Americans spend a little over $2 billion on Halloween candy each year. Though candy in moderation is OK, there are healthier options. Read on for different Halloween treat ideas that, though healthier, will still make your trick-or-treaters happy.
Halloween treats that are more nutritious
Instead of candy, hand out prepackaged treats that are more nutritious. A few good options are:
- trail mix (contains tree nuts and peanuts, so be aware of allergies)
- mini pretzels
- popcorn
- Goldfish
- animal crackers
You can find all of these prepacked treats in fun-size portions at the grocery store.
Halloween novelty toys
Though kids love candy, they love toys, too. Hand out inexpensive novelty toys in place of candy or food treats. Just be sure to pick toys that most kids will enjoy. Look for Halloween-themed trinkets at your local party store. Fun ideas include:
- vampire teeth
- temporary tattoos
- finger puppets
- bottles of bubbles
If you still want to hand out candy
If you're not interested in breaking trick-or-treat tradition, consider these healthier candy options:
- Individually wrapped wax lips
- Caramel Apple Pops
- Fun Size Peanut M&Ms
- Fun Size Three Musketeers
Note: Though dark chocolate is considered a healthier candy option, kids aren't always fond of it.
A word on homemade treats
A healthy homemade treat is undoubtedly better for you than candy, but most parents only feel comfortable accepting prepackaged treats from strangers. Unless you know all of your neighbors very well, it's best to skip homemade treats. This includes fresh fruit.
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