Alternatives to Halloween Candy

Instead of candy, my neighbors give something different to trick or treaters. My kids love going to their house to see what my neighbors will give out each year. With the focus lately on obesity in kids, getting one less piece of candy on Halloween doesn't make too much of a difference, however, I do like the idea of figuring out how not to take the spirit out of Halloween.

So think outside of the box, and find something that is not candy related for your trick or treaters this year.

Photo credit: stevendepolo / Foter / CC BY

My neighbors probably give away the best trick or treat item each Halloween. It's not candy. It's not even some type of food. My neighbors give away some type of lighted device. This does two things. First, it provides a light for all the trick or treaters during the evening hours. And second, it provides a non-candy item, saving the kids from a 350 calorie treat.

Over the years, we've seen glow in the dark bracelets, finger lights, mini glow sticks, a flashlight, and various other lights.

A good friend of mine sent me this video which was started because of Halloween and the concept that candy can come from natural ingredients. The candy is called Unreal Candy. I can't wait to try it as it is available at some of my favorite stores including Target, Shaws, Wegmans, CVS, and Giant.

I love the concept, I love the fact that Unreal has less calories that its counterparts. I love the fact that it is made with natural ingredients which according to the video gives it a shelf life instead of something that will last forever.

I will be looking for Unreal Candy this Halloween.

Another non-candy option on Halloween is to give a salty snack. Bags of chips are a little more expensive than candy, but they are a great alternative to the whole sugar sweet thing. There are all different kinds of chips out there, so pick the ones that you like.

I'm not sure if substituting salt for sugar is all that much better for kids, however, loading up on just sugar is not doing us any good.

I don't know about anyone else, but I loved getting a nickel, a dime, or a quarter on Halloween. It was great when you would end up with a couple of dollars in coins at the end of trick or treating. Of course this was 35 years ago.

So what would be the going rate today? I'm thinking around 50 cents, that way if you end up with 100 trick or treaters, it would be a cost of 50 dollars.

Another candy alternative is gum. After the kids have had ten pieces of candy the day after Halloween, and mom and dad are like no more candy. The kids will ask, can I have a piece of candy, after the no and the crying, they will find a piece of gum in their bag, which then helps clean their teeth of all that sugar.

Remember, you are giving something to a boy or girl probably in 1st thru 5th grade. When thinking about alternatives, there are certain things you want to avoid.

1. Fruit or Vegetables - I would say raisins are out along with any other fruits.
2. Homemade items - with all the dangerous people out there, homemade popcorn balls and such are typically not a good idea.
3. Cheap plastic toys - Anything like a plastic ring or plastic car...avoid like the plague.
4. Anything appearing to be educational - Pencils, erasers, or other items associated with school. The exception may be fancy pencil toppers, however, these can be expensive.