Long and scary stories for children aged 11 to 12

Dive into a captivating universe with our long stories specially designed for children aged 11 to 12. Get ready to shiver with our selection of scary stories, blending suspense and imagination. Each tale is an invitation to explore fascinating worlds while fostering a love for reading. Download them for free in PDF or read them online for thrilling and unforgettable moments. Let yourself be swept away by adventure and mystery!

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Scary Stories (Horror): all the stories (33)

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Three children in a decrepit interior at the end of an alley: a 13-year-old boy with wavy black hair, caramel skin, wearing a khaki jacket and holding a flashlight in his right hand, crouched center near a dark stone well, looking anxiously at a rising gray light; a 12-year-old white girl with brown hair in a ponytail in a modern gray wheelchair to the left behind him, gripping the chair back, determined, a small light on her lap; a 13-year-old Asian boy with short hair, striped T-shirt and backpack to the right, standing and ready to run, holding a screwdriver and a small metal box, nervous but brave. The room has worn wooden floors, damp stone walls with soot, a stopped clock and dusty old mirror, open shelves of glass jars containing swirls of shadow, and an open wooden trapdoor leading to a narrow staircase. At the center a black stone well is surrounded by unlit candles and a faint gray halo of light and shadow shapes trying to escape; black smoke-like shadows crawl on the floor and dust is visible in the flashlight beams. Paper-cutout style: sharp silhouettes, torn edges, crumpled paper textures, limited contrasting colors (gray, black, khaki, brown), stylized ink-cut shadows.

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The house that drank secrets

Reading 32 min. 11-12 years old

Three friends investigate a mysterious house that steals shadows and secrets, uncovering jars, a silent mirror, and a whispering well as they search for a missing cousin.

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Mara, 12, round face with freckles and messy light brown hair, determined but anxious, clutches a small glowing vial and a cracked compass while running straight ahead on a glossy glass bridge; Jonah, ~12, messy black hair, panicked but brave, stumbling behind her and looking over his shoulder, wearing an oversized jacket; Lark, ~12, pale with straight black hair and light gray eyes, stands a few paces at the bridge's edge, calm and sad, holding an empty vial to her chest; the Listener, a tall, shadowy creature with elongated, distorted limbs and hollow ears like crumpled shadow, trails them on the bridge, its hand skimming the reflective surface and causing luminous cracks as mirror shards fall into a black chasm below; setting: a transparent, mirror-like bridge suspended above a void emitting a whirl of silver dust, cold gray-silver-blue tones; main tension: dramatic pursuit with emphasis on reflections, the warm glow of the vial, and the swirling silver dust.

The Door Between Blinks

Reading 34 min. (2) 11-12 years old

When Mara and her classmate Jonah blink into the Between—a silver-dusted world of whispering markets, a hungry Listener, and Doors that demand hard choices—they must rely on courage, memory, and a mysterious girl named Lark to find their way home.

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Three boys: Eli, 11, short brown hair, fair skin, wearing a khaki jacket, centered and slightly forward, determined, holding a brass compass in his right hand and a small warm glass vial against his chest; Jasper, 11, messy blond hair, freckles, faded red T‑shirt, left of Eli, holding a green‑flamed candle, expression half‑fearful half‑brave; Milo, 10, curly black hair, round glasses, blue sweatshirt, right of Eli, crouched with his hand on a white door marked by three grooves, anxious but focused. They stand in a dark interior corridor lined with old wooden and metal doors, pale yellow wall lamps, worn dusty stone floor, doorframes like tree trunks and trailing ivy near a black door. The three open the small white grooved door together; Milo touches a groove, Eli holds the warm glowing vial, Jasper lights the scene with his green flame. Behind warped wallpaper a large faceless shadow pushes through, folds suggesting a lurking face; tense atmosphere, strong contrasts, cracked wood textures and warm glows against cold shadows.

