writing assignments for halloween

82+ Halloween Writing Prompts (+ Free Printable)

There are still a couple of weeks until Halloween, making it the perfect time to start writing some Halloween stories and poems. We understand that writing horror stories can be difficult, so here are over 82 Halloween writing prompts to help you out and even a free printable! Whether you only have 20 mins or 2 hours, these Halloween writing prompts should be perfect for getting those creative juices flowing. To get extra spooky with your story writing, you can even try combining some of these prompts into a mega story. Alternatively, why not write a scary story for each day until Halloween? Take a look at these Halloween picture prompts for more spooky inspiration!

For more Halloween inspiration, check out our horror book title generator or our list of horror writing prompts .

Halloween Writing Prompts:

Mu hahaha! Prepared to get creative this Halloween with our writing prompts.

• You’re a mad scientist. Today in your lab you are creating a new monster. Can you describe this monster? What does it look like? What do they eat? What do they smell like? You can use this monster name generator for some cool name ideas.
• Write a spooky story about three ghosts to tell around the campfire. Don’t forget to end on a big finale to scare everyone! (Check out our list of ghost name ideas for possible character name ideas.)
• One night, after carving a pumpkin, the pumpkin starts speaking to you.
• You hear a strange sound from your wardrobe, you open it and see…
• A bat flies into your room and says he needs your help.
• Describe your perfect haunted house . You can even draw a picture of it.
• What is the scariest thing you have ever seen? And are you still scared of it?
• You find some footprints leading into your house. What do you do?
• Your imaginary friend becomes real and starts causing trouble for you.
• Write 10 questions to interview a vampire and then answer them from the point of view of a vampire.
• Write a recipe for a witch’s brew. If you need an awesome name for your witch, check out our witch name generator .
• Write three acrostic poems using the words, Halloween, Witch and Frankenstein.
• Write a poem in any format you like about the scariest monster you have ever seen.
• Write down a detailed description of a recent nightmare that you have had.
• Your name is Connor. You are a troublemaker. What sort of problems do you think you would get into at your school Halloween party? Write about them!
• Write a gothic poem using the words creepy, ghouls, goblins and pitch-black. 
• Write a scary story about a group of friends playing a creepy version of Chinese Whispers, called Black Lotus. What consequences does this game have on their friendship?
• Write a script for a Halloween ghost stage show that includes a musical number.
• What happens when you dream of a creature that never sleeps? This creature is there when you wake up and there when you sleep. There’s no escaping it, or is there? 
• Write a poem that begins with the sentence: This night it’s your turn to die! How will you die?
• Write a ghost story using the book title idea: Catch A Ghost.
• Make a list of three things you love about Halloween and three things you hate about Halloween.
•  Write a scary story where a house does something supernatural and dangerous in order to stay in the Halloween spirit (it can even be a ghost that is haunting your house!).
• Imagine you are throwing the best Halloween party ever! How would you plan this party? Who will be at the party and what will happen at the party?
• Create a wish list of all the items you need for your Halloween party (dress, food, decorations…). How much money would you need?
• Think of 10 scary things that could happen on Halloween and brainstorm the consequences of each one.
• Find a relative of yours from the past who has passed away and imagine a conversation you might have with that person (for example Grandma: “When I was growing up…”).
• Think of a scary place where you would go on Halloween (it could be an old house, a building,…). What makes this place so scary?
• Candy is a huge part of Halloween, so why not think of something scary that you could do with your Halloween candy? Try to think of at least one idea.
• Write a short horror story about an evil, living pumpkin and its past.
• Write a ghost story that sounds like a haunted phone call that you would get if you called a non-existent person.
• Make a top ten list of the best Halloween costumes to wear.
• Make a list of your top five favourite Halloween candy or treats to eat.
• Do you follow any Halloween traditions or something that you do every year? If yes, why is this tradition important to you? Examples of common Halloween traditions include watching horror movies, going trick or treating, wearing costumes etc.
• If Halloween was banned in your town, would you care? Write a letter to your town mayor stating your opinion on Halloween. 
• Imagine you are a new student in school and you have to write a speech about Halloween. Write an interesting speech and share it with your friends and teachers.
• Write a newspaper article about a scary event that happens in your town every Halloween. 
• Make a top ten list of your favourite scary movies.
• Imagine you are a ghost and you want to haunt people. Where would you like to haunt people?
• Monster Mash is one the most popular songs to play on Halloween. Can you write your own spooky song for Halloween about monsters?
• Think of the worst Halloween treat you have ever eaten, and describe its taste in great detail.
• Make a top ten list of the scariest monsters or villains from books and movies.
• Trick or Treating is an ancient tradition that dates back to the middle ages. Back then it was known as mumming where people dressed up as creatures and performed tricks in exchange for food and drink. If you lived back then, what trick would you perform?
• Imagine your life as a ghost and you are chasing people to tell them what happens after death. What are you going to tell people?
• Think of any object in your room right now, and imagine that it was haunted by a ghostly spirit. What would it say or do?
• Write a how-to guide on how to scare people. What is the best way to terrify someone? What are some of the best things to use to scare someone?
• If you walked through a haunted house, what would be the scariest part?
• Do you think that trick-or-treating is just for little kids, or is this an activity that grown-ups should also be able to do?
•  Write a story about someone who gets lost in the woods on Halloween.
• Imagine a world, where instead of dressing up as monsters or creatures on Halloween, people dressed up as each other. Who would you dress up as and why?
• Write a newspaper article titled: The Biggest Trend Coming This Halloween Season!
• Have you ever seen a ghost and even if you didn’t believe in them, do you think they are real?
• Make a list of at least 5 activities to do on Halloween.
•  Think of a scary ghost from history or legend and write a ghost story about it. For example, some of the best ghost stories are based on true events like The Apparition of Madeleine or the Bloody Barrow in West Virginia.
• Write a Halloween story where ghosts and monsters appear and cause havoc all around town.
• Complete the following sentence in at least three different ways: Halloween is a time to…
• Write a newspaper article about the different Halloween traditions that exist around the world.
• Make a list of at least 5 scary words and use each one in a sentence. 
• Think of a time when you were scared of something and it was so bad that you couldn’t think about anything else. Describe what was going on around you.
• Write down a spell for turning people into toads. For this spell to work, it must rhyme. 
• Imagine that a ghost in your home is following you around. What would you do to scare it away?
• Write a scary story about a person who works at a pumpkin farm.
• Make a list of your greatest fears, and explain each one.
• Describe the world’s scariest clown. What would their name be? Think about their appearance and how they talk.
• Research and make a list of 5 interesting facts about Halloween.
• You’re hosting a Halloween dinner party at your house. Make a menu of the food you plan on serving your guests.
• Write a newspaper article about the history of Halloween and how it has changed over the years.
• Pretend you are on a ghost-hunting tour. Write a list of questions you will ask your tour guide.
• Imagine you are interviewing a real-life vampire for your school newspaper. Make a list of 5 questions you would ask this vampire. As a bonus, why not try answering these questions from the perspective of a vampire?
• Make a list of ten words related to Halloween, and use each one in a sentence.
• Complete the following sentence in at least three ways: If Halloween was a person, they would be…
• Would you rather be stuck in a graveyard on Halloween night, or lost in the woods? Explain your choice.
• Create your own Halloween greeting card – What spooky message will you include on the inside?
• Most people are scared of ghosts, but what do you think ghosts are scared of?
• Imagine you are invisible and you can hide anywhere in the world. Where would you hide and why?
• Write a limerick about a boy who drinks blood. You can start the limerick like this: There once was a boy who drank blood.
• Imagine that a ghost resides in your room, and every time you walk by, it laughs and tickles you. What should you do to stop it?
• Describe the monster that lives under your bed in great detail.
• Use the following story starter: A drop of blood, a handful of toenails and a pinch of ground-up teeth.  Timmy smiles and waits for things to come back.
• Use the following sentence to start your story: “Once upon a time, on Halloween night, there lived a guy named Sam…” 
• Use the following story starter: “So, which monster is going to eat you up tonight, little boy?”
• How do you think ghosts pick their victims? Make a list of things they look out for in their victims.
• Imagine you work for a spooky monster agency. Your task is to write up a job description for hiring a ghost to haunt people. What skills and traits are you looking for in a ghost?

For more Halloween writing prompts, check out our 31-Day October writing challenge ! You might also be interested in the list of over 62 fall writing prompts .

Halloween Writing Prompts Printable

Print out our spooky writing prompts to use offline. Perfect for when the electricity cuts off and all you have is the daylight or candlelight to write by. We even included a list of Halloween words to make your stories extra scary!

Share your Halloween stories with us!

Got a funny or scary Halloween story you want to share with us? We would love to read them! Comment your stories below or use the #imagineforest on social media to share them. You can even use the Imagine Forest story creator to publish your own stories online and share them with your friends. If you loved our 82+ Halloween writing prompts for kids, you’ll love our Halloween paper bookmark tutorial !

