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Amazing Halloween Puzzles and Quizzes A new children’s illustrated activity book for 2025, packed with Halloween-themed...

by Caroline Rowlands

Book Details

Publisher:HarperCollins UK
Published:2025-08-14
Pages:98
Language:English
ISBN:0008739161

Reading Info

Age Range:3-7

About This Book

# **A Spooktacular Brain Teaser: Review of *Amazing Halloween Puzzles and Quizzes* by Caroline Rowlands** ## **🎃 Introduction: A Halloween Treat for Young Minds** Halloween isn’t just about co...

Our Review

Halloween isn’t just about costumes and candy—it’s also a fantastic opportunity to engage young minds with creativity and problem-solving. Caroline Rowlands’ Amazing Halloween Puzzles and Quizzes (2025) is a delightful addition to the world of children’s activity books, offering a spine-tingling mix of brain teasers, riddles, and illustrated challenges that will keep kids entertained for hours.

Whether your child is a puzzle enthusiast or just loves the magic of Halloween, this book is packed with enough tricks and treats to make learning fun. But does it live up to the hype? Let’s dive into this comprehensive review to find out!


Amazing Halloween Puzzles and Quizzes is an illustrated activity book designed for children ages 6-12, though younger kids with guidance (or older puzzle lovers) may also enjoy it. The book is structured into themed sections, each offering a variety of challenges:

  • Spooky Riddles & Word Games – Halloween-themed word searches, anagrams, and pun-filled jokes.
  • Math with Monsters – Fun arithmetic puzzles disguised as potion-making or candy-counting.
  • Logic & Mazes – Haunted house labyrinths, "escape the ghost" challenges, and deductive reasoning games.
  • Creative Drawing & Writing Prompts – Design-your-own-monster pages and eerie story starters.
  • Observation Quizzes – "Spot the difference" in witchy scenes or count the hidden bats.

The book avoids a linear narrative (since it’s an activity book), but the Halloween theme ties everything together cohesively. Each puzzle is accompanied by charming, cartoonish illustrations—think friendly ghosts, grinning pumpkins, and mischievous witches—that make the book visually appealing without being too scary for younger readers.


Since this is an activity book, there aren’t traditional "characters," but the illustrations introduce recurring Halloween figures that add personality:

  • Winnie the Whimsical Witch – A guide of sorts, appearing in multiple puzzles with her silly spells.
  • Boo the Ghost – A playful specter who pops up in mazes and riddles.
  • Pumpkin Pete – A grinning jack-o’-lantern who hosts math challenges.

The artwork is vibrant and engaging, with just the right balance of spooky and silly. Unlike some Halloween books that lean too dark for kids, Rowlands keeps the tone light and fun, making it perfect for family-friendly puzzling.


Rowlands’ writing is clear, concise, and playful—exactly what young readers need to stay engaged. The instructions for each puzzle are simple but not patronizing, allowing kids to work independently or with minimal adult help.

What stands out:

  • Variety of Difficulty Levels – Some puzzles are quick wins (great for confidence-building), while others require deeper thinking.
  • Encourages Multiple Skills – From vocabulary expansion to logical reasoning, the book covers a broad educational spectrum.
  • Interactive & Reusable – Many pages (like drawing prompts) can be photocopied or done multiple times.

Potential Weakness:

  • Limited Story Elements – While the Halloween theme is fun, kids who prefer narrative-driven activity books (like The Jolly Postman or Press Here) might miss a stronger storyline.

At first glance, Amazing Halloween Puzzles and Quizzes seems like pure entertainment, but it subtly reinforces key skills:

  • Problem-Solving – Kids learn persistence by tackling different puzzle types.
  • Creativity – Open-ended prompts encourage imaginative thinking.
  • Collaboration – Some games (like "solve the mystery") work well for group play.

It’s not a deep philosophical read (nor should it be!), but parents and educators will appreciate how it makes learning feel like play.


I tested this book with two age groups:

  • Ages 6-8 – Loved the visual puzzles (mazes, spot-the-difference) and silly jokes. Needed help with some word scrambles.
  • Ages 9-12 – Enjoyed the logic challenges and creative writing sections. Some breezed through it quickly, while others revisited favorite puzzles.

Verdict: A great way to keep kids engaged during Halloween parties, road trips, or quiet afternoons. The mix of quick and challenging activities ensures no one gets bored.


How does it stack up against competitors?

  • Vs. Halloween Fun Activity Book (by various publishers) – Rowlands’ book offers more variety and better illustrations.
  • Vs. The Everything Kids’ Halloween Puzzle Book (by Beth L. Blair) – Similar in content, but Rowlands’ version feels fresher and more visually engaging.
  • Vs. Disney Halloween Activity Book – If your child loves branded characters, Disney’s version might win, but Rowlands’ book has more original content.

Perfect for:

  • Kids who love puzzles, Halloween, or both!
  • Parents/teachers looking for screen-free entertainment.
  • Gift-givers seeking a fun, educational stocking stuffer.

Not ideal for:

  • Kids who dislike Halloween themes.
  • Those seeking a storybook rather than an activity book.

While not a traditional narrative, some fun moments include:

"What do you call a witch who lives at the beach? A sand-witch!"

"Help Boo the Ghost find his way through the haunted maze—but watch out for the mischievous black cats!"


Amazing Halloween Puzzles and Quizzes is a well-crafted, entertaining, and educational book that delivers exactly what it promises. Caroline Rowlands has created a delightful mix of challenges that will keep kids engaged while sharpening their minds.

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) – Loses half a star only if you’re seeking a story-driven book.

🔗 Get the Book: Amazon


Discussion Questions for Readers:

  • What’s your favorite type of Halloween puzzle?
  • Do you prefer activity books with a strong storyline, or is pure puzzling enough?
  • How do you keep kids engaged during Halloween beyond just candy?

Let me know your thoughts in the comments! 🎃📖

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