Managing a Peanut-Free Halloween

Your child or you child's schoolmates may have a peanut allergy. This means a lot of typical trick-or-treat candies are off-limits, as are a variety of homemade baked goods. Parents of kids with allergies and friends of kids with allergies can still celebrate Halloween.

Halloween Party Favor Bags

Make treat-free favor bags for Halloween. Stamp Halloween designs on paper bags or use stickers to decorate the bags. What to include in the peanut-free favor bags:
* Plastic spider rings, beaded necklaces, compacts for an all-girl party
* Toy cars, mini monster figurines, temporary tattoos, stickers
* Craft items like stickers, pumpkin stamps, foam Halloween shapes

Pumpkin Decorating Party

Instead of going trick-or-treating, arrange for a pumpkin decorating party. Ask guests to only bring their own pumpkin and carving tools. You supply the peanut-free snacks.

Prepare for All Trick-or-Treaters

Anyone who plans to hand out candy on Halloween should be prepared with some peanut-free or non-food treat bags. Keep the peanut-free candies separate from the other candies, and you'll have them available should anyone ask. You can also hand out small stickers, spinning tops or glow sticks (for older kids).

Parents of Trick-or-Treaters

If you're a parent of a child with a peanut allergy you may not want them to miss out on the experience of dressing up and going door to door.
* Teach an older child to ask for a peanut-free option.
* Also carry a second bag where you can put any candies which may have peanuts or which were manufactured in a facility that handles peanut or tree nuts.
* Carry an extra bag of candy that you've deemed safe so your child does not come home empty-handed. Once home you can trade any unsafe candy for the safe candy.
* Connect with other parents of children with peanut allergies in plan a small trunk-or-treat or indoor trick-or-treating party.

Peanut-Free Treats

Always double check ingredients and read label disclaimers if your child has peanut allergies. These candies and treats should be safe for anyone with a peanut allergy:
Carmel Apple Pops
Dum Dum Suckers
Life Savers
Mike & Ike Jelly Beans
Pez
Pez
Skittles
Smarties
Starburst
Twizzlers

Peanut-Free Food for a Halloween Party

For a Halloween party, make air popped popcorn and store it in paper bags. Or p urchase chocolate, candy and treats from companies that operate peanut-free and nut-free facilities. Try:
Vermont Nut Free
Enjoy Life Foods
Divvies

There are plenty of ways to safely celebrate Halloween when peanut-allergies are present. Also consider an evening hayride with cider, a visit to a local haunted house or a night of scary movies with the whole family.