Marty the wizard is the master of Imagine Forest. When he's not reading a ton of books or writing some of his own tales, he loves to be surrounded by the magical creatures that live in Imagine Forest. While living in his tree house he has devoted his time to helping children around the world with their writing skills and creativity.

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15 Haunted Halloween Writing Prompts

by Abigail Perry and Ruthanne Reid | 10 comments

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BOO! Halloween is right around the corner—what better day to write some spooky stories? Sharpen your pencil and take a stab at one of these Halloween writing prompts !

Scary Stories Connect With Readers in Big Ways

You write to get a reaction out of your readers. No matter the genre, you want your reader to feel  something when they read your writing.

For horror writers, that feeling is fear. But it's also so much more.

Great horror stories take the everyday creepy and turn it into something even  more  creepy (and often become a condemnation of injustices in society). The great thing is, horror stories teach you that those creepy things can be beaten. That's what keeps bringing the readers back.

And that's why horror writers keep churning out the fear.

Maybe you love writing scary stories. Maybe you don't, but I hope you'll give it a try, just for practice (we're fans of that around here!).

Just like reading outside your genre is valuable to mastering the writing craft, so is writing a scary story .

This story doesn't have to be long, it could be a short story . Try for something you can write in one sitting, like 1,500 words.

To get you started, use one of the Halloween writing prompts suggested in this article. Then let loose, and have fun!

Creepy Story Writing Prompts

1. It's late at night, and you hear footsteps in the cellar, but you're definitely home alone…or so you thought.

2. You've put that doll in the cabinet, in the closet, in the attic, but no matter where you tuck it, it always shows back up on the sofa. On Halloween night, you find it watching you…

3. A bad-tempered businessman is driving home after a long day of work. He thinks he sees his kids trick-or-treating and stops to pick them up but those aren't costumes.

4. It's Halloween night and you and your friends think it would be fun to visit the local town's annual corn maze. But when you're inside it, someone inside the maze doesn't look like an actor in a costume. And shortly after, your friends start to disappear one by one.

5. You don't believe in the rumors that say a certain scary book is cursed—and that anyone who reads it will meet their maker by the end of the week. So naturally, you read it. And then things start going wrong…

Monster/Ghost Story Writing Prompts

6. A young woman goes to her grandmother's house for tea on Halloween night. They have a wonderful time together, sharing stories, joy, and the best times of family. The next day, the woman learns her grandmother has been dead for a week and no one could get ahold of her to tell her.

7. A little boy is lost in the woods, but at least his faithful dog is with him. As they look for the way out, the dog defends his master against terrifying monsters and animals. But the closer they get to the escaping the dark forest, the more apparent it is that they'll need to face the person, or thing, releasing these monsters in the first place.

8. A farmer who dreams of being a scientist experiments on this year's pumpkins, hoping to enlarge them. He has a lot of success, until one of his potions is tampered with, and the cute pumpkin in his patch morphs into a monster that eats anyone who stumbles over its vines.

9. Your girlfriend/boyfriend brings over your favorite treat on Halloween, but when you eat it, you transform into a giant, poisonous snake that kills anyone who touches you. What do you do next?

10. You wake up on Halloween night, look outside your window, and see your sister sleep walking away from the house. You chase after her but can't catch her until she plunges into a dark lake, where there's a mysterious song that starts to pull you deep below the surface.

Not-So-Spooky Story Writing Prompts

Not all people love scary stories. If this is you but you'd like to try to write a scary story—and have a fun time writing it—try tackling a (not-so) scary story prompt that could turn a potentially scary tale into something that is fun (even funny):

11. You hate clowns, which makes it even worse when your husband secretly decides to hire a clown for you son's birthday party—which just happens to be on Halloween.

12. Aliens have just landed on Earth and boy, did they pick a weird day to come. How do they respond to Halloween, supernatural or otherwise? Do they decide this place is just too bizarre and get the heck out, or do they stick around and join in the fun?

13. On Halloween night, lovers get to come back and spend the evening together one more time. One couple from the Roaring Twenties decides to come back from the grave to help their extreme nerd great-grandchild or the kid will never get married.

14. You decide that this year you're going to crash the ten top costume parties in town—and prank each one while you're at it.

15. A mad scientist determined to destroy the world falls hopelessly in love with a not-so-wicked witch. As hard as he tries, he can't impress her.

Write Your Spooky Stories

Writing a scary story can be a fun exercise to give your students (regardless of age, elementary students to college graduates) around this time of year. It also can stir some exciting writing ideas in  any  writer, whether or not they're part of an entire class or their personal writing group.

As mentioned above, writing scary stories can also push you to better your creative writing skills, even if it's not normally in your genre lane. Bestselling author Neil Gaiman has some great insight about  why  this is true:

Fairy tales are more than true: Not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.

You don't have to love horror stories to write one, but you will learn about protagonists who face trialing, often life or death, situations when writing them. Challenge students or writers to become better at their writing craft by pushing them to write a short scary story with one of the writing prompts in this article.

Sit down with your favorite candy or flavor of candy corn and get ready to write. Pluck it from the list, and let your imagination free!

What is your favorite Halloween writing prompt from this list?   Why did it stand out to you?  Let us know in the comments .

Abigail Perry

Abigail Perry is a Certified Story Grid Editor with professional teaching, literary agency, and film production experience. In addition to writing Story Grid masterwork guides, she works as a freelance editor and is the Content Editor for The Write Practice. Abigail loves stories that put women and diverse groups at the center of the story—and others that include superpowers and magic. Her favorite genres include: Smart Book Club Fiction, Women's Fiction, YA Fantasy, Historical Fiction, and unique memoirs. She also has a B.S. in TV, Radio, and Film and loves working on screenplays that are emotionally driven and/or full of action. You can learn more about Abigail on her website.

Ruthanne Reid

Best-Selling author Ruthanne Reid has led a convention panel on world-building, taught courses on plot and character development, and was keynote speaker for The Write Practice 2021 Spring Retreat.

Author of two series with five books and fifty short stories, Ruthanne has lived in her head since childhood, when she wrote her first story about a pony princess and a genocidal snake-kingdom, using up her mom’s red typewriter ribbon.

When she isn’t reading, writing, or reading about writing, Ruthanne enjoys old cartoons with her husband and two cats, and dreams of living on an island beach far, far away.

P.S. Red is still her favorite color.

10 Comments

“Damn, I hate those busy bodies. Auditors, they call themselves. Pains in the ass is what they are.” said Joe aloud to no one who could hear. The radio blasted the nightly news and told a grisly story about three kids poisoned by bad candy. Joe, shaking his head from side to side and mumbling,

“For crying-out-loud. They’re just kids. Who in their right mind would do that to kids?”

The traffic became lighter and Joe took the off ramp to his street. As he drove toward his house, he saw his children walking down the sidewalk trick or treating. After hearing the news about the poisoning, he wanted his kids to go home. He stopped the car and walked over to them.

“Jeremy, Julian, why are you out here alone. Your mother was supposed to wait until I got home?”

He stood over the children waiting for an answer. When none came, he grabbed an arm, one child in each hand, and marched them to the car. He opened the back door and demanded they get in.

“In the car. Don’t stand there, get in… I’ve had a rough day, keep this up and you’ll get a Halloween to remember.”

Jeremy, the cutest little goblin, turned to Joe, jumped on top of him, opened his enormous mouth, and swallowed Joe whole. Julian, danced around Jeremy singing

“Remember, remember, a Halloween to remember, A-tishoo! A-tishoo! We all fall down”

To the children passing by, the song sounded familiar. They started to sing,

“Ring-a-round the rosie, A pocket full of posies, Hush! Hush! Hush! Hush! We’ve all tumbled down.”

William – I enjoyed your story. Nicely developed in such a short span.

Great lead-in to the story as a way to introduce taking his kids home. One suggestion in the first paragraph … not sure you need “from side to side” after “shaking his head”, and you could modify it to ” Joe, shaking his head, mumbled, …” or “Joe shook his head and mumbled, …”

While it could be viewed as too abrupt (I didn’t think so), I love how Jeremy “the cutest little goblin” got right down to business and “jumped on top of [Joe], opened his enormous mouth, and swallowed Joe whole”, with Julian dancing and singing along. Those two lines plus Julian’s clever integration of “Remember, remember, a Halloween to remember” made for a ghoulishly delightful twist.

Thanks for the Halloween treat.

– Susan

Thanks Susan. I already made the change (Joe, shaking his head, mumbled). It reads much better. William

Hi thanks for writing this story it gave my students some ideas to write about since halloween is coming up

Thanks for the Halloween treat, Ruthanne. Great prompts.

