The other day on my Facebook page I said, "What is everyone handing out for Halloween this year? We're doing our usual - glow sticks. I'd love to feature some of your new and creative (non-candy) ideas on the Charlotte Today show later this week!" And I got a barrage of comments, many of which simply answered the question, but also included some of the following...
- "I'm sorry, but it's Halloween and they're children. We give out candy."
- "This crosses the line. Too much. It's once a year!"
- "If you don't want to hand out candy, replace it with a healthy alternative treat. But substituting junk food with junky plastic crap isn't much better in my opinion."
First of all, I NEVER said my kids don't get to eat candy on Halloween night. The problem is this: When some people hear that I hand out glow sticks instead of candy they make assumptions and then say (in the comments), "Oh give me a break Halloween is just once a year so let kids be kids!" But when you eat gobs of candy on Halloween night and then continue to eat the rest of the candy for weeks (or months) to come how is it still counted as "just one night?" I have no problem with my children OD'ing on whatever candy they want on Halloween night - and that's actually what they do - with no limits or constraints from me. But then we actually live up to Halloween being "just one night" and get rid of what's left (with the exception of maybe 5 or so pieces for "later").
So my thought process is that children will still get PLENTY of candy on Halloween even if a few of us decide to hand out something different. Not to mention there are lots of FUN alternatives to candy (see below) that I doubt will deprive any child from just being a "kid." Now, that's just my two cents on the topic. I occasionally have a hard time when commenters criticize me for something I don't even do (i.e. not let my kids trick or treat for candy) - so just had to vent about that for a moment. :)
Secondly, how many kids actually EAT every single piece of Halloween candy? Don't the uneaten pieces (along with the wrappers from the others) end up in the land fill anyway? I promise I'm not personally a huge fan of little plastic "made in China" gadgets either, but I didn't invent Halloween and like it or not it's all about handing SOMETHING out. I personally have a hard time seeing how a little skeleton paratrooper is a whole lot different than gobs of candy wrappers in the land fill. Your thoughts on this?
Anyway, now that I got that off my chest let's get into the fun alternatives that I had a chance to share on the Charlotte Today show yesterday!
Candy-Free Ideas for Trick or Treaters
Want to Save this Recipe?
Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you'll get great new recipes from us every week!
- Festive Toys: Witch Fingers (8 cents/each) and Skeleton Paratroopers (28 cents/each) - found at Party City or Target or online.
-
Online Finds: Finger Lights (12 cents/each) and Syringe Pens (22 cents/each).
-
Themed Jokes and Trivia: Lunchbox Love Cards - something different (20 cents/each)!
And since they are a partner of ours you can get 20% off with coupon code "100DAYS" -
Coins: Mostly pennies - mix in some dimes and nickels and tell them to close their eyes before picking!
-
Glow sticks: My personal favorite and what I am handing out again this year (7 cents/each) - found in the dollar section at Target.
-
Drinks: Small bottled waters (81 cents/each) and/or organic juice pouches (75 cents/each) because we all know those trick or treaters get thirsty running around the whole neighborhood.
-
If you still really want candy: How about organic lollipops (9 cents/each) or fruit leathers/twists (83 cents/each) without artificial dyes or other questionable additives?
- What do to with all that candy at the end of the night? Invite the Switch Witch over! A big thanks to blog reader Catherine for sharing this poem with us.
What are your plans for Halloween night?
Amanda says
I think glow sticks are a marvelous idea. The kids will get plenty of candy so why not have some fun toys to go along with it. To those who trash their candy, our local USO has drop offs for unwanted candy and ship it to the troops overseas. It's worth checking into if you can put a smile on someone's face!
Julie says
My husband's birthday is on Halloween, so our daughters (ages 5 & 6) always spend the night at their grandparent's house, handing out candy. They've never been all that interested in actually going trick or treating (i think they find it kind of scary), so we've never taken them. They always have a party at school and they love dressing up to hand out the treats. There's certainly a lot of candy around, but we do try to limit how much they have.
I personally find the Switch Witch annoying. If you don't want your kids to eat all that candy why even go trick or treating in the first place? There are neighborhoods that get tons of kids each year and the residents spend a fair amount of money on all that candy. Some people donate their candy, but i don't really get that either -- NO ONE needs it!!! Why not just come up with some new traditions and take the focus off of trick or treating and the candy???
When i was a kid, my parents took us to a few relatives and family friends houses to trick or treat. Not only did we get yummy, homemade candy (popcorn balls, peanut butter balls, etc... ), it was a chance to visit with people we loved. Those are some of my fondest memories.
