A great scary children's ghost story is 'The Bell Witch'. It's about a witch that haunts a family in Tennessee. The witch causes all sorts of strange and terrifying things to happen, like making objects move on their own and making spooky noises. Also, 'The Canterville Ghost' is a fun yet spooky story. It shows a ghost trying to scare a family but instead gets outwitted by them in many humorous ways.
There's the story of 'Bloody Mary'. The idea of looking into a mirror in a dark room and summoning a ghostly figure is really scary for children. It has been passed down through generations. Then there's 'The Woman in Black'. In this story, a vengeful ghost in black brings misfortune and death to those who see her. These stories play on children's fears of the unknown and the supernatural.
One classic is 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow'. It features the Headless Horseman who chases Ichabod Crane through the town. Another is 'The Turn of the Screw' which has a very eerie atmosphere with the ghosts of the former servants haunting the children in the house. And 'Casper the Friendly Ghost' can also be a bit spooky in some versions as he is a ghost after all.
One scary ghost children story is 'The Changeling'. It's about a child who is secretly replaced by a malevolent spirit. The family notices strange behavior in the 'new' child, like speaking in an unknown language and having an otherworldly look in its eyes. Another is 'The Orphanage Ghosts'. In this story, an old orphanage is haunted by the spirits of children who died there under mysterious circumstances. People who visit at night often hear the sound of children crying and see shadowy figures running around.
There's 'Bluebeard'. In this story, Bluebeard has a locked room that his new wife is forbidden to enter. When she does, she discovers the horrible secret inside. It's a great children's scary story because it creates a sense of mystery and dread. Also, 'The Monkey's Paw' can be considered. It shows how wishes can go horribly wrong, which is a scary concept for children.
The 'Ghostly Orphanage' is another scary story. An old, dilapidated orphanage was once a place full of sorrow. Many children died there due to poor conditions. Now, at night, people passing by can see the faint outlines of children in the windows. Sometimes, they can even hear the sound of children crying and running around. It's as if the children are still trapped there, unable to move on to the afterlife.
Another example is 'In a Dark, Dark Room and Other Scary Stories'. It contains short, scary stories that are perfect for younger readers who are just starting to explore the world of spooky tales. The simple language and vivid descriptions in these stories can make a child's imagination run wild with fear and excitement.
The 'Goosebumps' series by R.L. Stine is also well - known. There are numerous books in this series, each filled with hair - raising adventures. For example, in some of the stories, kids encounter monsters that lurk in the shadows or strange events that occur in their own neighborhoods. These stories are great because they are not overly terrifying but still give that spooky feeling.
One popular children's book with scary stories is 'Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark'. It has a collection of spine - chilling tales that are both spooky and engaging for kids. The stories often involve things like haunted houses, strange creatures, and eerie events.
These stories can affect children in multiple ways. Emotionally, they can bring out a sense of thrill and excitement. Many children enjoy the adrenaline rush that comes with being a bit scared. Intellectually, they can help children learn about different cultures and their superstitions. For example, some cultures have unique ghost stories that are passed down. But some children might become overly superstitious themselves, believing that there are real ghosts around every corner if they are too young or sensitive when exposed to these stories.
One classic children scary story is 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe. It's about a man who is driven mad by the old man's vulture - like eye and eventually kills him. Another is 'The Monkey's Paw' where a family makes wishes on a magical paw with horrifying consequences. And 'Little Red Riding Hood' can also be a bit scary when the wolf is involved.
One of the scary children's stories is 'The Little Match Girl' by Hans Christian Andersen. It's a sad and somewhat spooky tale about a poor girl trying to sell matches in the cold. Another is 'The Monkey's Paw' which has elements of horror as the wishes made on the paw come with terrifying consequences. And 'Bluebeard' is also quite scary, with the idea of a man having a secret room full of the bodies of his previous wives.
The unknown. For example, when there is a strange noise in a dark place that the child in the story can't explain. It creates an immediate sense of fear because our minds start to imagine all kinds of scary things that could be making the noise.