I love prompt #4 with the grandma, I was devastated when my grammy died…. this will be good to write about.

Harold Saggerbob loves Halloween. Has his very own Pumpkin Club. But while the ‘pumpkins’ on his shelf, might be round, they are certainly not orange. And every Halloween, several kids disappear near his home…

It’s not really creepy but I tried it with my characters. English isn’t my first language so if you see any mistake, please let me know:

“Aymeric was eating alone in the kitchen. He didn’t have much appetite and spent more time looking at the dark sky through the window than eating. He sighed. He wished he had company. But that wouldn’t happen. Rose was back to his home and was probably already sleeping – flowers go to sleep with the sun, after all. The sky was covered in dark clouds so thick he couldn’t even see the Moon – and it was definitely up somewhere. He could feel it. It felt as if he had a knot in his throat. He covered his plate and put it in the fridge. He would eat it later, when he’d be hungrier. Suddenly, he stilled. He had heard footsteps. He closed the fridge slowly, careful not to make any noise. It wasn’t some kind of rodent. They were scared of lycanthropes. And Aymeric was able to recognize footsteps from rodents. With a hearing like his, no one could fool him. He put his fork and his knife in the sink, shrugging. It wasn’t as if the intruder could mess with his stuff unnoticed, anyway. What bothered him was that he didn’t heard the intruder enter. It was definitely strange. He didn’t know what or who it was but he’d better be careful. He grabbed a dagger and followed the noise. It definitely came from the cellar. He barged in there, determined to end all this quickly. The moon was rising and waxing, anyway, so he shouldn’t have any problem dealing with whoever it was. What he saw still surprised him. A tiny body in the middle of the room. Thick wavy blond hair, long ears, big grey eyes. Aymeric recognized the child immediately. When the little elf saw him, he rushed into his arms. “Hey, what’s wrong, champion?” He didn’t expect the kid to reply. The elf only hugged him tightly. Aymeric could feel his relief and his fear. The ability they had to travel between spaces and times was really something he couldn’t get used to…”

Noah was waking up. He had been knocked down while he was chased by a group of teens. It was Halloween. Noah left his home with Oscar his dog. He headed to park across the street where his friends were waiting for him for trick or treating around the neighborhood. As they got treats from the third house Noah and his friends headed for the next house. Suddenly a huge dark figure appeared and almost grabbed one of Noah’s friends. The group was actually chased by teenage boys who looked hideous beasts in their costumes. Noah and his friends were dispersed. Some managed to stick together, some made it back home. Noah lost the sense of direction and was running for a while now. Suddenly he stumbled and tripped over. He knocked his head hard on something and passed out. After he got up he could see dark figures with blazing eyes staring down at him. Noah jumped to his feet and fled into the woods that were the only easy hideout he could access fast. Oscar was behind him growling and barking at the dark figures that followed them into the woods. As he went farther it got more and more dark. The only thing that kept him going was Oscar who was right behind him keeping the dark figures at a distance. Noah saw bushes and managed to hide within. Oscar had stopped barking now and there was a deadly silence. Noah was panting and was trying to calm down. He was about to lie down when he saw a huge hand trying to grab him from within the bushes. Noah screamed in panic when Oscar jumped in between just in time to save him. Noah was running fast when suddenly he saw light piercing through the darkness. He ran towards the light fast. When he came near he couldn’t believe his eyes. The sun shone bright and there were beautiful flowers and trees. Far away he could see children playing. He quickly entered the garden as he had no better choice to escape the dark figures. Oscar slowly paced back and ran all the way home where Noah’s parents were mourning his death.

great Helloween

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BEST HALLOWEEN WRITING PROMPTS

Join (probably?) the world's largest writing contest. Flex those creative muscles with weekly writing prompts.

Showing 25 prompts reset

The great unknown, set your story in a world where contacting the dead is as easy as making a phone call., write a story where ghosts and the living coexist., write a story about someone trying to raise the dead., write a story about someone who is haunted. whether by a ghost or something else is up to you., write a story from a ghost’s point of view..

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It's Halloween, and a war has suddenly erupted among the neighborhood kids. The battle: Twix versus Kit-Kats. Who wins?

• Write a story set in a haunted fairground on Halloween.

You are responsible for taking your neighbors' kids out to trick-or-treat, but you look outside and suddenly feel scared of the gloomy dark...

Write about a costume competition at a halloween party..

• Write about a caveman who accidentally time travels to present-day Halloween, only to become unexpectedly popular in the town because of a surprising talent: pumpkin carving.

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• Write a story about a family that goes pumpkin picking together.

"Wow, great costume! How'd you make it?" you say to the kid dressed as the Grim Reaper, reaching a hand out to test the material of the mask. The mask doesn't come off. It's not a costume.

You are the owner of the best halloween costume store in town. then a rival costume store moves in… and sets up shop right next to you., set your story backstage at the theater., write about someone whose busiest night of the year is halloween., set your story at the boundary between two realms., write a story that involves a secret or magic ingredient., write about a drummer going to a halloween party for musicians..

• Write about a group of witches meeting up on Halloween night.
• Write about someone’s first Halloween as a ghost.

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The best Halloween writing prompts

Spooky scary skeletons and things that go bump in the night have one favorite night of the year: Halloween. And we love this holiday just as much, which is why we've curated our favorite Halloween writing prompts — the perfect inspiration for any writer who loves the macabre.

The options are endless. A tale of trick-or-treating gone wrong. A haunted house that turns out to be haunted for real. Ghost, goblins, and witches roaming the streets freely. Parties, decorations, costumes and facades all provide ample inspiration for a spooky holiday story. Since you're spoiled for choice, we've narrowed down our top story ideas for you.

Here are our top ten Halloween writing prompts:

• You have a few friends over for a Halloween party. You've just finished watching a scary movie when the power goes out and the door is slammed open. What happens next?
• "Wow, great costume! How'd you make it?" you say to the kid dressed as the Grim Reaper, reaching a hand out to test the material of the mask. The mask doesn't come off. It's not a costume.
• You are responsible for taking your neighbors' kids out to trick-or-treat, but you look outside and suddenly feel scared of the gloomy dark...
• Write a story about someone spending the night in an old Victorian home-turned-hotel on Halloween.

Want some more tips for writing horror stories? You can check out the following free resources:

• How to Master the 'Show, Don't Tell' Rule (free course) — Halloween stories are all about the atmosphere. And to capture atmosphere, you need to evoke all five senses. From the twinkling of a jack-o-lantern, to the scratchy interior of a monster costume, the sweetness of candy on your tongue, the sticky grab of cobwebs, or the chill of a wind whistling through a graveyard lit by the moon — all these sensations will immerse your reader in your story. Show, Don't Tell is the golden rule for descriptive writing, so check out our free course.
• How to Write a Horror Story: 7 Tips for Writing Horror (blog post) — Our horror writing bible. If the story you're writing errs on the side of scary, this is where you'll find the best tips to pull it off.

Want more help learning how to write a dramatic short story? Check ou t How to Write a Short Story That Gets Published — a free, ten day course guiding you through the process of short story writing by Laura Mae Isaacman, a full-time editor who runs a book editing company in Brooklyn.

Ready to start writing? Check out Reedsy’s weekl y short story contest , for the chance of winning $250! You can also check out our list of writing contests or our directory of literary magazines for more opportunities to submit your story.

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30 Fun Halloween Writing Prompts & Ideas

Once every year, the weather cools down, the leaves change color, and, for those who celebrate, Halloween is just around the corner. Your students may be getting excited for the end of October, so use that electrifying energy to your benefit with some fun Halloween writing prompts and journal ideas.

Not only are these free ideas exciting, but also putting pen to paper with these themed topics is a great way to exercise your students’ critical thinking, vocabulary range, and general writing skills. Check out our list of writing and journal prompts below!

Traditions: Halloween Journal Prompts about the Holiday

• What’s your favorite Halloween tradition? What do you do with your family and friends to celebrate?
• Have you ever carved a pumpkin before? If yes, describe what you carved. If no, describe what you would carve as the face of a Jack-o’-lantern.
• Your friends and family want to go trick-or-treating, but you don’t have a costume! What’s your last-minute outfit idea?
• Come up with a Halloween-themed menu for a restaurant to serve to their customers. Plan at least five dishes.
• Write about your Halloween costume! What would it look like and how can you make it?
• You’re at a pumpkin patch looking for the perfect pumpkin to carve. What type of pumpkin are you looking for? What types would you avoid? Describe that moment of finding the perfect pumpkin.
• How would you decorate a front lawn or apartment door to thrill trick-or-treaters? The sky’s the limit—you have all the money and resources in the world.
• Imagine if Halloween took place during the summer and not in the fall. How do you think the holiday would be different?
• Do you trick-or-treat? If yes, describe the time you got your favorite treat. How did it compare to the moment you found your least favorite one in your trick-or-treat bag?

