First of all let me start by saying…
Candy is awesome!
I’m not anti-candy, but it’s hard to handle the tidal wave of sugar that comes this time of year.
It’s Halloween. And it’s fine to splurge every so often by eating that Twix and Snickers bar. I love Almond Joy, and my kids don’t, so I make sure I have a stash of about 20 when Halloween is over.
After they trick-or-treat, I give each of my kids a bag and let them pick out their favorite candy. They can have a piece for their school lunch or after dinner. The rest of the candy I give away in a massive smorgasbord.
This year I decided to think out of the candy box, so I took my girls to Target and Joann’s craft and we bought cute toys and some healthier snacks. (Yes, I added a few treats)
Here is a list of the Top Ten Trick or No Treating items we found.
TOP 10 TRICK OR NO TREATING IDEAS
10. $1 BIN BOOKS
The $1 bin at Target has some fun affordable ideas. My daughter loved the thought of getting some scary books or children books. This is a great if you have older Trick or Treaters or you don’t get too many kids knocking on your door.
9. PENCILS AND ERASERS
We found cool Halloween erasers and pencils. They came in a pack of 24 pencils for $1 and packs of 24 erasers were on sale for just $2.
8. PIRATE EYE PATCH
Who doesn’t want a pirate eye patch? I’ve been wearing mine around the house since we bought them. And bonus: September 19 is National Talk Like a Pirate Day, so your trick-or-treater will be prepared for the big event.
7. VAMPIRE TEETH
Vampire teeth are a Halloween favorite.
They come in so many fun colors.
6. APPLE WITH FAT FREE CARMEL DIPPING SAUCE
Get a clear bag, cute string, apple and fat free caramel dipping sauce and you have the best treat that is somewhat healthy.
Don’t forget to wash the apple before you put it in the bag.
Put the dip in first at the bottom of the bag.
Put the apple on top of the dip.
Tie a bow with the orange and black twine.
These cute caramel apple gift bags are great for private Halloween parties or to hand out to your friends. If people don’t know you I don’t think they will like getting a apple that is not wrapped.
5. SKELETON PARACHUTE GUYS
Children and Grandma approved.
4. PLAY- DOH
Play-doh is always a big hit. My kids love it when they get play-doh. Even if it’s a mini size. We bought these at Target.
3. KETTLE CORN AND PRETZELS
Each of these are low in fat, sugar and calories. I love the special Halloween packaging. And this Kettle Corn is delicious. Aren’t you proud I added some sugar.
2.CRAYONS
What child doesn’t like crayons. They are the best. My kids color and draw all the time. If your store still has left over school supplies they may be marked way down. Check out those bins first and then try a party store for mini packets. They come in bulk for cheap.
1. COLORING BOOK
A cheap coloring book or cute note pad from a party store are the way straight to a child’s heart. They will love this over candy.
You may think I spent a lot of money on all these cute items, but the truth is it wasn’t much more expensive then a big bag of candy. It also depends on how many trick or treaters you have. A lot of the items at the craft stores were already marked way down in price. And if you have coupons it is even more affordable.
SAFETY TIPS FOR HALLOWEEN
1. Trick or treat with an adult.
2. Always walk on sidewalks or paths.
3. Buy your children a glow stick or a flashlight to carry when it is dark (remind your children not to chew on glow sticks).
4. Remind your children to eat treats in their original unopened wrappers. Check their candy bag before they start eating. Especially for children who have food allergies.
5. Only go to homes that have the front porch light turned on.
What are your favorite non candy items to hand out to Trick Or Treaters?
Have a Happy, Healthy and Safe Halloween!
Ray Ray says
I love this!!! I don’t have children yet, but I’m going to be “this” mom 😉 It’s such a nice change because I’m sure the kids will get plenty of candy otherwise.
Gina says
Apparently kids these days don’t know the “If the light is off don’t stop” rule. Last year my daughter was in bed by 630pm so I stayed home and left all the lights off and we STILL had kids ringing the door bell for 2 hours!!!! Drove me crazy! Finally I put a note on the door!
Love the alternate ideas for candy – last year my son got chips and pretzel bags and they were great to put in his lunch!
Libby says
I love Halloween and these are great ideas for Halloween party treat bags. Thanks for the ideas!
Rachel says
I love all of these alternatives to candy! Such great and fun ideas. I’m definitely going to try out this route this Halloween.
Tess @ Tips on Life and Love says
It’s funny how the coloring book is the cheapest, and yet the most beloved treat for kids. It’s like when you buy your kid an expensive toy, and all they want to do is play with the box.
Ashley G says
This is so true! Thanks for your comment.
