28 Non-Sweet Halloween Treats Children Will Love

Halloween and I’ve a sophisticated relationship, a minimum of since I grew to become a mother. Trick-or-treating is a enjoyable custom, however there aren’t many wholesome Halloween treats (and even near it). Different holidays, like Easter, share the identical downside.

So what’s a health-conscious mother to do? As I see it, I’ve just a few choices:

Possibility #1: Ignore Halloween Fully

Yep … I did this!

I’ll admit it: when my children had 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. As a substitute of a Halloween celebration we often 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 sweet filled with meals dyes. They didn’t want all of the sweet bars, sweet corn, or different Halloween night time junk meals. Now, with extra locations doing trunk or deal with, children can replenish on sweet with out even having the advantage of strolling across the neighborhood.

As my children acquired older and wished to decorate up, trick-or-treating was tougher to keep away from. On the one hand, I fully perceive the enjoyable custom of carrying a fancy dress and spending time with associates. 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 through the years, we’ve moved on (a little bit reluctantly) from this selection. I’ve discovered my children (and the neighborhood) can nonetheless get Halloween goodies with these non-food deal with concepts.

Possibility #2: The Sweet Fairy

Opinions differ on whether or not or not receiving a mountain of sweet in a single night time gives a pure alternative to study self-control. I’m all for teenagers having these life classes. Nonetheless, I’m additionally a giant believer in giving children selections inside sure boundaries set by the guardian. (Therefore my love for Montessori.)

The Sweet Fairy (or Swap Witch, take your alternative) visits our home after trick-or-treating. The children don’t appear to thoughts a bit. We swap out a lot of the sweet for a enjoyable goodie bag of treats. For the reason that deal with luggage come from our dwelling, this additionally provides me the prospect to throw in some tasty goodies from higher sources.

Possibility #3: Provide Wholesome Non-Sweet Halloween Treats

I do know, I do know … handing out a deal with apart from name-brand sweet is a surefire method to get your home rolled. I promise I’m not suggesting handing the children an apple or a carton of bone broth.

Based on the CDC, childhood weight problems charges have gone up considerably in the previous few a long time. They’ve continued to creep up even since final 12 months and now hover round 20 % (larger for sure ethnicities). Wouldn’t much less sweet given to kiddos be a constructive change?

In actual fact, there are many causes to contemplate giving out non-candy Halloween treats:

Meals Allergic reactions – Meals allergic reactions are on the rise and plenty of standard forms of sweet include peanuts and different allergens. I do know fairly just a few mothers who can’t let their children trick or deal with due to potential peanut publicity. (Proof it is a actual pattern: The Teal Pumpkin Challenge.)
Too A lot Sugar – With report weight problems charges and different well being issues, particularly amongst youth, I can’t in good conscience hand out tons of sugary sweet. The 80/20 rule is nice and there could also be a time and a spot for treats. The issue is that point appears to be on a regular basis. And the place appears to be in all places. Children get sweet on the financial institution, the physician, their college, and virtually in all places they go. Do they really want luggage of it?!
Dye Sensitivities – Many children are delicate to meals dyes and it’s robust to keep away from them in most forms of sweet.
Orthodontics – Sweet and sugary snacks aren’t good for tooth and may persist with braces and different mouthpieces.
Simpler on Mother and father – Whenever you give out non-candy Halloween treats, you save mother and father the difficulty of checking for something dangerous within the sweet.

True, non-candy treats could not make your home the most well-liked cease within the neighborhood, however there are some actually enjoyable alternate options to sweet which are undoubtedly kid-approved. And all the opposite households who’re making an attempt to restrict sugar or who’re delicate to meals dyes will thanks!

Concepts for Non-Sweet Halloween Treats (Children Really Like)

These are the highest wholesome Halloween treats I hold in my stash. Bonus: If in case you have some leftover, most of those will hold till subsequent 12 months! Walmart and your native greenback retailer may be some good locations to search out cheap Halloween toys. The standard may be hit and miss although, so I’ve particulars under on the place to search out our non-candy Halloween deal with favorites.

1. Glider Airplanes

Surprisingly, mini airplanes are cheap and a fantastic sweet different. My brother cherished these after we had been little and would have taken considered one of these over sweet any day!

2. Natural Juice Packing containers

A consumable Halloween deal with 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 fantastic deal with.

3. Pure Fruit Leather-based

For my part these style method higher than artificially flavored fruit candies! Purchase them in bulk for one of the best value. I’ve seen them at Costco for a great value, or they’re out there from Amazon for a great value.

4. Bouncy Balls

My children love bouncy balls and we don’t often have them round the home due to all. the. bouncing. Seize a pack of 100 for cheaper than a giant bag of sweet and name it a day! They even make creepy eyeball bouncy balls!

