It’s almost that time of year again!
Hallowe’en is such a fun occasion for kids of all ages. Heck, as an adult, I can’t wait for Hallowe’en!
Most of us will be preparing for the age-old tradition of handing out candy to trick-or-treaters on Hallowe’en night – but have you ever thought about exactly what you are handing out?
Here are some non-candy treat ideas and some reasons why you should consider handing them out:
Why Should I Hand Out Non-Candy Treats?
Hallowe’en is a special and fun occasion that should be enjoyed by kids everywhere!
However, in recent years issues such as food allergies have come to the forefront of parental concerns.
We all know that peanuts are a no-go when it comes to handing out treats, but it’s important to consider other sensitivities such as lactose intolerance and gluten allergies.
Okay, so maybe the onus shouldn’t be on each and every parent to cater their Hallowe’en treat bags to children with allergies, but choosing non-candy treats is super easy and affordable!
Plus, you should take into consideration the amount of sugar in traditional Hallowe’en treats.
Maybe your mini chocolate bar isn’t going to impact a child’s health negatively, but a whole bag of them will!
Overall, handing out non-candy treats is a great way to create an inclusive atmosphere when it comes to Hallowe’en.
You can help little ones avoid too much sugar and food dyes while offering children with food sensitivities an opportunity to enjoy this time of year.
This list is going to give you some amazing Hallowe’en treat ideas that aren’t candy that won’t break your bank but will still provide enjoyment to your little trick-or-treaters!
Hallowe’en Treat Ideas That Aren’t Candy
1. Jack ‘O Lantern Oranges
This non-candy Hallowe’en treat idea is super cute and super healthy! Simply grab a marker and draw Jack ‘O Lantern faces onto oranges.
You can’t get any healthier than fresh fruit!
2. Raisins
If you don’t want to hand out fresh fruit, why not raisins? You can get raisins in small boxes that will perfectly into a Hallowe’en treat bag.
They are a great snack and a far better option than sugary candies.
3. Mini Playdoh
Hallowe’en treat bags don’t have to be full of food. You can easily throw in a mini container of playdoh.
Playdoh is a great way to encourage creativity in children, and sometimes you can grab a pack of Hallowe’en colors for the occasion.
4. Granola Bars
Look for granola bars with as many organic and natural ingredients as possible – some can be loaded with sugar!
Some top picks include Cliff Kids Organic Z Bars, Larabars, and Made So Good granola bars.
5. Stickers
No kid is going to turn down a fun Hallowe’en sticker or two! From water bottles to laptops, they can stick them anywhere.
Check out your local dollarstore for Hallowe’en stickers. This is an affordable alternative to passing out candy.
6. Bubbles
Bubbles are a great treat idea for younger children. You can look for Hallowe’en-themed bubble containers, but generic ones are just as fun!
7. Erasers
When it comes to Hallowe’en treat ideas that aren’t candy, you can’t go wrong with erasers! And finding ones shaped as pumpkins, ghouls, and ghosts won’t be hard at all.
8. Foam Masks
Take a look for party favor foam masks for your Hallowe’en treat bags. These masks are safe and imaginative – the kiddos can decorate them and be creative!
9. Hallowe’en Slinkies
Small Hallowe’en slinkies can easily fit into a treat bag and keep kids busy at home as they figure out how to get them to “walk” down the stairs.
10. Hallowe’en Rubber Duckies
Mini Hallowe’en rubber duckies are a super cute treat idea, especially for little trick-or-treaters. Look for rubbers that are mummified, vampirified, and monsterified!
11. Squishies & Fidgets
Squishies and fidgets are quite the rage among kids right now, and it’s super easy to find smaller versions that will fit into a Hallowe’en treat bag.
12. Temporary Tattoos
Hallowe’en temporary tattoos are a great candy alternative! They are fun to put on and wash away easily in the tub.
13. Hot Chocolate Packets
Even though hot chocolate can be sugary, it can be made more nutritious when paired with milk (which contains healthy proteins and other nutrients).
You can find reduced-sugar and corn syrup-free hot chocolates that are free of all the unnecessary stuff.
What a great way to warm up after an evening of trick-or-treating!
14. Popcorn
Popcorn brands such as Skinny Pop and Boom Chicka Pop offer small Hallowe’en snack-sized bags that are perfect for older trick-or-treaters.
This healthy alternative is delicious without all the sugar!
15. Pretzels
You can also get individually packaged pretzels to add to your Hallowe’en treat bags. Even though pretzels do contain refined flour, they are not candy and don’t have all that extra sugar!
16. Slime
While I don’t know a parent out there who is a slime fan, kids love this stuff! You can easily buy small containers of slime to include in your Hallowe’en treat bags.
17. Glow Sticks
Glow sticks are super fun to play with and a good idea to have on hand while trick-or-treating in the dark. You can often buy packs of multiple glow sticks, so simply add one to each bag.
18. Slap Bracelets
Slap bracelets are no longer a passing 90s fad! These fun fashion accessories come in a variety of styles and colors, so it won’t be hard finding ones with Hallowe’en prints.
19. Pencils
When it comes to Hallowe’en treat ideas that aren’t candy, who can say no to a new pencil? Check out your local dollarstore for Hallowe’en pencils, or order a whole bunch online.
20. Mini Coloring Books
You can also get mini coloring books in Hallowe’en designs. Add a tiny packet of crayons and you have yourself an awesome non-candy treat!
21. Goldfish
Another healthy treat you can include in your Hallowe’en treat bags are snack-sized bags of Goldfish crackers. These are often a hit with kids of all ages and make for a sugar-free snack!
22. Mini Flashlights
Not only will mini flashlights fit perfectly into a treat bag, but they offer children extra safety and protection while trick-or-treating.
Plus, who doesn’t enjoy telling ghost stories in the dark at Hallowe’en?
23. Scratch Paper Art
Spark your trick-or-treaters’ creativity with Hallowe’en scratch paper art. These small pieces of cardstock come with little sticks to scratch off the surface and reveal some really cool colors underneath.
24. Kaleidoscopes
Mini kaleidoscopes are a great way to fill up your treat bag without resorting to candy. Kids of all ages will love playing with these!
25. Wind-Up Toys
Check out your local stores or online for Hallowe’en-themed wind-up toys. Perfect for younger kids, these are a fun way to avoid stuffing your treat bags with candy.
26. Window Clingers
Hallowe’en window clingers are a great way to decorate for the occasion because they can be stuck to the window and removed without leaving behind any residue.
Happy Hallowe’en!
What are you going to put in your treat bags this year? Let us know in the comments!