Best Halloween Gifts for Kids and Homeschooling Students
Halloween gifts don’t have to be just candy. Over the years, I’ve found that the gifts my kids actually remember are the ones that combine fun with creativity, learning, or just plain cool factor. Candy gets eaten in a week. A great Halloween LEGO set or a spooky science kit? That sticks around.
I’ve put together specific gift recommendations organized by age group. These are products I’ve either bought for my own kids, gifted to friends’ children, or researched based on parent reviews and ratings. Every pick links to Amazon so you can check current prices and read reviews yourself.
Halloween Gifts for Toddlers (Ages 2-4)
Toddlers don’t need complicated toys. They want bright colors, soft textures, and things they can squeeze. Here’s what works.
Halloween Beanie Babies and Plush Toys ($8-15) – Ty Beanie Babies have been around since the ’90s, and they still hold up. Look for the Halloween-themed ones: bats, black cats, ghosts, and pumpkins. My youngest carried a bat Beanie Baby everywhere for two months after Halloween. They’re soft, affordable, and sturdy enough for toddler handling.
Make-a-Pumpkin Sticker Sheets ($5-8 for a pack) – Give a toddler a blank pumpkin face and a sheet of eye, nose, and mouth stickers, and they’ll be entertained for a solid 30 minutes. These are perfect for Halloween party bags or classroom treats. Non-messy, portable, and kids love the mix-and-match creativity.
Halloween Treat Bags with Non-Candy Items ($10-15) – Fill a cute pumpkin or ghost bag with small toys: bouncy balls, glow sticks, temporary tattoos, and a few pieces of candy. Toddlers care more about the bag itself than what’s inside. The bag becomes the toy.
Halloween Gifts for Young Kids (Ages 4-7)
This age group is all about dressing up, glowing things, and anything that lets them feel like they’re part of the Halloween magic.
Light-Up Halloween Bubble Wand ($10-14) – A 13.5-inch LED bubble wand that blows bubbles and lights up? Kids lose their minds over this. It’s the kind of toy that works for trick-or-treating, Halloween parties, and just running around the yard after dark. My kids used theirs well past November.
LED Skeleton Gloves ($8-12) – Gloves that light up with skeleton bone patterns. They double as costume accessories and flashlights (sort of). Kids love wearing them in the dark. They run on small batteries that last a few nights, which is all you need for the Halloween season.
DIY Halloween Face Mask Craft Kit ($10-15) – A craft kit with blank masks, paint, stickers, and glitter. Kids design their own Halloween masks, which they can then wear for trick-or-treating. It combines creativity with practicality. I prefer these over store-bought masks because kids take pride in something they’ve made themselves.
Reversible Ghost/Pumpkin Plush ($8-12) – These flip-inside-out plushies show a happy face on one side and an angry/scared face on the other. Kids use them to express their mood, which is both cute and useful. They’ve become popular classroom gifts because they’re affordable and every kid wants one.
Halloween Gifts for Kids (Ages 8-10)
Kids this age want things that challenge them. Puzzles, building kits, and anything they can show off to friends.
Halloween-Themed LEGO Sets ($15-40) – LEGO releases Halloween-specific sets each year, and they’re consistently good. Haunted houses, graveyard scenes, and monster characters keep kids building for hours. The $15-20 range gets you a smaller set (around 200 pieces), while $30-40 gets you something more detailed. These have replay value because kids rebuild and customize them.
Halloween Jigsaw Puzzles (300-500 pieces) ($10-18) – A spooky-themed puzzle is a great screen-free activity. Look for ones with bright, detailed Halloween scenes, like haunted houses, trick-or-treaters, or monster parties. 300 pieces is manageable for an 8-year-old. 500 pieces adds a real challenge. They build patience, shape recognition, and give kids a sense of accomplishment when finished.
Halloween Candy Variety Gift Box ($15-25) – Let’s be honest, candy is still a hit. A curated box with a mix of fun-size chocolates, gummies, and sour candies makes a great companion gift alongside something more lasting. Look for variety packs that include popular brands so there’s something for every taste.
Halloween Gifts for Tweens (Ages 10-12)
Tweens want to feel grown-up. Remote-control gadgets, strategy games, and collectibles hit the right notes.
Remote Control Spider/Creepy Crawlies ($15-25) – A remote-controlled spider that scurries across the floor? This is the gift that makes Halloween night unforgettable. Kids love chasing siblings and friends with these. They’re also surprisingly well-made for the price. Just be prepared for some screaming from the adults in the house.
Halloween-Themed Card and Board Games ($12-20) – Games like “Betrayal at House on the Hill” (junior edition for ages 10+) or Halloween-themed Funko card games are great for groups. They work at Halloween parties, sleepovers, or just family game nights during the spooky season. I like card games because they’re portable and quick to learn.
