Nothing like a monstrously magical haunted house to jump start your Halloween. For a spooky-good time, the Bay Area is home to many Haunted Houses, ranging from child-friendly to down-right creepy.

If you are eyeing the big haunts such as Pirates of Emerson Haunted Theme Park, NightMARE Island, The San Francisco Dungeon, NorCal Fear, and Blind Scream, well, this might be ok for older kids, it's definitely not a haunt for the faint of heart.

I've rounded up a list of places offering fairly child-friendly haunted houses. Keep in mind that even the tamest of these can become sensory overload to an imaginative child, so always come prepared with a backup plan. 

Tam Valley Haunted House, Nightmares, Face Your Fears, open October 23, 24, and 25th, 3:30-4:30pm Not scary for under 8, 5-6:30pm Scary Over 9, 7:30-9pm HORRIFYING, 203 Marin Avenue, Mill Valley.

Novato Horsemen Haunted House, October 23, 24 and 30 on 600 Bugeia Lane in Novato.

Scream on the Green Faire, Saturday, October 24th 10 a.m.to 5 p.m. & Sunday October 25th 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. "Chamber of Horrors" Haunted House. Other festivities include a Costume Contest, Music, Artisan Booths, Children's Play Area, Food & Beverages, Sherman Avenue and the Civic Green complex, Novato.

Haunted Stinson Beach Boardwalk, October 31st ONLY, 5:30-10p, fortune teller, vortex tunnel, costume parade, games, trick or treating and more! Stinson Beach Community Center.

Haunted House, October 31st ONLY, 4:15pm, child friendly, Come see what spooky terrors lurk in this year’s inception of the annual Sausalito Haunted House. They’re dying . . . to meet you, City Hall Game Room, Sausalito City Hall.

Nightmare on Cherry Street, open every night in October, 6-9pm Sat/Sun 12pm, Thriller Flash Mob planned. Wanna get involved, check out the link for more information. Directions: 101N, take the Atherton/San Marin exit. Right on Atherton. Right on Armstrong. Slight left onto Cherry. If 101S, take the Atherton/San Marin exit. Left on Atherton. Right on Armstrong. Slight left onto Cherry. 663 Cherry Street.

Novato Cemetery, scene display with lights and radio broadcast on channel 87.9FM. Dusk to 10:30pm, 500 Sunset Drive, Novato.

House of Screams, ages 5-15, Get ready to scream as you enter the scariest haunted house in Berkeley. Come join in the fun as we have a ghastly and ghoulish good time. Get your best Halloween outfit ready for an evening of music, food, carnival games, fun and fright. Berkeley.

Jelly Belly Factory Hunted House, A fun, family-friendly, tour addition! Jelly Belly sets up its annual haunted house! Part of the free daily tour! Daily through Halloween, October 31st. Check calendar for details, Jelly Belly Visitor Center, One Jelly Belly Lane, Fairfield.

Do you know any other great child-friendly haunted houses? Please leave a comment below.