Ghosts and More: Spooky Halloween Writing Ideas

• Imagine you walk into your school and see a ghost! Describe the ghost, and tell what the ghost does next.
• What scares a lot of people that you think shouldn’t? Great examples are bats or snakes. Explain why people shouldn’t be so afraid.
• What’s something scary that you saw or read? What made you so frightened?
• Someone you love is terrified of spiders and found one in their room. How do you help them work through their fears?
• Would you ever visit a haunted house? Why or why not? If you have visited one before, write about that experience.
• You’ve been hired to work at a haunted house as an actor to scare people. Tell us about your technique and what costume you’d wear to frighten the most costumers.

For Advanced Writers: Halloween-Themed Writing Topics

• Write a story with at least two characters that takes place in a cemetery on Halloween night.
• After carving a beautiful Jack-o’-lantern, you carefully place a candle inside. To your surprise, your pumpkin begins to speak! What does it say to you, and what happens next?
• You’re an alien that landed on Earth the night of Halloween. Describe what you see as you park your ship in the middle of a busy neighborhood full of kids trick-or-treating. Don’t forget to write how you feel.
• It’s late on Halloween night, and you’ve given out almost all your candy. One last knock on your front door sounds, but when you open it, it’s not a kid in a costume. It’s a black cat! And it’s trying to show you something. Write about what happens next.
• You’ve woken up on the morning of Halloween and find you’re invisible! How do you spend the next 24 hours?

Seasonal Themes: Writing Prompts about Fall

• You’ve just discovered a new type of apple no one has ever seen. What does it look like? Taste like? What will you call it?
• Plan out the perfect fall day for you and your family. What will you do in the morning? What about the afternoon? And at night?
• Is fall your favorite season? Why or why not? If you love the fall, write a persuasive essay trying to convince someone else to love it as much as you do. If you dislike it, what would you change about the season to make it your favorite?
• Oh no! Your friend accidentally lost their favorite scarf at a pumpkin patch. Write about the scarf’s journey finding its way back to your friend.
• You pick up a fallen leaf with a secret message hiding underneath. Write about what it says and what happens next!

Halloween Journal Topics from Writable

If you’re looking for additional spooky and fun writing prompts to help your students get in the Halloween spirit, check out Writable . Writable has Halloween-themed journal topics and short stories with short-answer questions, a wonderful way to exercise both writing and reading comprehension skills. You can also create new ideas in seconds thanks to Writable’s AI-generating assignments feature, plus it can detect AI-generated copy from students.

Check out these ideas from Writable's generative AI prompt builder below:

• Explain the tradition of trick-or-treating and how it has changed over the years.
• What are some popular Halloween costumes, and why do people dress up?
• Describe the significance of Jack-o’-lanterns in Halloween celebrations.
• What are some traditional Halloween symbols and their meanings?
• What is the origin of Halloween, and how has it evolved over time?

We hope you enjoy using these Halloween writing prompts in your classroom. Share with us your favorite Halloween writing ideas for students via email at [email protected] or reach out on Instagram or Facebook . Happy Halloween!

Want more writing ideas like our Halloween journal prompts? Try Writable to support your ELA curriculum, district benchmarks, and state standards with over 1,000 fully customizable writing assignments and rubrics for Grades 3–12 students.

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30 Spooky Halloween Writing Prompts and Story Ideas

The leaves are changing , there’s a chill in the air… you know what that means – Halloween’s almost here! It’s that awesome time of the year when everything feels a little more mysterious and exciting.

Whether you’re a pro writer or just love to get your creative juices going, Halloween is the perfect inspiration for all kinds of spooky stories.

So without further ado, let’s get those writing gears turning with these ideas for a perfect Halloween story.

30 Halloween Writing Prompts and Story Ideas

• Haunted House Renovation : Imagine you’ve just moved into an old house that’s said to be haunted. As you begin to remodel and renovate, strange things start to happen – tools disappear, noises echo through the house, and you even see figures out of the corner of your eye . Explore the psychological tension of working in a haunted space and the human tendency to rationalize the unexplainable.
• The Pumpkin Farmer’s Curse : Every year, the most coveted pumpkin at the local Halloween festival is grown by a farmer rumored to have made a deal with dark forces. Write a story from the perspective of this farmer, detailing the costs and benefits of this supernatural partnership. What price does the farmer pay for his unusually perfect pumpkins?
• The Lost Trick-or-Treater : You’re a young child lost in a maze of unfamiliar streets on Halloween night . As you try to find your way home , you encounter strange and frightening characters . But as the night wears on, you start to realize these characters might not be wearing costumes. Convey the fear , wonder, and confusion of being lost on Halloween night.
• Halloween Night in a Sleepy Town : It’s Halloween in a quiet, uneventful town where nothing ever happens. This year, however, the tranquility is broken as eerie events unfold. The town’s people discover their own houses tricked and themselves treated to a night of horror . Explore the transformation of the ordinary into the extraordinary on Halloween night.
• Halloween Costume Switch : Write about a Halloween party where a magical event causes everyone to become their costumes for the night. How do they handle this unexpected transformation, and what challenges do they face? Focus on the characters’ struggle to return to their normal selves.
• The Fading Spirit of Halloween : In a world where the spirit of Halloween is fading and less people are celebrating the holiday , one character decides to restore its magic. This person embarks on a quest to reignite the enthusiasm and fear associated with the holiday, in adults and children alike. Describe this journey and its impact on the community .
• Haunted By The Past : A character is visited by a ghost from their past every Halloween. This ghost brings up old memories and unresolved issues. Examine the protagonist’s journey of self-discovery and healing through these supernatural visits.
• Unusual Halloween Tradition : Every year, a family has an odd, possibly supernatural, Halloween tradition that has been passed down through generations. This year, a family member decides to break the tradition, resulting in unforeseen consequences. Explore the familial and supernatural fallout of challenging a long-held tradition.
• The Halloween Carnival : Every Halloween, a seemingly magical carnival appears on the outskirts of town, bringing with it an air of mystery and enchantment. This year, you decide to investigate its origins and reveal the secrets behind the supernatural phenomena occurring there. Dive deep into the secrets of the mysterious Halloween carnival.
• The Tale of a Halloween Hero : In a world where monsters , ghouls, and all other Halloween creatures exist, your character is a protector of humanity, ensuring the night of Halloween doesn’t descend into chaos. Narrate the challenges they face, the fears they overcome, and the victories they secure on this dangerous night.
• The Ghostly Muse : You are a writer suffering from writer’s block. On Halloween, a friendly ghost starts to visit, inspiring you with stories from its lifetime. Explore the unique, spooky friendship and how it impacts your writing and personal life .
• The Vanishing Halloween Candy : All over town, Halloween candy is mysteriously disappearing. As a local detective, you’re tasked with solving the case before Halloween night. Chronicle your character’s investigative journey and their interactions with the town’s increasingly nervous residents.
• Halloween Night at the Cemetery : You are a night watchman at a cemetery where, according to local folklore, the dead come alive every Halloween. Write about your experiences as you keep watch on this extraordinary night. Describe the eerie yet fascinating experiences the night watchman undergoes on Halloween.
• Mysterious Halloween Town : Imagine a town where it’s Halloween every day. Explore the quirks, characters, and traditions that exist in such a place, and tell the story of a newcomer experiencing their first perpetual Halloween.
• An Unwanted Halloween Gift : Every Halloween, your character receives a gift from an unknown sender. This year, the gift has a curse attached to it. Write about how your character uncovers the sender’s identity and breaks the curse.
• Halloween Rescue Mission : Your character’s beloved pet has been captured by a known witch on Halloween. Write an adventure story about your character’s daring rescue mission. Focus on the hurdles faced and their bravery in overcoming them.
• A Halloween Transformation : Every Halloween, under the full moon , your character turns into the creature they fear the most. Describe their preparation for this transformation and how they navigate through this nightmarish evening.
• The Haunted Classroom : Your character is a school teacher who discovers that their classroom is haunted by the spirit of a former student. Narrate the journey of unravelling the mystery of this student’s past and helping the spirit find peace.
• The Halloween Portrait : An antique shop sells you a portrait painted on a Halloween night centuries ago. It is said that the spirit of the person in the portrait visits the owner every Halloween. Explore the dialogue and connection between the spirit and the present-day owner.
• The Haunting Melody : A haunting melody plays in your character’s house every Halloween night. This year, they decide to figure out its source. Write about the secrets uncovered and the stories heard as they trace the origin of this melody.
• Halloween Festival Gone Wrong : Your character is part of the organizing committee for the town’s biggest Halloween festival. But this year, real supernatural events start happening, throwing the festival into chaos. Chronicle the trials and tribulations of managing a festival amidst unexpected ghostly happenings.
• Uninvited Halloween Guest : An uninvited guest crashes your character’s Halloween party, claiming to be a real vampire . As the night unfolds, events occur that make your character question whether the claim might be true. Describe the suspenseful interactions and the ultimate revelation.
• Halloween from the Afterlife : Write from the perspective of a ghost experiencing Halloween in the afterlife. Describe the otherworldly celebrations and the unique viewpoint of being a ghost on a night dedicated to the spirits.
• The Halloween Mirror : Your character finds an old mirror in the attic that shows not their reflection, but that of a young woman dressed in Victorian -era clothing. On Halloween, the woman steps out from the mirror. Detail the ensuing interaction and the truths that are revealed.
• The Ancient Halloween Prophecy : Your character is a historian who discovers an ancient prophecy that suggests Halloween is a portal to a parallel universe. This year, they decide to test the prophecy. Detail the exciting and potentially dangerous events that unfold as they attempt to bridge two worlds.
• The Ghostly Houseguest : Your character lives alone in a house that is haunted by a benign spirit. This spirit, however, becomes more active on Halloween night. Explore the unique relationship between the character and the spirit, particularly their interactions on Halloween.
• Halloween Superstitions Come True : In your story, all Halloween superstitions are real. Black cats do bring bad luck , witches do fly on brooms, and mirrors can trap souls. Write about a character who tries to navigate this reality and survive the night.
• The Halloween Time Capsule : Your character discovers a time capsule from the 1800s that’s only supposed to be opened on Halloween night. When they do, they release a spirit trapped inside. Detail the character’s quest to understand the spirit’s history and help it find peace.
• Mysterious Halloween Ritual : Your character witnesses a peculiar Halloween ritual being performed at midnight in their normally quiet neighborhood. Write about their journey to uncover the truth behind the ritual and its participants.
• The Halloween Heist : In a town where Halloween decorations are taken very seriously, there’s a notorious thief who steals the most impressive decorations each year. Your character, a private investigator, is hired to catch the thief. Detail the cat-and-mouse chase that ensues.