The House of Doors and the Heart-Key

Reading 37 min. (2) 11-12 years old

Three friends discover a mysterious door into a strange house of living doors and must listen to hidden rhythms as they face whispering rooms and eerie guardians to find their way back.

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Three boys, about 12: a brown-haired boy in a blue jacket and jeans holds a small lit candle with both hands at the scene's center, determined, foreground; a short black-haired boy in a red T-shirt frowns and pushes slightly against the brick wall to the left; a round‑glassed boy in a green shirt, worried, keeps a hand near the candle to protect it, to the right. Night cobbled alley behind a bakery, red brick walls with a narrow glowing crack, an old lamppost casting soft yellow light, window shutters with night lights, damp cold atmosphere, some steam and dead leaves on the ground. The three have opened a secret seam in the wall and partly emerge into the alley; the candle creates a warm aura that repels creeping blue and black shadows at the edges; the window night lights seem to turn toward them. Composition centered on the candle, strong contrast between the warm ring of flame and bluish darkness, spiky shadow silhouettes in the background; deep night palette (midnight blue, indigo) with warm accents (orange, yellow), flat textures, simple shapes, crisp outlines.

Keep One Flame Alive

Reading 29 min. (1) 11-12 years old

Three friends discover a hidden seam behind a bakery that leads to a strange world of living night-lights and a hungry darkness, forcing them to protect a single flame as they navigate eerie passages and tempting bargains that threaten to consume who they are.

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The main character is a small gray wolf with big ears, tousled fur and wide frightened eyes but a determined jaw, holding a glowing starry heart‑egg wrapped in a crown of thorns and pushing it into a circular black thorn-arch; a secondary character, Soot the small black bat with partially folded wings, perches on a thorny branch to the wolf’s right, worried but encouraging; another secondary figure, the Listener, is an ethereal elongated canine of smoke-gray fur and pale empty eyes, floating menacingly in the mist behind them. The scene is a narrow ravine at night with stone walls draped in thorny vines, damp ground and creeping white fog; the heart’s light pulses, thorns loosen, the mist and the smoky creature recoil, lit by the star’s glow and a pale moon in cool blues and grays with warm gold accents around the heart.

Twig and the heart-star of Pine-Hush woods

Reading 30 min. 11-12 years old

Twig, a cautious young wolf follows eerie, shifting signs through misty woods and underground tunnels—facing tricking signposts, listening shadows, and a bone library—on a brave quest to find a hidden Heart-Star.

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A 12-year-old boy, anxious but determined, stands in the hallway threshold holding a small dark metal lantern that lights his pale face; messy brown hair, large bright eyes, a green wool jacket over striped pajamas; no other people present, thin filament shadows glide beyond the glazed door like foggy silhouettes on the street; a varnished, slightly scratched stopped grandfather clock stands at the back left with its hands frozen; the front door is ajar with old speckled glass dew, and a thick fog winds between yellowed lampposts and pointed-roof houses; the lantern casts a warm, tilted flame toward the door, creating a strong contrast between the golden lamp glow and the blue-gray fog; mood unsettling but not gory, with aged wood, fogged glass, matte black metal textures and small doodles (notes, stars, light onomatopoeia) layered around the lantern and shadows for a youthful touch.

The Lantern That Listens

Interactive story (4) 11-12 years old

A 12-year-old boy finds a listening lantern and must choose brave paths through a haunted town of whispers, riddles, and hungry shadows—where every decision changes what the dark becomes.

In this interactive story, it's you who chooses the next step at each stage: your decisions influence the course... and the end of the adventure!

