Halloween is that one time of year where scary and fun meet.

From haunted houses and princess garb to candy and pumpkin carving, all ages find the fall holiday a scream. But just how scary is too scary for kids?

“It’s kind of tricky,” says Will Stuck, children’s librarian at the East Hills library. “There’s nothing like your own imagination to scare you.”

He says that every story can be made super scary or subtle to suit an audience. The same can be said for anything during this ghoulish time of year.

Sherry Collins says that she switched from her harmless spider cupcakes to brain broth in the punch bowl when her kids aged from innocent children to thrill-seeking teens.

“It’s all about entertaining and enjoying all the fun that comes with Halloween,” says the St. Joseph mom.

There’s all kinds of spooky stuff out there, and every kid reacts differently.

“Toddlers have some difficulties differentiating between reality and fantasy,” says Dr. Theresa Humphreys, a child psychologist. “They tend to utilize the idea of magical thinking.”

Dr. Humphreys says that even though they see a sibling, friend or parent put on a costume or mask, little kids have difficulties believing that the person has not been transformed.

And the big fright component for Halloween is, of course, death. For many kids, Oct. 31 is often their first introduction to the subject.

Fear needs to be addressed at a different level for teens because they can differentiate between fear and fantasy, Dr. Humphreys says.

“Nightmare on Elm Street” and “Friday the 13th” might be cool flicks for your sophisticated teen, but little Tommy might prefer “Casper the Friendly Ghost” or “Monsters Inc.”

And for your 13- or 14-year-old who is too cool for the hayride or pumpkin patch, there are a slew of area haunted houses that can accommodate.

For little children, a haunted house could be just mildly exciting. Keep the horror out of it, but install one or two items to startle, not frighten.

Older kids will want a few more scares, so it’s OK to add the chain saw and fake blood. Just remember to keep your children’s ages in mind. Find the right fright that fits your child.