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I'm a writer, words are my superpower, and storytelling is my kryptonite.

100 Best Halloween Writing Prompts to Boost Your Creativity

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A list of the best journal prompts for Halloween

With Halloween right around the corner, I couldn’t help but get into the spirit of the season by creating a blog post about the best Halloween writing prompts.

Halloween isn’t just about dressing up in spooky costumes or munching on candy (though those are definitely highlights!).

It’s also a perfect time to ignite our creativity and delve into some bone-chilling Halloween writing prompts that not only give us a good scare but also help us grow as individuals.

So, grab your favorite pumpkin-spiced drink, cozy up with a blanket, and let’s dive into some Halloween-themed journal prompts that’ll send shivers down your spine and spark some serious personal growth!

This post may contain affiliate links. That is, if you click on a link and buy something I recommend, I will receive a small compensation at no additional cost to you.

Halloween journal prompts about the holiday in general

• Reflect on your favorite childhood Halloween memories.
• Describe your ideal Halloween costume and why it appeals to you.
• Write about a spooky encounter you’ve had on Halloween night.
• Discuss your thoughts on the origins of Halloween and its significance.
• How do you typically celebrate Halloween? Describe your traditions.
• Write a letter to someone you’ve lost, sharing memories of past Halloweens together.
• Explore the symbolism of pumpkins and jack-o’-lanterns in Halloween folklore.
• Discuss your feelings about haunted houses and whether you’ve ever visited one.
• Describe your favorite Halloween movie or book and why it resonates with you.
• Write about a Halloween party you attended and the memorable moments from it.
• Share your thoughts on the commercialization of Halloween in today’s society.
• Describe the scariest costume you’ve ever worn and the reaction it received.
• Reflect on the role of fear in Halloween and how it impacts your experiences.
• Write a spooky poem inspired by the atmosphere of Halloween night.
• Discuss your superstitions or beliefs surrounding Halloween and the supernatural.
• Describe a Halloween-themed dream you’ve had and its significance to you.
• Share your favorite Halloween recipes or treats and why you enjoy them.
• Reflect on the changing traditions of Halloween over the years and how they’ve evolved.
• Write about a Halloween prank you’ve pulled or experienced firsthand.
• Explore the cultural differences in how Halloween is celebrated around the world.
• Discuss your opinions on the controversy surrounding cultural appropriation in Halloween costumes.
• Describe a spooky urban legend or ghost story associated with Halloween.
• Reflect on the role of community and camaraderie in Halloween festivities.
• Write about a Halloween-themed adventure you’d love to experience someday.
• Share your hopes and aspirations for future Halloweens and how you’d like to celebrate them.

Spooky or creepy Halloween writing ideas

• A group of friends accidentally summons a malevolent spirit during a Halloween seance.
• A trick-or-treater discovers that the house they’re visiting is actually inhabited by monsters.
• A haunted mirror reveals unsettling truths about anyone who gazes into it on Halloween night.
• An ancient curse is unleashed upon a small town during its annual Halloween festival.
• A mysterious stranger offers children candy that has sinister consequences.
• A group of teenagers explores an abandoned asylum on Halloween, only to uncover its dark secrets.
• A child’s imaginary friend turns out to be a ghost seeking vengeance on Halloween.
• A family moves into a new house and discovers a hidden room filled with cursed objects.
• A young girl receives a cursed doll as a Halloween gift and must find a way to break the curse.
• A creature lurks in the cornfields on Halloween night, preying on unsuspecting trick-or-treaters.
• A Halloween carnival is revealed to be a front for a coven of witches performing dark rituals.
• A teenager discovers that their town’s Halloween parade is a cover for a supernatural gathering.

• A family inherits a mansion haunted by the ghosts of its former inhabitants, who died under mysterious circumstances on Halloween.
• A group of friends becomes trapped in a cursed maze while exploring a cornfield on Halloween night.
• A trick-or-treater stumbles upon a portal to another dimension hidden in a pumpkin patch.
• A cursed costume transforms its wearer into a monstrous creature on Halloween.
• A ghostly figure appears at a Halloween party, seeking revenge for a long-forgotten betrayal.
• A cursed book of spells falls into the wrong hands, leading to disastrous consequences on Halloween.
• A child discovers that their town’s Halloween decorations are alive and plotting something sinister.
• A mysterious fog descends upon a town on Halloween night, bringing with it creatures from another realm.
• A vengeful spirit seeks to possess the body of a trick-or-treater on Halloween.
• A group of friends summons a demon while playing with a Ouija board on Halloween.
• A cursed carnival ride traps its passengers in a nightmarish alternate reality on Halloween.
• A family’s Halloween pumpkin comes to life and wreaks havoc on their neighborhood.
• A child’s shadow takes on a life of its own on Halloween night, leading them into a world of darkness.

Halloween-themed writing topics that take place in the fall

• Write about a group of friends exploring a mysterious abandoned mansion on a chilly fall evening.
• Write about a pumpkin carving contest in a small town, where the winner’s creation comes to life.
• Write about a family’s tradition of visiting a haunted corn maze every Halloween season.
• Write about a young witch-in-training who must complete a series of challenges before Halloween night.
• Write about a secret Halloween party held in an enchanted forest, attended by magical creatures.
• Write about a town where the leaves turn blood-red every fall, signaling the return of a vengeful spirit.
• Write about a haunted hayride that takes unsuspecting passengers on a journey through the afterlife.
• Write about a mysterious fog that descends upon a town, trapping residents in a time loop on Halloween.
• Write about a pumpkin patch where the pumpkins come to life and wreak havoc on the town.
• Write about a Halloween carnival where the games are rigged by ghosts seeking revenge.
• Write about a family’s tradition of telling ghost stories around the campfire on Halloween night.
• Write about a small town where the residents transform into werewolves under the full moon on Halloween.

• Write about a group of teenagers who accidentally summon a demon while performing a Halloween ritual.
• Write about a cursed painting that brings misfortune to anyone who gazes upon it during the fall season.
• Write about a town where the veil between the living and the dead is thinnest on Halloween night.
• Write about a pumpkin farmer who discovers a portal to another dimension hidden in their field.
• Write about a ghostly figure that haunts a local cemetery, searching for closure from a past life.
• Write about a family of witches who must defend their home from dark forces on Halloween.
• Write about a Halloween parade where the floats come to life and wreak havoc on the town.
• Write about a group of trick-or-treaters who stumble upon a hidden underground city inhabited by monsters.
• Write about a cursed forest where the trees come alive and snatch unsuspecting travelers on Halloween.
• Write about a haunted amusement park where the rides are operated by ghosts on Halloween night.
• Write about a town where the residents transform into their costumes at midnight on Halloween.
• Write about a cursed mask that grants its wearer supernatural powers but comes with a deadly price.
• Write about a town where the ghosts of past Halloween celebrations return to wreak havoc on the living.

