Halloween and I have a complicated relationship, at least since I became a mom. Trick-or-treating is a fun tradition, but there aren’t many healthy Halloween treats (or even close to it). Other holidays, like Easter, share the same problem.
So what’s a health-conscious mom to do? As I see it, I have a few 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 Halloween costume thing. Instead of a Halloween party we usually just turned out the lights and went to bed early before the trick-or-treaters would come around.
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. They didn’t need all the candy bars, candy corn, or other Halloween night junk food. Now, with more places doing trunk or treat, kids can fill up on candy without even having the benefit of walking around the neighborhood.
As my kids got older and wanted to dress up, trick-or-treating was 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. I’ve found my kids (and the neighborhood) can still get Halloween goodies with these non-food treat ideas.
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. However, I’m also 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. The kids don’t seem to mind a bit. We switch out most of the candy for a fun goodie bag of treats. Since the treat bags come from our home, this also gives me the chance to throw in some tasty goodies from better sources.
Option #3: Offer Healthy Non-Candy 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.
According to the CDC, childhood obesity rates have gone up significantly in the last few decades. They’ve continued to creep up even since last year and now hover around 20 percent (higher for certain ethnicities). Wouldn’t less candy given to kiddos be a positive change?
In fact, there are plenty of reasons to consider giving out non-candy Halloween 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 record obesity rates 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, their school, and almost everywhere they go. Do they really need bags of it?!
- Dye Sensitivities – Many kids are sensitive to food dyes and it’s 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! Walmart and your local dollar store can be some good places to find inexpensive Halloween toys. The quality can be hit or miss though, so I have details below on where to find our non-candy Halloween treat favorites.
1. Glider Airplanes
Surprisingly, mini airplanes are inexpensive and a great candy alternative. 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’s 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 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 honey’s beneficial properties make them 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. Themed Bookmarks
These fall-themed bookmarks not only encourage reading, but kids can color them in. You can even hand out small packs of crayons to go with them.
8. Carabiners
A novel and practical kid favorite! Carabiners top the list of practical gifts that can be reused, and as a bonus… they’re 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 DIY jack-o-lantern is probably best for a group of friends or a 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’s 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 500 stickers to give out.
14. Bubbles
Bubbles are a fun activity that every kid loves. My children will play with these for hours at a time!
15. Mini Notebooks
My daughters keep these mini notebooks in their mini purses so they can draw and take notes. Add a Halloween-themed pencil and eraser for an extra treat to go with their notebooks.
16. LED Light Up Rings
Forget Ring Pops! These rings light up in crazy colors and are a fun way to 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 in the dark 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. Pair them with small autumn-themed coloring books.
23. Slap Bracelets
Slap bracelets were all the rage when I was a kid. Maybe they’re outdated, or maybe, like many poor fashion trends of decades past, it’s time for them to come back!
24. Mini Play-Doh
We usually make our own play dough, but pre-made mini Play-Doh containers are a good alternative to candy! It’s stretchy, squishy, and can provide hours of fun. Play-Doh does have gluten, so be mindful of those with celiac disease or gluten allergies. This brand offers a gluten-free alternative.
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!
27. Finger Puppets
These are popular with younger kids as a silly way to add to the dress-up fun of the night. They’re stretchy and fun and help encourage creative play. Try these monster-themed finger puppets that come in bulk.
28. Slinkies
Who doesn’t remember the classic metal slinky? While you can find small metal slinkies, the plastic ones are much more affordable for handing out in bulk. Get a pack of 50 rainbow-colored ones here.
If You’re Going to Hand Out Candy…
Opt for pre-packaged treats from reputable companies that use organic or natural ingredients with few to no additives. These are my favorite healthier candy “compromises” since their ingredients 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?