Halloween is such a magical time for little ones… and parents! The costumes, pumpkins, and spooky (but not too scary) decorations make it a festive time of year. We are so excited to celebrate our new son’s first spooky season this year. Being a May baby, Gem (our son’s online nickname) hasn’t experienced many festivities yet. Halloween will be his first major holiday!
Naturally, I am a little extra as a teacher mom. Always have been, and probably always will be. I’m preparing a “boo basket” to give Gem for October. And I mean, what better way to celebrate spooky season with a baby than with some fun, interactive Halloween books? Here are a dozen great picks to add to your seasonal collection!
PLEASE NOTE: Affiliate links are included throughout this curated book list. Many of these board books I found locally and purchased at Sam’s Club and Costco, but they’ll only be in stock there for a limited time. You can always buy on Amazon (usually for less than in stores) and support my blog in the process! Wherever you purchase, I’m just happy to have you here, reading to little ones.
1. Construction Site Gets a Fright by Sherri Duskey Rinker
If your baby loves the Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site series like ours do, this Halloween-themed edition will be a hit! The familiar construction crew gets ready for a spooky night, only to find thereโs nothing to be afraid of after all. Itโs a perfect mix of Halloween fun and sweet reassurance, with a gentle message about being brave.
2. Pop-Up Peekaboo! Monsters by DK
Babies love pop-up books! This one delivers all the playful spookiness in a safe and fun way. Pop-Up Peekaboo! Monsters features friendly monsters that jump off the page, making it an interactive experience. Don’t worry about how rough and tough your little tot can be! The sturdy pages handle eager baby hands well while keeping them engaged with flaps to lift.
3. Pop-Up Peekaboo! Pumpkin by DK
Another engaging book from the Pop-Up Peekaboo! series, this one brings your baby into a pumpkin-filled adventure. Lift the flaps to discover all sorts of Halloween surprisesโghosts, bats, and more! Itโs a great way to build anticipation for trick-or-treating while enjoying some silly, not-so-spooky fun with your little one. I found this one slightly cheaper on Amazon ($7) than I did at my local Sam’s Club and Costco ($9).
4. Bluey Boo! Bluey’s Halloween Magnet Book by Penguin Young Readers Licenses
Perfect for Bluey fans, this Halloween-themed magnet book brings interactive fun to your babyโs reading time! Your little one can help Bluey and her family decorate for Halloween and plan their spooky festivities by moving magnets around the scenes. Itโs a great way to boost fine motor skills while enjoying the adorable world of Bluey. A bit advanced for our 6-month-old at the moment, it’s perfect for his 18-month-old Bluey loving cousin!
5. Itโs the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown by Kara McMahon
This classic Peanuts story is a must-have for any Halloween collection! Though itโs geared more toward slightly older kids, babies will still enjoy the bright, nostalgic illustrations and simple storylines. Itโs the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown board book captures the heart of Halloween and introduces your baby to timeless characters like Charlie Brown and Snoopy.
6. Ten Little Jack-O-Lanterns by Amanda Sobotka
With its rhythmic counting and vibrant illustrations, Ten Little Jack-O-Lanterns is perfect for babies who are starting to explore numbers. (The math teacher in me just couldn’t resist!) As each three-dimensional jack-o-lantern disappears, your baby can practice their counting skills in a fun, Halloween-themed way. The cheerful illustrations and playful rhymes make it a fun October bedtime read!
7. Little Blue Truckโs Halloween by Alice Schertle
This Halloween adventure with Little Blue Truck and his farmyard friends is a delightful board book for babies. As the animals get dressed up in their costumes, Little Blue Truck drives them to a party, but not before a few cute surprises along the way. The flaps to lift and sweet illustrations make this a perfect book for gently introducing the Halloween spirit to little ones.
8. Spooky Spooky Little Bat by Cottage Door Press
This sweet and simple board book features a little bat who’s ready for Halloween fun! The repetitive, rhyming text and playful illustrations make Spooky Spooky Little Bat an excellent choice for very young readers like Gem. Itโs short, engaging, and just spooky enough to get into the Halloween spirit without any real frights. There’s even a little finger puppet bat included to wiggle and tickle littles with while reading!
9. Five Little Pumpkins by Tiger Tales
A Halloween classic that babies will love! This version of the popular counting rhyme is brought to life with colorful illustrations that keep babies engaged. Five Little Pumpkins is perfect for singing along or acting out with hand motions, making it a fun and interactive storytime choice. There’s a quick mention of witches making it Halloween-themed, but I would personally consider this one of our seasonal favorites for all of fall!
10. Iโm a Little Pumpkin by Hannah Eliot
A sweet, simple board book filled with fun rhymes sure to get your baby into the Halloween spirit! Iโm a Little Pumpkin uses repetitive, catchy verses to engage your little one while introducing them to pumpkins, ghosts, and all the fun of Halloween. Itโs short and colorful, making it great for a quick bedtime read.
11. Where is Babyโs Pumpkin? by Karen Katz
From the beloved Karen Katz series, Where is Babyโs Pumpkin? is a fun lift-the-flap book where your baby gets to help find the hidden pumpkin. Under each flap is a surprise Halloween-themed object, like a bat or a ghost, but where is that silly pumpkin? This book is perfect for developing fine motor skills while introducing little ones to Halloween! We absolutely love it.
12. Disney Baby: Here Comes Halloween! by Disney Books
As a Disney family, we introduce our babies to Halloween with their (okay, fine, my) favorite Disney characters! Disney Baby: Here Comes Halloween! is a simple, sturdy board book featuring Mickey, Minnie, and other Disney friends as they prepare for Halloween. The bright illustrations and simple text make it a great early read for babies (and parents!) who love a little Disney magic.
ACTIONABLE STEPS: Whether youโre looking for an interactive pop-up experience or a sweet and gentle Halloween story, this curated book list is perfect for babies and toddlers. Theyโll make your babyโs first (or second!) Halloween extra special with just the right mix of fun, spookiness, and charm. Have any tried-and-true recommended reads? Share the titles in the comments below! We love discovering new books. Happy Halloween reading, everyone! ๐
