Halloween and I’ve a difficult relationship, a minimum of since I turned a mother. Trick-or-treating is a enjoyable custom, however there aren’t many healthy Halloween treats (and even close to it). Other holidays, like Easter, share the identical drawback.
So what’s a health-conscious mother to do? As I see it, I’ve a few choices:
Option #1: Ignore Halloween Completely
Yep … I did this!
I’ll admit it: when my children have been all actually younger, I simply pretended Halloween didn’t exist. We didn’t do the trick-or-treating factor or the Halloween costume factor. Instead of a Halloween get together we normally simply turned out the lights and went to mattress early earlier than the trick-or-treaters would come round.
I simply didn’t like the concept of already grumpy toddlers staying up late to go to strangers’ homes and ask for candy packed with food dyes. They didn’t need all of the sweet bars, sweet corn, or different Halloween evening junk food. Now, with more locations doing trunk or deal with, children can fill up on sweet with out even having the benefit of strolling across the neighborhood.
As my children obtained older and needed to decorate up, trick-or-treating was more durable to keep away from. On the one hand, I fully perceive the enjoyable custom of carrying a costume and spending time with buddies. On the opposite, I don’t love the concept of them getting luggage upon luggage of sweet (that can make them loopy and decay their tooth out).
Since I’ve discovered a factor or two about stability and moderation over time, we’ve moved on (a little reluctantly) from this option. I’ve discovered my children (and the neighborhood) can nonetheless get Halloween goodies with these non-food deal with concepts.
Option #2: The Candy Fairy
Opinions differ on whether or not or not receiving a mountain of sweet in a single evening gives a natural alternative to be taught self-control. I’m all for youths having these life classes. However, I’m additionally a huge believer in giving children selections inside sure boundaries set by the father or mother. (Hence my love for Montessori.)
The Candy Fairy (or Switch Witch, take your selection) visits our home after trick-or-treating. The children don’t appear to thoughts a bit. We swap out most of the sweet for a enjoyable goodie bag of treats. Since the deal with luggage come from our home, this additionally provides me the prospect to throw in some tasty goodies from higher sources.
Option #3: Offer Healthy Non-Candy Halloween Treats
I do know, I do know … handing out a deal with different than name-brand sweet is a surefire solution to get your home rolled. I promise I’m not suggesting handing the children an apple or a carton of bone broth.
According to the CDC, childhood weight problems charges have gone up considerably in the previous few many years. They’ve continued to creep up even since final 12 months and now hover round 20 p.c (greater for sure ethnicities). Wouldn’t much less sweet given to kiddos be a optimistic change?
In reality, there are a lot of causes to think about giving out non-candy Halloween treats:
- Food Allergies – Food allergic reactions are on the rise and plenty of standard sorts of sweet comprise peanuts and different allergens. I do know fairly a few mothers who can’t let their children trick or deal with as a result of of potential peanut publicity. (Proof that is a actual pattern: The Teal Pumpkin Project.)
- Too Much Sugar – With document weight problems charges and different health issues, particularly amongst youth, I can’t in good conscience hand out tons of sugary sweet. The 80/20 rule is great and there could also be a time and a place for treats. The drawback is that time appears to be all of the time. And the place appears to be in all places. Kids get sweet on the bank, the physician, their college, and nearly in all places they go. Do they actually need luggage of it?!
- Dye Sensitivities – Many children are sensitive to food dyes and it’s robust to keep away from them in most sorts of sweet.
- Orthodontics – Candy and sugary snacks aren’t good for tooth and may keep on with braces and different mouthpieces.
- Easier on Parents – When you give out non-candy Halloween treats, you save dad and mom the difficulty of checking for something dangerous within the sweet.
True, non-candy treats might not make your home the most well-liked stop within the neighborhood, however there are some actually enjoyable alternate options to sweet which are positively kid-approved. And all the opposite households who’re making an attempt to restrict sugar or who’re delicate to food dyes will thanks!
Ideas for Non-Candy Halloween Treats (Kids Actually Like)
These are the highest healthy Halloween treats I maintain in my stash. Bonus: If you’ve gotten some leftover, most of these will maintain till subsequent 12 months! Walmart and your native greenback retailer could be some good locations to search out cheap Halloween toys. The high quality could be hit and miss although, so I’ve particulars beneath on the place to search out our non-candy Halloween deal with favorites.
1. Glider Airplanes
Surprisingly, mini airplanes are cheap and a great sweet different. My brother beloved these after we have been little and would have taken one of these over sweet any day!
2. Organic Juice Boxes
A consumable Halloween treat that’s sensible. After strolling across the neighborhood, children could also be thirsty. It nonetheless has sugar and isn’t an on a regular basis factor for us, however it makes a great deal with.
3. Natural Fruit Leather
In my opinion these style approach higher than artificially flavored fruit candies! Buy them in bulk for one of the best price. I’ve seen them at Costco for a good price, or they’re out there from Amazon for a good price.
4. Bouncy Balls
My children love bouncy balls and we don’t normally have them round the home as a result of of all. the. bouncing. Grab a pack of 100 for cheaper than a huge bag of sweet and call it a day! They even make creepy eyeball bouncy balls!
