Inside: Spookiest Halloween creative writing prompts High School students will crush.
I am such a sucker for a good writing prompt. I think my favorite time of year to really get into my stories is during the holidays. I don’t care if it’s Christmas, Thanksgiving, or even Valentine’s Day… Holiday-themed prompts just hit differently.
But out of all of the holidays, there is one that sits at the top of my list for the reigning champion of themed prompts: Halloween!
Halloween is the perfect time of year to sink into your favorite chair and create a spooky story that you can share with your friends and your family.
I have been trying to make it a point to do this every single year. It’s my own creepy tradition! It can be hard to find good Halloween creative writing prompts high school students will enjoy though, so I wanted to share my favorites with you!
My creepy creative writing prompts will give those creative juices flowing for your the next English assignment.
Halloween Creative Writing Prompts High School
First up, I have some classics that you can work with. At the end of the day, the prompt is only have of the fun. It’s where you take the story that makes it interesting! Make your Halloween season even more fun by adding these Halloween games teenagers will love along with these prompts.
1. The Abandoned Mansion
Imagine you stumble upon an abandoned mansion in the heart of the woods. Write a suspenseful story about what happens when you enter the mansion on a moonlit Halloween night. Be sure to describe the eerie atmosphere, mysterious objects, and any supernatural encounters.
2. The Cursed Costume Halloween Creative Writing Prompts High School
While rummaging through a box of old costumes in the attic, you find an ancient, seemingly harmless outfit. Little do you know that wearing it will unleash a powerful curse. Write a short story about the strange events that unfold as the curse takes hold, and the lengths you must go to break it.
3. The Halloween Carnival
Describe a haunted carnival that mysteriously appears in town on Halloween night. Detail the eerie attractions, unusual characters, and spine-chilling experiences visitors encounter as they wander through the carnival’s twisted pathways.
4. The Witch’s Spellbook
You discover an old, leather-bound spellbook in your grandmother’s attic. Write a narrative poem that explores the spells, potions, and incantations contained within its pages. Describe the effects of these spells and the moral dilemmas they present.
Scary Creative Writing Ideas
5. The Ghostly Encounter
Compose a dialogue between a skeptical teenager and a mischievous ghost who has haunted an old school building for decades. Explore the ghost’s backstory, its reasons for lingering, and the profound impact it has on the teenager’s perspective on life and the afterlife.
6. The Monster’s Journal
Choose a classic Halloween monster such as a vampire, werewolf, or Frankenstein’s creature. Write a series of journal entries from the monster’s perspective, exploring its struggles with loneliness, acceptance, and the desire to break free from its monstrous nature.
7. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Put your own spin on the classic tale of the Headless Horseman and Ichabod Crane. Reimagine the story set in a contemporary high school, and write a suspenseful account of a student’s encounter with the supernatural and the subsequent disappearance of their teacher.
Trick Or Treat English Assignment Prompts
8. The Pumpkin King
Craft a character profile for a mischievous and charismatic Pumpkin King who rises from the pumpkin patch on Halloween night. Explore their magical powers, motives, and the influence they wield over the inhabitants of the town.
9. The Time-Traveling Trick-or-Treater
Write a time-travel adventure that takes place on Halloween night. Imagine a trick-or-treater who stumbles upon a mysterious costume shop that serves as a portal to different time periods. Describe the challenges they face, the historical events they witness, and the lessons they learn along the way.
10. The Haunted Forest
Create a vivid description of a haunted forest where no one dares to enter. Develop the setting with sensory details and imagery, and write a poem or short story about a brave individual who ventures into the forest, encountering supernatural creatures and confronting their own fears.
11. The Forgotten Doll
In a dusty, abandoned attic, you discover an old, weathered doll that seems to move on its own. As you delve deeper into its mysterious history, you uncover chilling secrets that connect it to your family’s past.
Creepiest Halloween Creative Writing Prompts High School
I saved the creepiest ideas for last. So continue if you dare! These prompts aren’t for the weak of heart. If you are already looking for Christmas creative writing prompts, check these out.
12. The Haunted Mirror
You inherit an antique mirror from a deceased relative. Every time you look into it, you see a distorted reflection of yourself, aging rapidly. The mirror reveals your deepest fears and desires, but at a dangerous cost.
13. The Whispering Forest
A group of friends decides to explore a dense, forbidden forest rumored to be haunted. As they venture deeper, the trees seem to whisper eerie messages, and the forest starts to manipulate their thoughts and fears.
14. The Sinister Carnival
A traveling carnival arrives in town, but something feels off about it. The rides and attractions come alive at night, and the performers seem to have otherworldly abilities. Uncovering the truth behind the carnival could mean risking your life.
15. The Ghost Ship
A foggy night at sea leads you to encounter a ghostly, abandoned ship. As you step on board, you become trapped in a time loop, witnessing the eerie events that led to the ship’s demise over and over again.
16. The Spectral Photographer
In an old photo album, you find a series of pictures of yourself, but you have no recollection of posing for them. With each picture, a sense of impending doom grows stronger, and you’re determined to track down the photographer.
Halloween Creative Writing Prompts High School – 17. The Haunting Melody
At night, a haunting melody drifts through your neighborhood, but no one can pinpoint its source. Following the music leads you to an abandoned music box, and once opened, it reveals a connection to a long-lost spirit seeking vengeance.
18. The Unsettling Reflection
Your reflection starts acting independently, displaying different emotions and intentions. You realize it’s not a mere reflection anymore; it’s a separate entity with sinister plans.
19. The Cursed Book
You stumble upon an ancient book written in an unknown language. As you attempt to decipher its contents, strange occurrences begin happening around you, and you realize the book holds dark secrets that shouldn’t be tampered with.
20. The Disappearing Town
While on a road trip, you arrive at a small town that seems charming but is surrounded by an eerie, impenetrable mist. As night falls, the town’s inhabitants vanish one by one, and you must uncover the town’s dark secret to escape.
21. The Abandoned Asylum
A group of teenagers decides to explore an abandoned asylum that’s rumored to be haunted. As they venture deeper into the decaying building, they start experiencing strange phenomena and must confront the dark history hidden within its walls.
So…a re you feeling inspired to pick up the pen? Oh, who am I kidding, you are most likely going to be opening your laptop…it is the 21st century after all.
Seriously though, whatever your mode of writing is…I think that it is seriously awesome that you are taking the time to flex your creative muscle. I have found that it is one of my favorite things to do, and that the more that I write, the more I feel confident in my writing.
So even if the scariest thing to you is writing(and not my killer prompts), then push yourself to keep going. You totally got this! If you are looking for more spooky crafts, check out these Halloween crafts teens will love.
Mom to teens with lots of ideas and inspiration to share for travel, food, parties, school & fun!