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 (21–30)
Robert the Cursed Doll
This Robert doll is said to have been the model for Chucky from Child’s Play, and it wears a sailor outfit.
It’s a type of doll that was treated like a human and came to be believed to possess a soul.
After it was given to a boy named Otto, it was said to make footsteps and cause various strange phenomena.
After Otto passed away, it was sold along with his house, and it is reportedly now on display in a museum.
If you have the chance, it might be fun to come face-to-face with the Robert doll.
An Otoroshi at a Shinto shrine
Shrines and temples have an indescribably solemn atmosphere, and some people might feel like something could be there.
The yokai said to dwell in such shrines and temples is the Otoroshi.
Its entire body is covered in long hair, and it is said to drop down onto those who behave irreverently or act improperly.
This yokai was conceived as a type that corrects or watches over people’s conduct, and it was likely used as a warning, as in: “If you do that, the Otoroshi will come out.”
Things on the road
People often encounter yokai on the road.
Thinking that way, doesn’t the usual road—especially at night—start to feel scary? Among the relatively harmless yokai you might meet on the road is the Ohaguro Bettari.
This yokai appears as a woman with a featureless, smooth face with no eyes or nose, bearing only a large mouth blackened with ohaguro.
If you call out, “What’s the matter?” she turns around, grins broadly, and startles people.
Since wearing ohaguro was also a sign of being married, it gives her an air of subtle suggestiveness, doesn’t it?
Give me food, boy.
There’s a yokai called the “Gimme-Rice Boy.” Just passing by it is enough to get possessed, and you’ll keep eating until your stomach bursts, even if you’re already full.
They say this yokai is a collective grudge of those who once died of hunger for some reason long ago.
The way to exorcise the Gimme-Rice Boy is to make it eat an exorcism rice ball brought in from the spirit world.
Once the spirit realizes that no matter how much it eats food from the human world it will never be satisfied, it can pass on.
It’s a frightening yet heartrending yokai, isn’t it?
In conclusion
We introduced many scary stories for children. They ranged from gently chilling tales to ones that spark the imagination. There were all kinds of spooky stories, weren’t there? There are many ways to enjoy them—reading aloud together as a family or sharing them with friends. We hope you make unforgettable memories through those slightly heart-pounding moments!