Halloween Books for Treats: The 5 Best Books and Bites for Kids

This Halloween, do you want candy or books? Why not have both? Here are five of our favorite books and bites for Halloween Books for Treats.

October 31 is Halloween. But did you know that it’s also Books for Treats Day? Books for Treats is like Trick or Treat, but you hand out books instead of candy.

To celebrate two of our favorite things—reading together and eating together—here are our favorite Halloween books and bites.

Are Books Better Than Halloween Candy?

In my opinion (as someone who loves sweets and books), this is a mean question to ask. There are obviously pros and cons to both sides, but here are some benefits to choosing to read instead of eat sweets: 

• Intellectual Stimulation: Books provide intellectual and emotional stimulation. They can transport readers to different worlds, spark creativity, and stimulate the mind through storytelling, knowledge, and imagination.
• Long-lasting Enjoyment: Unlike Halloween candy, which I’m sure some kids can gobble up in one night, books offer hours of entertainment and can be revisited again and again.
• Learning and Education: Books of all kinds are educational and informative (yes, even children’s books). They offer the opportunity to learn about a wide range of subjects, cultures, and experiences from the comfort of your own home.
• Escape and Relaxation: Books allow readers to unwind, de-stress, and escape from the pressures of daily life.
• Literacy: Reading books can help improve literacy and language skills, making it a valuable activity for personal development.
• No Sugar or Calories: For those who are health-conscious or have dietary restrictions, books are a sugar-free, calorie-free form of entertainment, which is super hard to find in candy. Plus, you won’t have to worry about a post-Halloween trip to the dentist’s office.
• Personalized Experiences: Reading is a highly personal experience, allowing readers to connect with characters and stories in a way that resonates with them individually.

Despite knowing all this, I refuse to believe that you can choose one over the other. After all, sugary treats have their own sort of comforting charm (though you should maybe consider eating them in moderation). And what’s a good book without a good snack? Separately, they are great. But together, they entirely elevate the experience of reading, especially on a fun day like Halloween. So this Halloween, why not do both?

With that being said, here are some of my favorite Halloween book and bite pairings.

If You’re Scary and You Know It! & S’Mores Ice Cream Sandwiches

Set to the tune of “If You’re Happy and You Know It,” this is a cute and fun sing-along book that you’ll want to read together beside a campfire. And what better to pair with it than s’mores ice cream sandwiches (p. 81, Bad Day Ice Cream)?

I’m a firm believer that no weather is too cold for ice cream, but if you’re worried about it, you can level up this recipe and load the s’mores ice cream on a bed of freshly roasted marshmallows. It will be the perfect blend of warm and cold for early fall.

Monster Train & Monster Cookies

You can’t have a train full of your favorite monsters without monster cookies, obviously. Whether you go for the traditional monster cookies—a soft mix of peanut butter, oats, chocolate chips, and M&Ms—or gooey monster cookies dressed up to look like monsters, these sweet treats will perfectly complement each spooky creature in this alphabet primer. This is one spooktacular train ride your little monster won’t want to miss!

Fall Frolic in the City & Candied Pumpkin Empanadas

Halloween is just one of many fall holidays. Teach your kids about all the different holidays and cultures with this diverse board book and with candied pumpkin empanadas (p. 41, ¡Viva Desserts!). This Americanized take on a classic Mexican treat will not only broaden your kid’s palate but get them ready to celebrate all the sights, sounds, colors, and smells of fall.

10 Little Monsters & Monster Munch Halloween Snack Mix

Just like there are so many diverse places around the world, there are so many yummy snacks you can eat on Halloween. Let your kid experience them all with 10 Little Monsters and a monster munch snack mix. Your kid can munch on all their favorite treats mixed into one delicious bowl while the 10 Little Monsters take them to experience some of the most unique and interesting things about regions all over the United States.

Marvin’s Monster Diary & a Halloween Snack Board

With eight chapter books in the Monster Diary series, your kid will be in it for the long-haul. So you need something that they can snack on all day, which won’t be sugary snacks alone. With a Halloween snack board, you can throw in candy corn, carrots, almonds, M&Ms, and all your kid’s favorite healthy and not so healthy treats. These snacks will keep your kid company all day while they learn ST4 mindfulness methods with Marvin and his monster friends.

^{Shaelyn Topolovec earned a BA in editing and publishing from BYU, worked on several online publications, and joined the Familius family. Shae is currently an editor and copywriter who lives in California’s Central Valley.}