Non-Candy Giveaways for Trick-or-Treaters

For children with medical conditions such as type 1 diabetes, eosinophilic esophagitis and food allergies, Halloween can be a truly scary holiday. These children are often excluded from the fun of Halloween night.

Consider offering non-food items so that all children can feel included on a memorable night with their friends and family.

Consider offering something that can make a real difference in the experience of children that suffer from food allergies and other medical conditions.

The following non-food giveaways can all be found at the local dollar store, Target or Walmart.

• Glow sticks and bracelets
• Halloween stickers
• Holiday-themed erasers and pencils
• Spooky play rings

And if ordered ahead of time, the following fun items can be purchased online and shipped to your house in time for the holiday:

• Flashing light-up rings
• LED fingerlights
• Halloween stamps
• Small Halloween toys
• Notepads
• Mini slime
• Sticky hands toys
• Bouncy balls
• Spider rings
• Halloween stickers

As an aside, the Teal Pumpkin Project raises awareness of food allergies through the addition of non-food toys, making Halloween safer and more inclusive for all trick-or-treaters.

The steps are simple:

• Provide non-food treats for trick-or-treaters.
• Place a teal pumpkin in front of your home to indicate to neighbors that you have non-food treats available.
• Add your home to the Teal Pumpkin Project map.
• Spread the word! Share the Teal Pumpkin Project with your friends and family.

I will be wishing all the little ghosts and goblins a spooky and safe Halloween!