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How We Handle Trick or Treating with Food Allergies
Trick or treating with food allergies can be a tough thing to do. Halloween is just around the corner. We thought we should talk about how we handle Halloween candy and going out to trick or treat when we have food allergies. We wanted to do it a bit early as some of the places we order allergen friendly Halloween candy from do short runs of Halloween themed candy and need time to ship it all.
Our kids do go trick or treating. They all go together and it is something they look forward to all year. Even though our kids cannot eat everything they are given, it always finds a home.
For our guide to top 9 free allergy friendly candy check out our Allergen Friendly Halloween Candy Guide.
The Number One Unbreakable Rule
We have one rule we never break - no eating anything until an adult checks it at home. This is to make sure we know exactly which ingredients are in each candy. Some kids cannot have any candies they collect as they have been in contact with their allergens in other packages.
The Other Rules
Everyone who has an epinephrine auto injector prescribed to them must bring at least 2 of their autoinjectors with us. Whichever parent is chaperoning also carries one set of two autoinjectors, as well.
The parent going with the kids must make sure they have a fully charged cell phone. This can be tough as we are in Canada and the phones will get too cold when the temperature drops so we put it in an interior coat pocket to keep it warmer. If anyone has an allergic reaction you will need a phone to call for emergency services.
At Home After Trick of Treating
The kids all hand their bags to my partner, Rob, and I when we get home. Rob and I take all the candy and switch it with a bag of safe candies we put together a day of two before. We often make a treat in advance like Nut Free Monster Cookies or Double Chocolate Muffins for the kids to enjoy, as well.
In our house the candies they got whilst out trick or treating are stored in a specific spot or our house. Rob will be the one to tackle those over the year as his sweet treat. If he didnt eat them we would give the sweets to friends, family, or donate it.
Our Approach to Those Coming to our Home to Trick or Treat
We put out a Teal Pumpkin and have a sign next to the door and ask each child if they would like candy or a small toy. This started many years ago for us when my sibling was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
On offer are little halloween themed notions in a separate teal bowl from all food items that the kids can choose from. Keeping the two options separate is important for cross contact issues. The food items we offer are top 9 free but we know that with over 170 foods that can cause food allergies there is no one sweet that everyone can have.
Treats we offer
Some of the non-food treats are stickers, hot wheels, cars, pencils, glowsticks, and more. We do not offer play-doh or slime as they may contain allergens like wheat. All the treats are for over the age of 3 only due to small parts and the choking hazard they may pose for toddlers. Latex toys are also something we avoid as mnay are also allergic to latex.
Any leftovers non-food treats go in a bag for next year. We pack that bag away with the Halloween ornaments until next year. FARE has ideas for non-food treats in this article here.
Inclusive Trick or Treating
Predetermined Treats
If the kids are little, we used to just visit a few selected friends, family and neighbours. Before Halloween we would drop off a special Halloween bag full of allergen friendly Halloween candy for our kids with their names on them and have them hand this out instead. Inclusivity can mean more than trick or treating with food allergies.
FAACT's Teal Ghost Kit
In the a similar vein as the previous idea FAACT has a kit to bestow a few non-food treats to your neighbour. The idea is that they will hand them out and the neighbour will pass it on to another neighbour until everyone is offering non-food treats.
For more information on the Teal Ghost Initiative check out FAACT's website and get the kit here.
Light the Way Campaign: Shine a Teal Light on Food Allergy this Halloween
The Food Allergy Canada has an initiative they spearhead to swap out the porch or exterior light with one that is teal. A list of suppliers who make teal lights or programmable lights is on the Food Allergy Canada website. The majority of the lights are LED smart lights by Globe Electric, a Canadian company. Find where to buy the light bulbs here.
If swapping out the porch lights is not an easy task, the site also proposes other ideas, like making teal lanterns with a battery operated light or teal glow sticks inside.
Teal Pumpkin Project
The Teal Pumpkin Project is an initiative started by Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE). It is a program to promote food allergy awareness. In order to meet everyone's food allergy needs FARE has put forth the solution of handing out non-food treats, like small toys, instead of anything that can be consumed. Often kids who trick or treat with a teal pumpkin container will have food allergies.
Interactive Map
Check out the interactive map on the FARE website to find who near you is participating. Anyone can list themselves as providing allergen friendly non-food offerings through FARE on the Teal Pumpkin Project Map. American and Canadian sign ups are encouraged for homes offering non-food treats. There are some cities all over the world with a few listings that we have noticed increased over last year.
