When Lisa asked us for cool but appropriately creepy non-candy Halloween gift ideas for her teen and tween nieces and nephews, I was on the case! I checked with my own Halloween-loving but decidedly…particular teens to see what kinds of things they would think are cool.
I mean, of course they said “candy, duh Mom.” So it’s easy to find that. And you can always hit your local Halloween store for creepy decor, animatronics, wigs, face paint, and other fun Halloween gifts.
But here are a list of other non-candy Halloween gift ideas we all agreed were pretty cool too. These are perfect for kids with food allergies, those who skip trick-or-treating for any reason, or for teens like mine who basically live for Halloween and start planning their costumes on November 1 for the next year.
This post updated for 2023
14 cool Halloween gifts for teens, tweens, and anyone who likes things a little edgier
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The Classic Horror Oracle
(17.96, Amazon or from Bookshop.org supporting indie booksellers)
Brand new for 2023, Ricardo Diseno has gorgeously illustrated 50 dark oracle cards with goth-style inspiration from classic movie characters and creepy themes. The Hunger card is represented by Night of the Living Dead (ha), The Trickster evokes Pennywise, and Dreams…well I bet you can guess who you’ll find lurking in that illustration with his finger knives extended.
Gothic 3D-Printed Skull Planter
($18, Meow3D)
I own a Totoro planter from this cool little Brooklyn shop — which has since turned into a cool pencil case — and we love it. Next on our list: this cool skull that comes in lots of colors. Want an alternative? Check out their black cat planter, also shown at very top.
Related: 25 cool non-candy Halloween treats to buy or DIY for younger kids
Seasonal Fall and Halloween Bath Bombs
($5.95-14.95, Neptune Bath and Body)
Bath bombs are still hot with all kinds of kids and so of course you can find the ultimate fall flavor — pumpkin spice and now, pumpkin spice latte— available as a bath bomb, making it a cool tween or teen gift for Halloween. Want something even creepier? You have to look at their “dark corner” collection including the Scream bath bomb above, and the blood-red skull shaped bath bombs (shown at very top) aptly called “Happily Never After.”
Related: 11 cool tween and teen Halloween craft ideas that don’t suck. (Our teens will agree!)
Funko Pop Nightmare Before Christmas Figures
($19.45, Amazon)
My 16 year-old is obsessed with Funko Pop figures of her favorite characters, and I think Sally, Jack Skellington, Vampire Teddy, and Dr. Finkelstein all make perfect non-candy Halloween gifts that teens will love.
Halloween Temporary Tattoos
(Prices vary, Tattly)
Though you can find Halloween-themed temporary tattoos everywhere, we’ve long loved the illustrations from independent illustrations on Tattly tattoos, perfect for hard-to-impress tweens and teens. With everything a giant black beetle to a cartolina skull and crossbones to a friendly ghost, kids will be covered. (Ha.)
Related: 12 fantastic no-carve pumpkin ideas including temporary tattoos!
Halloween Phone Cases (or other tech accessories)
($42 and up, Casetify)
Sturdy, durable phone cases for iPhones and Android phones are as as practical as it gets when it comes to Halloween gifts for teens. Especially if they’ll use it all year, like my teens will. Check out Castetify for amazing designs dancing skeletons, this fabulous witchy crystal ball case, this cartoony skull party (shown), or amazing collab designs from Sticky Monster Lab, or Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas. Tip: If you want to spend a little less, they have great AirTag holders and AirPod Cases
Stranger Things Colored Pencil Set
($14.99, Pop Colors Co)
We’ve been sharing gifts for Stranger Things fans for a while now, (4 seasons to be exact) and these fun pencils are a terrific non-candy Halloween gift for teens, or fans of any age.
Black Vampy Holographic Nail Polish
($10, Amazon)
Funky, vampy, witchy nail polish is always cool, especially one from cruelty-free non-toxic brand INLP, which we’ve also included in our roundup of the coolest nail color trends for fall. And if you’re not dealing with a nail polish kid? A tray of professional quality face and body paint like this one for around $15 is always welcome in any Halloween-loving home.
Related: From Elle Woods to Fresh Prince: 12 of the best 90s Halloween costumes for kids
Skull and Rose Baseball Cap
($27.50, Riot Society shop on Amazon)
Like what could be more perfect than a skull for Halloween? A skull you wear on your skull I guess. Love it on this “dad hat” which is decidedly not just for dads.
Spider Necklace
($16, Charm Philosophy Gifts)
This one is named “Nope” based on an internet meme that your kids might recall — but if spiders are a YES for you, you can get the box made without it. Great for tweens + tweens who’ve outgrown the cute pumpkins and smiling ghosts.
Related: Creative and creepy Halloween snack trays for kids
Creepy Rat-Shaped Soaps
($8.25/ea, Audrey E Soaps)
Don’t worry, they smell like a blend of bergamot, caramel, vanilla, amber, patchouli and musk — not actual rats. Browse the shop for other cool Halloween gifts for teens — they have some pretty cool skull soaps, tombstones, and creepy baby heads.
Zombie Cookie Cutter
($15.67, The Fussy Pup on Amazon)
This copper cookie cutter is sure to yield cookies more delicious than brains. Or…are they? BWAHAHAAHAHA.
Related: 8 spectacular Halloween dinner theme ideas for a party, or just the kids
Acrylic Paint Pen Set
($19.99 Amazon)
Permanent markers are such cool non-candy Halloween gift, because they’re perfect for pumpkin decorating, and drawing projects of all kinds — on rocks, on wood, on ceramic, on canvas. Great Halloween gift for crafty kids.
Your Favorite Stephen King Book
(via Amazon or Bookshop.org or visit your local independent bookstore)
Are they finally old enough for It? Or Carrie? Or Pet Sematary? Or Salem’s Lot? Or The Shining? Or Misery? Or Night Shift? (Can you tell I’m a super-fan?) Then gift it! You can even get a 3-book Stephen King box set for new fans or find his newest book, Fairy Tale. PS The books are all still better than the movies. Fight me.
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