Halloween is a good night for stories. Children love the little shiver of a dark porch, a glowing pumpkin and a costume that makes them somebody else for an evening. At My Sleepy Tale, we are inviting children in the Greater Toronto Area to turn that feeling into a short story, spoken aloud, in their own voice.

This page explains how the contest works, helps you pick a scene, find the right age group and check the deadlines, and gives you tips for helping a child tell a story that is spooky but never scary. The interactive tools run in your browser only. Nothing you type or choose here is sent to us.

How the contest works in 4 steps

• Step 1 Pick a scene. Choose one of five illustrated scenes: space, deep sea, mountains, the CN Tower or a forest.
• Step 2 Record the story. Your child tells it in their own voice, up to 2 minutes, in any language.
• Step 3 A parent signs in and submits. A parent or guardian signs in and sends the entry for the child.
• Step 4 We listen, then it goes public. A person on our team listens to every story first. Once it is approved, family and friends can listen and like it.

Pick your scene

Not sure where to begin? Tap a scene to get a story starter and three questions that help a child find their story. Each starter has a kind ending, so bedtime stays peaceful.

Who can enter, and the age-group finder

The contest is for children aged 4 to 17 who live in the Greater Toronto Area: the City of Toronto, Peel, York, Durham and Halton. There are three age groups: 4 to 5, 6 to 8 and 9 and over. The date that counts is the child's age on October 31, 2026.

Prizes and how winners are decided

In each age group, the top 3 winners win exciting prizes. Prizes are sent to the parent by email. Please read the official rules for the details.

Winners are decided by likes. A signed-in listener can like a story once per account. We want to be plain about this: it means sharing a story with grandparents, cousins and friends can affect a child's chances. Some children will enjoy that and some will not, so it is fine for a family to decide the story is the fun part and the ranking is not.

Dates and countdown

All times are Toronto time. Entries close Friday, October 30 at 11:59 pm EDT. Likes close Monday, November 2 at 11:59 pm EST. Clocks go back on November 1, which is why the second deadline is in standard time.

Help your child tell a Halloween story: 6 tips

• Start with a feeling, not a plot. Ask, "What would the moon feel like tonight?" A feeling gives a child something to build on.
• Use the three-question trick. Who is there? Where are they? What happens next? Three short answers make a story.
• Practise out loud once. A rehearsal while walking or brushing teeth is enough. Do not write a script.
• Let silly be welcome. A ghost who is afraid of pumpkins is a fine hero.
• Keep it short. Two minutes is long for a four-year-old. Thirty gentle seconds is a complete story.
• Record in a quiet corner. A blanket fort or a closet of coats makes a cosy, quiet studio. Speak close and slow.

Spooky, not scary: a guide for parents

The best Halloween stories feel like a shiver under a warm blanket. Here are some ways to keep it that way.

Story starters: the story spinner

Spin for a friendly character, a place and something that happens. Mix them in any order, or spin until one makes you smile.

Try a 2-minute practice

The timer below is for practising only. It does not use a microphone and records nothing. Tell the story out loud to a pet, a sibling or a stuffed animal.

Safety and privacy

• A parent or guardian signs in and submits the entry. Children do not make accounts for the contest.
• Publicly, we show only the child's first name and voice.
• A person on our team listens to every story before it goes public.
• To have a recording removed, write to hello@mysleepytale.com.
• Read how we handle information on our privacy page.

Please remind your child not to share a last name, address or school in the story.

Official rules and FAQ

This page is a friendly summary and is not legal advice. The official rules are the authority on eligibility, prizes and how the contest runs.

Who can enter the Halloween story contest?

Children aged 4 to 17 who live in the Greater Toronto Area (City of Toronto, Peel, York, Durham and Halton). There is also an Other option on the entry form. A parent or guardian signs in and submits the entry for the child.

Does it cost anything to enter?

No. The contest is free and no purchase is necessary.

Which date counts for the age group?

The child's age on October 31, 2026. The three groups are 4 to 5, 6 to 8 and 9 and over.

How long can the story be, and in what language?

Up to 2 minutes, in the child's own voice. Any language is welcome.

What will be shown publicly?

Only the child's first name and the recorded voice. Before anything goes public, a person on our team listens to every story.

How are winners chosen?

By likes. Signed-in listeners can like a story once per account, so sharing a story with family and friends can affect a child's chances. Please read the official rules for the full details.

What are the prizes?

Exciting prizes for the top 3 winners in each age group. Prizes are sent to the parent by email. See the official rules for the details.

When do entries and likes close?

Entries close October 30 at 11:59 pm Toronto time. Likes close November 2 at 11:59 pm Toronto time.

Can I ask for a recording to be removed?

Yes. Write to hello@mysleepytale.com and we will take care of it. Our privacy page explains how we handle information.

Other Halloween things to do in Toronto

If your family wants a night out as well, these official listings are good places to check current dates and details:

• Destination Toronto: Halloween attractions and events
• Toronto Zoo, Boo at the Zoo: check the Toronto Zoo website for dates.
• Bloor West Village: check the Bloor West Village website for Halloween events.

Listen to cozy stories first

Want to hear what a gentle, spooky-but-cozy story sounds like before you record one? Browse the My Sleepy Tale story library. Here is a sleepy cover from it.