Have you been wondering how Halloween cartoons for kids will be valuable to your kids? or looking out for the best Halloween cartoons for your children to enjoy and have fun? You are on the right page if those are your concerns.
Halloween has existed for over a thousand years. Originally a religious observance, it has become increasingly secular over the centuries, to the point where its religious overtones have all but vanished.
Today, Halloween is regarded as a holiday for dressing up and having a good time, particularly among children.
So, in this blog post lies a great list of Halloween cartoons for kids in 2024. Be sure to read through them as we also analyzed them one after the other.
Before we see the list, I want to bring you up to speed on what you should know about Halloween.
Origin of Halloween
The origins of Halloween can be traced back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which was celebrated on November 1 in modern calendars.
People dressed up in costumes and lit bonfires to ward off spirits on that day, as it was believed that the souls of the dead returned to their homes on that day. Popular Halloween tropes like witches, ghosts, and goblins became associated with the holiday as a result.
Pope Boniface IV established All Saints Day in the seventh century CE, which was first observed on May 13. A century later, Pope Gregory III moved the holiday to November 1, most likely as a Christian substitute for the pagan festival of Samhain.
The day before the saintly celebration became known as All Hallows Eve or Halloween.
Though it originated in Celtic regions of Ireland, the United Kingdom, and France, the holiday quickly spread to other parts of the world. For religious reasons, the first American colonists in New England were forbidden to celebrate it, though it was popular in the Southern colonies.
By the 1800s, fall festivals celebrating the seasonal harvest included Halloween elements and Irish immigrants fleeing the devastating Potato Famine brought many Halloween traditions that are still practiced today.
Trick-or-treating, in which children dress up in costume and solicit treats from neighbors, became popular in the United States in the early twentieth century as Irish and Scottish communities revived the Old World custom of “guising,” in which a person would dress up in costume and tell a joke, recite a poem, or perform some other trick in exchange for a piece of fruit or other treats.
Trick-or-treating for candy had become one of Halloween’s most popular activities by 1950.
According to the National Retail Federation, Halloween is now one of the most important holidays for candy sales in the United States, with more than $3 billion in sales estimated.
What Does Halloween Mean?
The term “Halloween” is derived from All Hallows’ Eve and means “holy evening.” The contemporary English name Halloween can be traced back to medieval Christianity.
The word hallow is derived from the Middle and Old English words for holy.
As a noun, it can also mean saint. In those days, the Christian holiday known as All Saints’ Day was known as All Hallows’ Day, and the day before, when an evening mass was held, was known as All Hallows’ Eve.
That three-word name was eventually shortened to Halloween.
Why Is Halloween Celebrated on October 31st?
The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago mostly in what is now northern France, the United Kingdom, and Ireland, believed that on the night between summer and winter, the line between the worlds of the living and the dead blurred.
They believed that on the night of October 31, the ghosts of the deceased returned to the world, which eventually became a convenient date for the festival because the Celts celebrated their new year on November 1.
How Halloween Is Celebrated in Modern Day
Halloween is a popular holiday in America today, but it almost didn’t make it across the Atlantic. The Puritans were opposed to the holiday’s pagan origins, so they did not participate. The American colonial Halloween celebrations that did occur included large public parties to commemorate the upcoming harvest, tell ghost stories, sing, and dance.
It wasn’t until the second half of the nineteenth century, when more Irish and Scottish immigrants began to arrive in America, that the holiday became part of the national zeitgeist.
By the early twentieth century, it is estimated that the majority of (candy-loving, costume-wearing) people in North America celebrated Halloween.
Many Americans observe Halloween customs by dressing up in costumes and telling ghost and witch stories. Carving pumpkins into gloomy jack-o’-lanterns is a popular Halloween tradition.
Children march from house to house, knocking on doors and shouting “Trick or treat!” in the hopes of filling their bags with candy.
Our Halloween customs are still evolving today. Rather than trick-or-treating around the neighborhood, some people dress up their cars in spooky tailgate attire for community trunk-or-treats, which are frequently held in school or church parking lots.
In 2019, a popular campaign to move Halloween resulted in the establishment of National Trick-or-Treat Day on the last Saturday of October.
However, Halloween will continue to be celebrated on October 31, and how communities celebrate the new National Trick-or-Treat Day if at all, will be determined by local organizers.
Top 13 Best Halloween Cartoons For Kids In 2024
Here are ten classic Halloween-themed cartoons that are generally well-regarded for kids:
1. Scooby-Doo and the Ghoul School
Scooby-Doo and the Ghoul School is a classic Halloween cartoon that has been entertaining kids for decades.
The story follows Scooby and the gang as they head to a school for ghouls and monsters. There, they meet the daughters of famous monsters like Dracula, Frankenstein, and the Mummy.
The girls are struggling to fit in at school, but with the help of Scooby and the gang, they learn to embrace their unique qualities and become confident in who they are. This heartwarming story is perfect for kids who may feel like they don’t fit in themselves.
2. The Addams Family The Addams Family
This is another classic Halloween cartoon that kids will love.
Based on the popular TV show and movie franchise, The Addams Family follows the spooky and kooky adventures of the Addams family as they navigate their way through a world that doesn’t quite understand them.
With its quirky characters and dark humor, this cartoon is perfect for kids who like their Halloween cartoons with a bit of bite.
