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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’t many healthy Halloween treats (or even close to it). Other holidays, like Easter, share the same problem.
So what’s a health-conscious mom to do? As I see it, I have a few options:
Yep … I did this!
I’ll admit it: when my kids were all really young, I just pretended Halloween didn’t exist. We didn’t 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.
I just didn’t like the idea of already grumpy toddlers staying up late to go to strangers’ houses and ask for candy packed with food dyes. They didn’t 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.
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’t love the idea of them getting bags upon bags of candy (that will make them crazy and rot their teeth out).
Since I’ve learned a thing or two about balance and moderation over the years, we’ve moved on (a little reluctantly) from this option. I’ve found my kids (and the neighborhood) can still get Halloween goodies with these non-food treat ideas.
Opinions differ on whether or not receiving a mountain of candy in one night provides a natural opportunity to learn self-control. I’m all for kids having these life lessons. However, I’m also a big believer in giving kids choices within certain boundaries set by the parent. (Hence my love for Montessori.)
The Candy Fairy (or Switch Witch, take your choice) visits our house after trick-or-treating. The kids don’t 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.
I know, I know … handing out a treat other than name-brand candy is a surefire way to get your house rolled. I promise I’m not suggesting handing the kids an apple or a carton of bone broth.
According to the CDC, childhood obesity rates have gone up significantly in the last few decades. They’ve continued to creep up even since last year and now hover around 20 percent (higher for certain ethnicities). Wouldn’t less candy given to kiddos be a positive change?
In fact, there are plenty of reasons to consider giving out non-candy Halloween treats:
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!
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.
Surprisingly, mini airplanes 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!
A consumable Halloween treat that’s practical. After walking around the neighborhood, kids may be thirsty. It still has sugar and isn’t an everyday thing for us, but it makes a great treat.
In my opinion these taste way better than artificially flavored fruit candies! Buy them in bulk for the best price. I’ve seen them at Costco for a good price, or they’re available from Amazon for a good price.
My kids love bouncy balls and we don’t usually have them around the house because of all. the. bouncing. Grab a pack of 100 for cheaper than a big bag of candy and call it a day! They even make creepy eyeball bouncy balls!
My oldest son brought home a bunch of these from a beekeepers’ meeting one time and they were an instant hit with his siblings. Ideally, find some from a local beekeeper, or order online. These are still a sweet treat, but honey’s beneficial properties make them a healthier alternative to candy.
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.
These fall-themed bookmarks not only encourage reading, but kids can color them in. You can even hand out small packs of crayons to go with them.
A novel and practical kid favorite! Carabiners top the list of practical gifts that can be reused, and as a bonus… they’re plastic-free!
A practical idea for kids walking around after dark! Keychain flashlights are fun for kids and a good candy alternative if you don’t live in a busy neighborhood. Order them in bulk for a good price.
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.
If you just can’t fathom the idea of giving out something besides candy, opt for a better kind of candy. This brand of organic lollipops is dye-free and contains vitamin C.
Kids love these hilarious fake mustaches. 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!
I have to say, kids have ruined stickers for me. They seem to think it’s a great idea to plaster stickers on any surface to make it more festive. There’s still sticker residue on their bunk beds to prove it. Since Halloween is about fun for the kids though, I’ll be a sucker and order 500 stickers to give out.
Bubbles are a fun activity that every kid loves. My children will play with these for hours at a time!
My daughters keep these mini notebooks 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.
Forget Ring Pops! These rings light up in crazy colors and are a fun way to keep kids safe in the dark.
Possibly the coolest item on this list! These bone-shaped pens are really cool and practical too!
A great inexpensive Halloween treat to give out that stimulates creativity. Wikki Sticks are made from yarn and natural wax and are a mess-free creative way for kids to draw and build pictures.
Want to be the coolest house on the block? Give out little Lego compatible figures!
I don’t usually get glow sticks because of the plastic, but I’ll pull them out as a special treat or candy alternative. Glow in the dark bracelets are the most practical option because they also make kids easier to see in the dark while out trick or treating! I’ve never seen a kid leave disappointed when receiving a glow bracelet instead of candy.
The downside? They are plastic. The upside? Puzzle balls are a reusable treat that encourages critical thinking.
Practical but still cool. These crayon pens have multiple tips and encourage creativity. Pair them with small autumn-themed coloring books.
Slap bracelets were all the rage when I was a kid. Maybe they’re outdated, or maybe, like many poor fashion trends of decades past, it’s time for them to come back!
We usually make our own play dough, but pre-made mini Play-Doh containers are a good alternative to candy! It’s 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 offers a gluten-free alternative.
Another plastic toy, but when store-bought candy is at stake I’ll compromise. This kid pleaser adds to the spooky fun. Warning: they’re as bad as Legos … inevitably I end up stepping on them in bare feet around the house for months after.
I remember punching these with great glee as a kid (probably in the direction of my brother’s face). This perennial party favor comes in Halloween-themed colors and encourages kids to be active and have fun!
These are popular with younger kids as a silly way to add to the dress-up fun of the night. They’re stretchy and fun and help encourage creative play. Try these monster-themed finger puppets that come in bulk.
Who doesn’t 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 here.
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 “compromises” since their ingredients are a lot less… scary!
What’s your policy on candy on Halloween? Which healthy Halloween treats would you like to see your kids bring home?
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Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.
These 28 non-candy Halloween treats are a fantastic way to celebrate the holiday without the sugar overload! I love how creative and fun these ideas are, ensuring kids still feel special during trick-or-treating. From savory snacks to healthy options, there’s something for every little ghost and goblin. This guide is perfect for parents looking to offer delicious alternatives this Halloween!
