Tricks to Handing out Healthy Halloween Treats

iStockphoto / Sean Locke

Everyone knows that candy is a Halloween staple, and nowadays it seems to be in a food group all its own. But with one-third of the children in the United States extremely overweight or obese, maybe it’s time to consider some healthy alternatives that won’t get your house TP’d.

Most kids (especially their parents) will be just fine with nutritious snacks. However, you should use caution when passing out food items that could cause allergic reactions in some children such as peanuts, milk, or wheat. Just make sure the contents or ingredients are easily identified, even if that means sticking a label on the wrapper or bag.

Here is a list of healthy Halloween treats you can give out at the door or send to your child’s school or preschool class:

• Popcorn: Add a little salt and seal in a decorative baggie.
• Nuts: Roasted peanuts still in the shell are always fun to eat. Or you can use the pre-packaged individual bags of nuts.
• Apples or oranges
• Individual packages of snack crackers
• String cheese sticks, individually packaged
• Lunch-sized bags of pretzels
• Baggies with carrot sticks (and maybe even little packets of dip to go with them)
• Baggies of celery sticks with peanut butter packets
• Beef jerky sticks
• Animal crackers in cute little party bags or plastic baggies decorated with stickers
• Juice boxes
• Yogurt covered raisins
• Fruit snacks: Only a few brands actually have real fruit juice and they all contain sugar, but it’s still a better alternative than candy corn.
• Cereal bars: There are several varieties to choose from.

When you’re thinking about healthy alternatives, you can take it a step farther and hand out non-food items. Fun little trinkets gives kids something to do long after they’ve brushed the last of the chocolate out of their teeth. Companies like Oriental Trading can be a valuable (and inexpensive) source for treats of this nature. So can your local dollar store. Some suggestions are:

• Temporary tattoos
• Fingernail decals for the girls and stickers for the boys
• Glow sticks
• Halloween pencils or erasers
• Mini packets of crayons and a coloring sheet or booklet
• Bubbles
• Bouncy balls
• Coupons for fast-food ice cream treats

 Halloween is among a kid’s favorite days of the year. Make it fun and safe with a healthy treat they’ll love!