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- Option #1: Ignore Halloween Completely
- Option #2: The Candy Fairy
- Option #3: Offer Healthy Halloween Treats
Ideas for Non-Candy Halloween Treats (Kids Actually Like)+−
- 1. Glider Airplanes
- 2. Organic Juice Boxes
- 3. Natural Fruit Leather
- 4. Bouncy Balls
- 5. Local Honey Sticks
- 6. Stamps
- 7. Apple Cider Packets
- 8. Carabiners
- 9. Mini-Flashlights
- 10. Pumpkin Oranges
- 11. Organic Candy
- 12. Fake Mustaches
- 13. Stickers
- 14. Bubbles
- 15. Mini Notebooks
- 16. LED Light Up Rings
- 17. Skeleton Bone Pens
- 18. Wikki Sticks
- 19. Lego People
- 20. Glow Bracelets
- 21. Puzzle Balls
- 22. Fancy Crayon Pens
- 23. Slap Bracelets
- 24. Mini Play Dough
- 25. Spooky Spider Rings
- 26. Punch Balloons
- If You’re Going to Hand Out Candy…
Halloween and I have a complicated relationship, at least since I became a mom. Take trick-or-treating, for instance. It’s a fun tradition, but there certainly aren’t too many healthy Halloween treats (or even close to it). Easter and a few other holidays require some similar soul-searching.
So what’s a health-conscious mom to do? As I see it, I have a couple of options:
Option #1: Ignore Halloween Completely
Yep … I did this!
I’ll admit it: when my kids were all really young, I just pretended Halloween didn’t exist. We didn’t do the trick or treating thing or the costume thing. In fact, we usually just turned out the lights and went to bed early on trick-or-treating night.
I just didn’t like the idea of already grumpy toddlers staying up late to go to strangers’ houses and ask for candy packed with food dyes.
As my kids get older and want to dress up, trick-or-treating is harder to avoid. On the one hand, I completely understand the fun tradition of wearing a costume and spending time with friends. On the other, I don’t love the idea of them getting bags upon bags of candy (that will make them crazy and rot their teeth out).
Since I’ve learned a thing or two about balance and moderation over the years, we’ve moved on (a little reluctantly) from this option.
Option #2: The Candy Fairy
Opinions differ on whether or not receiving a mountain of candy in one night provides a natural opportunity to learn self-control. I’m all for kids having these life lessons, but I’m a big believer in giving kids choices within certain boundaries set by the parent. (Hence my love for Montessori.)
The Candy Fairy (or Switch Witch, take your choice) visits our house after trick-or-treating and the kids don’t seem to mind a bit. We switch out the majority of the candy for a fun grab bag of treats. Since they come from our home, this also gives me the chance to throw some tasty edibles from better sources.
Option #3: Offer Healthy Halloween Treats
I know, I know … handing out a treat other than name-brand candy is a surefire way to get your house rolled. I promise, I’m not suggesting handing the kids an apple or a carton of bone broth.
Still, since childhood obesity rates are around 17% in the U.S. (and thankfully holding steady for the last few years), wouldn’t less candy given to kids be a positive change?
In fact, there plenty of reasons to consider giving out non-candy treats:
- Food Allergies – Food allergies are on the rise and many popular types of candy contain peanuts and other allergens. I know quite a few moms who can’t let their kids trick or treat because of potential peanut exposure. (Proof this is a real trend: The Teal Pumpkin Project.)
- Too Much Sugar – With high rates of obesity and other health problems, especially among youth, I can’t in good conscience hand out tons of sugary candy. The 80/20 rule is great and there may be a time and a place for treats. The problem is that time seems to be all the time. And the place seems to be everywhere. Kids get candy at the bank, the doctor, school, and almost everywhere they go. Do they really need bags of it?!
- Dye Sensitivities – Many kids are sensitive to food dyes and it is tough to avoid them in most types of candy.
- Orthodontics – Candy and sugary snacks aren’t good for teeth and can stick to braces and other mouthpieces.
- Easier on Parents – When you give out non-candy Halloween treats, you save parents the trouble of checking for anything harmful in the candy.
True, non-candy treats may not make your house the most popular stop in the neighborhood, but there are some really fun alternatives to candy that are definitely kid-approved. And all the other families who are trying to limit sugar or who are sensitive to food dyes will thank you!
Ideas for Non-Candy Halloween Treats (Kids Actually Like)
These are the top healthy Halloween treats I keep in my stash. Bonus: If you have some leftover, most of these will keep until next year!
1. Glider Airplanes
Surprisingly, mini airplanes are inexpensive and a great alternative to candy. My brother loved these when we were little and would have taken one of these over candy any day!
2. Organic Juice Boxes
A consumable Halloween treat that is practical. After walking around the neighborhood, kids may be thirsty. It still has sugar and isn’t an everyday thing for us, but it makes a great treat.
3. Natural Fruit Leather
In my opinion these taste way better than artificially flavored fruit candies! Buy them in bulk for the best price. I’ve seen them at Costco for a good price, or they’re available from Thrive Market or Amazon for a good price.
