My daughter always attends several festivals, parties or other celebrations prior to Halloween. By the time the big day comes, she already has tons of candy. We are going to skip trick-or-treating this year and hand out goodies at my sister’s house instead. We’ve been collecting non-candy treats for months now. Here are some fun candy alternatives that children will actually be pleased to receive on Halloween.
1. Small Toys
Online retailers, such as Oriental Trading Company, sell small toys in bulk for low prices. For example, you can buy hundreds of Halloween stickers for just a couple of dollars. Cut them into small sheets of three or four stickers per child. Other toys we have on hand include temporary tattoos, miniature balls, yo-yos, playing cards, sunglasses, beaded necklaces, silly-band bracelets, coloring books and Halloween-themed pencils.
Also, large retailers traditionally have a clearance section that often goes down to 90 percent off the original prices following holidays or season changes. I stock up on toys that were meant to fill stockings or Easter baskets. These are great for adding an extra touch to the top of a birthday gift, too.
2. Fast Food Gift certificates
Several fast food establishments sell coupon booklets. They are usually just a dollar or two for 12 coupons. Kids feel very grown-up going up to the counter with their coupon to place their order independently.
3. Coins
My stepfather has been tossing his loose change into a bucket at the end of every day. He’s planning on giving handfuls of this out to trick-or-treaters. I remember receiving a roll of pennies one Halloween as a child. I was absolutely thrilled and couldn’t wait to get home to verify that I actually had 50 pennies.
4. Healthier snacks
I love it when my daughter scores snack size bags of pretzels, granola bars, crackers or popcorn. They are perfect for throwing in her lunchbox. We picked up some Halloween-themed fruit snacks as a happier alternative for kids who seem disappointed when there is no candy.
5. Glow Sticks
I’ve started stocking up on glow sticks, bracelets and necklaces when I see them on sale because my daughter always begs for them at festivals. Halloween is perfect for glow sticks. Kids love them and they make trick-or-treating in the dark a little safer. Notice I didn’t have toothbrushes or apples on the list? Don’t pass out anything too practical. Kids will feel like they’re getting the “trick” instead of the treat!
Rachael Moshman is a mom, freelance writer and blogger. She is hoping her non-candy treats will make her a neighborhood favorite.