5. Native Honey Sticks

My oldest son introduced dwelling a bunch of those from a beekeepers’ assembly one time they usually had been an on the spot hit together with his siblings. Ideally, discover some from a neighborhood beekeeper, or order on-line. These are nonetheless a candy deal with, however honey’s helpful properties make them a more healthy different to sweet.

6. Stamps

My littles spend hours stamping photos on paper they usually gave me the concept for this sweet different. Stamps are additionally cheaper than sweet if you get them in bulk.

7. Themed Bookmarks

These fall-themed bookmarks not solely encourage studying, however children can shade 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 prime the listing of sensible presents that may be reused, and as a bonus… they’re plastic-free!

9. Mini-Flashlights

A sensible thought for teenagers strolling round after darkish! Keychain flashlights are enjoyable for teenagers and a great sweet different if you happen to don’t reside in a busy neighborhood. Get them organized in bulk for a great value.

10. Pumpkin Oranges

Feeling artful? Get some natural oranges and use a pure marker to attract some pumpkin faces on the peel. This DIY jack-o-lantern might be greatest for a gaggle of associates or a close-knit neighborhood the place individuals belief an unwrapped providing.

11. Natural Sweet

When you simply can’t fathom the concept of giving out one thing in addition to sweet, go for a greater sort of sweet. This model of natural lollipops is dye-free and incorporates vitamin C.

12. Pretend Mustaches

Children love these hilarious faux mustaches. I introduced just a few packs of faux mustaches to a fancy dress celebration for adults as soon as and the following morning we wakened and located all the children in mustaches too! For a vacation that requires a fancy dress, 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 fantastic thought to plaster stickers on any floor to make it extra 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 hold these mini notebooks of their mini purses to allow them to draw and take notes. Add a Halloween-themed pencil and eraser for an additional deal with to go together with their notebooks.

16. LED Gentle Up Rings

Neglect Ring Pops! These rings gentle up in loopy colours and are a enjoyable method to hold children protected in the dead of night.

17. Skeleton Bone Pens

Probably the best merchandise on this listing! These bone-shaped pens are actually cool and sensible too!

18. Wikki Sticks

An incredible cheap Halloween deal with to provide out that stimulates creativity. Wikki Sticks are constituted of yarn and pure wax and are a mess-free inventive method for teenagers to attract and construct photos.

19. Lego Folks

Wish to be the best home on the block? Give out little Lego appropriate figures!

20. Glow Bracelets

I don’t often get glow sticks due to the plastic, however I’ll pull them out as a particular deal with or sweet different. Glow in the dead of night bracelets are probably the most sensible possibility as a result of in addition they make children simpler to see in the dead of night whereas out trick or treating! I’ve by no means seen a child depart upset when receiving a glow bracelet as an alternative of sweet.

21. Puzzle Balls

The draw back? They’re plastic. The upside? Puzzle balls are a reusable deal with that encourages crucial considering.

22. Fancy Crayon Pens

Sensible however nonetheless cool. These crayon pens have a number of suggestions and encourage creativity. Pair them with small autumn-themed coloring books.

23. Slap Bracelets

Slap bracelets had been all the fashion after I was a child. Possibly they’re outdated, or perhaps, like many poor style developments of a long time previous, it’s time for them to come back again!

24. Mini Play-Doh

We often make our personal play dough, however pre-made mini Play-Doh containers are a great different to sweet! It’s stretchy, squishy, and may present hours of enjoyable. Play-Doh does have gluten, so be aware of these with celiac illness or gluten allergic reactions. This model gives a gluten-free different.

25. Spooky Spider Rings

One other plastic toy, however when store-bought sweet is at stake I’ll compromise. This child pleaser provides to the spooky enjoyable. Warning: they’re as unhealthy as Legos … inevitably I find yourself stepping on them in naked ft round the home for months after.

26. Punch Balloons

I bear in mind punching these with nice glee as a child (in all probability within the route of my brother’s face). This perennial celebration favor is available in Halloween-themed colours and encourages children to be energetic and have enjoyable!

27. Finger Puppets

These are standard with youthful children as a foolish method so as to add to the dress-up enjoyable of the night time. They’re stretchy and enjoyable and assist encourage inventive play. Strive these monster-themed finger puppets that are available bulk.

28. Slinkies

Who doesn’t bear in mind the traditional steel slinky? Whereas you could find small steel slinkies, the plastic ones are rather more inexpensive for handing out in bulk. Get a pack of 50 rainbow-colored ones right here.

If You’re Going to Hand Out Sweet…

Go for pre-packaged treats from respected firms that use natural or pure components with few to no components. These are my favourite more healthy sweet “compromises” since their components are rather a lot much less… scary!

What’s your coverage on sweet on Halloween? Which wholesome Halloween treats would you prefer to see your children carry dwelling?

Tags: Halloween, Kids, Love, NonCandy, Treats