5. Local Honey Sticks
My oldest son introduced home a bunch of these from a beekeepers’ assembly one time they usually have been an immediate hit along with his siblings. Ideally, discover some from a native beekeeper, or order online. These are nonetheless a candy deal with, however honey’s beneficial properties make them a more healthy different to sweet.
6. Stamps
My littles spend hours stamping footage on paper they usually gave me the concept for this sweet different. Stamps are additionally cheaper than sweet once you get them in bulk.
7. Themed Bookmarks
These fall-themed bookmarks not solely encourage studying, however children can colour them in. You may even hand out small packs of crayons to go together with them.
8. Carabiners
A novel and sensible child favourite! Carabiners top the list of sensible items that may be reused, and as a bonus… they’re plastic-free!
9. Mini-Flashlights
A sensible concept for youths strolling round after darkish! Keychain flashlights are enjoyable for youths and a good sweet different should you don’t reside in a busy neighborhood. Order them in bulk for a good price.
10. Pumpkin Oranges
Feeling artful? Get some natural oranges and use a natural marker to attract some pumpkin faces on the peel. This DIY jack-o-lantern might be finest for a group of buddies or a close-knit neighborhood the place people trust an unwrapped offering.
11. Organic Candy
If you simply can’t fathom the concept of giving out one thing moreover sweet, go for a higher variety of sweet. This model of organic lollipops is dye-free and incorporates vitamin C.
12. Fake Mustaches
Kids love these hilarious fake mustaches. I introduced a few packs of faux mustaches to a costume get together for adults as soon as and the following morning we woke up and located all of the children in mustaches too! For a vacation that requires a costume, these are enjoyable to provide out!
13. Stickers
I’ve to say, children have ruined stickers for me. They appear to suppose it’s a great concept to plaster stickers on any floor to make it more festive. There’s nonetheless sticker residue on their bunk beds to show it. Since Halloween is about enjoyable for the children although, I’ll be a sucker and order 500 stickers to provide out.
14. Bubbles
Bubbles are a enjoyable exercise that each child loves. My kids will play with these for hours at a time!
15. Mini Notebooks
My daughters maintain these mini notebooks of their mini purses to allow them to draw and take notes. Add a Halloween-themed pencil and eraser for an further deal with to go together with their notebooks.
16. LED Light Up Rings
Forget Ring Pops! These rings gentle up in loopy colours and are a enjoyable solution to maintain children protected in the dead of night.
17. Skeleton Bone Pens
Possibly the best merchandise on this record! These bone-shaped pens are actually cool and sensible too!
18. Wikki Sticks
A great cheap Halloween deal with to provide out that stimulates creativity. Wikki Sticks are comprised of yarn and natural wax and are a mess-free inventive approach for youths to attract and construct footage.
19. Lego People
Want to be the best home on the block? Give out little Lego compatible figures!
20. Glow Bracelets
I don’t normally get glow sticks as a result of of the plastic, however I’ll pull them out as a particular deal with or sweet different. Glow in the dark bracelets are probably the most sensible option as a result of additionally they make children simpler to see in the dead of night whereas out trick or treating! I’ve by no means seen a child go away upset when receiving a glow bracelet as a substitute of sweet.
21. Puzzle Balls
The draw back? They are plastic. The upside? Puzzle balls are a reusable deal with that encourages essential pondering.
22. Fancy Crayon Pens
Practical however nonetheless cool. These crayon pens have a number of ideas and encourage creativity. Pair them with small autumn-themed coloring books.
23. Slap Bracelets
Slap bracelets have been all the trend after I was a child. Maybe they’re outdated, or possibly, like many poor vogue trends of many years previous, it’s time for them to come back back!
24. Mini Play-Doh
We normally make our own play dough, however pre-made mini Play-Doh containers are a good different to sweet! It’s stretchy, squishy, and may present hours of enjoyable. Play-Doh does have gluten, so be mindful of these with celiac illness or gluten allergic reactions. This brand provides a gluten-free different.
25. Spooky Spider Rings
Another plastic toy, however when store-bought sweet is at stake I’ll compromise. This kid pleaser provides to the spooky enjoyable. Warning: they’re as dangerous as Legos … inevitably I finish up stepping on them in naked toes round the home for months after.
26. Punch Balloons
I keep in mind punching these with great glee as a child (in all probability within the route of my brother’s face). This perennial get together favor is available in Halloween-themed colors and encourages children to be lively and have enjoyable!
27. Finger Puppets
These are standard with youthful children as a foolish approach so as to add to the dress-up enjoyable of the evening. They’re stretchy and enjoyable and help encourage inventive play. Try these monster-themed finger puppets that are available bulk.
28. Slinkies
Who doesn’t keep in mind the basic steel slinky? While you will discover small steel slinkies, the plastic ones are a lot more reasonably priced for handing out in bulk. Get a pack of 50 rainbow-colored ones right here.
If You’re Going to Hand Out Candy…
Opt for pre-packaged treats from respected corporations that use natural or natural substances with few to no components. These are my favorite healthier candy “compromises” since their substances are a lot much less… scary!
What’s your coverage on sweet on Halloween? Which healthy Halloween treats would you wish to see your children convey home?