Up until a few years ago I thought it was lame to get, and give, anything other than candy for Halloween. I mean what kid wants to receive a granola bar or juice box? Or how about a pencil or some stickers. Lame, right? Well, not anymore! I take it all back. Non-food treats for Halloween are not only NOT lame, they are actually life savers and a fantastic way to allow all kids to feel like they are “normal” for a night. Does this sound like an exaggeration? Allow me to explain..
Food allergies entered our family about six years ago and I have never looked at a kid’s holiday the same way since. Halloween is probably the biggest one to work around because it centers on food, or candy in most cases. It is such an exciting time of the year. Determining and creating your costume, maybe attending a dance at school and having fun figuring out what your BFF is this year. Than there is the trick or treating. I can recall as a child getting at least one large pillow case full of candy! It was pure heaven! Mini chocolate bars, tootsie rolls, lollipops, gum, chips, caramels, hard candy and more. Very rarely did we get anything else, but once in awhile a pencil or even a packet of soup (yup, it happened) would sneak it’s way in our bags. So when the time came for my son, who is now allergic to all peanut nuts and tree nuts, to go trick or treating my heart sank. What, if anything, could he enjoy after his trek through the neighborhood?
Thankfully many manufacturers have stepped up to the plate in the last few years and now offer nut free alternatives and in some cases even gluten free items. That is great for my William, although there is much he still can not have, but what about other kids with other food related issues. For the first few years of his life William was also allergic to all dairy and eggs. That instantly ruled out a lot of candy. Did you know that many lollipops or suckers are dipped in egg to give them that shine? Lots of items have dairy in them. But even beyond potential life threatening allergies there are other health issues like diabetes, which many kids have. Some have sensory issues that can be made worse with the consumption of sugar. I am sure there are other issues that I don’t even know about that can make Halloween and trick or treating a nightmare for parents and a heartbreak for many kiddos. 🙁 We want to do something to help prevent that.
The Teal Pumpkin Project is now in it’s second year and has gained some fame. I am positive you will see a few more teal coloured pumpkins adorning front porches and lawns this Halloween and I am happy to be a part of it. Teal is the colour we associate with food allergy awareness and by having a teal pumpkin you are telling children and their parents or guardians that you have non-food treats available for them to enjoy. I wanted to share a bunch of options I found because a few people have asked me for suggestions. In the end you may pay a little more for these treats, but you will not only help save a life (from an allergic child accidentally eating something they shouldn’t) you will also make a child feel included, possibly for the first time in their life.
Non-Food Treats For Trick or Treaters
1) Monster Stickers 2) Skipping Rope 3) Fun Straws
4) Glow Sticks 5) Mini Cars 6) Pop up Toy
7) Mini Purse 8) Bubbles 9) Mini Disks
10) Bugs! 11) Parachute Toy 12) Mini Slinky
13) Glow Bracelets 14) Noisemaker 15) Pens
16) Bracelets 17) Keychains 18) Mini Skateboards
19) Tattoos 20) Foam Stars 21) Mini Play Doh
So many great items to choose from and I guarantee you will make the day of those children who just can not have the traditional items normally given out on Halloween. We plan to make little treat bags up with two or three items in each. As the parent of a child with food allergies I will personally give you a great big hug if I see a teal pumpkin on your porch. 🙂
Happy Halloween and safe trick or treating!
FT&PD
Suz
We always have Playdoh on hand! Great suggestions!
WHOA. This is super cool. Thanks so much. My parents always give candy and a cool non candy. I think every parent in town hated my parents the year they gave out a whistle. LOL
This is so great- all kids should get to enjoy the holiday!
very cool
Thanks so much for giving us a heads up on the Teal Pumpkin Project! Because of allergies in my family, I’ve been giving non-candy treats out for years being cognizant that we couldn’t be the only ones with food allergies. There must be kids other out there who simply don’t like trick-or-treating because they’re collecting stuff that could hurt them (even wrote a post about it this year, lol,) but I had NO CLUE there was a project and support for it already. I don’t have time to paint this year’s pumpkin teal unfortunately, but I’m gonna make sure I have everything set up to showcase we’re a Teal Pumpkin supporter from here on out. <3
This is an amazing project! Thank you bringing awareness to it! I really hope more parents will participate in the Teal Pumpkin Project. As you said when allergies hit home, you look at Halloween, Christmas and other holidays in a whole new light. Happy Halloween!