Carla says
I just found cute little boxes of Halloween temporary tattoos at Aldi's. Packaged for handing out to trick-or-treaters they get 12 tattoos in a box. I think I will give kids a choice, just to see which is more appealing?
Maryjean says
Same here! Our neighborhood has a block party every year, half the houses give out candy and the other half give out fun toys. Our kids go crazy playing games, eating candy, and playing with their friends! When Halloween is over...it's over! Candy gets thrown away but they keep the cute toys. I give out glow-in-the-dark teeth, and they are always a hit!
Kristen Ruhlin says
Great ideas! I was thinking of this actually, as our 8 month old is too young for the sugar and as someone whose own mom didn't give them sugar till I was 4 (I don't have a sweet tooth to this day and never did, thanks mom), I think it's a great idea!!
michelle says
Last year I did an experiment, I put fun pencils in a bowl along with the candy. And then I let the kids choose. Way more chose the pencils than the candy. It was a win. I wasn't forcing the kids to take the pencils and leave the candy. They made the choice themselves.
Lostlisa00 says
My kids love candy but their favorite houses to go to are the ones that hand out items other than candy.
Maria B says
Yes, it's Halloween and kids usually expect candy these days, so I started doing half and half. I'll pick one or two candy items and then also throw in pencils with cool designs, little erasers and pencil sharpeners. I let the kids pick two things - and guess what? More than half will pick two non-candy items! We always run out of the non-candy items and have leftover candy. So you're on to something, Lisa! My kids would love to get a glow stick - what a cool idea!
Annie B says
My kids LOVED the little toys they got. Neither was overwhelmed with joy by candy, but the little rings, stickers, etc., seemed super exciting to them. But tgen I also never had to monitor their candy. They would eat a few pieces then just forget about the rest.
Jill says
Check out Switch Witch! Adorable doll/book for your solution for too much halloween candy!!!
http://www.switch-witch.com
Megan says
Don't let other people get you down! Your decision is yours to make, and it's fine whatever it is. If people don't like it they don't have to come to your house to trick or treat.
For the past few years we've given out individual sized bags of pretzels. Still not "real" food, but better than candy, IMO. I never, ever, ever ate all of the candy I got as a kid - nor should I have. I think you do a good job of balancing the love and enjoyment of food and treats (which are important!) with the desire to feed your children well and teach them good habits for the future.
(For the record, Halloween is probably one of my least favorite holidays so I may be biased. The idea of kids dressing up in costumes is fun but adult costume parties and candy-gorging hold zero appeal for me. It's a speed bump I have to get over before Thanksgiving and the winter holidays.)
Terri Harrison says
I'm with you. Candy is ok every now and then, but lets be for real. The mother load my kids bring home can feed an orphanage and its not good for them. Its our job as parents to monitor there candy intake. Thanks for spicing it up.
Silvia says
Lisa, your blog is fantastic, your cookbook is inspiring and your Facebook page is a whole lot of fun (usually). You have saved my children from turkey and cheese sandwiches every day of their schooling. It's nice that you make an attempt to respond politely and creatively to your critics but I think you don't have to address people who just want to be contrarian.
There's no such thing as 'just once', candy isn't special anymore, its everywhere, you can buy it in a gas-station. The stretch between Halloween and New Years has become a totally insane round of treat giving which is not good for anybody. I applaud your efforts in regards to avoiding at least some of this madness.
Kate says
I give out mini 1oz containers of play dough. I usually find them at Target or Party City, though I have seen them all over. They run about $.40 each. I've got into the habit of keeping a lookout for sales throughout the year and can get them even cheaper.
Here's a like to the 1oz play dough party pack at Target: http://m.target.com/p/play-doh-party-bag/-/A-14782683
My view on candy vs non candy Halloween treats stems from a larger desire to try and not use food (or candy) as a reward or treat. I've struggled with an unhealthy relationship with food and am always seeking non food ways to celebrate and splurge. I am completely on board with a day or week of candy at Halloween, but it is just as fun for kids to dump out their "treats" at the end of trick or treating and see fun non candy surprises as part of their evening loot.
Mandy says
I personally appreciate people who hand out something besides candy. I have a child who has food allergies to everything and cannot have candy but because he has been trick or treating in previous years and has an older sibling who goes then I cannot tell him he can't go so he is gonna get to trade in his candy for a prize from me and then we will also take his candy to the dentist office to trade in as well. And by the way, the people who are commenting that it's only one time a year, well actually it's not cause you have Halloween then there are thanksgiving parties at some schools which give out more candy and then of course Christmas candy and then Valentines comes along as well as Easter. Am I forgetting any? So it is not unreasonable at all to limit candy intake because kids are getting candy for every single holiday on top of any time there are rewards at school or snacks after sports. And let's not forget that my child is offered candy every single time he goes to Church. So thank you to the people who actually do something besides candy! :)
Dawn says
We pass out at a trunk or treat and I wanted something different. My kids and I decided on packets of hot chocolate. It not real and laden with sugar but it went over well and we will hand it out this year too.
