Candy-Free Halloween Treats
Skip the sugary c-r-a-p. Whoever said you “had” to hand out candy on Halloween anyway? Kids will be getting PLENTY of candy this month regardless so it wouldn’t hurt, and it actually might help, if you break up the monotony by doing something a little different/fun.
Creative alternatives for trick-or-treaters…
- Bubbles, Chalk or small packs of mini play dough containers
- A mix of inexpensive Halloween-themed toys from a place like Michael’s, Oriental Trading, Target or Wal-Mart – fangs, monster finger puppets, wax lips
- Glow-in-the-Dark Rings/Bracelets
- Miniature bottles of water or all natural juice boxes (love this idea because we are always thirsty when we’re out and about trick-or-treating)
- Spooky collection of Halloween “frights” like plastic eyeballs, rubbery rats, and fake fingers
- Light-up glow sticks, which can usually be found in a pack of 15 at Michael’s or Target for only $1
- Nail Art
- Whoopee cushions or other novelty stuff
- Little things of slime
- Halloween pencils and mini activity books or pads of paper
- Toy Cars
- Crazy Straws
- Mini Lara Bars and/or packs of raisins
- Temporary tattoos and/or stickers
- Small bags of microwavable popcorn
- Fruit leathers (made with 100% fruit)
- Homemade crayons made in muffin tins in the oven (google it)
- Money
What do to with all the candy that your kid does get…
- Allow them to keep a few pieces and then trade in the rest to you for a quarter each…then off to the toy store or dollar store! (This method can be used all month-long or even all year-long)
- Keep it simple – just offer your kids the choice to trade in all their candy for a trip to the toy store or for something else they’ve been really wanting.
- Leave the bulk of the candy out on the front porch for the mysterious “Halloween Witch” who will miraculously leave a non-candy surprise (like a game or a toy) in its place…tell them the “better” the candy the “better” the surprise!
- Ship your candy off to the troops
- Or combine the best of both worlds – find a local dentist who participates in a Halloween Candy Buy Back Program because they will give you something in exchange for the candy and also ship it off to the troops for you!
