Healthy Treats for Trick-or-Treaters

The thought of all that candy makes my stomach hurt. My 5 year old is a cavity waiting to happen, and I usually end up throwing out the remainder of the Halloween candy sometime around Easter.

The other thing that is frustrating about Halloween is the fact that I am going to spend money on treats that are either going to contribute to the tooth decay of others, or get thrown in the trash. Trick-or treating at Halloween is tradition for many children, but it's OK to change that tradition a bit. With a little extra thought, you can come up with some healthy alternatives to the traditional Halloween treats. Just think outside the treat bag. Here are some ideas to get you started:

School Supplies

By the time trick-or-treaters come knocking, school has been in session for two months. No doubt some of those school supplies are running low. Pencil top erasers, pencils, pens, or just about any other school items you are able to find at a reasonable price are great ideas. Do a search on 'Wholesale or discount school supplies' and you'll be able to find these items in bulk.

Spare Some Change

That jar full of change you've been saving for years is great for trick-or-treaters. A few cents to the kids who come by for treats certainly won't rot their teeth. And, they might even be inspired to save it!

Books

Any type of small book is a great trick or treat item. Activity books can be purchased at your local dollar store. If you have the means purchase little pocket sized booklets to hand out to children. If you're creative, make up a personalized little booklet of your own.

Toys

Small toys like the ones you would find in a prize box at the dentist's office are also a good healthy alternative to candy. They don't need to be too expensive. Army men, tattoos, and stickers are healthy alternatives to candy. Small craft kits are good and can either be purchased or made up with items you can buy in bulk.

Give 'Em a Trick

If all else fails and you have the skills, go ahead and give the kids a trick. Tricks are underrated these days. Being able to entertain kids is a skill that everyone doesn't possess. Be a Halloween Prankster. Children often expect that they will leave with a treat. The candy lasts for only a few minutes, but the memory of a trick can last a lifetime.