All I wanted was a Halloween playlist that wouldn’t give me . . . I mean the kids . . . nightmares. But as the story goes for basically everything in life (or at least mine): easier said than done. I didn’t really grow up celebrating Halloween, so I had no idea just how NOT “kid friendly” the children Halloween playlists out there are. So, I’ve gone ahead and pulled together my own *slightly spooky* playlists by age group for some soft-pedaled Halloween fun. As I was doing this, I was also inspired to compile a Creepy Classical Music Masterpieces playlist for some ~Homeschool Halloween Music Appreciation~.
So, in case you are also being kept busy hitting “skip” on the “corrupt-my-kid” and “please-terrify-my-toddler” Halloween playlists, maybe our alternative selections below can help break the spell. We hope you and your family enjoy these playlists! Please share with a friend and subscribe below for more Homeschool Holiday fun!
Our Favorite Creepy Classical Music Masterpieces for a Halloween-themed Music Appreciation Week
Tips for Homeschool “Music Appreciation”:
We take a relaxed approach to music appreciation in our Homeschool. Montessori believed that listening to music was an educational occupation unto itself, and we try to honor that belief in our home. We simply listen to whatever music I have planned or that the kids request during “Music & Movement” time (when the kids can interact freely to the music). Or, we will listen to a classical music piece while we draw or paint. Often, I will casually mention the title of the piece as well as the composer before I play the song. We also discuss what the song stirs up in our imaginations as those thoughts organically come into conversation. For older kids, you may consider including a research element for the composer and time period, but simply listening to and enjoying the music should be the main focus. Remember your goal is for your child to learn to value classical music. A fill-in handout may be counterintuitive to inspiring such “appreciation”.
CREEPY CLASSICAL Music Appreciation Spotify Playlist for Halloween
*Important note: the above playlist begins with five famous classical music pieces that should be appropriate and not too frightening for most children over the age of three or four. However, the rest of the playlist, beginning with song six “Otherworldly Concerto” was put together with an older audience in mind, at least ages 8 and up. This obviously will vary child to child. Enjoy!
For those without a Spotify account, you can access the first five famous classical music pieces here:
- In the Hall of the Mountain King; Peer Gynt Suite by Grieg
- The Sorcerer’s Apprentice by P. Dukas
- Toccata and Fugue in D Minor by J.S. Bach
- Night on Bald Mountain by Mussorgsky
- Ride of the Valkyries by Richard Wagner
You may also enjoy these Creepy Classical Albums:
*If you do not have a Spotify account, you can search all of the following albums on Youtube
The Haunted Mansion Album (recommended for 8 yrs and up)
Hans Zimmer’s Interstellar Soundtrack (recommended for 8 yrs and up)
Mannheim Steamroller Halloween Album (recommended for 8 yrs and up)
Into the Woods Soundtrack (recommended for 10 yrs and up)
The Phantom of the Opera Soundtrack (recommended for 10 yrs and up)
Little Shop of Horrors Soundtrack (recommended for 12 yrs and up)
*please note the above soundtrack features very dark-humored content
Our *Slightly Spooky* Songs for Halloween (by age group)
Image Credits: The Many Adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh, The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, Despicable Me, Sword in the Stone, The Jungle Book, Cinderella, James and the Giant Peach
*Please pre-listen to the playlists below to ensure that the songs are appropriate for your specific child.
For Baby BOOs (under 5)
Baby BOO! Slightly Spooky Halloween Spotify Playlist
*If you do not have a Spotify account, you can access these songs here:
- Bibbidi Bobbidi BOO! from Walt Disney’s Cinderella
- Heffalumps and Woozles, from Walt Disney’s The Many Adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh
- Puff the Magic Dragon, by The Rocking Horse Orchestra
- Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf, by Henry Hall
- Never Smile at a Crocodile, by Frank Churchill
- Higutus Figutus! from Walt Disney’s Sword in the Stone
- Siamese Cat Song, from Walt Disney’s The Lady & the Tramp
- Pink Elephants on Parade, from Walt Disney’s Dumbo
- I Saw a Dragon, from Pete’s Dragon
For Grim Goblins (ages 5-8)
SPOOKY SONGS! Halloween Spotify Playlist
*If you do not have a Spotify account, you can access these songs here:
- Monster Mash, by Bobby “Boris” Pickett
- Cruella Deville, from Walt Disney’s 101 Dalmations
- Ghost Train, by Hank Snow
- Skeleton Dance, from Walt Disney’s Silly Symphonies
- Graveyard Theme, from It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown
- Be Prepared, from Walt Disney’s The Lion King
- That’s the Life for Me and Family from James and the Giant Peach
- The World’s Greatest Criminal Mind, from Walt Disney’s The Great Mouse Detective
- The Adams Family Theme Song
- My Undead Mummy, from Disney’s Phineas & Ferb
- Every Little Piece, from Disney’s Pete’s Dragon
For Juvenile Jacks & Jills (ages 8 and up)
BARELY SCARY Halloween Spotify Playlist
*If you do not have a Spotify account, you can access these songs here:
- Hey Ho for Halloween, by The Monster Halloween Band
- How Bad Can I Be? from The Lorax
- The Nightmare Before Christmas Soundtrack
- Poor Unfortunate Souls, from Walt Disney’s The Little Mermaid
- Despicable Me Theme Song, by Pharell Williams
- The Mob Song, from Walt Disney’s Beauty and the Beast
- Mad Madame Mim, from Walt Disney’s The Sword in the Stone
- It’s the Last Midnight, from Into the Woods
HAPPY LISTENING! HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
Love, ~Our Holistic Homeschool~
4 Replies to “Creepy Classical Music Appreciation + *Slightly Spooky* Songs for a Happy Homeschool Halloween Week!”