Monster/ghost story writing prompts

• Write about a family moving into a haunted house and discovering the tragic history of its former inhabitants.
• Write about a group of friends encountering a shape-shifting creature while camping in the woods.
• Write about a cursed mirror that reflects the darkest desires of anyone who gazes into it.
• Write about a ghostly apparition haunting a lighthouse, warning sailors of impending danger.
• Write about a werewolf hunter tracking down a pack of werewolves terrorizing a small town.
• Write about a child’s imaginary friend turning out to be a ghost seeking companionship.
• Write about a scientist experimenting with reanimation and accidentally creating a monster.
• Write about a cursed book of spells that brings misfortune to anyone who reads from it.
• Write about a haunted doll that comes to life and terrorizes its owner.
• Write about a vampire hunter facing off against a powerful vampire lord.
• Write about a group of explorers stumbling upon a hidden graveyard inhabited by vengeful spirits.
• Write about a creature lurking in the shadows of a small town, preying on unsuspecting victims.
• Write about a haunted carnival where the attractions come to life after dark.
• Write about a family inheriting a cursed mansion and uncovering its dark secrets.
• Write about a group of friends investigating a series of mysterious disappearances in their neighborhood.
• Write about a ghost ship appearing off the coast every Halloween, signaling impending doom.
• Write about a cursed painting that brings death to anyone who possesses it.
• Write about a creature from folklore coming to life and terrorizing a rural community.
• Write about a haunted asylum where the spirits of former patients seek revenge on the living.
• Write about a group of paranormal investigators exploring a haunted house on Halloween night.
• Write about a cursed artifact that brings about the downfall of anyone who possesses it.
• Write about a ghostly figure haunting a theater, seeking closure for a past tragedy.
• Write about a town plagued by a series of mysterious murders, with suspicion falling on a supernatural entity.
• Write about a creature living in the depths of a lake, emerging to prey on unsuspecting swimmers.
• Write about a cursed forest where the trees come alive and trap anyone who enters.

What are Halloween writing prompts, and why should I use them?

Imagine yourself on a cozy autumn evening, wrapped in a blanket with a cup of hot cocoa in hand.

Outside, the leaves rustle in the cool breeze, and you’re sitting at your desk with a blank page before you, waiting to be filled with words.

Now, why should you even consider delving into Halloween writing prompts, you might ask? Well, let me paint you a picture.

These prompts are like keys that unlock hidden chambers within your mind —chambers filled with stories waiting to be told.

They’re not just about crafting spooky tales (although that’s certainly part of the fun!), but they’re also about pushing the boundaries of your creativity.

Each prompt is a challenge, an invitation to explore new ideas and stretch your imagination beyond its usual limits. And there’s something incredibly liberating about facing your fears through the medium of writing.

It’s a safe space where you can confront the things that scare you most, whether they’re ghosts, monsters, or deeper, more personal fears.

By putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard), you’re not only telling a story but also engaging in an act of self-discovery and growth .

So, whether you’re a seasoned writer looking for a new challenge or someone who’s never written a story before, Halloween writing prompts offer a gateway to a world of creativity and personal exploration.

They’re an opportunity to step outside your comfort zone, to embrace the unknown, and to emerge on the other side with a deeper understanding of yourself and your craft .

Will you use any of these Halloween writing prompts?

I consider myself an expert when it comes to positive affirmations, journaling, and inspirational quotes. My blog is all about spreading good vibes and helping you feel awesome! I’ve got loads of cool stuff for you to explore, like uplifting affirmations that can boost your confidence, fun journal prompts to spark your creativity, and inspiring quotes to motivate you every day. Let’s embark on this amazing journey together as we discover more about ourselves, uncover our hidden strengths, and create a life that’s full of happiness and success.

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10 Halloween Writing Prompts to Inspire Your Spooky Stories

3-minute read

• 15th November 2022

With its tricks, treats, ghosts, vampires, and everything in between, Halloween is a great season to inspire creativity in your writing.

Whether you’re an author in need of an idea for your next story or a writing group looking to embrace the spooky season, we have 10 Halloween-inspired writing prompts to help out. Check them out in our guide below!

Mischief Night

Some places in the world begin Halloween celebrations early with Mischief Night . It’s also known as Devil’s Night, Cabbage Night, or Goosey Night, depending on where in the world you are, but the concept is the same nearly everywhere: a night for tricks, pranks, and parties.

Try writing a mischievous story by starting with one of these prompts:

1. Some ghosts are downright evil, while others are just good-natured tricksters. Whose pranks will win in an annual battle between the two sides, and what ensues when unsuspecting humans get caught in the middle?

2. A pair of friends, lovers, or siblings plan elaborate Halloween eve pranks every year, but this time, what starts as a prank irrevocably changes their relationship.

There’s a reason it’s known as spooky season! Try adding some suspense and horror into a story by using one of these prompts:

3. A group of friends go to a Halloween corn maze, haunted house, or carnival. The monsters and zombies are a bit too realistic to be just people dressed in costumes, and the friends start disappearing, one by one.

4. Halloween isn’t for everyone, so you sneak into the library after hours to avoid the celebrations. You find an open book, and when you pick it up, you’re transported into a horror story.

5. A Halloween party with a simple theme – vampires! It’s all fun and games until the next morning when one of the partygoers wakes up in a sealed coffin.

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6. A society either bans Halloween or requires participation in it, and the punishment for disobeying is shocking.

7. A group sits around a bonfire telling ghost stories, and one of the stories starts playing out in real life.

8. Put a Halloween spin on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein by writing about a farmer who takes a science experiment too far and brings a giant pumpkin to life.

Day of the Dead

The Day of the Dead ( Día de los Muertos ) is celebrated throughout Latin American in late October and early November. Although it’s different from Halloween, the holidays share a similar theme of reuniting the living with the dead.

Try using one of these prompts to write a story that embodies this theme:

9. Two lovers are banished to separate sides of the spirit world – heaven and purgatory – but they get to reunite for two days every year when the passageway between the real and spirit worlds opens.

10. You’ve grown up hearing eerie voices in the expansive, dark forest next to your house. You venture into the forest on a dare one night. What happens when you discover and meet the spirits for the first time?

Proofreading and Editing

If you’ve found inspiration to write a Halloween short story , don’t forget to get it proofread. After all, spelling and grammar errors aren’t the kind of spooky you want in your writing! Try submitting a free trial document today to learn more.

And if you’re looking for more creative writing ideas, check out our 12 prompts to inspire your next novel.

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7 writing activities for Halloween

Boo! It’s time to get your scare on: hello, Halloween!

Many of us love to dress up for Halloween, but it’s also the perfect time to go beyond spooky sartorial choices and inspire creativity in the writing classroom.

These 7 spooky writing activities for Halloween will help your students create a creepy tale or two.

The Creepy Castle | Creepy Character Profiles | Through the Keyhole | Picture Writing Prompts | Persuasive Fast Starts Challenge | Spooky Stories | Petrifying Poems

1. The Creepy Castle writing prompt

Perfect for all year levels, this fun writing prompt will provide lots of fun this Halloween. This activity encourages students to use descriptive writing to show rather than tell (Step 5).

Show us what kind of character lives in a castle like this.

What do they love to do?

What is their pet like?

Access the teaching notes for this writing prompt!

Start your FREE Teacher Hub trial then click on the link below to download the resource.

It includes:

• Writing Prompt – The Creepy Castle (Step 5: Show, Don’t Tell )
• five ways to use the writing prompt
• thinking questions
• additional links
• ‘In the Moment’ editable template.

Your Teacher Hub trial gives you access to almost 300 other writing resources!

2. Creating Creepy Character Profiles

This activity and template has been extracted from our new Narrative Writing Manual .

For a story to have tension, the writer must create characters with depth that the reader can empathise with.

• Start by discussing characters from familiar spooky stories. What do we know about them? What are their strengths and weaknesses? What makes us care about them?
• As a class, brainstorm a list of possible spooky characters (e.g. a vampire, a mummy, Frankenstein).
• Ask students to form pairs and pick a character from the class list, then brainstorm ideas to create a profile of their chosen character using template below from the Narrative Writing Manual.
• Ask students to write a brief description of their spooky character based on the ideas in the profile. Challenge them to write it in a way that makes the reader want to know more.

Download your free template

3. Through the Keyhole Template

• Ask students to imagine they are looking through a keyhole. Is it a haunted house? A goblin’s grotto? A dungeon?
• Students can use the template to draw what they see, then write about it below. Don’t forget to capture the reader’s attention with a Sizzling Start.

Download the template

4. Picture writing prompts

These eerie and magical images are perfect visual prompts to help your students focus on specific writing skills.

