Halloween Safety Helper
20 FREE Resources Exploring a “Safe Halloween”
Happy Halloween
There is something special about this time of year. The weather is cooler, the leaves falling off the trees and the farmers finishing the last of the harvesting. The anticipation of these annual delights reminds us the holiday season is soon to approach.
The kids are settled back into their school routines, and they begin to look forward to October 31st. Oh, the joy and all the fun on Halloween. The goal of these blog posts is to offer free lesson resources, for teachers and parents, as they begin to plan.
These resources have all been STEMHAX approved, and include online books, videos and free printables. There is a little something from the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, History/Social Studies, Art and XTRA. The XTRA in post is a focus on Halloween Safety!
Halloween Safety
Halloween safety is an area that needs to be reinforced in young children. Kids get so excited about trick-or-treating, it is important to repeat safety year after year.
There is so much on the Internet, many hours can be spent searching through appropriate videos. Here are three videos that are good for sharing with young children, about Halloween Safety. I also created a booklet to help reinforce these rules, you can download for free on my Teacher Pay Teacher store.
Safety Tips: Carlsbad Police Department
The first video is from the Carlsbad police department in California. Crime Prevention Specialist Jodee Sasway shares some valuable safety tips. It is a quick watch and has some eerie music to keep interest. Although, many of us are not from Carlsbad the safety suggestions are very relevant and well done.
Scaredy Squirrel Safety Tips
Next, is a video from Scaredy Squirrel. It is a little over one minute and reinforces some of the important safety tips kids need to know. The makers of this video use humor and even adults will get a giggle. Don’t be surprised if the kids ask to watch this more than once.
Halloween Rules by Jack Hartmann
Lastly, is a video from Jack Hartmann. This is my pick for auditory and music learners. There are 10 rules in this video:
- Look both ways before crossing the street.
- Walk don’t run.
- Never take rides from strangers.
- Only cross the streets at corners.
- Always go with friends or adults.
- Have an adult check your candy.
- Don’t run into the street.
- Carry a flashlight or glow sticks.
- Never go into a strangers house.
- Be aware of your surroundings; look and listen.
FREE Make and Take Download
After watching and reviewing the safety rules, kids can color this make and take booklet. Simply download, print and let the kids do all the rest. Cut on the dotted lines, put in order cover page on top, fold and staple. Kids love to make books! There are six blank pages for your students to add rules and illustrate Halloween safety.
Halloween Online Books
Online book readings are very popular and a great for adding another source for read alouds. The more kids are read books the more words become familiar. Here are six books to add to any Halloween week readings.
The Runaway Pumpkin
The Runaway Pumpkin is written by Kevin Lewis and illustrated by SD Schindler. “When Buck, Billy, and their little sister Lil spy the biggest pumpkin they’ve ever seen, they can’t resist. Buck and Billy try to roll the pumpkin down the hill to show everyone, but it’s too big! Before they know it, it’s bumping and thumping and rolling down the hillside out of control. This read aloud Halloween treat is perfect for kids and families.” – Excerpt Amazon
The Night Before Halloween
The Night Before Halloween is written by Natasha Wing and illustrated by Cynthia Fisher. “‘Twas the night before Halloween, and all through the house, All the creatures were stirring, except for the mouse.The monsters had gathered to plan and prepare,For the trick-or-treaters who soon would be there?.”
