Free NASA Pumpkin Stencils: A No-Carve Halloween Activity for Kids

 

Give your Halloween pumpkin a space theme with free printable stencils from NASA Space Place. The designs offer a creative activity for families who want to add a little science to their fall decorating.

Choose from a galaxy, the Sun, a volcano, Saturn, or a spacecraft. NASA also offers a PDF with the instructions and patterns.

NASA’s method uses markers and paint to decorate the pumpkin’s surface. That makes this a useful option for families looking for a no-carve pumpkin project.

The downloads are free. You will supply your own pumpkin, printing paper, tape, black marker, black paint, and a small paintbrush. Check what you already have at home before shopping for supplies.

To make your pumpkin, follow NASA’s illustrated directions:

1. Print the stencil you want to use.

2. Tape the paper onto your pumpkin, adjusting it around the curved surface.

3. Follow NASA’s tracing instructions to transfer the design.

4. Remove the paper, strengthen the outline, and fill the shape with marker or paint.

Covering the table before you begin and giving each child a separate workspace can help keep the activity organized. Let everyone choose a design before printing, especially if you are trying to save paper.

You can also turn the project into a short homeschool lesson or family learning activity. Ask each child to choose one question connected to the design: What would they like to learn about Saturn? Where would they send a spacecraft? What do they notice about the shape of a galaxy?

After decorating, have the kids make small labels for their pumpkins and share something they learned. A few pumpkins lined up together could become your own front-porch space display.

For a simpler activity, try using the printed patterns as drawing prompts on paper. Children can add backgrounds, invent a mission, or write a short story about their design.

Download the free templates and instructions from NASA Space Place.

Free Online Storybooks for Kids Read by Famous Actors

Looking for free online stories to enjoy with your kids? Storyline Online features actors reading children's books, with illustrations accompanying the storytelling. Families can choose from more than 100 videos, making it an easy place to find a story for a quiet afternoon or bedtime.

The program comes from the nonprofit SAG-AFTRA Foundation, and its readers include familiar names such as Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Garner, and Meryl Streep. You can watch the stories for free.

What You Get for Free

Storyline Online offers complete video readings of featured children's books. Each book also includes educational material developed by an elementary educator, giving parents and teachers a way to continue the conversation after the video ends.

That makes it a useful resource for families looking for an activity to pair with reading, including homeschool lessons. You might watch a story together, talk about a character's choices, and then invite your child to draw a favorite scene.

Two Stories to Try First

Harry the Dirty Dog, written by Gene Zion and illustrated by Margaret Bloy Graham, is read by Betty White. This five-minute video follows a dog who would rather avoid bath time. The suggested grade range is kindergarten through second grade.

A Bad Case of Stripes, written and illustrated by David Shannon, is read by Sean Astin. The 12-minute story follows Camilla Cream, who worries about what other children think of her. The suggested grade range is second through third grade.

Those suggestions can help you choose a starting point, but let your child's interests guide your next selection.

How to Get Started

Visit StorylineOnline.net.

Browse All Books or search for a title or reader.

Open a book's page and play the video.

Look for the accompanying guide if you want an additional activity.

For a simple follow-up, ask your child to retell the story in their own words or imagine a different ending. A few minutes of conversation can turn a video into something you share together.

What Parents Should Know

Storyline Online describes its service as free and ad-free, with donations helping fund the program. There is no paid subscription required to watch. Internet access is needed because the videos cannot be downloaded for offline viewing.

If the YouTube player gives you trouble, look for the Classroom Player option on the book's page. It provides another way to watch through the website.

Choose your first free story at Storyline Online and let your child pick the next one.

Free Halloween Movies and Cartoons for Family Movie Night in 2026

 Cooler evenings, cozy blankets, and a little Halloween fun make a great combination for family movie night. If you’re looking for free Halloween movies and cartoons to watch together in 2026, Tubi has some monster-themed options worth exploring.

Tubi is a free streaming service supported by advertising, so you can watch without a paid Tubi subscription. Expect commercial breaks during your viewing. 

The three titles below were listed on Tubi when checked on October 13, 2026. Availability can change and may vary by location, so check the links before settling in for movie night.

Igor: A Monster-Making Animated Comedy

Year: 2008
Rating: PG
Running time: 1 hour, 27 minutes

In this animated comedy, a mad scientist’s assistant wants to prove what he can do by building a creation of his own. He makes a female Franken-monster, and his experiment leads to some unexpected chaos.

The mix of animation, comedy, and a monster-making premise gives families a Halloween-themed option to consider. 

Make it a family activity: After the movie, invite everyone to draw an imaginary monster. Give each creation a name, a favorite snack, and a funny talent.

Watch Igor on Tubi

Monster Family: When Halloween Costumes Become Real

Year: 2017
Rating: PG
Running time: 1 hour, 34 minutes

A Halloween costume party takes an unexpected turn when an evil witch curses Emma Wishbone and her family, transforming them into actual monsters.

That premise makes this animated comedy a seasonal choice for a family Halloween movie night. Tubi

Make it a family activity: Let everyone wear a costume or a homemade Halloween accessory while watching. Afterward, ask which creature each family member would choose to become for one day.