View more free Seven Steps Writing Prompts: Narrative | Persuasive | Informative

Teacher Hub members: Remember to log in to gain access to the teaching notes for these Halloween writing prompts including:

• ‘In The Moment’ graphic organiser to help students writing more descriptive
• related media links.

Not a member? Start your 14-day free trial (no payment details required).

5. Persuasive Fast Starts Challenge

This is one of the best ways to increase your students’ engagement and bring the fun into your writing lessons.

• Trick-or-treating is dangerous
• Ghosts do exist
• Vampires vs werewolves
• Halloween is better than Christmas
• Being scared is fun
• Set a 60 second timer – try this one .
• Students write a Sizzling Start for each topic. After going through each topic, every student should have 5 different Sizzling Starts.
• Ask students to share their favourite Sizzling Start in groups of 3–4. This will help them generate more ideas, develop concepts and learn from each other.

New to the Seven Steps? Try the Sizzling Starts Transformation Challenge – it has all the resources you need to learn, teach, apply and assess Step 2: Sizzling Starts.

6. Spooky Stories

Using random words as the basis for a story is a great way to spark students’ creativity.

• As a class, watch the spooky story in the following video (watch from 1:30 to 2:20):

• Get each student to write a word they associate with spooky stories on a strip of paper.
• Place the strips of paper into a hat.
• Ask each student to pull a strip of paper from the hat.
• Get students to form groups of three and work together to write their own spooky story based on their words.

For example: attic, moon, bat.

‘She pushed open the attic door. It made a long, high-pitched creaking sound. She slowly tiptoed into the  darkroom and tried the light switch. No luck. Something rustled in the corner of the room, disturbed by her entrance.

‘I hope it’s a mouse,’ she shuddered.

The moon shone its faint light through the small window. Slowly, a shadow began to appear: large wings, a pointed head. A bat, bigger than any ordinary bat.’

7. Petrifying poems

The poems in the following videos are a a great example of Step 5: Show Don’t Tell. Watch the video as a class then get your students to create their own Show, Don’t Tell poetry.

For younger students:

One dark night, in the middle of the day….

For older students:

The vampire by conrad aiken.

The Raven by Edgar Allen Poe

Want to continue improving your students’ poetry writing?

• Blog: ‘Instructions’ – A poem by Neil Gaiman  may help students think a little differently about writing a poem.
• Action Activity & writing samples: Teaching Poetry with the Seven Steps
• Story Graphs – Poe ms

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10 Halloween Writing Prompts for Homeschooling Through the Holidays

Halloween, in our home, kicks off the season of celebrating what I like to call: Homeschooling Through the Holidays. We achieved this easy mindset shift by simply adapting our academic homeschool activities. You can begin with a little planning before Halloween. 

Halloween is one of the most exciting and creative holidays of the year! It’s a time for costumes, candy, and, of course, writing! Easy academic shifts you make can include researching or making costumes, crafting decorations, and using Halloween writing prompts. Whether you’re going trick-or-treating, attending a costume party, or just staying home to hand out candy, there are plenty of ways to make this Halloween both a learning experience and one to remember. These Halloween writing prompts will help. 

A Little Halloween History

Halloween has its origins in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced “sow-in”). The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1. This day marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death. Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. On the night of October 31, they celebrated Samhain when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth.

By the ninth century, the influence of Christianity had spread into Celtic lands. In 1000 A.D., the  Catholic church would make November 2 All Souls’ Day, a day to honor the dead. It is widely believed today that the church was attempting to replace the Celtic festival of the dead with a related, but church-sanctioned holiday.

All Souls Day was also called All-hallows or All-hallowmas (from Middle English Alholowmesse meaning All Saints’ Day) and the night before it, the traditional night of Samhain in the Celtic religion, began to be called All-Hallows Eve and, eventually, Halloween.

Halloween Writing Prompts

If you’re looking for some spooky writing prompts you can use in your homeschool, then you’ve come to the right place. Writing prompts are a great way to inspire imagination in your children. They can come up with unique characters and stories each day leading up to Halloween. 

Whether you’re writing a scary story, a horror movie script, or just want to get into the Halloween spirit, these Halloween writing prompts are sure to spark your creativity.

• Describe the Halloween costume that was your favorite to wear or the most creative Halloween costume you ever saw.
• What is your favorite Halloween-themed book, movie, or TV show? 
• Create a story about a witch (or other Halloween character) who lives in a small town. How does she use her powers to influence the townspeople?
• Write a story about a mysterious figure who appears every Halloween night. Who is this figure, and what secrets does he hold? 
• What is your favorite Halloween candy? 
• If you had to choose one type of Halloween decoration, what would it be? 
• Write a story about a haunted house that has been abandoned for years. What secrets does it hold?
•  Create a character who finds an ancient spellbook in the attic. What magical adventures does this character have? 
• If you could have any superpower on Halloween, what would it be?
• Write a recipe for a new Halloween treat.

Ideas for Using Writing Prompts

Creative writing prompts are a great way to get your creative juices flowing. They can help you come up with new ideas for stories, poems , or essays. But how can you use creative writing prompts effectively? Here are a few ideas:

Use Them to Explore Different Writing Styles

If you’re feeling bored with your writing, try using a creative writing prompt to explore a different writing style. This can help you find a new way to express yourself and make your writing more interesting.

Use Them to Challenge Yourself

If you’re looking for a challenge, try using a creative writing prompt to write something you’ve never written before. This could be a different genre, a different style, or a different subject matter.

Use Them to Share Your Work with Others

Once you’ve written something using a creative writing prompt, you can share it with others. This could be on your blog, in a magazine, or even in a book. Sharing your work can help you connect with other writers and get feedback on your writing.

Halloween Countdown Chain

A favorite activity in our homeschool is to create a Halloween countdown chain that contains a different Halloween writing prompt each day. 

Creating your Countdown Chain

Making a countdown chain is a fun way to keep track of the days before a holiday, like Halloween, going on vacation , or a birthday! Kids and adults think they are more fun than just crossing days off on a calendar. 

Paper chains are easy to make and take no time at all. The best thing about making these versatile decorations is that you more than likely have everything you need at home. 

Supplies Needed

• colored paper (construction paper works best)
• writing prompts

Decide how many writing prompts you want your kids to complete before Halloween. I have shared 10 ideas with you.

Cut paper strips and write one prompt on each. After you prepare all the strips, it’s time to assemble the chain. 

Begin by taping the ends of one strip together to make a loop. Thread the next writing prompt through that loop and tape. Continue interlocking each strip with the previous one. When you finish, you have your Halloween journal prompt countdown chain.  

Each day, for 10 days before Halloween, carefully remove a strip and use the journal prompt for a quick writing activity. 

Want a set of FREE Halloween paper strips you can use for this project and other ideas for Homeschooling through the Holidays ? Visit Happy Hive Homeschooling

Families celebrate Halloween in many different ways. Some may host a Halloween party, while others may go trick-or-treating. Some families may even watch scary movies or carve pumpkins together. Regardless of how you celebrate, enjoy these writing prompts as much as the candy! 

Check out this post for 10 Awesome Candy Free Treats for Halloween!

Christy Gandara

About the author

Christy Gandara is a former classroom teacher and homeschool mindset mentor who challenges families to examine what matters most and to use the unique gifts inside themselves. Her three "bugs" are finished with homeschooling and working on their advanced education. When not coaching or creating printables she can be found in the yard feeding the birds and squirrels or walking her cat Percy.

Related Posts @media (min-width: 300px){.tve-theme-28930 .content-section [data-css="tve-u-178215a38ea"].tcb-post-list #post-36767 [data-css="tve-u-178215a38f0"]{background-image: linear-gradient(rgba(0, 143, 255, 0.08), rgba(0, 143, 255, 0.08)), url("https://assets.ihomeschoolnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/13110757/Leap-Day-Activities-for-Homeschoolers-Ftr-300x225.jpg") !important;}.tve-theme-28930 .content-section [data-css="tve-u-178215a38ea"].tcb-post-list #post-36767 [data-css="tve-u-178215a38ef"]:hover [data-css="tve-u-178215a38f0"]{background-image: linear-gradient(rgba(0, 143, 255, 0.08), rgba(0, 143, 255, 0.08)), url("https://assets.ihomeschoolnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/13110757/Leap-Day-Activities-for-Homeschoolers-Ftr-700x524.jpg") !important;}} 10 Leap Day Activities for Homeschoolers

Leap Day only comes around every four years! Are you ready to make the most of it with your homeschooler? Here are ten engaging and educational Leap Day activities to celebrate this special day! 1. Leap Year History Lesson Take a deep dive into the history of Leap Year with your child. Explore the origins

Brandi Jordan

10 Easter Writing Prompts for Your Homeschool

Don’t let spring fever keep you and your kids from incorporating these 10 Easter writing prompts into your homeschool day. Start by sharing some Easter traditions, then set up a comfortable area for writing. Easter History Easter is a celebration deeply rooted in religious and cultural traditions. It commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, symbolizing

The Not So Obvious Benefits to Reading Aloud to Your Homeschooled Children

Reading aloud provides so many benefits! We know that the academic benefits are powerful, but they’re just the tip of the iceberg!