Glow-in-the-Dark Room Decor ($10-18) – Glow-in-the-dark wall stickers (skeletons, bats, ghosts) let tweens decorate their own rooms for Halloween. They charge in the light during the day and glow at night. It’s the kind of independence-building gift tweens appreciate, letting them create their own spooky space.
Halloween Gifts for Teenagers (Ages 13-15)
Teenagers are the hardest group to shop for. They’ve outgrown toys but still want Halloween to feel special. Focus on experiences, collectibles, and things with a cool factor.
Halloween Book Collections ($15-30) – A box set of age-appropriate horror or mystery novels. Think R.L. Stine’s “Fear Street” series, Darren Shan’s “Cirque du Freak,” or a collection of Edgar Allan Poe stories. Teens who read will appreciate a curated set. Teens who don’t read might start if the cover art is creepy enough.
Halloween-Edition Funko Pops ($10-15) – Funko releases Halloween variants of popular Marvel, Disney, and horror characters. Teens collect these, display them on shelves, and trade them with friends. They’re affordable enough to grab two or three for a gift bundle.
Halloween LED String Lights ($10-15) – Pumpkin, ghost, or skull-shaped LED string lights for their bedroom. Teens love decorating their space, and these are low-commitment, seasonal decor that adds atmosphere. Battery-operated versions don’t need to be near an outlet.
Gift Ideas for Homeschooling Students
If you’re homeschooling, Halloween gifts can double as learning materials. Here’s what I recommend.
Halloween Science Experiment Kits ($15-25) – Kits that let kids make “potions” (safe chemical reactions), grow crystals, or create slime with a Halloween twist. They cover basic chemistry concepts while feeling like play. Great for ages 6-12.
History of Halloween Books ($8-15) – Books about the origins of Halloween, from Celtic Samhain traditions to modern trick-or-treating, tie into social studies and cultural history. “The Halloween Tree” by Ray Bradbury is a classic for ages 10+.
Halloween-Themed Workbooks and Activity Sheets ($5-12) – Math problems with pumpkins, reading comprehension passages about ghosts, and Halloween word searches keep learning going without feeling like “school.” Available for all age groups from pre-K through middle school.

How to Choose the Right Halloween Gift
I’ve bought my share of gifts that ended up ignored after a day. Here’s what I’ve learned about picking the right one.
Match the child’s interests, not just the holiday. A kid who loves building will get more from a Halloween LEGO set than a generic ghost plushie. A kid who loves reading will treasure a spooky book more than any toy.
Pair a fun gift with a practical one. A candy variety box plus a LEGO set, or a plush toy plus a craft kit. The combination feels more thoughtful than a single item.
Don’t overspend. The best Halloween gifts on this list are in the $8-20 range. You don’t need to drop $50 to make a kid’s October. Some of the biggest hits with my kids cost under $10.
For more Halloween ideas, check out my list of the best Halloween books for kids.
What are the best non-candy Halloween gifts for kids?
The best non-candy options include LED bubble wands ($10-14), Halloween LEGO sets ($15-40), craft kits for DIY masks ($10-15), and glow-in-the-dark room decor ($10-18). These gifts last longer than candy and give kids something to do during the Halloween season. Plush toys and sticker activity sheets are great low-cost alternatives for younger children.
What Halloween gifts work for classroom parties?
Make-a-Pumpkin sticker sheets ($5-8 per pack) and small Halloween treat bags are the most practical for classrooms. They’re affordable when buying for 20-30 kids, don’t take up much space, and keep kids entertained during party time. Glow sticks, temporary tattoos, and mini activity books also work well as classroom handouts.
How much should I spend on a Halloween gift for a child?
$8-20 is the sweet spot for Halloween gifts. You can get a quality plush toy, a craft kit, or a fun gadget in this range. For classroom gifts, $3-5 per child is typical. You don’t need to spend more unless you’re giving a gift to your own child or a close family member, where $20-40 for a LEGO set or book collection makes sense.
What Halloween gifts are good for homeschooling?
Halloween science experiment kits ($15-25), history of Halloween books ($8-15), and themed workbooks ($5-12) all serve double duty as learning materials. Science kits cover basic chemistry through fun experiments like potion-making and crystal growing. Books about Halloween origins tie into social studies curriculum. Themed workbooks make math and reading practice feel less like homework.
What are the best Halloween gifts for teenagers?
Teenagers appreciate Halloween-edition Funko Pops ($10-15), LED string lights for their room ($10-15), horror/mystery book collections ($15-30), and experience-based gifts like escape room vouchers. Avoid anything too childish. Teens want gifts with a cool factor that they can display or share with friends, not toys they’ll outgrow in a month.
When should I buy Halloween gifts to get the best prices?
Buy Halloween gifts in early to mid-October for the best selection. Prices on Amazon stay fairly stable throughout October, but popular items sell out as Halloween approaches. If you’re buying costumes or decor-related gifts, the week after Halloween offers deep discounts (50-75% off) for next year’s stockpile.
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