3. Casper’s Scare School It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
This is an all-time classic and a must-watch for Halloween. With its heartwarming story of friendship and courage, it’s sure to bring smiles to kids of all ages. Plus, it features the classic Snoopy and Woodstock characters, making it a timeless classic.
4. The Halloween Tree Halloweentown
The Halloween Tree Halloweentown is a Disney Channel Original Movie that has become a Halloween classic.
The story follows Marnie Piper, a young witch who discovers she comes from a long line of witches, and her journey to Halloweentown, a magical place where all the monsters and ghouls live.
Along with her siblings and grandmother, Marnie must stop an evil force from taking over Halloweentown and the mortal world. This fun and spooky adventure is perfect for kids who love magic and mystery.
5. Room on the Broom
Room on the Broom is a heartwarming Halloween cartoon based on a popular children’s book. The story follows a friendly witch and her cat as they meet new friends and face challenges on their broomstick ride.
With its charming animation and lovable characters, Room on the Broom is perfect for young children who may be too scared for scarier Halloween cartoons.
6. Mickey’s House of Villains
Mickey’s House of Villains is a fun and festive Halloween cartoon that features all of your favorite Disney villains.
When Mickey Mouse and his friends are kicked out of their own Halloween party by the villains, they must come up with a plan to take back their house and save Halloween.
With its catchy songs and colorful animation, Mickey’s House of Villains is sure to be a hit with kids of all ages.
7. The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About Halloween
This is an educational Halloween cartoon that teaches kids about the science behind Halloween. The story follows the Cat in the Hat as he takes Nick and Sally on a spooky adventure to learn about bats, spiders, and other creepy creatures.
With its fun facts and catchy songs, The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About Halloween is perfect for kids who love to learn.
8. Curious George: A Halloween Boo Fest
This is a fun and lighthearted Halloween cartoon that follows Curious George and his friends as they go on a Halloween adventure.
With its colorful animation and silly humor, Curious George: A Halloween Boo Fest is perfect for young children who may be too scared for scarier Halloween cartoons.
Vampirina is a popular Halloween cartoon that follows the adventures of a young vampire girl named Vampirina as she navigates her way through the human world.
With its catchy songs and positive messages about acceptance and diversity, Vampirina is perfect for kids who love music and fun.
9. It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown The Nightmare Before Christmas
This is a classic Halloween movie that has become a beloved holiday tradition for many families. The story follows Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, as he discovers Christmas Town and decides to take over the holiday.
With its stunning stop-motion animation and catchy songs, The Nightmare Before Christmas is a must-watch for Halloween and Christmas.
10. Monster House
This is a spooky and suspenseful Halloween movie that follows three kids as they try to uncover the secrets of the creepy house across the street.
As they get closer to the truth, they realize that the house is alive and determined to keep its secrets hidden. With its thrilling plot and impressive animation, Monster House is perfect for older kids who want a scarier Halloween experience.
11. Hotel Transylvania
This is a fun and lighthearted Halloween movie that follows Dracula, the owner of a hotel for monsters, as he tries to protect his daughter from falling in love with a human.
With its colorful animation and silly humor, Hotel Transylvania is perfect for young children who may be too scared for scarier Halloween movies.
12. Coraline
Coraline is a dark and twisted Halloween movie that follows a young girl named Coraline as she discovers a parallel world that seems perfect at first but quickly turns sinister.
With its haunting imagery and eerie atmosphere, Coraline is perfect for older kids who want a more unsettling Halloween experience.
13. Frankenweenie
This is a heartwarming Halloween movie that tells the story of a young boy named Victor who brings his beloved dog back to life with science.
As Victor tries to keep his creation a secret, he realizes that there are consequences to playing with the power of life and death.
With its charming animation and touching story, Frankenweenie is perfect for families who want a Halloween movie with heart.
Conclusion
Cartoons are popularly associated with kids and they are a strategy for keeping kids quiet and calm. Because they pay keen attention to the TV or any device being used.
Listed above are carefully selected best Halloween cartoons for kids to watch before, during, and after Halloween or All Hallows’ Eve.
Remember that the popularity and availability of cartoons can vary from year to year, so it’s always a good idea to check streaming platforms, DVD releases, and TV schedules for the latest options.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are several classic Halloween cartoons suitable for family viewing. Some popular ones include “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “Casper the Friendly Ghost,” and “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.”
Yes, there are Halloween cartoons specifically designed for younger children. Examples of age-appropriate Halloween cartoons include “Room on the Broom,” “Spookley the Square Pumpkin,” “Curious George: A Halloween Boo Fest,” and “Littlest Pet Shop: Halloween Fest.”
Absolutely! Many popular TV shows and characters have Halloween-themed episodes or specials. For instance, “SpongeBob SquarePants” has a Halloween special called “The Legend of Boo-Kini Bottom,” and “Paw Patrol” has a Halloween episode titled “Pups and the Ghost Pirate.”
You can find Halloween cartoons on various streaming platforms and websites. Streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and Amazon Prime often have a selection of Halloween-themed cartoons available during the spooky season. Additionally, some free streaming websites and YouTube channels may also offer Halloween cartoon content. Remember to check the age-appropriateness of the cartoons if you have young children watching.
