Well hello there! Long time, no blog, right? Things have been wonderfully busy here at payoffsong.com, and I’m guessing many of you can relate, especially with the leaves changing and pumpkins appearing everywhere!
One of the things keeping us hopping is our outreach to local daycares and preschools. And guess what’s topping the request list this time of year? You guessed it – Halloween! That, combined with a brand new, utterly fantastic Halloween Song I just learned, sparked the idea for this post.
So, without further ado, I’m thrilled to share my absolute favorite Halloween songs and rhymes that are a hit every time I visit classrooms this month. And don’t forget to peek at our Halloween Pinterest board for a treasure trove of book, craft, and flannel board inspiration to round out your spooky storytimes!
Zoom, Zoom, Zoom Witch Style: A Halloween Song Twist
Get ready to blast off on a broomstick with this energetic halloween song!
Zoom, zoom, zoom
Climb onto my broom
Zoom, zoom, zoom
Climb onto my broom
If you want to go at night
to spread around Halloween fright
Zoom, zoom, zoom
Climb onto my broom
In 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 BOO!
A massive thank you to Melissa McVay, a brilliant preschool teacher from Discovery Clubhouse in Cedar City, Utah! She generously shared this witchy version, and we’re hoping to capture it on video soon. Let’s be honest, can you ever have too many versions of “Zoom, Zoom, Zoom”? It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser as a halloween song!
Pumpkin, Pumpkin On the Ground: A Calming Autumn Tune
This gentle halloween song is perfect for winding down storytime, but also works beautifully within an autumn theme in general. Its calming melody and simple actions make it accessible for even the youngest participants. We even incorporate the sign language for “pumpkin” in our demonstration, adding a visual and inclusive element to this lovely halloween song.
5 Little Pumpkins: A Halloween Song Classic
You simply can’t celebrate Halloween without “5 Little Pumpkins”! There are numerous delightful book adaptations of this beloved halloween song, further extending its appeal. In our storytimes, we’ve found that repeating this rhyme three times – at the beginning, middle, and end – really helps those little minds grasp and remember it. This repetition solidifies it as a memorable and engaging halloween song for preschoolers.
Pumpkin Chant: More Pumpkin Fun!
Apparently, pumpkins are a recurring theme in my halloween song repertoire! This chant, learned from the wonderful Rebecca of Sturdy for Common Things, is a super fun and rhythmic addition to any Halloween storytime or circle time. It’s short, snappy, and easy for children to participate in, making it an excellent halloween song alternative.
Horns and Fangs: A Monster Mash-Up Song
Transform the familiar “Head and Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” into a monstrously fun halloween song with “Horns and Fangs”! This action song is pure energy, allowing everyone to unleash their inner monster. Pretending to be friendly monsters makes this halloween song a silly and engaging way to get kids moving and laughing.
Witch’s Pot: A Prop-Filled Halloween Song Adventure
“Witch’s Pot” is a fantastic interactive halloween song that comes to life with props! For smaller groups, I bring a collection of random felt pieces. Kids take turns tossing items into our imaginary “pot” while we sing and imagine what spooky (or silly!) brew we’re concocting. This halloween song is guaranteed to spark creativity and giggles as things get wonderfully silly, very quickly!
The Monsters Stomp Around the House: A Halloween Song with Extended Fun
Firstly, let me preface this by saying this halloween song almost ended my Jbrary career – seriously, check out the blooper reel if you dare! Secondly, a fantastic viewer enriched this song with extended Halloween verses, adding even more spooky fun:
- The witch & her cat ride on her broom,
And they all say trick or treat, to you, and you and you, BOOM BOOM BOOM - The werewolf howls at the moon,
And they all say trick or treat, to you, and you and you, BOOM BOOM BOOM - The goblins hop around it too,
And they all say trick or treat, to you, and you and you, BOOM BOOM BOOM
Lastly, ukulele players, rejoice! My friend April’s blog is a goldmine of storytime song chords. She has a massive Halloween round-up happening right now, packed with even more halloween song inspiration.
What halloween songs and rhymes are you sharing this spooky season? Let me know in the comments – I’m always eager to expand my playlist!