Watch Monster Family on Tubi

Casper & Wendy: Classic Cartoon Halloween Fun

Year listed by Tubi: 1962
Rating: TV-G
Running time: 1 hour, 25 minutes

For families interested in classic animation, Tubi’s Casper & Wendy listing offers another option. Its description follows Casper the Friendly Ghost as he spends Halloween looking for a living friend while other spooky characters are busy frightening people.

The TV-G rating identifies it as general-audience programming, giving parents a different rating option from the two PG films above. 

Make it a family activity: Draw a friendly ghost together and talk about ways to help someone feel included.

Watch Casper & Wendy on Tubi

Make Your Halloween Movie Night Special

A few simple touches can turn watching a movie into a family fall tradition:

• Bring out blankets and pillows for a cozy viewing spot.
• Serve a snack you already have at home.
• Let everyone vote on which title to watch.
• Wear costumes or add decorations you’ve already made.
• Finish with a drawing activity or a conversation about favorite characters.

PG means parental guidance is suggested, while TV-G indicates general-audience programming. The ratings are a useful starting point; previewing a title can help you decide whether its humor and spooky elements suit your children. 

Pick a movie, gather the family, and enjoy a little Halloween fun together.

FREE Family Fun: Play Halloween Games Online With PBS KIDS!

 Looking for a fun, free, and family-friendly way to celebrate Halloween? PBS KIDS has a collection of Halloween-themed games featuring some of your children's favorite characters, and the best part is that they won't cost you a penny!

With Halloween just a few weeks away, families everywhere are getting into the spooky spirit. Between costumes, decorations, candy, and fall activities, this time of year can get expensive quickly.

But celebrating Halloween doesn't always have to mean spending money!

PBS KIDS offers a variety of online games that combine Halloween fun with educational activities, giving children an opportunity to enjoy the season while practicing important skills.

Halloween Adventures With Familiar Friends

One of the best things about PBS KIDS is that children can interact with characters they already know and love.

Their Halloween game collection features familiar faces from popular PBS KIDS programs, including Arthur and Alma's Way.

Instead of simply watching their favorite characters on television, kids can join them in interactive adventures filled with seasonal surprises.

Depending on the game, children may explore Halloween-themed settings, complete challenges, make choices, or solve problems.

These activities are designed to be entertaining while encouraging children to think, explore, and use their imaginations.

Learning While Having Fun

As parents, we all know that children love playing games on computers and tablets.

The challenge is finding activities that are both entertaining and worthwhile.

That's one reason PBS KIDS can be such a helpful resource for families.

Its games often incorporate educational concepts such as problem-solving, creativity, observation, and decision-making.

Children get to enjoy the excitement of Halloween while developing skills they can use in everyday life.

And because many PBS KIDS activities are designed with younger audiences in mind, they're a great option for families looking for age-appropriate seasonal entertainment.

Perfect for a Rainy Fall Afternoon

Fall weather can be unpredictable, and sometimes outdoor plans get canceled because of rain or chilly temperatures.

That's when having a few free indoor activities ready can make a big difference!

These Halloween games can be a fun option for an afternoon at home, a quiet weekend, or a little entertainment while waiting for trick-or-treating night.

Parents can even join in the fun by sitting with their children, helping them solve challenges, and talking about what happens during the games.

You could turn it into a special Halloween family activity by making popcorn, putting on your favorite Halloween pajamas, and enjoying a little screen time together.

Make It a Family Halloween Game Night!

Want to make the experience even more special?

Try organizing a Halloween-themed family game night!

Let each child choose a PBS KIDS game to play, then take turns helping one another complete the challenges.

You can add to the fun with a few simple ideas:

• Wear Halloween costumes while playing.

• Make homemade Halloween decorations for your game area.

• Prepare a bowl of popcorn or another favorite snack.

• Let everyone choose their favorite game of the evening.

• Finish the night with a Halloween story or family-friendly movie.

You don't need expensive supplies or elaborate plans to create a memorable evening together.

Sometimes the simplest activities are the ones children enjoy most.

How to Find the Free Halloween Games

Getting started is easy!

PBS KIDS Parents has put together a helpful collection of Halloween games for children and families.

Simply visit the link below to explore the available activities and choose the ones that interest your kids.

Play Free Halloween Games With PBS KIDS:

https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/halloween-games-to-play-from-pbs-kids

The featured games are free to access, although an internet connection and a compatible device are needed. Game availability may vary.

Making Magical Family Memories Without Spending Money

Here at MagicLife, we love sharing activities that help families spend quality time together without breaking the bank.

With busy schedules and rising everyday expenses, it's nice to find entertainment that doesn't require buying tickets, traveling somewhere, or purchasing additional supplies.

PBS KIDS provides a fun way to bring a little Halloween excitement into your home while giving children opportunities to learn and explore.

Whether your family spends 15 minutes playing a game together or turns it into an entire Halloween-themed evening, the important part is enjoying time with one another.

So grab the kids, pick a game, and enjoy some FREE Halloween fun!

And remember, you don't have to spend a fortune to make magical family memories.

Happy Halloween from the Iseli family!