Elizabeth says
Check out http://www.candybuyback.com. Participating dental offices buy back candy with money or toys. The collected candy is sent to our troops over seas. That's what we'll be doing with our candy on Nov 3rd. We always get more than we could eat in a year and it ends up in the trash. I'd rather a soldier away from home get a little treat from home!
Amy says
Lisa - You seriously are my hero. Thank you so much for all of your hard work and great ideas! LOVE your cookbook, too, by the way. :)
Christina says
Whatever you decide to give out at Halloween is solely up to you as long as it's kid friendly. There is no rule book that states what you may & may not give out. We all have our convictions of what we feel is best and we should not have to apologize for that. Growing up it was against our religion to trick or treat or even get dressed up in a costume. Sadly when the neighborhood kids would come trick or treating at our door we would hand out apples. Reason being my father never allowed candy in our home or allowed me to eat any sort of candy. I was so envious because I felt I was missing out. When I became an adult & had children of my own, I think I enjoyed trick or treating more than my boys did. I went hog wild over candy! In a way the restriction of candy, I feel hurt me causing me to go overboard now that I'm free to have it. I still struggle limiting myself with candy:(
Brittney says
I don't mind pencils and stuff that kids will use but toys, glow sticks ect bother me because they use it once then it goes in the garbage... Extra candy we give away to different programs and the kids love it because they like giving. I don't like waste in candy or toys or anything in my life when so many have so little
Laura says
Last year we gave out glow sticks and glow-in-the-dark fangs (mostly because if I buy Halloween candy to hand out far too much of it finds it's way into ME!) I spent less than I usually do on candy and the kids LOVED it! Glowing kids were all up and down our street and they were telling their friends and sending them our way. We were the house to hit! We'll definitely be handing out glow sticks again this year. :)
jackie williams says
We give out themed pencils, and erasers and have had great rsponses from the kids. I like that its something that lasts awhile amd the kids can use it.
Gina OBrien says
Really great ideas... The last few years I have gone with pretzels, but I really like the glow sticks or tattoo ideas! Also, I keep the candy in the house for two days - whatever is left is put in a box and shipped to the soldiers. Not healthy for them either but whatever... :)
Melissa Andres says
I work for an oral surgeon and or office manager buys 4boxes of kids toothbrushes and passes them out at her house on Halloween. Nothing like giving the kids something to fight off all the cavities they will get from all the candy.
Lisa says
We use Switch-Witch (www.switch-witch.com) leading up to Halloween like people use the Elf on the Shelf...(except not to watch behaviour but just for fun). It is magical for the kids to give up *some* of their candy. They can choose to keep their favourite things!
And kudos to you for taking a stand...we do not need all of this processed junk food in our lives.
Buffy says
You are so sweet. I think what you are doing is awesome.
Jessica bright says
Love these ideas! I do not, however, love the Switch Witch poem where she is referred to as fat. Lots of other good things to come from this idea though.
BeccaV says
I love the glow stick idea! My son loves glow sticks. We always give out candy. My son eats some of his loot on Halloween night and then usually forgets about it. I keep a few of his favorites on the off chance he asks for a piece of candy and take the rest to my work to get rid of it!
Katie says
Awesome! I give out fun pencils, temporary tattoos and stickers. Most kids happily take one and some kids even get excited about it:) Along with the kiddos who have allergies, there are also those with diabetes. It's awesome that those children will have a treat they can enjoy.
Christina says
Go Lisa!! Everybody knows candy is soooo bad for our bodies. Who cares if kids don't go trick or treating for candy. We are starting to think of doing a party with the cousins instead of knocking on doors for candy. Love this post!!
Brenda says
I give out books for Halloween. All summer I go to garage sales and thrift stores and by books for all ages. The children get excited and I hear things like "we found the house with the books". I started this tradition when we lived in a low income neighborhood. Many of those children did not even have a book in their home. I still give a small treat like tootsie roll and I have paired them with glow sticks. Last year I gave away 150 books, I ran out. I have purchased 200 this year.
Katie says
Brenda-- what an awesome idea!!! I was a librarian in a former life and love the idea of giving kids a book for Halloween. Well done! Most public libraries either have a sale corner or an annual book sale with very inexpensive books. It could be another place to build your selection for next year :)
Laura says
This might be my favourite idea ever!
