The Best Spooky, Silly, Creepy, and Rockin' Halloween Songs for Children

Ira Marlowe has recorded several albums of kids' music, including Dream Time, The Teasing Bird and Other Stories, and All the Colors. This time 'round, Oakland-based Marlowe takes on the persona of The Chills, a rock & roll band dedicated to scaring those who wish to be scared. Creepy Songs for Courageous Kids doesn't come right out and BOO! in the listener's face...instead, these Halloween songs suggest that something frightening might be right around the corner. Think of Creepy Songs for Courageous Kids as the musical equivalent of the Goosebumps series, perfect Halloween music for upper elementary kids. Oh, and props goes to session drummer Paul Revelli for making The Chills a full-on rockin' experience.

• Listen to a clip of "In the Dark"

One of the best-produced Halloween albums you'll ever hear! Schletter has composed tons of music for film and television, including Mr. Show and Spongebob Squarepants. On this project, he enlisted the talents of musicians and actors like Grant Lee Phillips, Dave "Gruber" Allen, and Dave Foley to add to the songs, skits, incantations, and stories, spooky and otherwise. The cool thing about this album is that it's currently being presented live on stage at the Steve Allen Theater in Los Angeles. Not a toddler album, for sure, but your 8-11 year olds will love it.

• Listen to a clip of "I've Created a Monster"

Silly, good-natured Halloween tunes from a veteran children's music performer. Schnitzer's album includes funny songs, sing-alongs, jokes, and a not-too-scary telling of the classic "Bloody Finger." Perfect for the younger spooksters or an early elementary class party.

• Listen to a clip of "What Do You Like About Halloween?"

Rob Zombie's grownup music has always been steeped in the campy gore of '50s and '60s horror flicks. For this compilation, though, he leaves behind the darker, heavier aspects of that genre and emphasizes rip-roarin' musical fun! A veritable all-star lineup of indie bands is featured here, including Reverend Horton Heat, Southern Culture on the Skids, Rocket from the Crypt, Los Straitjackets, Swingin' Neckbreakers, and The Bomboras. Lots of rockabilly and surf music to liven up your upper elementary kids' Halloween party.

• Listen to a clip of "Halloween Dance" by Reverend Horton Heat
• Listen to a clip of "No Costume, No Candy" by The Swingin' Neckbreakers

Gold is best known for his hits "Lonely Boy" and "Thank You for Being a Friend," so it's no surprise this collection is on the pop end of the Halloween spectrum. Besides some nifty originals, Gold turns in great covers of "The Monster Mash," "The Addams Family," and "Ghostbusters."

• Listen to a clip of "Spooky, Scary Skeletons"

Good ol' Rhino Records put together one of the best collections of Halloween-related tunes for kids. The original version of each song is used here, including favorites like "The Monster Mash," "The Purple People Eater," "Ghostbusters," "The Addams Family," and "The Twilight Zone." The album also includes equally-as-amusing but lesser-known songs like The Ran-Dells' "Martian Hop," The Five Blobs' "The Blob," and Jumpin' Gene Simmons' "Haunted House."

• Listen to a clip of "Haunted House" by Jumpin' Gene Simmons
• Listen to a clip of "Blob" by The Five Blobs

A classic! This album doesn't contain any music, but I couldn't resist putting it on the list. Many grandparents and parents will remember this record from the mid-'60s and the early '70s, when it was re-released. The sound effects were culled from Disney's vaults, and include creaks, groans, screams, and screeches from short animated films and Disney park rides. Long out of print, this album is now available as an iTunes download. Spooky, silly, and hair-raising fun!