A Healthier Halloween: Mindful Treats and Simple Ways to Keep the Fun (Not the Sugar)
Whether you’re searching for healthier Halloween treats for your kids, assembling goodie bags for your grandkids, or simply enjoy handing out snacks on Halloween night, the items on this list are sure to be a hit—and you can feel good about sharing them, too!
Halloween is a month away, so I’m starting to consider what candy I’ll be handing out, what I’ll be offering my kids as a fun, seasonal treat here & there, and what the Switch Witch will be leaving them on Halloween night. I’m not going to lie, Halloween is a tricky holiday for me. Not only do I think it’s weird having masked strangers ringing my doorbell in the dark asking for candy, but I really dislike the amount of candy & junk my kids receive in one night.
I don’t mean to be the bearer of bad news or to rain on anyone’s parade, but the candy today is not the candy of 50 years ago. Check out the ingredients in a 1950s Reese’s peanut butter cup versus the ingredients found in a peanut butter cup today. You cannot tell me they are remotely close to being the same thing:
So needless to say, we do Halloween a little differently at my house 😉
I mentioned it at the start, but we do partake in the Switch Witch. I actually really like this idea and use it as a way to get rid of 95% of the candy my kids get. When we’re done trick or treating, I do let them sort through what they got, and then they put it back in their bags and leave it out for the Switch Witch. In return, the Witch leaves them a few (mostly non-candy) goodies: a book, a coloring book, a small Lego kit, maybe a fidget toy, or some new colored pencils. I will usually throw in 2-3 pieces of the candy listed below, maybe a granola bar, and an apple sauce. It’s nothing big, but it’s useful and still enjoyable.
We also participate in the Teal Pumpkin Project. This means we leave a teal pumpkin on our steps as a sign that we have allergy-friendly items available for those kids who can’t have “traditional” candy.
The good news is that there are better candy options out there that have a lower sugar content, don’t use artificial dyes & flavors, and will satisfy that sweet craving without such a dramatic sugar crash after.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that even though these are “better” alternatives, they’re still sugar, which has a detrimental impact on our microbiome, hormones, blood glucose, inflammation, sleep, and more. We still want to try to avoid overindulging, hard as it may be!
Most of these alternatives are shared with kids in mind, but adults can certainly enjoy them too. I’ve also included some non-food items in case you want a change of pace and don’t want to include as much candy this year.
Cleaner Candy / Treat Alternatives
Unreal Snacks: They have a ton of different products and they’re all delicious.
Yum Earth: This is our go-to for lollipops, gummies, “Skittles,” etc. They’re also allergy-friendly which is refreshing.
That’s It bars: These make for great on-the-go snacks.
Non-Candy Ideas
Whether it’s Halloween, Easter, or Valentine’s Day, I’ve tried to be much more mindful of the “stuff” that’s coming into my house. We don’t need any more trinkets or knick-knacks that just add to the clutter. I still want my kids to have fun, but I think a little mindfulness of what we’re giving them goes a long way.
Little tip: I use the Halloween-themed items here for Boo Bags or to toss into the allergy-friendly bin on Halloween night. For the Switch Witch, my focus is more on fall or Thanksgiving (or no theme at all, like a small Lego). This is because on November 1st, Halloween decorations & books are put away to make space for Thanksgiving.
Paint by Sticker books: These are hit or miss with my oldest, but my four-year-old can sit and do page after page of these books. Great for quiet time, restaurants, or waiting rooms at the doctor’s office. They have lots of seasonal-themed books, as well as things like animals, under the sea, space, etc.
Halloween pencils: Seasonal and practical. My kids always love a new writing utensil. Plus, these are only $1 for 8!
Easy Activities: Target has really cute, inexpensive activities for kids. They come with everything you need, just put down a cover to protect your table/floor and you’re good to go. This is another toy that would be great to keep them occupied if you’re out and about. I saw lots of Halloween-themed kits, too.
Mini bubbles: Again, seasonal and fun, and only $3 for 24.
Screen-Free Stories: if your kids are into Tonies or Yoto, now is a fun time to include a new figure or card.
Games: This doesn’t need to be Halloween-themed necessarily; any game like Uno, Crazy 8s, etc., can be a fun addition!
Books: Always books! I’ll probably go with a fall-theme or a book from a series my son is into. There are TONS of great Halloween-themed kids’ books, but as I said, on November 1st it’s out with Halloween and in with Thanksgiving.
Legos: My two oldest are very into Legos right now, and these little bags are great. They can both do them completely independently, and then they have a fun little toy to play with before breaking it back down again.
Glow Sticks: My kids love cracking these to make them glow, and then they are excited to wear them while we trick or treat. It makes them a little easier to spot as we go door to door.
Other ideas could include a notepad & pencils, fidget toys, activity coins…the options are endless and are whatever works best for you & your kiddos!
Boosting Nutrition Before Trick-or-Treating
While I want my kids to enjoy the spirit of Halloween, I’m more concerned about making sure their blood sugar stays as balanced as possible. Some of you may be thinking, “just let them enjoy one night!” I get that, but blood sugar dysregulation, even in one evening, has a cascading effect on a bunch of other hormones & bodily systems, even in kids. This can include disturbances in mood, irritability, sleep, GI, and more. It also impacts their stress response, hunger/satiety cues, and growth hormones.
So what can we do to help balance the fun of the evening with their overall well-being?
Prioritize sleep for the few nights leading into Halloween, and even on Halloween night (as much as you can).
Offer nutrient-dense foods leading into Halloween, but especially the day before, day of, and day after.
Hydrate properly, with water or some milk…no juice, sports drinks, flavored drinks, etc!
Prepare a Halloween dinner that offers protein, fat, and some fruit and/or veggies. I know Halloween night is hectic for a lot of families, so leaning into your slow cooker, Instant Pot, or a previously prepped meal can do wonders. Options could include:
Premade Easy Mini Meatballs + homemade roasted potatoes (or Jesse & Ben’s French fries)
Chicken nuggets + fries
Burgers + fries