The spooky season, is here! Even though Halloween is still a few days away, for many people, the entire month of October is filled with thrills and a spooky atmosphere.
The long autumn evenings are a perfect time to play a chilling game. While there are plenty of terrifying horror games for older players. What about the younger audience? Are there any scary games suitable for kids? Of course, there are! Here’s a list of 7 best horror games your kids will love
Less graphic, less scary, and non-violent – that’s what spooky games for kids are all about. The titles we present below are perfect for younger and older children, as well as teens. Let’s dive in!
Goosebumps: The Game
| Release date: | 2015-10-13 |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Developer: | WayForward |
Based on R.L. Stine’s work, this game, just like the TV series inspired by his books, is an ideal choice for children and teenagers who enjoy thrilling stories.
In this game, you take on the role of a child who encounters a series of anomalies on the way home from school. Various monsters roam the streets, werewolves lurk in the woods, and the local supermarket has been taken over by ghosts. It turns out that the monsters that have taken over the town have mysteriously escaped from R.L. Stine’s books! In the end, you’ll even have to face the iconic Slappy, a living ventriloquist dummy known to all fans of the series.
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Plants vs. Zombies
| Release date: | 2009-05-05 |
| Genre: | Strategy |
| Developer: | PopCap Games |
This game, released 14 years ago, is currently older than the kids who can play it!
This enjoyable and relaxing tower defense game is a perfect Halloween choice due to its theme – fighting zombies! The game is rated for ages 12 and up, but brave 10-year-old kids can also handle it.
Don’t be fooled by the spooky theme, though. The game offers colorful, fun graphics and plenty of humorous elements. In this title, you play as a gardener who must defend his home from approaching zombie hordes by planting various plants. But how can he do that? Well… Peashooters and cacti act like cannons, squashes can crush enemies, and cherries… have you ever heard of cherry bombs?
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Creepy Tale
| Release date: | 2020-02-21 |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Developer: | Deqaf Studio |
This short 2D platformer adventure game is inspired by the tales of the Brothers Grimm, known for their spooky motifs.
In the game, you play as a boy who, along with his brother, goes into the forest to pick mushrooms. During a walk in the fog-shrouded, dense forest, they come across a beautiful butterfly. The flying creature disappears into the woods, and the boys follow it. When it vanishes behind the door of a small, forest hut, one of the brothers rushes in without hesitation. The door immediately slams shut behind our hero. It’s a trap set by monsters! Now, the only option is to save little brother!
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The Count Lucanor
| Release date: | 2016-03-03 |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Developer: | Baroque Decay |
This adventure game, produced by a Spanish studio, is an ideal Halloween game for kids of 12 and 13 years old. The game offers a dark atmosphere, numerous puzzles, diverse characters you’ll encounter on your journey, and multiple possible endings.
In this title, you play as Hans, a poor boy who didn’t receive any presents on his birthday. However, he decides to take matters into his hands and sets off on an adventure. After dark, the boy encounters a kobold in the forest, who leads him to a huge, mysterious castle. The kobold offers him the vision of becoming the new count and gaining immense wealth, but only if Hans can guess his name.
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Luigi’s Mansion 3
| Release date: | 2019-10-31 |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Developer: | Next Level Games |
The third installment in the kid-friendly Luigi’s Mansion series, which began in 2001, as part of the Mario Bros. universe. It’s a Nintendo exclusive, available only on the Nintendo Switch. The game combines action-adventure and puzzle-solving and is filled with a spooky atmosphere.
In this title, you play as Luigi, who, along with his brother Mario, Princess Peach, and Toad, comes to a luxurious hotel for a holiday. Suddenly, his companions disappear without a trace, and the hotel turns out to be haunted by various monsters. Luigi must find the courage to face the ghosts and rescue his friends.
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Fran Bow
| Release date: | 2015-08-27 |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Developer: | Killmonday Games AB |
This intriguing indie game was created through crowdfunding. It tells the story of a girl dealing with various psychological problems. The game features great 2D artwork that enhances the eerie atmosphere.
In the game, you play as a girl named Fran, who witnessed the brutal murder of her parents. Terrified, she escaped into the woods with her cat, Mr. Midnight. After some time, she ends up in the Oswald Asylum psychiatric hospital, a very gloomy and creepy place. One night, her missing cat appears in her dreams, motivating her to escape and find him. The only person who can help her is her last living relative – Aunt Grace.
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Whispering Willows
| Release date: | 2014-07-09 |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Developer: | Night Light Interactive |
This game, released for so many platforms thanks to crowdfunding, quickly received many awards and high ratings.
In this horror-themed puzzle game, you play as Elena. Her father disappeared under mysterious circumstances, and she has vowed to do everything to find him. Her small investigation leads her to the ominous Willows, a dark, abandoned mansion with a notorious history of crimes and wandering spirits. However, this doesn’t deter Elena, as she possesses psychic powers, including the ability to leave her body.
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Conclusion
As you can see, the game market, even its darker side, is filled with kid-friendly titles, ideal for 10- to 13-year-old children. These thrilling and emotional games often come with educational morals or simply provide fun for players. Most of them are also available on PC, so you can easily find them on Steam or in our store at great prices!
So, which spooky story will you play this Halloween with your kids?