Scary stories for kids! A collection of short, slightly chilling story ideas
Have you ever found yourself wanting to read scary stories to your child but wanting to avoid anything too intense? A little shiver while still being fun—that level of spookiness is just right, isn’t it? In this article, we’ll introduce scary stories that are perfect for kids.
We’ve gathered a wide range, from tales that send a chill down your spine to ones with punchlines that will make you chuckle.
They’re great for sleepovers and nighttime fun at camp, so be sure to check them out!
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Scary Stories for Kids! A Collection of Short, Slightly Chilling Story Ideas (1–10)
A Scary Anpanman Skit
The Anpanman characters are so cute! Here are some slightly chilling scary story ideas.
“The Dirty Doll” is about a mysterious doll that seems to move its eyes at night.
“There’s Someone in the House of One!” is a tale where you’re alone at home, your heart pounding as you can’t figure out the source of the footsteps and noises.
“The Crime Email” is a suspenseful story about the creepy text in a message from a stranger.
“The Faceless Child” is about being startled by a child with no face you encounter on a night road.
And since “Anpanman,” who can put even those who dislike scary stories at ease, also appears, you can enjoy these with a little sigh of relief too.
A Hanako-san-of-the-Toilet-style scary story for children: “The Smartphone Cat”
A story about a girl who loves playing on a smartphone.
One night, unable to sleep, she secretly borrows her mother’s phone, and a black cat appears on the screen, saying, “Come play with me, nya.” As she navigates the black cat’s maze, she ends up standing in a dangerous spot on the balcony just before the goal, and as she’s about to jump, her mother saves her.
Only the black cat’s voice fades into the darkness, saying, “You were so close to the goal,” leaving the girl with a chill—but safe.
It’s a perfect bedtime read-aloud that gets your heart racing while also teaching about proper smartphone use and staying safe.
A story that isn’t scary, but is a little scary
This is a compilation of slightly spine-tingling stories from a hugely popular series.
It’s not too scary, but it’s full of heart-pounding moments that kids and adults alike can enjoy.
It includes fan-favorite tales from the series as well as stories that feel like mysterious urban legends, making it great for read-aloud sessions or watching in video form.
There are scenes with ghosts and yokai, but they’re safely adapted for children, so no worries.
You can also enjoy the slightly mysterious aftertaste of “Whether you believe this story or not is up to you.” It’s a satisfying collection packed with stories that are a little scary yet thrilling and exciting.
Scary Stories for Kids! A Collection of Short, Slightly Spooky Story Ideas (11–20)
For Elementary School Kids! Scary Stories for Summer
A special feature on slightly chilling stories performed as short skits by elementary school students.
They recreate classic ghost tales as they act, like “Don’t Look Back!”—where you might see something if you turn around on a dark night—“Mary,” the ghost in red, and “Zashiki-warashi,” invisible spirits said to bring good fortune to a home.
There are scary moments, but having children perform them adds a sense of comfort, letting you enjoy both thrills and excitement.
How about creating your own original skits to safely enjoy with friends and family on a summer night?
A spine-chilling scary story: The Wriggler
When I was in elementary school, there were two brothers playing at a summer camp.
While they were catching crayfish in an irrigation canal, they spotted something strange in the distance—white and writhing.
As they drew closer, they realized it wasn’t like any ordinary creature; it was an eerie presence said to bring irreversible consequences if you looked at it.
The older brother became captivated by what it really was, and soon their grandfather and the rest of the family were drawn into a mysterious and slightly scary experience.
The usual summer fun turned into a chilling memory.
Curiosity is exciting, but it’s important not to approach things you shouldn’t look at.
Scary stories can hide hints that teach us caution and courage!
Top 5 Scary Stories of Games
Introducing a special feature that gathers slightly spine-tingling ghost stories for kids.
You can enjoy thrilling, mysterious tales by theme—“The Boy Who Played in the Graveyard,” “The Prankster at the Conveyor-Belt Sushi,” “The Girl Who Stayed Out at Night,” “The Gamer Boy,” and “The Kappa Boy.” They’re scary but safely crafted, so you can fully immerse yourself in the world of the stories while savoring the nighttime chills and excitement.
Beyond simply enjoying the thrill of encountering something scary, these stories also nurture curiosity and teach the importance of being careful in play and everyday life.
Have fun with just a little bit of heart-pounding suspense!
left behind
Two boys are talking about going fishing.
One of them says, “Let’s go to a secret pond I was told about recently—it’s insanely good for catching fish,” and the next day they head to the secret pond.
After pushing through an overgrown area, they arrive at a pond with a sign that reads “Oitekebori” (“Abandon here”).
Though unsettled by the eerie atmosphere, the fish keep biting and the two start having fun.
When they decide it’s about time to head home, a creepy voice from somewhere whispers, “Oitekeee… leave it behind…” A terrifying girl appears before them, then a long-haired woman, and even the mother waiting at home—only for all of them to be faceless noppera-bō! The next day, when they wake up, the fish are gone.
Apparently, the friend who told them about the pond had the same experience.
What on earth was that pond…?