You mention concern about allergens (soy, peanut, etc) and then suggest another allergen to give away? Natural Rubber Latex (NRL) is used to make bouncy balls (though, there are some that are made from all synthetics). NRL is also used to make a lot of adhesives, like stickers. NRL balloons are a nightmare- the proteins that cause reactions (including anaphylaxis) are highly transferable, so whatever surface (hands, wrappers, everything) comes into contact with the balloon is now contaminated and set to give someone an allergic reaction. Balloons also release latex proteins into the air. Not to mention that an NRL allergy is not something you are born with, it develops over time due to repeated exposure. Studies I’ve read say that the number of people with NRL sensitivities/allergies is the same as those with peanut allergies, so tours isn’t a rare or unusual allergen.
Thanks for these suggestions, Katie! I think I may use these as rewards for my youth group kids as well! I always feel bad sending them home with candy that I don’t even give my own kids. I think a lot of these ideas would go over well with them!
Such amazing ideas… Thank you so much for putting this together.
Hmm, you mamans are thinking about your children’s health but not to the environment and the consumerism that is being taught. It’s “one day”, sure, but it’s one day during which USA spends $9 billions each year, $2.6 billions of which on candies. To give you an idea, that’s 6 Titanic ships of candies. Ingredients include petroleum and GMO corn syrup (cheaper than the sugar used in candies we ate as kids; toxic & a major surge of water pollution), plastic wrappers are non-recyclable, etc. And most of it ends up in the trash bin!
Lets turn Halloween from environmental damaging consumerism & health hazard to a green & kind holiday: From getting to giving; from shopping to creating; from toxic to healthy for the child and the planet.
Usually we give out mini boxes of raisins. But this year we are trying glow bracelets because they were less expensive.
These are all wonderful ideas for making Halloween healthier. But what about doing away with consumerism altogether, the “go get” entitlement of the children?
We should try and make Halloween Green, or “HalloGreen”. It should be about giving rather than getting, healthy rather than toxic, and healthy for the planet too.
If we want our children to have a livable planet, we must stop the consumption, the toxins, and the focus on getting, and, replace it with a focus on giving, connecting, and nurturing our bodies and our planet. We can start right here on Orcas, by transforming Halloween from a “go get” to a “go give” and from consumerism based to creative and sustainable celebration.
All Hallow’s Eve. Samhain. Harvest. It’s just the passing of the season, you guys, regardless of the name. Let your kids have fun. As someone who has spent almost 30 years battling an eating disorder that began in my teens, don’t restrict. Don’t food shame.
Also, slap bracelets? Those things were practically deadly weapons. I don’t even have kids & I know better than to give them out.
Love these ideas! We get over 100 kids knocking on our door each Halloween so some of these are too expensive, but there are some great, affordable ideas on here.
My son’s birthday is the beginning of November so we always do a pinata at his birthday party and put in all their extra Halloween candy.
Awesome! Thanks so much for making this post. I love holidays and Halloween was hard this year as I gave out stuff that I knew kids wanted, yet they completely violated all the stuff I claim to believe in. Love this!!!!!
Brilliant……. thank you, thank you. I love the idea of glow in the dark Items;
We trick or treat and my kids love it, it is the only time candy enters the home (nearly). My son has some allergies so he has to switch out a bunch of his candy; then with some monitoring (candy after food only) I let them go a bit nuts…. they burn through it in a day or so and we’re done.
I am always looking for alternatives… party favours are pricey and hard to find where we live:.. so I did buy candy…. with natural colours…. best I could do this year. Think I’m gonna use some of these tips for next time though. Thanks
Today I decided not to take my kids out trick-or-treating I decided to do crafts with them we made homemade pumpkin, candy corn, witches and pumpkin decorations and they loved it. Later on today we are going to make cookies together and have candy after supper. Either way we are having fun and loving it without battling 40 degree weather, and unwanted treasures bad people put in our kids candies.
A new option that we discovered through our daughter’s school this year is to donate the Halloween candy to soldiers. When I asked my daughter (7) if she wanted to do this, she said “Yes!” wholeheartedly.
You can’t protect your child from everything and not letting them enjoy some candy every once in a while is a bit insane.
I agree Melanie- and in fact, I think that in most cases in our modern world, we protect our kids from too much and don’t give them enough independence or room to make mistakes. And my kids absolutely do enjoy treats every once in a while and have enjoyed much more than I would have chosen for them on several occasions. To be clear- this year, we live in a neighborhood and near other kids and they are dressing up and joining all the fun, but they’ve decided (on their own) to help hand out glow sticks and play with their friends rather than go door to door for candy. My goal is not to “protect” them from everything but rather to educate them and hope, as they get older, that they make wise choices but realizing I can’t and shouldn’t control these choices. That said, this doesn’t mean I should serve junk food at our house or keep candy around just so they can eat it once in a while in the name of “balance.”
Peer pressure will lead them to do things they shouldn’t and you’ll not be there. Educating them about choices is good. But you have to let them live a little also or they will totally go the other way from you teachings. I am a father of three, grandfather of fourteen, great grandfather of three. So I know a little about kids.
Thank you for the great ideas!
The honey sticks have artificial coloring 🙁
Great ideas. I wish I could not give out candy, but I remember getting annoyed with houses that did that when I was a kid. We usually do a “trick or treat trade in” for our kids. They get to trade their candy in for different toys and healthy treats like Hail Merry Tarts or Legos. The more candy they trade in the bigger the prize. That way they still get the excitement over dumping out their pumpkins and counting how much candy they got. After they count it, we use that same candy to hand out to the neighbors 🙂
Great post! I love these ideas. Super helpful!
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