An SLP-built list of 35 Spanish Halloween words for toddlers ages 2–5 — costumes, candy, pumpkin patch, plus the phrases that work on trick-or-treat night.
Halloween is one of those holidays where the vocabulary is fun — brujas, esqueletos, calabazas — and the toddler’s brain is wide awake because everything looks weird and exciting. October is the easiest single month to pile in seasonal Spanish vocabulary, because every word has a costume, an aisle, or a yard decoration to attach to.
Here are the 35 words, organized by what they’re for, plus four phrases you’ll actually use on October 31 night.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| bruja | witch | BROO-ha |
| brujo | warlock / male witch | BROO-ho |
| fantasma | ghost | fan-TAS-ma |
| esqueleto | skeleton | es-keh-LEH-to |
| vampiro | vampire | bam-PEE-ro |
| momia | mummy | MOH-mya |
| zombi | zombie | SOM-bee |
| princesa | princess | preen-SEH-sa |
| pirata | pirate | pee-RAH-ta |
| superhéroe | superhero | soo-per-EH-ro-eh |
| dinosaurio | dinosaur | dee-no-SOW-ryo |
| disfraz | costume | dees-FRAHS |
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| dulces | candies / sweets | DOOL-sehs |
| chocolate | chocolate | cho-ko-LAH-teh |
| caramelo | caramel / hard candy | ka-ra-MEH-lo |
| paleta | lollipop | pa-LEH-ta |
| gomita | gummy | go-MEE-ta |
| galleta | cookie | ga-YEH-ta |
| canasta | basket | ka-NAS-ta |
| bolsa | bag | BOL-sa |
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| calabaza | pumpkin | ka-la-BAH-sa |
| telaraña | spiderweb | teh-la-RAH-nya |
| araña | spider | a-RAH-nya |
| murciélago | bat | moor-SYEH-la-go |
| gato negro | black cat | GAH-to NEH-gro |
| luna | moon | LOO-na |
| miedo | fear | MYEH-do |
| oscuro | dark | os-KOO-ro |
| linterna | flashlight / lantern | leen-TER-na |
| vela | candle | BEH-la |
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| asustar | to scare | a-soos-TAR |
| reírse | to laugh | reh-EER-seh |
| correr | to run | ko-RREHR |
| pedir | to ask | peh-DEER |
| compartir | to share | com-par-TEER |
These are what you’ll actually say walking the neighborhood on October 31.
“¡Dulce o truco!” — Trick or treat!
In some Latin American countries (especially in Mexico), the phrase is “¿Calaverita?” — literally “little skull?” — referring to the little candy skulls traditionally given out around Día de Muertos. Both phrases work and many bilingual families use them interchangeably.
“Gracias.” — Thanks.
Make sure your toddler says it. Even a whispered “GRAH-syas” on porch number two of the night counts.
“Tú puedes.” — You can do it.
The first few houses are scary. This phrase, said gently behind your child, walks them up the steps.
“¡Qué divertido!” — How fun!
Said in the car on the way home, while reviewing the candy haul. Anchors the night in positive memory.
You don’t need all 35 words at once. October is exactly long enough to roll them in by category.
The pumpkin patch is the highest-leverage Spanish day of October. Bring the list above and use 8–10 words while you’re there. Your toddler will associate the words with the place forever.
In many Latino households, the line between Halloween and Día de Muertos blurs in interesting ways. Your toddler may see calaveritas (sugar skulls) at the same time they see plastic Halloween skeletons, and that’s a feature, not a bug. Both traditions honor what’s scary and what’s tender — just from different angles.
If you celebrate Día de Muertos in addition to Halloween, you’ll want to introduce the related vocabulary later in October. We have a separate post on Día de los Muertos for bilingual families coming later this month.
A few Halloween vocabulary words I’d avoid with very young children:
For sequenced seasonal vocabulary across the whole year (fall, winter, spring, summer), see the 12-month curriculum. For free, start with our Spanish phrase cards.
Yes, and even better — naming what frightens them in Spanish actually helps. “Esto es un disfraz. Solo un disfraz.” (“This is a costume. Just a costume.”) Putting a name on the scary thing reduces its grip. Toddlers handle fear better when they have words.
If you live in one or near one, yes. The cultural immersion of trick-or-treating at a house where someone responds “¡Hola, princesa! ¡Qué bonita!” is a vocabulary multiplier.
Yes. Goodnight Goon (English with Spanish translation versions exist), La Llorona / The Weeping Woman (for older kids), and Pat the Bunny en Español aren’t Halloween-specific but feel right for the season. The library carries a rotating set.
A few good options: “La Bruja” by 123 Andrés (children’s musical duo), “Esqueleto” from the Caillou en Español catalog, and traditional Mexican song “Los Esqueletos” sung in many bilingual preschools. See our broader 15 Spanish songs for toddlers post for non-seasonal favorites.
The same way you do — using the pronunciation hints. Toddlers benefit from hearing imperfect Spanish from both parents far more than perfect Spanish from one. See our bilingual parenting when only one parent speaks Spanish post for the broader pattern.
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