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Milo, a 12-year-old boy with a round face, tousled brown hair and wide wet eyes, terrified but determined, holds an old metal lantern casting a pale silver glow and clutches a smooth stone; Tessa, about 12, brown hair in a ponytail, face dirty but alive, crouches by a dirt path looking at Milo with relief and fear, a blue bandana tied around her wrist; a fake Tessa with the same features but a frozen smile and unblinking eyes stands slightly back like a doll, lantern light revealing waxy pallor; a tall, lopsided scarecrow made of straw with a burlap sack head, no drawn face, hat and arms lashed to a wooden cross, slides forward dragging roots and straw; the setting is a maze of tall, tight corn rows with dark green stalks and serrated leaves, dusty earth, shadowed clearings and a twisted arch of brambles and dry pods in the background; main situation: Milo and Tessa move toward the threatening bramble arch lit by the lantern while the fake Tessa and scarecrow encircle them, tense ominous atmosphere, strong contrast between silver light and deep shadows, dead leaves and straw drifting in the air; visual style: soft colorful 3D animation look with realistic textures of burlap, straw, lantern leather and muddy surfaces, cinematic high-contrast lighting, composition centered on Milo holding the lantern.

The Cornfield That Tried to Steal Their Names

Reading 31 min. 11-12 years old

When Milo Reed takes a shortcut through Greyclover Field, he encounters whispering corn, a faceless scarecrow, and an eerie copy of his friend Tessa, forcing him to rely on a remembering stone, a lantern, and steady courage to find a way through.

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A brown bear with round, shiny eyes named Bram stands in front of an old wooden door, his face marked by curiosity and slight fear. He has soft, tousled fur, and his paws tremble slightly as he lifts the trapdoor. Nearby, a blurry shadow of a sad clown with a painted white face and a distorted smile watches Bram, its empty eyes reflecting a haunting melancholy. The setting is an abandoned fairground, with rusty rides, turned-off lights, and dead leaves swirling in the cool night air. The scene captures the moment when Bram hesitates to descend into the darkness, drawn by a mysterious melody floating around him, creating an atmosphere that is both magical and frightening.

The Haunting of Midnight Carnival

Interactive story (15) 11-12 years old

A brave young bear named Bram discovers a hidden passage into a forgotten, haunted amusement park, where chilling mysteries and eerie challenges await.

In this interactive story, it's you who chooses the next step at each stage: your decisions influence the course... and the end of the adventure!

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A 12-year-old boy, Jamie, with messy brown hair and wide eyes filled with wonder and fear, stands in front of a large antique clock. He wears a blue hoodie and ripped jeans, his hands trembling slightly as he holds a small flashlight that faintly illuminates the clock's face. Next to him, Aria, a 12-year-old girl with long braided black hair, wears a bright red scarf and looks at the clock with a determined expression. She holds an old book in her arms, as if ready to read an incantation. The setting is the hall of an old school, with dark brick walls, rusty lockers, and a massive clock above them, its hands frozen at 12:17. Shadows dance around them, creating a mysterious and slightly eerie atmosphere. The main situation shows Jamie and Aria discovering a mysterious red stain oozing from the clock, while a light fog rises from the ground, adding a touch of mystery to their nighttime adventure.

the secret of the bleeding clock

Reading 24 min. (3) 11-12 years old

Jamie and his friends uncover the chilling legend of the Bleeding Clock at Halloway Middle School, leading them to confront a haunting spirit trapped by fear and loneliness, as they embark on a quest to help him find peace.

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A 12-year-old boy, Max, with messy brown hair and wide eyes, stands at the center of the image, his face marked by a mix of curiosity and apprehension. He wears a blue t-shirt and torn jeans, holding a flashlight that faintly illuminates the path ahead. Beside him is a ghostly girl of about 12, in a flowing white dress with long wavy hair, smiling sadly as she points the way to the carousel. The setting is an abandoned amusement park, with rusty rides, dilapidated game stalls, and scattered dead leaves. The sky is dark, filled with ominous clouds, creating a mysterious and slightly unsettling atmosphere. The main scene shows Max standing in front of an old carousel, its horses frozen in dynamic poses, while a light breeze stirs the leaves around him. The light from his flashlight illuminates the face of the nearest horse, which appears almost alive, adding a touch of magic to this eerie scene.

