IDEAS
FOR NON-FOOD TREATS
Available at dollar stores, party supply
stores, or online shops, these low-cost items can be purchased and handed out
to all trick-or-treaters, or made available in a separate bowl from candy if
you choose to hand out both options. Nearly all of these items can be found in
a Halloween theme or festive colors.
- Glow sticks, bracelets, or necklaces
- Pencils, pens, crayons or markers
- Bubbles
- Halloween erasers or pencil toppers
- Mini Slinkies
- Whistles, kazoos, or noisemakers
- Bouncy balls
- Finger puppets or novelty toys
- Coins
- Spider rings
- Vampire fangs
- Mini notepads
- Playing cards
- Bookmarks
- Stickers
- Stencils
ARE THERE ANY NON-FOOD TREATS THAT I SHOULD AVOID?
There are a few considerations when choosing which non-food
items to hand out. First, some non-food items still contain food allergens,
such as some brands of moldable clay, which may contain wheat. Additionally,
try to choose latex-free items, as there are children who have latex allergies.
CAN I STILL PASS OUT CANDY?
Sure – just do it safely! The point of the Teal Pumpkin Project®
is to make trick-or-treating as inclusive as possible. You can keep the
experience safe by keeping your food treats and non-food treats in separate
bowls.
IF I’M HANDING OUT CANDY AND NON-FOOD TREATS, HOW DO I DETERMINE WHICH
TREAT TO GIVE TO EACH TRICK-OR-TREATER?
You can either ask trick-or-treaters if they have any food
allergies, or give every visitor a choice of which treat they’d like: candy or
a non-food item. FARE has signs to help you, including one that
says “You Pick: Candy or Prize.”
DO KIDS REALLY LIKE NON-FOOD TREATS?
They don’t just like them, they love them! Finding a unique
treat at your house will be a fun surprise. Glow bracelets, for example, are a
great option. They are inexpensive, kids can wear them throughout the night,
and parents are appreciative because they help make kids more visible after
nightfall. Other non-food items, such as pencils and stickers, can be used at
home and at school long after candy has run out or expired.