by
Odds Bodkin

Ah, Halloween. America's costume blast. It's coming. A chance to imagine we're something else, and to look the part, if only for one night.

But it's also about the dark, mysterious side of things. The grave. Ghosts and witches. Monsters. A celebration of what scares us. But how much scariness is too much? And for children of what ages?

I've been telling spine-tinglers for years to all sorts of audiences. And yes, mildly spooky is very different from heart-pounding horrific, and children of varying ages do indeed have varying comfort levels with imaginary fear.

So if you're going to tell Halloween stories to your kids, here are a few guideposts to follow through the cold, swirling mists of the graveyard.

First, the Cardinal Rule of Telling Scary Stories to Kids:

Kids only rejoice in scariness when DEEP DOWN THEY FEEL SAFE AND KNOW IT'S NOT REAL.

Scariness tickles a safe child in a fun way, but it deepens real fears in an unsafe child. So know who's in your audience. Offer the option for those who would rather not listen to leave.

Young Children: The younger the child, the gentler the material should be. I perform for K-3 age children all the time (as well as middle schoolers and high schoolers) but rarely venture past including a witch, ogre or some mildly spooky character. No one dies. And of course, evil characters never win. The hero/heroine always escapes unharmed and triumphs in the end.

Fourth through Sixth Grade: These are the best years for kids to listen to scary stories. Their minds are sophisticated enough to know they're hearing just a story, yet young enough to be delightfully scared. I feel free to speak of vampires, ghosts, werewolves, monsters, hauntings of any sort, etc. Death happens on occasion. Folktales about the Devil, or Old Scratch as he's called in American folklore, who is outwitted by recalcitrant mortals as in The Devil and Daniel Webster, are good, too (while not the least bit scary, they are entertaining and humorous). I avoid stories about ax murderers.

Middle School and High School: Most parents don't dare try to entertain their middle or high school children with scary stories. Yet, on occasion, if a story is well told and sculpted to their world, they can be remarkably receptive. It is for these audiences I use the old "hit 'em between the eyes" techniques: genuine horror; blood and guts; unbearable suspense; and death, real or rumored--but again, not of the protagonists. Humor works, too.

As a matter of principal I won't go near Hollywood horror--slashers, stalkers, kitchen knives--you know the routine. They get enough of that at the movies.

The key is: know your child. Some souls find scary stories disturbing, even at mature ages. The question arises whether dwelling in this sensitivity to things macabre too long--rather than coming to terms with life's scariness early--is good or not. But that's a decision only you can make. So good luck.

And Happy Halloween!