The Hairy Scary Castle

The Hairy Scary Castle is always a huge hit with 5-7yr olds! They love getting involved with all the sound effects and then remembering them in the correct order!

In the hairy scary castle,

Where the skeletons RATTLE,

And the ghosts go BOO!

In the hairy scary castle (x3)

Where the rats go SQUEAK,

And the bats go FLAP!

And the skeletons RATTLE,

And the ghosts go BOO!

In the hairy scary castle (x3)

Where the stairs go CREAK,

And the clock goes TICK!

And the rats go SQUEAK,

And the bats go FLAP!

And the skeletons RATTLE,

And the ghosts go BOO!

In the hairy scary castle (x3)

Where the wind goes WHOOSH,

And the doors go BANG!

And the stairs go CREAK,

And the clock goes TICK!

And the rats go SQUEAK,

And the bats go FLAP!

And the skeletons RATTLE,

And the ghosts go BOO!

Suggestions for spooky sound effects

A selection of percussion instruments or suitable household items that could be used for the spooky sound effects. Here are some ideas:

Skeletons RATTLE – If you haven’t got a wooden xylophone try scraping a wooden spoon on a metal oven rack.

Ghosts go BOO – Encourage the kids to really explore their voices, it’s great fun to let rip with ghoulish wails!

Bats go FLAP – Flap some rubber washing up gloves together vigorously!

Rats go SQUEAK – Any squeaky baby toy or dog toy would be ideal.

Clock goes TICK – Click two wooden sticks together.

Stairs go CREAK – Try to find something with a creaky hinge, but if that’s not possible just have fun vocalising creaky sounds!

Doors go BANG – If it’s practical to slam a door then do so, or otherwise try bashing a metal biscuit tin with a wooden spoon.

Wind goes WHOOSH – Try swishing a stiff broom or brush on a hard floor but otherwise make a swishy sound and windmill your arms around in the air.

With younger children, you can simplify the song by just singing it with actions and simple unison ‘squeaks’ and ‘boos!’

The tune is of course borrowed from the great American Battle Hymn of the Republic – John Browns Body.

Print the free sheet music here.

For more fun ideas with spooky sound effects check this Spooky Sound Stories post and if you’re planning a lesson or party for halloween check out my Halloween Lesson plan for lots more spooky fun!