Halloween is fast approaching. You can help make this season extra special for your children by getting them in the spooky spirit with some great Halloween reading, viewing and hands-on activities.

Eerie reading

Check out "Professor Gargoyle: Tales From Lovecraft Middle School #1," by Charles Gilman, the first in a new series about the strange world of a creepy middle school.

With a science teacher who morphs into a monster before you even open the book, this is one book you can judge by its cover, and it may also inspire a great costume.

A nod to H.P. Lovecraft, the iconic horror author of the 20th century, this book is ideal for boys and girls ages 10 and older. Details: lovecraftmiddleschool.com.

Frightful viewing

Make a movie night at home with some popcorn and an old classic like "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown," or take the kids to the theater for a new tale. "Hotel Transylvania," for example, a 3-D computer-animated film starring Adam Sandler and Selena Gomez, will make Dracula fun for kids.

Creepy crafting

Encourage your children to go the do-it-yourself route this year. Not only are homemade costumes so much more unique than store-bought costumes, they can be inexpensive to create and are a lot more satisfying to show off to friends.

Great crafting ideas abound on the Internet, including costumes that require no sewing. Details: parenting.com.

Make this Halloween a memorable one for kids with some great new reads, films and crafts.