If you’re looking for some fun and engaging Halloween activities for preschoolers, you’ve come to the right place!
Be sure to bookmark or pin this page so you have it ready when you’re planning your preschool Halloween theme.
Related: Playful Fall Activities for Preschoolers
Planning for Your Preschool Halloween Theme
It’s that time of year again!
The weather’s getting colder, the leaves are changing, and teachers and parents everywhere are being asked, “Is it Halloween yet?!”
You’re probably already being regaled with descriptions of the kids’ Halloween costumes, too, aren’t you? I love preschoolers’ enthusiasm for dressing up!
Use the kids’ enthusiasm for all-things-Halloween and plan some super engaging Halloween activities for preschoolers.
Why a Halloween Theme?
As I just mentioned, you’re probably already seeing how excited preschoolers can be about Halloween.
That excitement means they’re going to be interested in what you’re planning. Which means more engagement and more meaning for your students.
Plus, you can add such a variety of topics when you’re planning the Halloween activities:
- Bats
- Spiders
- Monsters
- Skeletons
- Nutrition
- Safety
- Pumpkins
Okay, I’ll stop there. But you can see how this holiday can be used to teach and explore so many topics.
Now, if you work in a school that doesn’t permit holidays, or there are other reasons you cannot include a Halloween theme . . . that’s okay.
Choose the related themes that make the most sense for you, your students, and the school where you work. For example, teaching a spider theme or a bat theme doesn’t have to correlate with Halloween at all.
Special Materials to Have on Hand
I’m a big believer in using what you already have in the classroom to teach any and all themes.
But it is also nice to supplement when you can. So if you’re able to, consider bringing in some of the items listed below. You can do this by asking parents to donate or lend things, touching base with your administrator, bringing things in from home, or even talking to local businesses about contributing to your classroom.
Here are some suggestions:
- Children’s Halloween costumes
- Old adult clothes to use in place of costumes
- Spider and bat rings
- Halloween-themed mini erasers
- Witch fingers
- Simple foam masks
Halloween Activities for Preschoolers
Keep reading for some of my favorite Fun-A-Day Halloween activities.
Everything is broken down into topic areas for easier browsing, and I’ll update as more ideas are added!
Halloween Literacy Activities
Read “Big Pumpkin” to the children – it’s one of my favorite Halloween books. Then set up a Halloween sequencing activity that works on retelling.
A printable Halloween emergent reader is just what you need to practice early literacy skills.
A Halloween fine motor activity would be perfect during center time, too. Break out those funny witchy fingers!
Grab the Halloween matching game printable and play along with the kids. You can also use these cards to work on early literacy skills.
Halloween book making with kids doesn’t get any more interesting than this “Where Monsters Live” book.
Sensory Activities for Halloween
Make some not-so-scary monster slime with the kids.
These spider theme sensory bottle ideas are a great way to introduce arachnids to children, even those who might be a little scared.
Dye some bowtie pasta and put together a Stellaluna activity in your sensory center.
Halloween sensory activities don’t need to be difficult. Try these two easy ideas and watch the kids have a blast.
Put together a “haunted” Halloween sensory play invitation for your students.
Math Halloween Activities for Preschoolers
Combine monster slime and number cards for this monster counting activity.
Explore Halloween math with a spider counting book in your math center or small groups.
Art and Crafts for Halloween
Your students will have way too much fun creating transient art with a Halloween sticky table.
Create Halloween art activities with the kids as they make coffee filter jack o’ lantern prints.
You can make a Halloween craft for kids using a cupcake liner and paper plate. Sweet and simple wreath for Halloween!
Add this simple bat craft to your list of Halloween theme activities. A great mix of science and art fun for the kids.
The Frankenstein monster pumpkin is three-dimensional art with a Halloween fine motor twist.
More Halloween Activities for Preschoolers
Here are some Halloween theme collections you might also want to consider for your October planning.
30 Halloween science and sensory activities
Preschool pumpkin activities for your pumpkin theme
Spider crafts and activities for kids
Creative Halloween activities for kids
Monster activities for kids to try this Halloween
Halloween Lesson Plans and More
If you’re looking for resources to help you as a preschool teacher, you need to check out The Pack from Preschool Teacher 101. It will save you so much time planning and organizing!
Preschool Teacher 101’s Halloween lesson plans have more than 100 pages of daily and weekly plans, center explanations, book suggestions, and related printables. Basically, everything you need to plan your Halloween activities!
Other Done-for-You Halloween Activities for Preschoolers
Monster Shape Art with Math and Literacy Activities
October Writing Journal Prompts
Spider Theme Preschool Lesson Plans
Even More Halloween Theme Activities
Well, I can’t just stop now, can I?
Here are some more resources you can incorporate into your big ol’ list of Halloween activities for preschoolers.
Halloween Books for Preschoolers
All good preschool themes include a tall stack of children’s books.
Here are some of my favorite Halloween books. Add in some of your own faves and I’m sure you’ll have quite the stash of books to read this month.
Halloween Songs for Preschool
You can’t plan Halloween activities for preschoolers without some song ideas. Many of the Halloween songs I wanted to share with you are on YouTube. But not ALL of them.
One of my absolute favorites to sing with the preschoolers is Charlotte Diamond’s “Looking for Dracula.” It is seriously amazing. You can check it out on her album 10 Carrot Diamond (along with some other wonderful preschool songs).
“Down By the Spooky Bay” from Super Simple Songs is a Halloween-themed version of the favorite “Down by the Bay.” It’s followed by even more songs the kids will enjoy this Halloween.
You can’t have a list of Halloween songs for kids without including “Five Little Pumpkins!” This version is from The Kiboomers.
“Who Took the Candy?” from Super Simple Songs is based on the classic “Who Took the Cookie from the Cookie Jar?” song. It’s followed by even more Halloween songs the kids will enjoy.
The Kiboomer’s “Skeleton Dance” is a sweet (not scary!) Halloween song. It’s reminiscent of “Dem Bones” and “Dry Bones.”
“Halloween Song for Kids” from The Singing Walrus is all about counting to ten. It includes traditional Halloween creatures and encourages the children to count along.
Even More Preschool Halloween Ideas
If you need even MORE Halloween activities for preschoolers, check out some of the posts linked below.
So many amazing ideas to choose from!
Nutritious Halloween Snacks for Kids
Marshmallow and Toothpick Spider Web
Halloween Manipulatives and Toys
Here are a few toys and manipulatives you might want to integrate into your Halloween activities for preschoolers.
What are some of YOUR favorite Halloween activities for preschoolers?
For more ideas be sure to visit Fun-A-Day’s Halloween Pinterest board.
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