Be Aware
Not all houses that show a teal pumpkin may be a part of the program however but traditionally a teal pumpkin is a sign that there is a family with allergies who MAY provide other options (not for certain and not for all allergies). The official FARE Teal Pumpkin program uses the Teal pumpkin to signal that non-food treats are available at this house.
For more info on the Teal Pumpkin Project check out The Teal Pumpkin Project by FARE.
Teal Pumpkin Project Non Food Treat Ideas
FARE is working tirelessly to bring attention to the Teal Pumpkin Project. It is an alternative program to trick or treat and get candy. Instead of handing out sweets FARE encourages participants to hand out non-food items to kids.
TEN IDEAS FOR NON-FOOD TREATS
- Toy Cars - matchbox or hot wheels cars, even finger skateboards
- Stickers - sheets of stickers (some may be allergic to the adhesive)
- Small Toys - latex free balls, fidget toys,.
- Minifigures - Lego, Playmobil, MegaBlox, or any figurine is popular with older kids (not for younger kids due to choking hazards)
- Pokemon Cards - booster packs of pokemon cards
- Pencils - themed or just fancy (latex free preferred)
- Glow Sticks - bracelets, necklaces, wands, are always a huge hit.
- Colouring Books - Halloween themed or general
- Colouring Pages - a simple themed print out is a cost effective choice
- Reading Books- short early reader books from dollar stores general or halloween themed
- Finger Puppets - cloth or latex free
- Small Stuffed Animals - we collect these all year when they go on sale
- Playing Cards - some dollar stores carry themed cards or other games
- Notepads - small themed or plain
- Hair Ties and adornments - scrunchies, hair clips themed or not
- Bookmarks - colour your own or printed
- Crafts - most dollar stores carry individually packaged crafts of you can make one without glues
Tip
Save toys, books and crafts the kids don't use right away and put the toys, reading or colouring books items away for when you travel.
Skip These Items
Latex toys - balloons, some erasers, bouncy balls, or stretchy toys contain latex which is a non-food allergy for many.
Playdoh, Putty, and Slime - Playdoh contains wheat which is unsafe for coeliacs, and those allergic to wheat. Putties and slimes can be tough as most don't have ingredients on the packages
Items unsafe for children - sharp items, things not intended for kids, lithium battery items, treats that don't have safety features like screw secured battery compartments, strong magnets, anything that could cause injury, and so many more items.
Anything that is easily broken - some dollar store or party favours don't last more than minutes, save your money and opt for a sturdier option that will not end up in the landfill
Controversial Treats - nothing political, religious, racist (or any -ist), has bad language, too scary, adult themed, or weapon related. It should go without saying.
Tip
Make sure to give out age appropriate items. If the products have small pieces avoid giving them to kids under 3. Always follow age guidelines on the packaging.
Donating the Candy
If you are like me and don't feel you want a ton of temptation for the kids or adults lying around or you do not bring allergens into your house, donating the candy with your allergens may be an option.
Treats for Troops
In the United States there is a program called Treats for Troops. Businesses and organisations list themselves as collection sites for excess candy from Halloween, including kids who have their candy exchanged. Some schools and scout groups can also be collection sites though they will collect privately from their members.
The candy must be wrapped and chocolate is accepted.They prefer individually wrapped candies but small unopened bags of small candies, like candy corn.
Candy collected is then sent on to Guards/Reserve units, VA Hospitals, or Military installations. A great way to pass on the candy collected trick or treating by food allergy children.
To find a location in the United States that is collecting candy check out the interactive map on the Treats for Troops website.
Operation Shoebox
Once again in 2024, Operation Shoebox will be accepting candy donations to send candy to troops. The organization sends care packages to soldiers and candy is one item amongst many that can be donated.
Shipping costs do need to be covered by those sending the treats and donations. For full frequently asked questions check out the Operation Shoebox website FAQs.
Food Banks/ Pantries, Nursing Homes, and Shelters
Some food banks or food pantries may take the individually wrapped candies. Contact them first to see if it is something they accept. Not all do as they focus on nutritionally dense foods but others include them in birthday packs and hampers from time to time.
Shelters for the UnHoused, Women's shelters, and other emergency shelters may also accept donations of candy. Check online for the contact information of the organisations that run the shelters in your area to inquire.
Nursing homes and some homes for families with kids in hospital take donations. To find places near you search on line for the locations of such establishments and email them directly to verify. They may have limitations on the kinds of candies accepted, or amounts.
