It’s understandable if you’re health conscious and don’t want to give out the same old sugar-filled candy this Halloween. But…you’re not sure if you should take that step? Are you worried the trick-or-treaters will hate your choices? It’s a hard decision because children dress up in costumes and go door to door in hopes of scoring a motherload of candy. Aside from dressing up, that’s what makes it so fun! It’s one day a year when parents allow kids to indulge in collecting limitless amounts of candy and treats. While that’s the tradition, that shouldn’t stop you from switching it up a little bit with some Halloween candy alternatives.
As a child, I enjoyed dressing up as well as collecting candy. And yes, I did always have a lot…too much in fact for me to possibly eat by myself. My candy was shared with my parents and grandmother. This always happened when my mom went through my candy bag and threw out the questionable treats. After that, I’d share my goodies with my friends at school the next day. So this proves most kids are not hoarding all their candy. Nonetheless, presenting children with a healthier choice is a great idea and will add variety to their trick-or-treat bags.
Candy has such a high amount of sugar that kids need other options in their treat bags. There will still be a lot of candy treats from your neighbors who hand out the traditional treats. Whatever treat you decide on, just make sure it’s an actual treat. That way although candy is expected, the children will still leave happy.
Some options I wouldn’t recommend
Whether you choose candy or healthy Halloween treats, here are some things that should never make the cut.
Fruit – this is expensive to hand out all night and most kids will not be happy to see it during trick-or-treating. It’s also perishable and easy to throw. That’s not a good thing if your trick-or-treaters feel tricked. So no apples or oranges, please!
Soda – this is probably worse than the candy considering the dye, fructose, and extreme grams of sugar. It’s a treat that is heavy to carry in a treat bag and a mess when spilled.
Coins– are a choking hazard for small children and unless these coins amount to the cost of some candy, no one wants them!
Unsealed treats – these will not make it past the Halloween treat check stations when children arrive home. When something is unsealed, parents will worry about where did it come from, who touched it, where their hands were cleaned, did they tamper with it…the questions are endless. It always lands these treats in the trash, so don’t waste your money and time on giving out unsealed treats.
If you have a child old enough to voice their opinion, ask what they’d want if they did not get candy for Halloween. Your kids will be more than happy to give you their input. If not, here is an awesome list of Halloween candy alternatives.
Halloween Candy Alternatives – Healthy Halloween Treats
Halloween is nearly here, and these are some great alternatives to trick-or-treat candy that children are guaranteed to love.
1. Gold Fish (Healthy Candy Alternative)
This pack of Gold Fish includes 30 individually wrapped snack packs. Most kids love this crunchy, cheesy treat. While it’s not the most healthy snack, it’s a much better option than traditional Halloween candy.
2. YumEarth Organic Lollipops (Healthy Candy Alternative)
40 Organic, gluten-free, and vegan lollipops will be a sweet treat. They’re a healthier alternative to regular lollipops. These pops don’t contain any high fructose corn syrup and are dye free.
3. Garden Veggie Chips (Healthy Candy Alternative)
Shaped like bats and ghosts, these veggie chips are adorable and healthy. A great vegan and gluten-free option!
Halloween Candy Alternatives – Nonedible
4. Halloween Self Ink Stamps (Halloween Candy Alternatives)
These 50 stamps come with 25 assorted designs and give kids a chance to be creative.
5. Spooky Notepads (Halloween Candy Alternatives)
Halloween notepads make a great useable treat. Kids can jot down all their important notes and it’s a great place to put stamps or stickers. These 48 notepads have cute Halloween covers!
6. Light-up Rings (Halloween Candy Alternatives)
These fun light-up Halloween rings are a great candy-free option. Fun, cute, and a little spooky.
7. Plastic Slinky Toys (Halloween Candy Alternatives)
This 48-pack of Halloween slinky toys is a fun treat that kids can play with far longer than just Halloween.