Happy Home Fairy says
I am IN LOVE with that kettle corn popcorn. Great post! Thanks!
Bev says
I love to had out the mini size microwave popcorn bags (they come individually wrapped). The warehouse stores always have them in a big box this time of year.
Kristen says
My husband travels a lot for work (he’s a pilot) and after running out of basket space to store hotel shampoos/ soaps that we kept for house guests, I give them out at Halloween now. A double bonus since I declutter the bathroom and I don’t get caught empty handed because I ate the candy before the trick or treaters could get to it!
Marianne L says
Great idea,, Ashley! Halloween candy isn’t what it used to be and this alternative is a lot more fun.
Pat Mitchell says
One more good thing about giving non-editable treats is that they can be saved for next year if you don’t give all of them away. I hate having extra candy left over if we have a slow night. Just more for me to eat!
Annette says
We started giving out glow sticks, vampire teeth & spider rings. We are the glow stick house!
Bridgette Phillips says
Where did u get those cool Halloween skeleton parachute guys? Great ideas!
Tracey says
Target sells bags of fun items like the skeletons in their Halloween section for party give aways.
Ashley G says
I love the skeleton parachute guys. I got them at Target. We are still playing with them.
Kay says
I bought a bunch of glow bracelets/necklaces for a party a couple of years ago and still hand them out. I do add gum or a piece of candy but also give the kids a choice to see if they want another glow item. A lot of kids love them!
Shelly C. says
Last year I let the kids pick some favorites and put the rest in a gallon ziploc bag. I pulled it out at a Twilight marathon and told people to take one and pass it on! I could hear people in the rows behind us get excited when this huge bag got passed to them. I think someone snatched the whole bag eventually, but I was just happy it wasn’t at my house anymore ;o). Think Friday movie full of teens. And yes I know the sign says “no outside food or drinks” but we pretty much always buy sodas and popcorn (and sometimes icees, hot dogs, nachos) so they make plenty off of us!
Ashley G says
What a great idea. Thanks for your comment.
Regina Rivera says
Last year, we joined friends and took our kids around as a group of about 10 trick-or-treaters. They worked up quite a thirst, being so excited, chanting, and doing lots of walking. Both parents & kids were SO grateful when we happened upon one house in particular. There wasn’t anyone answering the door, but they placed a bucket that was filled with bottles of drinking water. They wrapped cute Halloween-themed wrappers around them. Genius.
Rayel says
I love these ideas. One year our family gave out Happy Meal toys that our kids had never opened or that were in great shape because they weren’t being played with and it got them all out of our house. The littler kids were especially excited about those.
Susan Fletcher says
For my community center halloween hand-out, we picked up some belVita breakfast cookies — cause what kid won’t want treats for breakfast after halloween?! And parents should be okay with them as a one-time treat!
Julie says
My son was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetez a week after Halloween when he was 3 years old. I have a bittersweet relationship with all holidays now. Not knowing about this horrible disease before…really, I was clueless., it has changed our lives until there is a cure. Now to the fun part, the kids who do come to my house get treats without sugar…throughout the year, I collect little toys and trinkets and my son and I decorate the treat bags to hand out. The kids talk about my bags at school the next day :). The candy we get goes to my daughters boyfriend in Afghanistan. Send the troops your candy!
Ashley G says
Thank you for commenting. So many children have allergies and diabetes that was another reason I wanted to write this post. And sending candy to the troops is genius.
Susie says
These are wonderful ideas for the classroom or if you get three truck or treaters (like we do). But what about those who get 60+?
Mrs D says
Oh my word! Please tell me where you got the pirate eye patches! I have to have those!
Ashley G says
Target! They have so many cute things this year. Thanks for your comment.
Rachel says
I love the caramel apple bag treat. I’m going to do that!
Jenny says
I love the play-doh idea! I mean, who doesn’t love play-doh? I am on a mission now to cut some of the sweets this Halloween. BTW, I too, have had a kid or two bite the glow stick till it leaks. I forget to remind myself of this. Thanks for the reminder.
MIKEY says
GREAT IDEAS. I’LL DEFINITELY USE THESE.
Joanne says
Little individual bags of mini carrots—-who wouldn’t love them.:) It might even keep some of mean grabby kids away if the word gets out —-Or you can even give them a chance to choose healthy treat or sticky nasty treat
Kaydee says
Great tips. Thanks
Niti says
Hey,
I was wondering if you had any ideas on how to use the skeleton parachute guys as in-house decorations? I just can’t figure out how to place them/hang them around the house? But I happen to have a whole packet of them.
Thanks 🙂