The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is a favorite in our home. We read it every year at Halloween and our kids never seem to tire of it. This year I decided to do a bit more than read the original classic by Washington Irving. This year I wanted to add in a few activities to go along this famous folktale.
My kids love reading books that coincide with the seasons and holidays. They have favorite Halloween Poetry books, Picture Books, and Favorite Fall Books. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is one of those classic books that can easily be read for either the fall season or for Halloween.
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The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Books & Activities
Books, Audio Books, and Videos
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving is one of the first examples of American fiction writing that has since become a celebrated folk tale. Sleepy Hollow is known for being home to ghosts and spirits, the most famous of which is the terrifying Headless Horseman, a specter searching for the head he lost to a stray cannonball during the Revolutionary War. Ichabod Crane, a superstitious schoolmaster, is more concerned with earning the hand of Katrina Von Tassel than worrying about ghosts. But the local hero and bully, Brom Bones, has other ideas.
Scholastic Junior Classics: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is a great version of the traditional classic but for a slightly younger crowd.
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow: Audible Edition – Actress Glenn Close narrates this version of Washington Irving’s eerie tale.
The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad by Disney: Experience Walt Disney’s timeless classic narrated by Bing Crosby about Ichabod Crane whose comic rivalry for the affections of the town beauty leads to a heart-pounding race with the legendary Headless Horseman. This DVD also has the animated classic of The Wind in the Willows with Mr. Toad.
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Coloring Book by Dover Publications provides the full story by Washington Irving as well as amazing illustrations on each page for you to color. Our kids LOVE these Dover Coloring Books!
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Books & Activities
Go See the Play
We were thrilled to experience The Legend of Sleepy Hollow on stage and performed by local actors at the Jonesborough Repertory Theatre. The children laughed, clapped, and screamed with excitement as the story of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman was told. I am a big fan of exposing our children to the theatre when a play coincides with a book we are reading. It just adds a whole other element of experience, and love of the arts to the literature.
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Books & Activities
Carve A Pumpkin
The Headless Horseman carried a jack-o-lantern instead of a head. So, why not carve pumpkins! Our son dove into this hands-on activity with open arms. He loved it and worked tirelessly to carve the silhouette of an owl and a HALO symbol. Our daughter deemed the pumpkin innards slimy and disgusting. She refused to do anything but watch her brother. Oh well, you can’t win them all!
Additional Places to Learn About The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Teachers Pay Teachers: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Activities Bundle
Teacher’s Notebook: Legend of Sleepy Hollow Halloween Activity Packet
CurrClick: Lines of Time for The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
My son would love this book and I plan on reading it and also letting him watch a movie as we carve our Pumpkins this year. So I will be checking out all the resources you shared with us so we can add even more items to our night.
Our son loves the traditional story and it was so fun to pair it with the activities including the stage play. It really brought it to life for all of us!
Thanks so much for stopping by!