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Halloween and I have a complicated relationship, at least since I became a mom. Trick-or-treating is a fun tradition, but there aren\u2019t many healthy Halloween treats<\/a> (or even close to it). Other holidays, like Easter, share the same problem. <\/p>\n So what\u2019s a health-conscious mom to do? As I see it, I have a few options:<\/p>\n Yep \u2026 I did this!<\/p>\n I\u2019ll admit it: when my kids were all really young, I just pretended Halloween didn\u2019t exist. We didn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n I just didn\u2019t like the idea of already grumpy toddlers staying up late to go to strangers\u2019 houses and ask for candy packed with food dyes<\/a>. They didn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019t love the idea of them getting bags upon bags of candy (that will make them crazy and rot their teeth out).<\/p>\n Since I\u2019ve learned a thing or two about balance and moderation over the years, we\u2019ve moved on (a little reluctantly) from this option. I\u2019ve found my kids (and the neighborhood) can still get Halloween goodies with these non-food treat ideas.<\/p>\n Opinions differ on whether or not receiving a mountain of candy in one night provides a natural opportunity to learn self-control. I\u2019m all for kids having these life lessons. However, I\u2019m also a big believer in giving kids choices within certain boundaries set by the parent. (Hence my love for Montessori<\/a>.)<\/p>\n The Candy Fairy (or Switch Witch, take your choice) visits our house after trick-or-treating. The kids don\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n I know, I know \u2026 handing out a treat other than name-brand candy is a surefire way to get your house rolled. I promise I\u2019m not suggesting handing the kids an apple or a carton of bone broth.<\/p>\n According to the CDC<\/a>, childhood obesity rates have gone up significantly in the last few decades. They\u2019ve continued to creep up even since last year and now hover around 20 percent (higher for certain ethnicities). Wouldn\u2019t less candy given to kiddos be a positive change?<\/p>\n In fact, there are plenty of reasons to consider giving out non-candy Halloween treats:<\/p>\n 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!<\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n Surprisingly, mini airplanes<\/a> 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!<\/p>\n A consumable Halloween treat<\/a> that\u2019s practical. After walking around the neighborhood, kids may be thirsty. It still has sugar and isn\u2019t an everyday thing for us, but it makes a great treat.<\/p>\n In my opinion these taste way better than artificially flavored fruit candies! Buy them in bulk for the best price. I\u2019ve seen them at Costco for a good price, or they\u2019re available from Amazon<\/a> for a good price.<\/p>\n My kids love bouncy balls and we don\u2019t usually have them around the house because of all. the. bouncing. Grab a pack of 100<\/a> for cheaper than a big bag of candy and call it a day! They even make creepy eyeball bouncy balls<\/a>!<\/p>\n My oldest son brought home a bunch of these from a beekeepers\u2019 meeting one time and they were an instant hit with his siblings. Ideally, find some from a local beekeeper, or order online<\/a>. These are still a sweet treat, but honey\u2019s beneficial properties<\/a> make them a healthier alternative to candy.<\/p>\n 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n These fall-themed bookmarks<\/a> not only encourage reading, but kids can color them in. You can even hand out small packs of crayons to go with them.<\/p>\n A novel and practical kid favorite! Carabiners top the list<\/a> of practical gifts that can be reused, and as a bonus\u2026 they\u2019re plastic-free!<\/p>\n A practical idea for kids walking around after dark! Keychain flashlights are fun for kids and a good candy alternative if you don\u2019t live in a busy neighborhood. Order them in bulk<\/a> for a good price.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n If you just can\u2019t fathom the idea of giving out something besides candy, opt for a better kind of candy. This brand of organic lollipops<\/a> is dye-free and contains vitamin C.<\/p>\n Kids love these hilarious fake mustaches<\/a>. 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!