4. Bouncy Balls
My kids love bouncy balls and we don’t usually have them around the house because of all. the. bouncing. Grab a pack of 100 for cheaper than a big bag of candy and call it a day! They even make creepy eyeball bouncy balls!
5. Local Honey Sticks
My oldest son brought home a bunch of these from a beekeepers’ meeting one time and they were an instant hit with his siblings. Ideally find some from a local beekeeper, or order online. These are still a sweet treat, but the beneficial properties in honey make it a healthier alternative to candy.
6. Stamps
My littles spend hours stamping pictures on paper and they gave me the idea for this candy alternative. Stamps are also cheaper than candy when you get them in bulk.
7. Apple Cider Packets
I’m hoping it will cool down by Halloween, and if it does, kids will love something to warm them up after walking around. Even better, this brand uses pretty decent ingredients!
8. Carabiners
A novel and practical kid favorite! Carabiners top the list of practical gifts that can be reused, and as a bonus… they are plastic free!
9. Mini-Flashlights
A practical idea for kids walking around after dark! Keychain flashlights are fun for kids and a good candy alternative if you don’t live in a busy neighborhood. Order them in bulk for a good price.
10. Pumpkin Oranges
Feeling crafty? Get some organic oranges and use a natural marker to draw some pumpkin faces on the peel. This is probably best for a group of friends or close-knit neighborhood where people trust an unwrapped offering.
11. Organic Candy
If you just can’t fathom the idea of giving out something besides candy, opt for a better kind of candy. This brand of organic lollipops is dye-free and contains vitamin C.
12. Fake Mustaches
Kids love these hilarious fake mustaches. I brought a few packs of fake mustaches to a costume party for adults once and the next morning we woke up and found all of the kids in mustaches too! For a holiday that requires a costume, these are fun to give out!
13. Stickers
I have to say, kids have ruined stickers for me. They seem to think it’s a great idea to plaster stickers on any surface to make it more festive. (There is still sticker residue on their bunk beds to prove it.) Since Halloween is about fun for the kids though, I’ll be a sucker and order 1000 of them really inexpensively for treats to give out.
14. Bubbles
Bubbles are a fun activity that every kid loves. My children will play with these for hours a time!
15. Mini Notebooks
My daughters keep these mini notebooks in their mini purses so they can draw and take notes.
16. LED Light Up Rings
Forget Ring Pops! These rings light up in crazy colors and are a fun way keep kids safe in the dark.
17. Skeleton Bone Pens
Possibly the coolest item on this list! These bone-shaped pens are really cool and practical too!
18. Wikki Sticks
A great inexpensive Halloween treat to give out that stimulates creativity. Wikki Sticks are made from yarn and natural wax and are a mess-free creative way for kids to draw and build pictures.
19. Lego People
Want to be the coolest house on the block? Give out little Lego compatible figures!
20. Glow Bracelets
I don’t usually get glow sticks because of the plastic, but I’ll pull them out as a special treat or candy alternative. Glow bracelets are the most practical option because they also make kids easier to see in the dark while out trick or treating! I’ve never seen a kid leave disappointed when receiving a glow bracelet instead of candy.
21. Puzzle Balls
The downside? They are plastic. The upside? Puzzle balls are a reusable treat that encourages critical thinking.
22. Fancy Crayon Pens
Practical but still cool. These crayon pens have multiple tips and encourage creativity.
23. Slap Bracelets
Slap bracelets were all the rage when I was a kid. Maybe they are outdated, or maybe, like many poor fashion trends of decades past, it’s time for them to come back!
24. Mini Play Dough
We usually make our own play dough, but pre-made mini play dough containers are a good alternative to candy!
25. Spooky Spider Rings
Another plastic toy, but when store-bought candy is at stake I’ll compromise. This kid pleaser adds to the spooky fun. Warning: they’re as bad as Legos … inevitably I end up stepping on them in bare feet around the house for months after.
26. Punch Balloons
I remember punching these with great glee as a kid (probably in the direction of my brother’s face). This perennial party favor comes in Halloween-themed colors and encourages kids to be active and have fun!
If You’re Going to Hand Out Candy…
Opt for pre-packaged treats from reputable companies who use organic or natural ingredients with few to no additives. These are my favorite healthier candy “compromises” since their ingredient lists are a lot less… scary!
What’s your policy on candy on Halloween? Which healthy Halloween treats would you like to see your kids bring home?
Skeleton pen not a good idea a child can fall on it and impale themselves
Kids run around a lot and can fall and jab themselves
I love the environmentally friendly, low sugar choices! Last year I gave out little bags of non-gmo popcorn with a little Himalayan salt and dill. The kids loved it! I also had some Halloween pencils and erasers.
Why cant we just let kids have fun. Why are you trying to ruin Halloween. Yse common sense out there but dont go overboard and ruin Halloween.
Why is big industry trying to ruin our health by telling us we need to consume insane amounts of sugar on halloween, valentines day, birthdays, the weekend, and every other day that is “tradition”?
