18 Haunted Houses & Tours That Won’t Scare the Kids (Too Much)

Whether or not you believe in ghosts or goblins, there is a lot of entertainment value in spooky stories. Unfortunately, a lot of those spooky stories come with legitimate scares that might be too much for kids. If you’d still like to get in on some of the Halloween action this year, we’ve got you covered. Our list of “haunted” houses for kids have their own legends and even offer a bit of history to boot. The best part? You can book most of these tours all year round, so scroll down to find one that fits your boos.
The Turner-Ingersoll Mansion, aka The House of the Seven Gables, was built in 1667 and immortalized by author Nathaniel Hawthorne. Just because it now serves as a museum doesn’t mean that the staff hasn’t had their share of scares. At times, it seems as if the electrical and plumbing systems have minds of their own, a ghost of the former owner shows up from time to time, and there is a little boy who supposedly likes to play in the attic. Guided tours are available and include trips to the Kid’s Cove at the Counting House overlooking Salem Harbor, and if a Living History Lab is operating during your visit, take advantage of it. They even have an audio tour of the gardens, ground and waterfront.

Known as “The House Built by Spirits” the Winchester Mystery House is one of the most famously spooky residences of all time. With staircases into the ceiling, windows in the floor and doors that lead to nowhere, this 160-room Victorian mansion is said to be filled with ghosts, including the mistress of the house, Sarah Winchester. It’s also a spectacular tour for the whole family and shouldn't cause too many nightmares. There are a variety of tours available, including the classic Mansion Tour (you’ll view 110 rooms), the Explore More Tour (see areas of the mansion that have not been open to the public), the occasional Friday the 13th Flashlight Tours (where the only illumination comes from your flashlight) and the new "Unhinged" horror experience for brave souls only. Now go get lost.
SyFy Channel has stopped by this mansion in Illinois, so it’s not too far off to think this window to the past could be a perfect place for ghosts to call home. Rocking chairs have been known to move on their own and the original owner, Robert Tinker is rumored to stop by every now and then. Tours are offered Tues-Sun from 1-3 p.m. Braver souls might want to check out their Paranormal Tours, which are offered at various times of the year.

Munster Mansion has been a dream project of Charles and Sandra McKee since 2002; the couple has gone to great lengths to build a replica of the home from the 1960’s sitcom, The Munsters. Not only does the outside look the fictional one, but so does every room of this house, and they’re not finished yet either. More and more props from the show (or exact matches) are added each year. Since the McKee’s actually live here, the home is only open for public viewing during the Halloween season, but you can book a private tour just about any time through their website.