<\/p>\n I have to say, kids have ruined stickers for me. They seem to think it\u2019s a great idea to plaster stickers on any surface to make it more festive. There\u2019s still sticker residue on their bunk beds to prove it. Since Halloween is about fun for the kids though, I\u2019ll be a sucker and order 500 stickers <\/a>to give out.<\/p>\n Bubbles are a fun activity that every kid loves. My children will play with these<\/a> for hours at a time!<\/p>\n My daughters keep these mini notebooks<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n Forget Ring Pops! These rings<\/a> light up in crazy colors and are a fun way to keep kids safe in the dark.<\/p>\n Possibly the coolest item on this list! These bone-shaped pens<\/a> are really cool and practical too!<\/p>\n A great inexpensive Halloween treat to give out that stimulates creativity. Wikki Sticks<\/a> are made from yarn and natural wax and are a mess-free creative way for kids to draw and build pictures.<\/p>\n Want to be the coolest house on the block? Give out little Lego compatible figures<\/a>!<\/p>\n I don\u2019t usually get glow sticks because of the plastic, but I\u2019ll pull them out as a special treat or candy alternative. Glow in the dark bracelets<\/a> are the most practical option because they also make kids easier to see in the dark while out trick or treating! I\u2019ve never seen a kid leave disappointed when receiving a glow bracelet instead of candy.<\/p>\n The downside? They are plastic. The upside? Puzzle balls <\/a>are a reusable treat that encourages critical thinking.<\/p>\n Practical but still cool. These crayon pens<\/a> have multiple tips and encourage creativity. Pair them with small autumn-themed coloring books.<\/p>\n Slap bracelets<\/a> were all the rage when I was a kid. Maybe they\u2019re outdated, or maybe, like many poor fashion trends of decades past, it\u2019s time for them to come back!<\/p>\n We usually make our own play dough, but pre-made mini Play-Doh containers<\/a> are a good alternative to candy! It\u2019s 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<\/a> offers a gluten-free alternative.<\/p>\n Another plastic toy, but when store-bought candy is at stake I\u2019ll compromise. This kid pleaser<\/a> adds to the spooky fun. Warning: they\u2019re as bad as Legos \u2026 inevitably I end up stepping on them in bare feet around the house for months after.<\/p>\n I remember punching these with great glee as a kid (probably in the direction of my brother\u2019s face). This perennial party favor comes in Halloween-themed colors<\/a> and encourages kids to be active and have fun!<\/p>\n These are popular with younger kids as a silly way to add to the dress-up fun of the night. They\u2019re stretchy and fun and help encourage creative play. Try these monster-themed finger puppets<\/a> that come in bulk.<\/p>\n Who doesn\u2019t 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<\/a> here.<\/p>\n 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 \u201ccompromises\u201d<\/a> since their ingredients are a lot less\u2026 scary!<\/p>\nOption #1: Ignore Halloween Completely<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Option #2: The Candy Fairy<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Option #3: Offer Healthy Non-Candy Halloween Treats<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Ideas for Non-Candy Halloween Treats (Kids Actually Like)<\/strong><\/h2>\n
1. Glider Airplanes<\/strong><\/h3>\n
2. Organic Juice Boxes<\/strong><\/h3>\n
3. Natural Fruit Leather<\/strong><\/h3>\n
4. Bouncy Balls<\/strong><\/h3>\n
5. Local Honey Sticks<\/strong><\/h3>\n
6. Stamps<\/strong><\/h3>\n
7. Themed Bookmarks<\/h3>\n
8. Carabiners<\/strong><\/h3>\n
9. Mini-Flashlights<\/strong><\/h3>\n
10. Pumpkin Oranges<\/strong><\/h3>\n
11. Organic Candy<\/strong><\/h3>\n
12. Fake Mustaches<\/strong><\/h3>\n
13. Stickers<\/strong><\/h3>\n
14. Bubbles<\/strong><\/h3>\n
15. Mini Notebooks<\/strong><\/h3>\n
16. LED Light Up Rings<\/strong><\/h3>\n
17. Skeleton Bone Pens<\/strong><\/h3>\n
18. Wikki Sticks<\/strong><\/h3>\n
19. Lego People<\/strong><\/h3>\n
20. Glow Bracelets<\/strong><\/h3>\n
21. Puzzle Balls<\/strong><\/h3>\n
22. Fancy Crayon Pens<\/strong><\/h3>\n
23. Slap Bracelets<\/strong><\/h3>\n
24. Mini Play-Doh<\/strong><\/h3>\n
25. Spooky Spider Rings<\/strong><\/h3>\n
26. Punch Balloons<\/strong><\/h3>\n
27. Finger Puppets<\/h3>\n
28. Slinkies<\/h3>\n
If You\u2019re Going to Hand Out Candy\u2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n