Here are ten Halloween treats for any child. Every kid loves to get candy for Halloween. No kid NEEDS candy for Halloween. But how will kids respond if you give them a fun Halloween toy instead? Perhaps this is the year to find out.
Making this change can eliminate any mixed emotions you have about encouraging sugary snacks while also making your treats more inclusive. With candy treats, some children will have to sort out the chocolate, the dairy, the gluten, the artificial coloring, or other allergens. That can put a damper on their excitement about the holiday. Switching away from food will mean more kids can enjoy your treats!
When I was a kid, I loved wax lips and fangs even when they weren’t part of my costume. I also had fun with clicking metal frogs. My kids loved scaring me with plastic spiders and snakes. With more toy varieties available than ever, it’s easy to expand on a theme of disguises or themed toys.
Here are ten items to explore:
One. Themed Rubber Duckies. Choose monster duck shapes or ducks dressed in costumes – witches, skeletons, ghosts and more. They’re fun in the bathtub and they don’t hurt when toddlers throw them at each other after eating lots of sugar.
Two. Mustaches. My family wears these off and on all year long. We wear them to parties for no reason at all. We dress up like pirates and sing pirate songs. The kids love them – even the girls.
Specific shapes and sizes are available individually. There are also variety packs with various a va. Some come in bright colors, others are simply brown, black, and gray.
Three. Slime. Tiny cans of slime seem like the remnants of ghosts. And kids love icky feeling messy things.
Four. Capes. Children can become vampires or superheroes by donning a simple cape. Red, blue, and black capes with a Velcro closure are available for less than $1 each. They can be worn as is or decorated as a fun activity.
Five. Balls. Superballs, bouncing pumpkins, or eyeball balls are all available and fun. I still love super balls. The higher the bounce, the better.
Six. Halloween Crayons and/or Coloring Books. I realize at this point I’m mostly making a list of toys I like. I’m even a sucker for the crayons and placemats they give kids in restaurants.
Seven. Temporary Tattoos. My grandkids love temporary tattoos. Choose an assortment with bats, skeletons, jack-o-lanterns, and candy corn or opt for Paw Patrol, PJ Masks, or Frozen.
Eight. Bubbles. Every toddler I know has learned to ask to blow bubbles by saying bub or bubbles as soon as their vocabulary grows beyond four or five words. One of my grandchildren says and signs it.
There are hundreds of delivery containers for bubbles. Some have holiday themes. Others do not. Choose the size and variety that best suits your trick or treat needs from any discount, big box, grocery, or online store.
Nine. Glow Critters. If your kids love glow bracelets, they’re sure to love glow critters. Many of these are packaged with bracelets for the kids to wear for additional visibility when trick or treating.
Ten. Flashing Spike Ring. Jewelry is another option for themed giveaways. Flashing spike rings remind me of light up sensory balls. I’ve been known to stare into a few, and the kids are quickly mesmerized – as if they’re under a witch’s spell.
Even if you decide to dole out candy, putting a few toys in the mix will make your house more friendly for children with dietary restrictions. And experience tells me, children love variety. When I’ve mixed in toys on Halloween, they’ve quickly become more popular than candy.
Happy Halloween! Stay safe, everyone.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