What an amazing array of options for non food treats! Love them!
This post is so enlightening. I never would have thought of these great items as an alternative especially since allergies are such an important factor to consider when giving out food, snacks, and treats even just for everyday purposes. Why wouldn’t we consider this for Halloween? Such great ideas. 90% of the candy don’t end up being enjoyed by the kiddo anyway – so why not give them fun little trinkets to play with. Love it!
I love that you offer options! Such a great idea for those with allergies
You have a great list of suggestions for those suffering from food allergies. I had no idea that there was a Teal Pumpkin Project and that the colour teal was associated with food allergies. I think it’s a great idea to have something other than candy around for those who have allergies, brilliant in fact.
Hello from the Manitoulin Island!! Thanks so much for the great article and suggestions. I’m a newly diagnosed Celiac (almost 2 1/2 years), but finally getting a handle on it. Some what. Anyway…I think this is so important and great idea, I’ve been talking about the Teal Pumpkin Project to about everyone I know and will next year too. I remember the first Halloweens after my Niece was diagnosed w/Type 1 Diabetes and the look on her face as me and her two brothers went through our loot.
No child should be kept from enjoying Halloween. Ever.
Oh and an added suggestion….Up here the High School has done what they call Trick and Feed for non perishable food items for the local food bank. The first couple of years the PR done for it was awful, but now we know a full week before, so are ready w/some canned stuff at the door. I’ve heard it’s catching on, so thought I’d mention it, because you never know.
Hope all goes well down there later tonight and Happy Halloween!!
Hi Denise, thank you for taking the time to share your thoughtful comments and suggestion. I love the Trick and Feed idea. Reminds me of collecting for UNICEF when I was a child. You don’t see that anymore.
I am so sorry about your Celiac diagnosis. That is a tough one to deal with for sure. And I agree with you that no child should be left behind on Halloween or any other event that is enjoyed by so many. We just have to keep up with the awareness campaigns and make the changes happen, one house at a time. A belated Happy Halloween to you as well. 🙂
those are some good ideas for non-candy treats
Great idea. I never think to give out anything other than candy.
My daughters are both in college so we haven’t been on the truck or treating route for years now but I did not know this about the teal pumpkin and love it because one, it’s pretty and two, what it represents. What a wonderful idea and so glad to hear this. Thank you.
This is the first I heard of the Teal pumpkins, but I do find it to be awesome there is so much more that can be handed to the children other than candy, a lot of the kids I know have no allergies but they are scared of the candy in case someone did something to it, so this is a great alternative!!
That’s really a good idea. So many people have food allergies. They shouldn’t have to miss out because of it.
Great options. Only recall one houe that handed out pencils when my kids were small. All the others handed out candy.
great ideas–ty!
Thanks for checking them out, I appreciate it.
Great idea for those kids that always get excluded 🙂
My 5 year old daughter is allergic to peanuts , treenuts and eggs , it tends to take a lil of the fun out of halloween but she understands and we try to make the dressing up part fun by dressing up along with her , she gets sooo super excited to see stickers or erasers and little things like that in her treat bag , kudos to ppl who give out treats like this !!
very cool idea
Thank you..
That’s a really nice idea, everyone should get something.
Thanks this is awesome!!
These are all so much better ideas that candy,thanks for the ideas !!
Wow I had no idea suckers were dipped in eggs, I gave out big pencils with eraser Halloween characters on ends
I love this so far no food allergies but I have a 2.5 year that hasnt had candy yet .
we always have lots of different bars on hand and always give out toys, normally beanie babies but lucky if we get more than 4 kids
Great ideas – a good alternative to candy.
Really love these ideas! A great alternative to food!
We will be doing a Teal pumpkin this year,i love giving out toys instead of candy then every child is safe !
Wow,they sure have some nice items at the $ store for treat giving !