Join the DARKNESS SYNDICATE for the ad-free version: https://weirddarkness.com/syndicate

From toddlers casually chatting with deceased relatives to the ghostly cries of orphaned children still echoing through abandoned buildings, tonight's stories explore the unsettling connection between children and the paranormal through real accounts from terrified parents, witnesses, and those who were once haunted children themselves.

Take the WEIRD DARKNESS LISTENER SURVEY and help mold the future of the podcast: https://weirddarkness.com/survey

IN THIS EPISODE: It's been said that kids are more open to the supernatural, perhaps because their minds haven't been closed off to the possibilities that ghosts really exist. That makes stories about childhood hauntings even creepier. The real stories I'll be sharing in this episode include ghosts encountered by kids of all ages. The stories might convince you that the nightlight your child insists stay on in the bedroom, needs to stay on for a reason.  (Haunted Children) *** There's something inherently chilling about old orphanages. Maybe it's the fact that scary orphanage stories abound - after all, the buildings are associated with heartbroken and lonely children. And not all of these tales concern the living. Plenty of real life ghost stories feature orphanages filled with restless and vengeful child spirits. (Orphanage Ghosts) *** And what should you do if your child says they see a ghost? Do you tell them there is no such thing? Do you encourage them to believe more fully? What’s the right thing to do? A couple of child psychologists have a few ideas on what you can do. 
(What To Do When Your Child Sees a Ghost)
CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…
00:00:00.000 = Lead-In
00:02:33.056 = Show Open
00:04:25.859 = The Psychic Child
00:16:05.102 = Haunted Children
00:32:28.896 = More Haunted Children
00:58:26.139 = Orphanage Ghosts
01:10:31.608 = What To Do When Your Child Sees A Ghost
01:16:58.615 = Show Close
SOURCES AND RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE…
“Haunted Children” by Amanda Sedlak-Hevener for Ranker: https://tinyurl.com/ycu2wcfp; and from The Every Mom: https://tinyurl.com/ya42v2lq
“Orphanage Ghosts” by Elle Tharp for Graveyard Shift: https://tinyurl.com/ybtnfowq
“What To Do When Your Child Sees a Ghost” by Rosemary Counter for The Washington Post:https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/mrcjp7xk
=====(Over time links may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)= = = = ="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46= = = = =WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2025, Weird Darkness.=====Originally aired: October 27, 2021
EPISODE PAGE at WeirdDarkness.com (includes list of sources): https://weirddarkness.com/hauntedchildren
ABOUT WEIRD DARKNESS: Weird Darkness is a true crime and paranormal podcast narrated by professional award-winning voice actor, Darren Marlar. Seven days per week, Weird Darkness focuses on all thing strange and macabre such as haunted locations, unsolved mysteries, true ghost stories, supernatural manifestations, urban legends, unsolved or cold case murders, conspiracy theories, and more. On Thursdays, this scary stories podcast features horror fiction along with the occasional creepypasta. Weird Darkness has been named one of the “Best 20 Storytellers in Podcasting” by Podcast Business Journal. Listeners have described the show as a cross between “Coast to Coast” with Art Bell, “The Twilight Zone” with Rod Serling, “Unsolved Mysteries” with Robert Stack, and “In Search Of” with Leonard Nimoy.DISCLAIMER: Ads heard during the podcast that are not in my voice are placed by third party agencies outside of my control and should not imply an endorsement by Weird Darkness or myself. *** Stories and content in Weird Darkness can be disturbing for some listeners and intended for mature audiences only. Parental discretion is strongly advised.
NOTE: Some of this content may have been created with assistance from AI tools, but it has been reviewed, edited, narrated, produced, and approved by Darren Marlar, creator and host of Weird Darkness — who, despite popular conspiracy theories, is NOT an AI voice.
#KidsSeeingGhosts #GhostChildren #HauntedOrphanages #ParanormalKids #TrueGhostStories #CreepyKids #RealParanormal #WeirdDarkness #GhostEncounters #HauntedChildren