Here are some weird and wonderful options to the $2.3 billion American spend on Halloween candy, and they won’t contribute toward cavities or obesity in kids! I have linked most of the alternatives, but feel free to explore local options near you.
1. A spoonful of coins One year we ran out of Halloween candy and I gave the Trick-or-Treaters a tablespoon to dip into our coin can that was filled mostly with pennies, nickels. and dimes. It was a huge hit!
2. Mini glow sticks 30-150 $0.43 each
3. Kazoos They are irresistible for kids of all ages $4.76 a dozen
4. Glow in the dark vampire fangs $12.99 for 6 dozen
5. Fake mustaches, wax lips, temporary tattoos
6. Glow in dark bouncy balls $8.18 for 4 dozen
7. Mini play-doh cans $5.49 for 10 cans
8. Globe yo yo $13.99 a dozen. Or hamburger yo yos for $7.49 a dozen
9. Sponge animal growing capsules $3.44 a dozen
10. Glow in the dark footprints $5.25 a dozen
Candy Overload Help
Halloween is the time to let your child eat candy. Do not make it a power struggle! It will not kill or injure her to eat too much candy for one day unless your child has diabetes.
FOUR STEPS TO PEACE
1. Sort out the favorite candy, setting aside the un-favorites
2. Let her eat as much as she wants of her favorites on Halloween
3. The rest is doled out each day by age—4 pieces a day for a 4-year-old, 8 pieces for an 8-year-old, etc.
4. The rest is bagged up for your child to give to the homeless men and women on the street, or a homeless shelter