Halloween is a great time for kids. Between the candy, costumes, spooky decorations, and creative play, it’s one of the most fun days of the year for children.
But Halloween is more than just sugar highs and scary stories. There are some fascinating and fun facts that explain the history and meaning behind many Halloween traditions.
When children understand Halloween, they can enjoy the holiday even more and appreciate what makes it so much fun.
Here are 15 fun facts about Halloween that kids will love, so they can enjoy their candy and costumes even more.
Facts About Halloween For Kids
1. Halloween Is Named ‘All Hallows’ Eve’
The word “Halloween” comes from the term “All Hallows’ Eve.” This is because Halloween used to be celebrated on the day before All Saints’ Day, on November 1. “Hallow” means “saint,” so Halloween literally means the “evening before a feast to honor saints.”
Fun fact:
The name of the holiday has a long history, and children can learn how it has changed over time. Halloween is not just about candy and costumes—it was originally created to commemorate important people.
Related: 100 Most Scary And Spooky Halloween Names For Your Baby
2. Halloween Is Over 2,000 Years Old
The history of Halloween dates back more than 2,000 years. It began with a celebration called Samhain, which was observed by the Celts who lived in what is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France. Samhain marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter.
Fun fact:
Kids love to think that they’re participating in a holiday that has been celebrated for millennia!
3. People Wore Costumes to Scare Spirits
Samhain was also a time when people believed that the spirits of the dead roamed the Earth. To keep these spirits away, people wore costumes often made from animal heads and skins.
Fun fact:
Kids may not be too afraid of ghosts or ghouls, but they’ll love to know that costumes were once worn as protection against evil spirits!
Related: How to Make Your Halloween Costume Look Better
4. Pumpkins Are a Symbol of Halloween
The tradition of carving pumpkins at Halloween can be traced back to an Irish story about “Stingy Jack.” Jack outsmarted the devil, who was then forced to give him a coal to light his way after he died.
As a result, Stingy Jack was condemned to roam the Earth. To keep away Jack’s ghost and other spirits, people carved faces into turnips and lit them.
Fun fact:
Turnips were hard to find in America when the pumpkin carving tradition began, so people started using pumpkins instead! Now, kids carve pumpkins and make delicious pumpkin-flavored treats.
5. Trick-or-Treating Is a Long-Standing Tradition
One of the most fun parts of Halloween for kids is trick-or-treating. This tradition began as “souling” in medieval Europe. Poor people would offer prayers for the dead in exchange for small cakes called “soul cakes.”
Fun fact:
Kids can learn that trick-or-treating is hundreds of years old, so there’s a lot of history behind the candy they collect!
Related: 100 Things To Do On Halloween With Friends
6. Candy Was Not Always the Norm
Kids expect candy at Halloween, but that wasn’t always the case. Candy became popular at Halloween during the early 20th century. Before that, children were given fruit, nuts, or coins.
Fun fact:
Now kids know that the tradition of getting candy is actually relatively new!
7. Black and Orange Are the Colors of Halloween
The official colors of Halloween are orange and black. Orange represents the harvest, while black represents the spooky side of the holiday.
Fun fact:
Kids may wonder why so many decorations, costumes, and lights use these colors—it’s because they are symbolic of Halloween.
8. Bats Are a Common Halloween Symbol
Bats are nocturnal, so they are often associated with ghosts, the supernatural, and Halloween. In early Halloween stories, witches and their bat companions were very common.
Fun fact:
Kids love learning that Halloween symbols often come from the holiday’s meaning, which makes bats in decorations even more fun!
9. Halloween Is Celebrated Differently Around the World
Halloween traditions vary across the globe. In Mexico, the holiday is called the Day of the Dead, which honors ancestors. In some European countries, Halloween focuses on church traditions or harvest festivals.
Fun fact:
Kids can learn that while Halloween is a huge deal in the United States, other countries have unique traditions for spooky times or harvest celebrations.
10. Candy Corn Dates Back to 1880
Candy corn, one of the most classic Halloween treats, was created in 1880. Its shape represents corn kernels, symbolizing the end of the harvest season.
Fun fact:
Kids will love knowing that candy corn has been a favorite treat for over a century!
Related: How to Make Your Room Look More Halloween
11. Apples Were Used in Halloween Games
Apple bobbing is a popular game often played at Halloween parties. Centuries ago, apple bobbing was used as a way to predict who would marry.
Fun fact:
Kids may be amazed that their favorite Halloween game was once used as a marriage-predicting test!
12. Costumes Used to Be Scary
Costumes were not always cute or funny. Long ago, they were designed to be scary and to frighten evil spirits.
Fun fact:
Kids can understand why Halloween is a time to get creative with costumes when they know the history behind them.
13. Owls Are Another Halloween Symbol
Owls are nocturnal and were thought to be witches’ companions. This is why they are often associated with ghosts and the supernatural.
Fun fact:
Kids will enjoy spotting owls on Halloween decorations and learning why they are considered spooky symbols.
14. Halloween Used to Be a Community Festival
Halloween used to focus more on community gatherings, bonfires, and harvest celebrations. People would tell ghost stories, dance, and play games together.
Fun fact:
Kids can learn that Halloween was originally more about fun activities and community than just candy.
15. Halloween Is the Second Most Commercial Holiday
After Christmas, Halloween is the second most commercialized holiday in the United States. Families spend billions of dollars each year on costumes, decorations, and candy.
Fun fact:
Kids will be amazed at how much Halloween is celebrated and how important it is to people in terms of fun and tradition.
Conclusion
Kids love Halloween for candy, costumes, and spooky decorations. But the holiday also has a rich and interesting history. These 15 fun facts make Halloween both exciting and educational.
From the history of pumpkins and bats to apple bobbing and the origins of costumes, these fun facts help children enjoy Halloween from all angles. Halloween 2026 may just be their favorite yet!
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