| While Halloween has long been synonymous with | | | | neighborhood that has games kids can play using |
| costumes and candy, some parents are looking | | | | tokens, handing out a couple of tokens to each |
| for alternative treats. With a rise in childhood | | | | child can be a fun Halloween surprise. Also, some |
| obesity and overall poor eating habits, many | | | | retailers will sell coupon books for a free item to |
| parents are concerned about the amount of | | | | hand out on Halloween - such as a free ice cream |
| sugar getting consumed on Halloween night and | | | | cone. This allows parents to save the treat for a |
| after. Plus, with fears of poisoning, razor blades, | | | | time that is not so sugar-laden. |
| and other hazards from less than savory | | | | Party favors |
| characters, it is no wonder that for some, candy | | | | Your local party supply store will often have a |
| is taking a back seat. | | | | large stock of Halloween party favors available in |
| No matter the reasons behind your choice, you | | | | October. Things like plastic spider rings, glow |
| can still choose treats for your trick or treaters | | | | sticks, rubber bats, and fake teeth can all be fun |
| that are fun if not sweet. Here are some ideas of | | | | alternatives to hand out in the place of candy. |
| things that you can give out instead. | | | | Clearance sales and dollar stores |
| Pencils, pens, and erasers | | | | Often, you can find a selection of small toys for |
| Since many of the trick or treaters that you will | | | | very little money by browsing the clearance |
| see will be of the school-age variety, these can | | | | section of your favorite store and/or local dollar |
| be a fun gift. You can often find these in fun | | | | stores. Look for things like small toys, crayons, |
| Halloween themes at your local store. Look for | | | | books, and other kid-friendly items. If you plan |
| fun designs with pumpkins, bats, and other | | | | ahead and shop throughout the year, you can |
| Halloween themes. Shaped erasers can also be | | | | certainly develop a varied cache before Halloween. |
| fun. You will just want to be careful that none | | | | Kids will be so impressed with the cool items that |
| would be considered a possible choking hazard for | | | | you have they won't even miss the few extra |
| the tinier trick or treaters that will knock on your | | | | pieces of candy! |
| door. | | | | Single serving packages |
| Stickers and tattoos | | | | If you still want to do an edible item, many |
| Nearly every kid loves stickers, and you can | | | | grocery stores sell snacks in single serving |
| often find these inexpensively in bulk. You can | | | | packages. For instance, many companies are |
| look for Halloween themed ones if you would like, | | | | joining in on the 100 calorie pack trend, so you |
| or simply of characters and items that are | | | | can find a variety of snacks that are still |
| popular at the moment. For instance, Dora and | | | | somewhat healthy. Fruit snacks, juice boxes, or |
| Elmo are popular with the preschool set, while | | | | even mini bags of pretzels can be a good option. |
| older kids may enjoy princesses, butterflies, | | | | It is usually advisable to stay away from things |
| superheroes, and cartoon characters. You can | | | | that include nuts because of allergies some of |
| also find temporary tattoos with similar themes to | | | | your trick or treaters might have. |
| hand out as well. | | | | With a little creativity, you can come up with fun |
| Game tokens and coupons | | | | Halloween treats that don't involve sweets that |
| If there is a popular hang out in your | | | | your trick or treaters will love just the same. |