Becky says
I really couldn't figure out a great alternative item to hand out instead of candy (not into plastic toys, glow sticks are cool but poisoning from these is on the rise, etc.). I absolutely LOVE the book idea!! Brenda, I am interested in your logistics of handing them out. Do you have them separated by age and you just guess at the child's age and hand them out? I imagine it would take too long to let them choose themselves.
Brenda says
I just buy books for all ages and have them sorted by age and gender. I can kind of guess the ages and just pick them up form the top of the pile. I have more books in the k-5 grades and just 15-20 for the babies. I also chose a few classics like Anne of Green Gables and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Last year I hit a good 4 for 1.00 Harry Potter books they went fast. Box Car books are good, boys like joke books. What ever I can find. Thia year I am adding Wendy's frosty coupons, I know they are not the best for you but they are small and I love to support charities.
Tracy says
Last year I had no one to hand out treats because I was taking my girls out so I set up a spooky table on my front deck with 2 bowls....one had all sorts of candy in it and the other had toys, pencils, erasers, puzzle games and more. When we got home to my surprise the bowl of candy was barley gone and the bowl with all the fun stuff was empty!
jenny says
As someone with a 6yo son who has a severe anaphylaxis allergy to peanut and tree nuts, I greatly appreciate this list. Halloween is a worrisome time and hard to keep him feeling like everyone else. Love the idea of the Switch Witch and he was super excited too.
Thank you!!
Bobbie says
Costco near us sells large boxes of Boulder Chips (ingredients potatoes, oil and salt). Great for a special treat. Don't let people's negativity ruin your inspiring blog! Thanks for all of your great ideas. You inspire me daily.
Julia says
I grew up way out in the country and only trick or treated at about 5 houses. This was back in the day when folks gave out baked goods. My aunt Mable would fill a paper grocery bag with homemade popcorn balls, fudge,brownies and other goodies and send it home with us. My mom gave out apples and mini raisin boxes. Now I live in the city and we get well over 100 kids so giving out healthy snacks can get quite expensive. I also don't like to buy made in China items for many reasons. So while we love Halloween at our house and decorate to the max and all dress up for Trick or Treat I have yet to fully resolve this inner battle way each year over what to hand out. Usually chocolate wins out, for selfish reasons, we all love it and it's pretty much the only time of the year I buy it. I strive for balance, not perfection, so we also eat our fill on Hallowen night and use a lot of the rest on the gingerbread house. I think Trick or Treat should be a non-judgement zone. Do what's best for you and your family and don't worry about what other folks are doing. I think we may look into incorporating the Teal Pumpkin project into our Halloween handouts and have a few non-food treats for those with food allergies.
Nancy Coppock says
My three girls, ages 17, 15, & 13, still trick or treat. They get a few pieces when they get home and they are only allowed a few pieces each day until their best stuff is gone. This is the only time of the year they get candy. No trick or treating this year, all are in the high school marching band and there is a game.
Gina says
When my kids were little I would let them eat all the candy they wanted on Halloween night, then they would hang there bag on the door knob and the "Halloween Fairy" would come and leave a present when they were sleeping. When my son was in 3rd grade he came home and said, " no one in school has ever heard of the Halloween Fairy! Where is all my candy!!". When they got older they really didn't trick or treat for candy, they just liked to go and walk around the neighboorhood with friends dressed up! I think the "all the candy you can eat for one night" really turned them off!
Rain Runner says
Thanks for the idea about the glow sticks! That's very clever. Sorry that some people gave you a hard time about your creativity. I'm glad your brave enough to post your ideas. Cheers!
Crystal says
Every year on our trick or treat route we would stop by a family friends house. one year my young son was very thirsty so we asked for some water. She happened to have a large case of water inside her door. The next 4-5 groups of children happily took water instead of candy. I also remember a neighborhood home who had small boxes of raisins and little bottles of bubbles for the small ones. who doesnt love bubbles!
Dawn Pfeiffer says
I read a blog last year (I wish I could remember who it belonged to so I could give appropriate credit) where the kids were allowed to either keep their candy or trade it in to mom and dad for various "experience-based" rewards. Things like 5 pieces of candy for 15 minutes extra playstation time, or 10 pieces of candy for a 30 minute later bedtime, or 5 pieces for a mom-son date, etc. She said that they usually ate a bunch of candy the night of halloween and maybe the next night but then traded a good majority of it in for other rewards. She said her husband just took the trade-in candy to his work and left it in the break room for everyone to enjoy. I love this idea and plan to incorporate it more and more as my daughter (now 3) gets older.