Little monsters and goofy goblins take center stage in this silly, spooky spin on Clement C. Moore’s beloved poem. But what will happen on Halloween when the monsters come face to face with human trick-or-treaters in this fun-filled book by the author of The Night Before Easter?” – Excerpt Amazon
Arthur’s Halloween
Arthur’s Halloween is written and illustrated by Marc Brown. “Halloween has Arthur spooked! When his little sister wanders off into the scariest house on the street, Arthur has to find the courage to go in and save her. Will Arthur and D.W. make it out alive?” – Excerpt Amazon
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown written by Charles M. Schultz and adapted by Kara McMahon. “It’s Halloween night, which means costumes, trick-or-treating, bobbing for apples…and waiting for the Great Pumpkin. Linus is certain that the Great Pumpkin will rise out of the pumpkin patch to bring toys to all the children of the world. Could this be the year that it finally happens?” – Excerpt Amazon
Room on the Broom
Room on the Broom was written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler. “The witch and her cat are happily flying through the sky on a broomstick when the wind picks up and blows away the witch’s hat, then her bow, and then her wand! Luckily, three helpful animals find the missing items, and all they want in return is a ride on the broom. But is there room on the broom for so many friends? And when disaster strikes, will they be able to save the witch from a hungry dragon?” – Excerpt Amazon
Halloween Night
Halloween Night was written by Marjorie Dennis Murray and illustrated by Brandon Dorman. “It’s Halloween night and all are preparing, for a wickedly wonderful evening of scaring. With zombies and banshees and mummies galore, read this book once and you’ll come back for more!” – Excerpt Amazon
Halloween Videos
Technology and videos are an important part of teaching and learning. As educators and parents we are not always an expert in every field. I am talking only about myself, and I have used these following five videos with my kids, both in the classroom and at home.
Five Little Pumpkins
Kidsboomers is a great resource for songs. Kids love this YouTube Channel and most educators like the music, as well. This is an animated video of the classic poem “Five Little Pumpkins.”
Emotions – Five Little Pumpkins
Next, is another fabulous resource for songs “Super Simple Songs.” This is a song called “Five Little Pumpkins” and it is about emotions. Kids who are extremely empathetic will relate with the pumpkins and understand these emotions.
Halloween ABC
Halloween ABC is a well done Halloween song that gives words or phrases that pertain to Halloween. Kids will be engaged and this video is great for differentiation.
A fun skill game would be to have students pick letters out of a container and when they hear those words write them down as fast as they can. Doing this daily for the week of Halloween would be fun and meaningful.
Shake Them Skeleton Bones
Another Halloween favorite by the Kidboomers. This one is perfect for times when kids need a brain break. Put the song on and have the kids come up with different moves based on the body part being sung. Excellent primer for anatomy, too!
Art for Kids Hub
Finally, meet Rob from Art for Kids Hub. He is amazing and patient. In this video he is teaching kids how to draw a pumpkin with a witch hat. Older kids can usually follow along with the tempo of the lesson. However, younger kids will need you to pause the video so they can catch up without getting frustrated. This is a wonderful use of crosscutting; technology and art.
Additional FREE Halloween Resources
The last few resources are from some of my peers at Teacher Pay Teacher. Even if you are not a traditional classroom teacher, any caregiver can download free and/or purchase these teachers created resources from the TpT website.
Paper Skeleton
Here is another art project for kids who are a little more hands-on. You will need some brads and scissors. This is from Learning Parade and includes simple directions in the free download. Nice job Learning Parade!
Color by Addition
Look at this cute little cat in a witch hat. Thank you to Fern Smith’s Classroom Ideas! Love this color by addition freebie, and this download comes with an answer key, too.
Halloween Around the World
Halloween Around the World is a freebie from Wise Little Owl’s. This is a free sample and if your kids love social studies they will enjoy this download about Ireland. Thanks Wise Little Owl for sharing this cut and paste activity.
Halloween STEM (Engineering)
Engineering Challenge is in this free download. There will be some prep with this resource. “Can you create a structure that will help the skeletons withstand the force of the wicked witch and her magical broom?” The preceding quote is from the opening line of the challenge. This is a super cute idea and young learners will have fun. Thank you Angelica for putting this together, your awesome!
Witch’s Brew STEM (Science)
Lastly, here is another S.T.E.M. challenge called Witch’s Brew. Thank you Meredith for the cool freebie, you rock! There will be some prep with this resource. “Design a witch’s brew potion that bubbles! Students will need to mix various ingredients until they find two that create a chemical reaction to make the potion bubble. This is a very fun activity even your youngest scientists will love!” – Excerpt Momgineer
If you like these free resources please consider following these teacher creators. They are always developing new and cool things, for you and I, to share with young learners. We are @STEMHAX and on Teacher Pay Teacher, too.
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. All that means is if you decide to make a purchase, I might earn a small commission at ZERO cost to you. Thank you, see you soon!!
