Well, first, think of a theme that kids can relate to, like a haunted house or a creepy forest. Then, build tension slowly. Don't go too extreme with the horror. Also, have a happy ending or a resolution where the kids are safe.
A great horror story for kids is 'The Graveyard Book' by Neil Gaiman. It tells the story of a boy who is raised by ghosts in a graveyard. It has a bit of spookiness but also a lot of heart. 'The Witch in the Cherry Tree' is also a good one. A young girl has to outwit a witch who lives in a cherry tree near her home. Well, for kids, these stories can be a bit scary but also very exciting.
In an abandoned asylum, a bunch of kids went in for a dare. The halls were filled with the smell of decay. They entered a room with old, rusty beds. Then, they noticed a cold breeze. A figure in a tattered hospital gown floated towards them. It was the spirit of a patient who had died a horrible death there. The kids quickly left the asylum, vowing never to go back.
Well, for kids to write a horror story, they could first come up with a spooky setting. Maybe it's a dark forest at night or an abandoned school. Also, adding unexpected twists and scary characters can make the story more thrilling.
Well, 'Casper the Friendly Ghost' can also be considered. It's about a friendly ghost named Casper who tries to make friends with humans. While it has some spooky elements like ghosts and haunted houses, it's more on the cute and friendly side of horror stories for kids. It shows that not all things that seem scary are actually bad.
Ghosts or other supernatural beings are often in these stories. They can be in different forms, such as a shadowy figure or a transparent spirit. In many kids' horror stories, these entities often have a tragic backstory that makes them even scarier. For instance, a ghost that was wronged in life and now haunts the place where it died. Also, strange noises are a big part of it. Things like unexplained whispers, screams or creaking sounds add to the horror. It makes the kids in the story (and the readers/listeners) feel like there is something dangerous lurking in the shadows.
Horror stories for kids can be as scary as they can handle. Some might just give a little shiver, like 'The Little Match Girl' which has a sad and somewhat eerie ending. Others, like 'Frankenstein' (a simplified version for kids) can be a bit more intense with its idea of a created monster.