Printable Coloring Pages for Kids
History of Halloween Coloring Pages
Welcome to our History of Halloween coloring pages section!
Halloween is one of the most exciting nights of the year, full of costumes, candy, pumpkins, and spooky fun! But did you know that Halloween has been celebrated in some form for thousands of years? The holiday we know today grew from a mix of ancient traditions, religious observances, and community celebrations that changed and blended over time.
Long before there were trick-or-treaters or glowing jack-o’-lanterns, people across Europe marked the end of the harvest season with festivals that honored both the living and the dead. These gatherings celebrated the turning of the seasons and helped people prepare for the long, dark winter ahead. Many of the symbols and customs we now associate with Halloween like dressing up in costumes, lighting candles, and carving lanterns can be traced back to these ancient beginnings.
Halloween’s history is a story of transformation, blending the old and the new, the serious and the silly, the sacred and the playful. It connects ancient Celtic bonfires to today’s neighborhood trick-or-treating, showing how traditions evolve while keeping their sense of mystery and wonder.
Samhain: The Ancient Celtic Festival
Halloween began over 2,000 years ago with the Celts, who lived in what is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France. They celebrated a festival called Samhain (pronounced “sow-in”) on October 31st, marking the end of summer and the harvest season.
The Celts believed that on this night, the boundary between the living and the dead became thin, allowing spirits to roam the earth. People lit bonfires and wore costumes to scare away ghosts.
From Turnips to Pumpkins
During Samhain, people carved turnips into lanterns to frighten away evil spirits.
When Irish immigrants came to America, they discovered that pumpkins were easier to carve, and the jack-o’-lantern tradition was born!
If you want a silly, fun project at home for older kids buy a turnip and try carving it and hollowing it out into a lantern. It's VERY difficult and for us ended up in mush, but can end up in a lot of laughter.
I'm definitely with the Irish-Americans who determined that pumpkins make much, much better Jack-o'-lanterns!
Jack-o'-Lanterns coloring pages
Harvest & Autumn Celebrations
Before Halloween became all about costumes and candy, late October was a time to celebrate the harvest. Many cultures held festivals to give thanks for the crops that would carry them through winter. These gatherings included bonfires, feasts, music, and storytelling and helped inspire the community feel of modern Halloween.
more campfire and bonfire coloring pages >
All Saints’ Day and All Hallows’ Eve
In the 8th century, the Church designated November 1st as All Saints’ Day (also called All Hallows’ Day) to honor saints and martyrs. The night before became known as All Hallows’ Eve, eventually shortened to Halloween.
more Saint David coloring pages >
Trick-or-Treating
The practice of trick-or-treating evolved from several European customs. Children would dress in costumes and go door-to-door offering prayers or songs in exchange for food or coins. In America, this became the fun tradition we know today, where kids get candy and play games.
more Trick or Treaters coloring pages >
American Ghost Stories and the Rise of Halloween Tales
As Halloween spread to America, people began adding their own legends and ghost stories. One of the most famous is The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving. Written in 1820, it tells the tale of a mysterious Headless Horseman who rides through a quiet village on Halloween night. Stories like this helped shape the spooky storytelling traditions we still enjoy today.
more Headless Horseman and the Legend of Sleepy Hollow >
Modern Halloween
Today, Halloween is a mix of history, folklore, and fun. People decorate their homes, carve pumpkins, dress up in costumes, and enjoy spooky stories. But at its heart, it’s still about celebrating the change of seasons, honoring the past, and using imagination to explore the unknown.
more Halloween coloring pages >
Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)
While Halloween and Día de los Muertos happen around the same time of year, they come from very different traditions. Día de los Muertos is a Mexican celebration that honors loved ones who have passed away. It is not about fear or fright. It’s about love, memory, and joy.
Even though Día de los Muertos and Halloween are different, both celebrate the connection between the living and the dead: one through playfulness and imagination, and the other through remembrance and love.
more Día de los Muertos coloring pages >
