woke up to a whisper.
“Mia, why did you forget me?”
She turned. A shadow stood at the foot of her bed.
“You left me alone,” it said.
Mia hid under the covers.
In the morning, the words “I’m still here” were written on her wall.
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FAQs
1. What is the shortest scary story for kids?
One of the shortest scary stories for kids is:
“Mommy, can you check under my bed for monsters?”
Her mother smiled and bent down. Only to see her daughter hiding under the bed, whispering, “Mommy, there’s someone else in my bed.”
2. Is it OK to tell kids scary stories?
Yes, telling kids scary stories can be okay, as long as they are age-appropriate. Spooky stories can help children develop creativity, resilience, and problem-solving skills while learning to manage fear in a safe environment. However, it’s important to ensure the stories aren’t too intense or disturbing for their age, and always reassure them that they are safe.
Final thoughts
Scary stories for kids are a fun and exciting way to spark imagination and enjoy a little thrill without being too frightening. Whether it’s a spooky tale before bedtime or a campfire ghost story, these short chills can make storytelling more exciting. Just remember, the best scary stories for kids are the ones that bring a little shiver but still leave room for laughter at the end! So, are you ready to share these spooky tales with your friends? You might also love exploring these Halloween-themed worksheets for kids to bring some spooky fun into your learning time!
