Whether you’re gathered around a fire in the woods or huddled inside a tent made of sheets in the glow of a flashlight, these spooky tales are the perfect entertainment. Remember to read all scary campfire stories in advance to make sure they’re appropriate for your audience. Then draw them out with your best sound effects and dramatic pauses, and your listeners will shiver in delight! Here’s what you’ll find in our free printable bundle.
FREE PRINTABLE
Scary Campfire Stories Bundle
Ready to print and share these stories with your classroom? Grab our scary campfire stories bundle by clicking the button below.
Classic Scary Campfire Stories for Kids
These tales have been around for ages, and they never fail to send shivers of delight down anyone’s spine when told around the flickering light of a campfire. You’ll find them all in our printable bundle.
The Long Drive Home
A woman drives home down a lonely road late at night, increasingly unnerved by the driver behind her who’s flashing his lights off and on. When she finally arrives back in civilization, she’s horrified to realize the danger was even closer than she realized.
The Hook-Handed Killer
Two teens looking for a little private time in a car in the woods get more than they bargained for when an escaped serial killer is on the loose.
The Purple Ribbon
The color of the ribbon changes, but the story is the same: A woman always wears a ribbon tied tightly around her neck, refusing to remove it. When her husband finally gives in to temptation one night, he learns the truth about his wife’s ribbon and her terrible secret.
The Ghost With the Bloody Finger
Sometimes a good laugh can startle you as much as a scary ending! This humorous tale is all in the suspenseful telling, with its repetitive spooky chorus leading to an unexpected and hilarious finish.
Campfire Stories for Younger Kids
Little kids love to get in on the fun, but they don’t need to hear stories full of gore that will keep them awake night after night. These yarns hit just the right note—they’re a little haunting but not quite so grim.
The Toe Terror
If you leave your feet uncovered while you sleep, you just might encounter the infamous Toe Terror. But what he does when he visits will leave you giggling, not screaming!
The Doll in the Cabin
When a group of kids creeps up to peer in the windows of an abandoned cabin, they’re startled to find an old, lonely doll that might just be alive.
The Marshmallow Ghost
Not all ghosts want to haunt you. Some just really really want your roasted marshmallows!
The Lantern in the Woods
Though nothing terrible happens when a little boy meets up with a floating lantern in the woods, it certainly seems like perhaps it could have. The spooky atmosphere of this tale draws kids in without scaring them to death.
Scary Campfire Stories for Teens and Tweens
These original tales are a bit more suspenseful and detailed. They’re just the ticket for older kids who swear they’re too old for ghost stories.
Dead Ringer
Bring spooky stories into the modern age with this account of a haunted cell phone, told using language today’s tweens and teens can relate to.
The Curse of the Fogsmere Phantom
With shades of the Headless Horseman, this tale takes listeners back to a long-ago time when a faceless rider terrorizes a local village.
The Lights Over Black Pine Ridge
Not all scary tales need ghosts—this one has suspected dangerous aliens instead! It will make kids think twice about what they see in the sky.
The Whisper in the Woods
Give your campfire tales a twist with this story-poem. The lulling rhythm emphasizes the haunting voice that creeps into your head and never leaves.
Get your spooky stories printables!
Ready to share your favorite spooky stories? Grab our printable version by clicking the button below.
Looking for more scary campfire stories for kids? Check out these 10 spooky short stories, complete with lesson plan ideas.
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