8. Slap Bracelets (Halloween Candy Alternatives)
Slap bracelets are good fun for kids as well as an accessory. This pack includes 72 bracelets with 24 designs.
9. Glow-in-the-dark Bouncy Balls (Halloween Candy Alternatives)
What kid doesn’t love bouncy balls? This is a 100-pack of glow-in-the-dark Halloween bouncy balls. They feature 20 different designs in a pack.
10. Temporary Tattoos (Halloween Candy Alternatives)
Temporary tattoos are a hit with kids. 144 Halloween favors for kids. They easily wash off after the fun is over.
11. Halloween Sticker Sheets (Halloween Candy Alternatives)
Another fun candy-free treat for children! 100 sheets of Halloween stickers make a fun treat for children.
12. Finger Puppets (Halloween Candy Alternatives)
Fun assorted 20-pack of hand puppets. Great trick-0r-treat option.
I hope you enjoyed this article and found some great Halloween candy alternatives for your little trick-or-treating guests.
Please share in the comments any healthy candy alternatives you’ve tried before! And did your trick-or-treaters like them?
Thanks as always.
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Shelley
October 7, 2021 at 10:32 amThank you for the great ideas!
Lorelei Bryan
October 7, 2021 at 11:59 amGreat ideas! I have a little grandson who needs to protect his teeth from sugar. I think I’ll make up a little pumpkin full of treats for him and get some extras to give it out on Halloween night.
Always lovin' Mama
October 7, 2021 at 9:21 pmHappy it was helpful. 🙂
Greg - Year of the dad
October 7, 2021 at 1:16 pmThese are some really cool ideas. Another idea would be glow bracelets. You can typically get a big pack for cheap and they can get two or three to a pack.
Always lovin' Mama
October 7, 2021 at 9:20 pmThat is a great idea. I thought about those because kids love them!
Scout
October 7, 2021 at 2:27 pmGreat ideas for alternatives to candy for Halloween, and good points on ones that won’t work! My favorite here are the stamps 🙂
Always lovin' Mama
October 7, 2021 at 9:19 pmGlad you like it. Thanks for stopping by!
Evie
October 7, 2021 at 2:32 pmLove these non treat ideas. Being a teacher, we always need options for the classroom. As a mom, I love having options for the kids who just don’t want or can’t have candy. The smiles on their faces and the happiness of the parents is so worth buying a few items for kids who need them.
Always lovin' Mama
October 7, 2021 at 9:19 pmThat’s a great take on it! Thanks
Karen | Online Blog & Business Help
October 7, 2021 at 11:42 pmAwesome Halloween ideas! Love the temporary tattoo idea. My daughter would loooove to get those in her treat bag!
Always lovin' Mama
October 11, 2021 at 1:08 amGlad it helped! Thanks for stopping by.
Tin
October 7, 2021 at 11:58 pmI’m not really fond of candies myself so these are actually such great ideas! I can’t wait to try these!
Always lovin' Mama
October 11, 2021 at 1:09 amThanks, I hope you enjoy them.
Natascha
October 8, 2021 at 8:06 amSuch great ideas! Definitely going to look for these!
Always lovin' Mama
October 11, 2021 at 1:09 amThanks!
Brava S Reitumetse
October 8, 2021 at 12:55 pmDefinitely better than sugary treats. At least these are items they can have or play with after the day.
Always lovin' Mama
October 11, 2021 at 1:10 amYes! It lasts way more than candy.
Krysten Quiles
October 8, 2021 at 3:51 pmWait wait wait… SLAP BRACELETS ARE BACK!?!
Always lovin' Mama
October 11, 2021 at 1:11 amI think they’re always fun for kids.
Chrissy
October 14, 2021 at 7:37 pmNice ideas! I like the bouncy balls and slinky toys. Too bad I live in a country where we don’t do Trick or Treat.
Always lovin' Mama
October 16, 2021 at 11:10 amSorry, it’s great fun for the kiddos.