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Halloween Writing Prompts

Ghosts and witches will soon be upon us!  Today we have the Halloween   Writing Prompts,  great for kindergarten, first or second grade!  I have modified the prompts so that they can be used for several different levels. Before we begin, though, I always like to give a few great books that go along with the writing prompts!  Here are a few cute Halloween Books that your little writer will love!

Halloween Writing Prompts

This packet contains 15+ different Halloween writing prompts great to be used in kindergarten, first or second grade.  As you know, kindergarten students do not really write much during the first weeks of school. Each writing prompts has 4 different pages you can use – one that has a picture with something to write, one they can write a full page prompt, one that you can cut the pag in half and write a half page prompt and then one that the student can just draw.  The drawing prompt allows the student to think about what they would write and put their thoughts into pictures.  A picture is worth a thousand words!  Here are a few pictures of a few of the Halloween writing prompts.  The entire packet is 60+ pages long.

If you would like a free sample writing prompt, enter your email into the form below. You will be added to our mailing list where you will find out about more fun classroom and home activities.  You can remove yourself by following the directions in the email you are sent..(or unsubscribing from the first newsletter that comes).  If you have any trouble with your download, please email me at [email protected] -I am happy to help!

If you like this post, you will also like Kindergarten Writing Prompts

Madreen Karle is a master first grade reading teacher with over 30 years of classroom experience. She taught reading in a special needs and English as a Second Language classroom. After retiring she wrote a reading program to help others learn how to teach reading. She is a trusted educator and author of  5 books to help teach children  to read and write. In addition to her books, she is a mentor for 3 websites that give reading teacher tips ( Mrs. Karle’s Sight and Sound Reading ,  Mrs. Karle’s Reading Patch , and  Mrs. Karle’s Handwriting Patch ). Through her teaching she learned that confidence was the key to learning to read. A child who is not confident at reading does not like to read and struggles to read. Mrs. Karle created “sunshine moments” to help teach children how to grow their confidence and learn to read. Meeghan Karle Mousaw (Madreen’s daughter) has her Master’s in Special Education. She has 8 years experience teaching children to read online. In addition, she developed a curriculum to teach children handwriting called  The Handwriting Patch . With the Handwriting Patch learning is fun because children learn to draw and learn handwriting at the same time. In 2019 The  Handwriting Patch curriculum became an amazon best seller  the first year it was released, helping thousands of kids learn handwriting with a unique, fun method. She is mom to 6 kids, each with differently learning abilities and struggles. The  Reading Patch  was established by the creators of  Mrs. Karle’s Sight and Sound Reading . Together they have been featured on the NBC media outlets and Parents Magazine online. Over the last 8 years in their online platform, Madreen and Meeghan have worked tirelessly with teachers, homeschoolers and parents looking to help children learn to read to become a trusted authority in teaching children to read and advocating early literacy skills. They often partner with other educational experts to deliver the most current information to the Reading Patch community.

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10 Festive Halloween Writing Activities for the Upper Elementary Classroom

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Halloween writing activities are so much fun! There is just something wonderful about this spooky fall holiday in the classroom. . . Because the learning doesn’t stop for holidays and parties, I’m providing a list of 10 fun Halloween writing activities to enjoy the holiday and the season while learning at the same time!

Happy writing!

10 Fun Halloween Writing Activities

1 . Spooky Story Contest : Challenge your students to write a spooky story or poem that is no longer than one page. The best stories can be read aloud at the class Halloween party, with Halloween prizes for the best entries!

2. Halloween Acrostic Poem : Have your students create an acrostic poem using the letters of “HALLOWEEN.” Each line should focus on a Halloween-related word beginning with the corresponding letter. This is a great way to get students’ brains going while keeping with the fun holiday theme!

3. Plan a Halloween Party: Have students practice writing without really feeling like they are practicing writing by asking them to plan a Halloween party! Using this Plan a Halloween Party Bite Sized Writing PBL , you’ll have a whole set of already prepared Halloween writing activities for students to complete on their way to planning a Halloween party!

4. Creepy Descriptive Writing: Invite your students to use their imaginations and come up with creative descriptions of scary characters or scenes, such as a haunted house or a witch’s potion brewing in her cauldron. This is one of my favorite Halloween writing activities for fostering creativity! Provide them with ready-made fall writing prompts and guidelines based on your goals and allow their ideas to flow!

5. Word Play: Have your students create a Halloween-related story by using only words that start with the letter “H.” This can be as creative or spooky as they want it to be. You could assign one letter to different groups to create a class writing board that spells out a Halloween related word! Fun Halloween writing activities that double as classroom decor are the best!

6. Design a Haunted House: Incorporate a little bit of math along with writing in this fun and interactive project based learning activity! With no prep and pre-made worksheets, this is a great option for a stress free and oh so fun Halloween writing activity, and you can find it here!

7. Mystery Writing: Place a mysterious item in the middle of the classroom and have each student come up with a story about where it came from, who owns it, and why it’s so special. Once again, this activity leaves plenty of opportunity for you to add in your needs or guidelines for your students to follow!

8. Create a Candy Informational Writing: Allow students to use their imaginations to create a candy , advertise the candy, and use various activities to inform on their invention! One of my favorite Halloween writing activities for informative writing without the sometimes boring prompts!

9. Halloween News Report: Have your students pretend they are reporters and create a news report about a strange event that happened in the town on Halloween night. You can provide a list of prompts for students or leave it all to their imagination!

10. Make Your Own Monster: Challenge your students to come up with their own monster, complete with traits, special powers, and a backstory. They can draw a picture of their creature and write a story about it. Have them share their monsters with the class to see who has the scariest one! You can display the monsters at the end for a Halloween classroom decoration!

I sure hope that you’ve found some winners among this collection of Halloween writing activities because holidays in the classroom are a big deal and deserve to be celebrated amongst the learning!

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Shelly Rees

Hi, I’m Shelly! Thank you for being here. I love helping third, fourth, and fifth grade teachers with fun and engaging activities that require no to little prep! Let me help you by taking some of the stress and work off your plate.

Hi, I'm Shelly

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Halloween Writing Assignments - Creative Writing Activities for Halloween Bundle

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Description

Halloween Writing Assignments - Creative Writing Activities for Halloween Bundle: Bring the Halloween spirit into your classroom with this fantastic bundle of creative writing resources! These activities promise to transport your students into a world of spooky storytelling. First off, they'll tackle the Zombie Survival Manual, envisioning strategies to navigate a post-apocalyptic world. Then, they'll delve into extraterrestrial mysteries with the Alien Interview. Then, they will build a suspenseful Halloween Mystery and build a unique narrative with our story-maker activity. These assignments are incredibly engaging and will hook even your most reluctant writers.

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Included in This Halloween Creative Writing Activities Bundle:

➡️ Zombie Survival Manual: This Halloween writing assignment has students take on the role of a leading expert on zombies. With a zombie virus on the rise, they have been tasked with creating a zombie survival guide for the people of Earth. Students must complete a written plan for the manual, which will include 5 different sections: abilities and behavioral patterns of zombies, weapons and fighting techniques, safe places & zombie proofing, essential items and what to do in the event of a bite This Halloween activity is perfect for students to embrace the Halloween spirit, be creative, and practice their writing skills too.

➡️ An Alien Interview : This Halloween writing assignment has students play the role of a government worker who must conduct an interview with a newly landed alien. Students must transcribe their "conversation" interview style, being sure to create questions that focus on "who, what, where, when, and why". There is also a section on the handout where students can brainstorm their questions.

➡️ Halloween Mystery Writing : Have students write a spooky narrative with this Halloween-themed writing assignment where students develop their own mystery narrative. This comprehensive resource provides all the necessary support, including a detailed presentation to guide the lesson, graphic organizers for the plot, character development, setting, conflict, and more, as well as dedicated pages for the final draft. Get ready to immerse your students in a world of suspense and intrigue with this engaging Halloween writing activity!

➡️ Halloween Story-Maker Activity : Use this entertaining and creative resource to engage your students in writing a Halloween narrative piece. Students will choose from a variety of character traits, settings, and types of conflict cards to create a unique Halloween narrative. It's a mix-and-match writing activity with a holiday twist that both entertains and allows students to practice important writing skills and work with different narrative elements.

What Teachers Are Saying About This Halloween Creative Writing Activities Bundle:

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I have never seen students as excited to write as with this product. This captured their imaginations and was perfect to have on hand when I had more class time than I anticipated.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This is an AWESOME packet of Halloween materials. Thank you! I plan on using some of these ideas next week.

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