Why Is My Child Obsessed With Scary Things? (And Is It Normal?)

Is it normal for kids to like scary things?

Yes. It's one of the most common things kids enjoy. In a 2025 study, researchers from Aarhus University's Recreational Fear Lab in Denmark and the University of Exeter surveyed 1,600 parents of kids ages 1 to 17 about scary-but-fun activities. Here's what they found:

• 93% of kids enjoyed at least one kind of scary fun. At ages 6, 9, 11, and 13, it was 98%.
• 7 in 10 kids did something scary for fun at least once a week, and 1 in 5 did it every day.
• Stories were a favorite. Only speed and heights, like roller coasters, and movies and TV ranked higher.

The study asked parents in Denmark about their kids, so it's a snapshot, not the final word. But the message for parents is clear: a child who loves monsters is in very good company.

Why do kids like to be scared?

Because fear feels good when you know you're safe. A racing heart in a cozy chair is a thrill with no real danger, and kids can stop whenever they want. Researchers call this recreational fear: fear you choose for fun.

There's more to it than the rush:

• Practice. Researchers who study children's risky play, like climbing high or racing downhill, argue that thrilling play lets kids face things they used to fear in small doses. As their skills grow, the fear fades. Scary stories may do the same for worries.
• Curiosity. Kids want to understand dangerous things. The American Academy of Pediatrics points to morbid curiosity, plus a trait called sensation-seeking: wanting excitement, new experiences, and relief from boredom.
• Friends and family. The AAP also notes the pull of what friends are into. In the Danish study, most scary fun happened with other people: 43% with grown-ups in the family and 39% with kids outside the family. Only 11% happened alone.
• Laughing at fear. A 2024 paper by fear researchers argues that humor grows out of play and is well suited to taming fear. It may be why so many kids' scary books are funny, too.

For what the research says about the right amount of scary, see Are Scary Stories Good for Kids?

Does loving scary things mean something is wrong?

No. Loving monsters, ghosts, and creepy stories doesn't mean a child is troubled or headed for trouble.

The AAP answered a parent who worried that an 11-year-old's love of horror videos meant something was seriously wrong. Its answer pointed to ordinary traits, sensation-seeking and curiosity, plus friends' influence. It didn't treat the interest itself as a disorder. Its concerns were about violent videos, and its advice was practical: know what your child is watching, and share it with them.

When should you worry about a child who loves scary things?

Worry about the fear, not the interest. Scary stories become a problem when the fear spills into everyday life. The researchers behind the Danish study note that earlier studies tied overwhelming scary entertainment to trouble sleeping, nightmares, checking for monsters, and fear in places that are safe.

Signs to watch for:

• Sleep trouble that lasts more than a few nights
• New fears in safe places, like their own room or the swimming pool
• Pulling back from things they used to enjoy
• A shift from made-up monsters to real violence, like real crimes or real disasters

If you see these, cut back on scary stories for a while and talk about what's bothering them. If it doesn't ease, talk to your child's doctor.

How can you support a child who loves scary things?

Join in. Most kids' scary fun happens with family, and the AAP suggests sharing scary content with your child and talking about it. A few ways to do that:

• Read scary books together. You'll see what they love, and you're right there for the scary parts.
• Point them to scares made for kids. The AAP suggests thrilling choices without gore. Most books written for ages 8 to 12 skip gore.
• Let them be the expert. Kids who love monsters love knowing everything about them. Ask your child to explain the rules of their favorite monster.
• Turn it into making. A child who loves scary stories can write one. See How to Teach Kids to Write a Scary Story.
• Give the interest a mission. Scaremoor Society Case Files ask questions only a real reader would know. Kids close cases to rank up from Recruit to Master of Scaremoor and print a certificate. They use a made-up codename, and progress stays on their own device.

What scary books are good for a child who loves scary things?

Match the book to your child's level, then let them climb:

For a closer look at Goosebumps, reading levels, and what to read next, see Is Goosebumps Appropriate for an 8-Year-Old?