Halloween is right around the corner and many of us struggle deciding what to give trick or treaters. There are endless studies showing how bad candy is for your body; your teeth, skin, brain, and digestive system will all thank you later if you decrease sugar intake. Yet, there is an unspoken expectation to give our neighborhood children candy on Halloween.
Often, kids are just happy to be a part of Halloween festivities, and yes, while candy is fun, a nutritious snack or entertaining toy can be just as enjoyable. Here is a non-exhaustive list of Halloween hand outs that are not candy.
1. Halloween Themed Pencils – Packs of pencils are inexpensive and are a gift that will last longer than the few minutes it takes to eat a piece of candy.
2. Individually Wrapped Dates – Dates are nature’s candy! While they are high in sugar they are also natural and full of fiber which can be an excellent replacement for typical Halloween candy.
3. Stickers – Stickers are incredibly inexpensive. Create a choose your own sticker stand and let your neighborhood kids pick which fun Halloween sticker suits them best.
4. Play-Doh – Hand out mini Play-Doh containers that kids can play with well after Halloween has ended.
5. Natural gummy bears – Still want to treat the neighborhood to candy? Try natural gummy bears that are in single serving packs.
6. Fruit leathers – Fruit leathers often come individually wrapped and it is super easy to find them in bulk packaging. This is a naturally sweet treat without all of the added chemicals.
7. Salty snacks in individual packaging – break up the monotony of candy and sweets with a salty snack like popcorn, roasted chickpeas, or pretzels.
8. Mini Meat Sticks – Try a high protein snack that will help slow the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream.
Enjoy a spooky and healthy Halloween!