Love this! I’m posting a blog on allergy friendly Halloween treats and will be sure to link to this!
A word of warning on the glow sticks. ..someone in our neighborhood gave those out last year, and it easily came open and the (highly toxic) stuff inside squirted into my daughter’s eye. We had a pretty traumatic 20 minutes afterwards, but after 2 of us holding a screaming child under the faucet and a call to the pediatrician we were lucky she was okay.
A few years ago, I decided because of the name brand chocolate companies and child slave labor, that I was not going to be a part of it. Of course, there is also the issue of health. So, I started to give out organic fruit strips and Annie’s Organic cheddar bunnies. Yes, there is wheat in the bunnies but I figured it was still a step forward. I think I might stick with just the fruit strips from now on, though and use some of your ideas also, Katie, so thank you for the list! I know most of the kids don’t care or know better anyhow, but I do, so I try to be a leader, rather than a follower. Plus, the kids seemed to like what I was giving out, something different. 🙂
How would you package these individually for handing out at Halloween?
This is great but what do you do with the candy they cone home with?
We do a trade. They know we are doing this before we ever go to anything where they may be receiving a lot of candy. They’re told that they will get to choose x amount of pieces to keep for themselves, but for every other piece, they get money in return (maybe a dime for each piece of candy) that they can use to buy a parent approved item with. Another idea instead of a trade. . . I also saw a dentist office once that collected candy from kids on Halloween to be shipped off to American soldiers overseas. I know it’s not healthy for them either, but I’m sure a welcome treat given the conditions they are in.
This is exactly what we do! And in cities there are usually places collecting candy for the soldiers. One idea that my dentist does (which I love) is to hand out kids toothbrushes. It works a lot b/c she is a dentist, but if your neighborhood isn’t too big you could do it too!
When we buy our kids candy, my husband takes it to work and leaves it in the kitchen for the staff to eat.
I used to trade the kids their candy for a basket contains granola bars, gum, a movie, books, etc. They loved it. When they got older, we traded a dime for each piece of candy. They would have trick or treating with cousin and the next used their money towards something they actually wanted..and Their father would take it to work for coworkers.
Donate it. I gave mine to operation gratitude which ships goodies to soldiers. I also give them the tooth brushes and mini toothpastes the dentists gives me.
This might be a little cruel, but I am going to ask my daughter to donate her candies to the homeless who is always sitting at an intersection near my office. He is a sweet guy (Edward) and ALWAYS hungry. Once I got him a protein bar and he was really happy about it. SO, This year, I’ll ask my daughter to give him as much candy as she can part with! And maybe perhaps a chewing gum and mouthwash for Edward? What do you think?
I never comment but this is just self absorbed and offensive. The cruel part isn’t that you aren’t letting your kid eat candy once a year, but that you’d consider it good enough to serve as actual sustenance for someone else. If you don’t feel good giving it to your child, why do you consider it kind to give it to Edward?
I absolutely agree with this. I don’t feel good about giving this trash to ANYONE, not just my kids. How awful to unload this onto someone of lower means.
I love your non-candy suggestions because we have a peanut allergy in our house. However if you’re gonna hand out candy, just buy whatever works. Ultimately you don’t need to spend a bunch of money to be a single organic treat in their giant bag of crap. I dislike the sugar overload and the fake crud but it is one day a year.
Great ideas! We’ve done the all natural candy before, but pricey as we give out close to 100 pieces a yr. As for my own children, we choose not to celebrate Halloween for religious reasons, but we aquire an enormous amount of candy from other holidays and parades and festivals. I do not let my children eat it, but we make large gingerbread houses the week before Christmas, grandparents come for the event, and each child uses their candy collection from the year to make their house. They have favorite types they like to use, trade each other and target getting those at events. It makes candy fun again, and not toxic.
Those honey sticks have artificial colour in them? I thought that was one thing to avoid?
Thank you for saying something about the junky Halloween candy!! Not only do I struggle with what we give out, but how to deal with letting my kids tricker treat and getting all that candy! My kids are still young enough where going to ten houses is totally fine with them (But I think our time is numbered with that) and last year we bought the candy from them and they then went to the local toy store and bought a toy. I am starting to wonder how long this trade will last. Do you let your kids tricker treat? Does anyone have other ideas for how to handle all that junk they get? I don’t want to be the mom who does not let her kids tricker treat, but I don’t want them eating all that garbage either.
Do the Switch Witch. Leave the candy for the switch witch- she looooves candy and she’ll leave you a toy if you leave your candy for her! Last year the Switch Witch left a bubble machine for my son. I also buy some better quality candy (Unreal, Justin’s, YummiEarh oragnics, maple candy) to have on hand if my kids did ask for candy. Luckily they are too young to really get it. But if your kids do want candy, maybe they could trade a few pieces in for better quality candy with you. And either leave the rest for the switch witch, or let them donate it. Some dentist offices will pay you for your candy,
There is a page on Facebook called Soldiers Angels. You can donate your candy to the troops. This can be a way for your children to thank the soldiers and feel good about giving.