Cool Alternatives to Halloween Candy

Unfortunately, the candy often means tummy aches, melted chocolate, wrappers to clean up, and the beginnings of tooth decay. That's no fun! Some people have risen to these challenges by opting to pass out healthier treats, like apples, granola bars, and even dental floss.

Now, don't get me wrong; I don't condemn healthy treats and good dental hygiene. There are folks who can give out fruit, granola bars, and dental floss to trick-or-treaters, and still respect themselves in the morning - I'm just not one of them. Halloween is serious business. If I'm going to withhold the candy, I feel obligated to replace it with something cool. (Dental floss, while necessary, has never been particularly cool.)

With this in mind, I decided to come up with some cool alternatives to sugary candy. If you need some ideas that will impress the kids without breaking your budget, read on!

1. Glow Sticks

Children love things that glow in the dark. Glow sticks can be found at discount stores and Halloween shops. The ones you can bend into necklaces and bracelets are particularly neat. They also double as safety devices by making trick-or-treaters more visible to passing cars - definite bonus.

2. Rubber Ducks

Yes, that's right - rubber ducks. Kids of all ages love the designer ducks you can get online or at party supply stores. We're not talking plain, yellow bath toys. With a little research, one can easily find vampire ducks, devil ducks, princess ducks, pirate ducks, ninja ducks, and many more. Most retail for about a dollar each, less for miniature ducks. And their beaks conceal tiny holes that a child can use to squirt water at their friends - bonus!

3. Freaky Teeth

Readily available at most retail outlets, these teeth range from the standard vampire fangs to gap-toothed 'Billy Bob' smiles. Smaller children will love the reactions they get with their goofy grins. The teeth don't cost much, plus they come in soft rubber varieties which are gentle on little mouths.

4. Temporary Tattooes

These come in many colorful varieties that appeal to kids of all ages. They're also easy to find, and can even be ordered in bulk over the Internet.

5. Bubbles

Bubbles never go out of style. They're simply lots of fun, and it's really hard to put an eye out with them. You can find bubble necklaces in the party section of discount department stores, or online at party supply sites.

6. Bouncy Balls

Perennial favorites. They come in wild colors and creepy Halloween designs. Both boys and girls are delighted with how high these hard rubber balls can bounce. Just be sure to select a size that won't lodge in a small child's throat.

7. Spin Tops

Okay, I admit it. I have a fascination with spin tops - especially the psychedelic ones with holograms that flash while the top is spinning. They, too, appeal to a variety of ages. (Just ask my inner child.) Safe, inexpensive, and fun.

8. Halloween Bling

Most toy departments have an assortment of plastic jewelry. For princesses, brightly-colored rings, tiaras, and wands are always a hit. For marauding pirates, try eye-patches, clip-on earrings, and bags of gold coins.

9. Rubber Spiders & Insects

For every rubber spider, there is a child waiting to place the critter in some unsuspecting person's chair. But that's the fun! This is trick-or-treating, after all. To up the gross-out factor, look for bugs-in-slime party favors. Yep, you guessed it - plastic bugs in tiny canisters of slime.

10. Halloween Pencils & Pencil-Toppers

Always popular around this time of year, Halloween pencils have the added bonus of being useful once the holiday has passed. Sure, they're not slimy and grimy, but they do come in plenty of designs to appeal to boys and girls. Inexpensive crayons and coloring books can also be found in grocery or discount department stores.

This Halloween, if you choose not to give candy, do give something that the youngsters will enjoy. There are plenty of choices besides those listed here. Experiment with stickers, trading cards, and other cool alternatives to candy. Just think like a kid, and you can't go wrong!