The Carousel of Midnight Magic

Reading 9 min. (8) 11-12 years old

In an abandoned amusement park, an adventurous boy named Max discovers a ghostly carousel horse that needs to be set free. Guided by a mysterious girl, he embarks on a magical quest to uncover the truth behind the legend and confront the shadows of the past.

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There are 3 characters: Nathan, a 12-year-old boy with messy brown hair and hazel eyes, wearing a blue t-shirt and ripped jeans, standing in the center with a flashlight in hand, his face marked by determination and fear; Jem, also 12, with short blonde hair and round glasses, dressed in a red hoodie, slightly retreating and looking around with a worried expression; and Lucas, a 12-year-old with black hair and freckles, wearing a green t-shirt and shorts, crouched near Nathan with a pale face and wide eyes filled with terror. The main setting is an old cemetery shrouded in light mist, with ancient gravestones covered in moss. In the background, an abandoned house stands with dark windows like empty eyes and a twisted wooden door, ready to open to the unknown. Twisted trees and brambles surround the path, adding a sinister atmosphere. The main situation shows the three boys standing in front of the house, their faces illuminated by the flickering light of the flashlight, as a mysterious shadow appears behind a window. They are frozen, hearts racing, ready to face their fears in this haunted place.

The secret keeper of Fern Hollow

Reading 18 min. (5) 11-12 years old Available in audio story

Three friends, Nathan, Jem, and Lucas, venture into the mysterious Fern Hollow Cemetery, where they face their deepest fears in a haunted house filled with secrets that could trap them forever. As they confront the shadows of their past, they discover the true courage needed to escape and find their way home.

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A young rabbit named Bramble, with golden-brown fur and large upright ears, stands at the center of an ancient mausoleum. His face shows a mix of determination and slight fear, his eyes shining with courage. He looks around, ready to face the unknown. Beside him, a translucent spirit named Shadefoot floats, with an ethereal body and glowing eyes like embers. His expression is kind as he reaches out a paw to encourage Bramble to move forward. The mausoleum is dark and mysterious, with worn stone walls, sarcophagi adorned with ancient patterns, and cobwebs hanging in the corners. A bluish light emanates from a glowing stone on the ground, creating an atmosphere that is both eerie and fascinating. The scene depicts Bramble approaching the glowing stone, ready to uncover the hidden secret of the mausoleum, while Shadefoot watches over him, prepared to assist in this daunting adventure.

the secret of willow hollow

Reading 12 min. 11-12 years old

In the mysterious cemetery of Willow Hollow, a brave rabbit named Bramble ventures into the darkness to rescue his friend Mossy from a restless spirit that haunts the graves, discovering the true power of courage and remembrance along the way.

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Scary Stories for Children Aged 11 to 12

Scary stories are an excellent way to introduce children aged 11 to 12 to the horror genre, while stimulating their imagination and interest in reading. Our tales are designed to be both captivating and age-appropriate, ensuring a fun and safe experience.

The Joy of Reading Horror Stories Online

Free access to online horror stories allows young readers to dive into thrilling adventures without any constraints. With stories available to read online or download in PDF format, the child can choose the format that suits them best.

Why Horror Stories for Pre-teens?

Horror stories help children explore complex emotions in a controlled setting. By reading these tales, they can learn to manage fear and develop critical problem-solving and analytical thinking skills. It can also encourage their creativity and desire to explore new literary genres.

Benefits of Our Stories for Children

✅ Development of imagination and creativity.
✅ Improvement in reading and comprehension skills.
✅ Introduction to managing complex emotions.
✅ Free and easy access to captivating stories.

Long and scary stories for children aged 11 to 12

Choose a character:

Scary Stories (Horror): all the stories (33)

Scary Stories for Children Aged 11 to 12

The Joy of Reading Horror Stories Online

Why Horror Stories for Pre-teens?

Benefits of Our Stories for Children

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