The Dentist Offices and Candy Swaps
In our area some dentists do a candy swap. The kids bring in the candy and it is weighed. There is a dollar amount for each pound of candy and the kids will get that. The dentist then donates the candy and the kids can spend the money on something they can have.
In the United States Check out the Halloween Candy Buy Back. Businesses, most often dental offices, sign up to buy back candy. Sweets are exchanged for various options, depending on the provider from xylitol sweets (not all are allergy friendly), to cash, dental supplies like toothbrushes, or coupons.
Check in online to see who your area is participating in a candy buy back. There is no database of locations at the time of publishing.
Switch Witch
The Books
In 2009, a children's book was written about a benevolent magical lady, The Switch Witch, who would visit children who left their candy out on their porch for her to collect and she would leave a small gift in return. "The Switch Witch" book written by Charity A. O'Neill-O'Kane is not about trick or treating with food allergies but instead switching out candy for healthier options. This book is rated for a grade 2-3 reading level.
The independently published book "The Tale of the Switch Witch" by Katherine Frances Ammon first publication hit shelves in 2019. This version does say it is suitable for food allergies, ethical reasons to avoid eating candy and more. A second edition was recently released with new illustrations and discussion questions.
The Books with Toys
There are other versions of the book and character, some even come with a toy or plush of the switch witch. One such set was written by Audrey Kinsman called "SwitchCrafted: the Switch Witch and the Magic of Switch Craft". The toy looks similar to the elf on a shelf. In this version you display the switch witch like the elf on a shelf and leave a note for which toy the kids would like, if they have been good.
Another Switch Witch plush and book was written and featured on the shark Tank television show. Since then there have been many more variations on the character in different children's books. The theme is always the same. The switch witch will exchange any candy you leave out for her with either a toy or other healthy option.
A Switch Witch by Another Name
For some they choose to name their candy swapping mythical being the Candy Fairy. No matter what you call the one who makes the exchange it is a neat idea for younger kids. The lore can be made to fit your family and how you'd like to deal with the holiday.
You could have the Switch Witch bring a toy, a coupon for a small experience such as mini golf, or money. It is a versatile story that can suit families with food allergies, or anyone who wants to have less candy around.
Other Than Classic Trick or Treating
For our older kids they are looking forward to watching a few scary movies with allergy friendly treats we bought or homemade. The movies are geared to their age level. Not all our kids can handle the same level of creepiness and scariness. Some of our teens will pick out their fave treats and have a friend over to spend the evening instead of trick or treating.
In House Trick or Treating
Some families we spoke with invite friends and family over to help them pull off an in house trick or treating adventure. Each of the friends and family are given a safe candy or non-food treat. Each person stands behind a door in the interior of the house and the kids go from door to door and trick or treating with food allergies in the house.
This is a neat idea for those who have a lot of friends and family nearby and a large enough house. It is also good as grandparents or other important people in the child's life can be involved.
Candy Hunt
In the form of a treasure map, scavenger hunt or easter like egg hunt candy or non-food treats can be sought out. This would work well in a yard or inside the house, while watching if any family pets don't get the treats first. There can be one big bounty the kids find or many smaller tidbits along the way.
This option works for older or younger kids as the event can be tailored to the ages of the children. A longer scavenger hunt for older kids, for example. The older children have to take pictures of specific halloween things around the house to come back, get the next clue and a small treat. It can be adapted to the mobility and abilities of each child.
Money for Teens
With our oldest kids we sat down and figured out our budget for halloween and what we would usually spend on candy for them when they would swap it out. Instead of buying them candy, we offer to give them the same amount of money in either cash or as gift cards to their favourite store or for the cinema.
Gift Card Ideas
- Their favourite store
- Allergy Friendly candy website
- Amazon
- Bookstore
- Cinema
- Clothing store
- ITunes/Google Play
- Playstation/Xbox Store
Boo Baskets
Baskets filled with all things autumnal and representing of spooky season are trending right now. Fill a basket, or reusable container with some of your teen's favourite snack and treats and more. Check our Allergy Friendly Candy List for Top 9 ideas.
Other items in the baskets include cozy socks or slippers, a book, allergy friendly creams and bath supplies, a blanket, a cup or mug, a comfy pillow. For the teens that love decorations a Halloween themed decoration in their favourite colour, or cuddly stuffed animal instead of a pillow are always great.
Bridge the teen years for your kids who feel they are too old to trick or treat With Boo baskets. The teens still want to hang out and be thought of on this holiday.
An Experience or Small Adventure
The last thing we offer our kids is that they can choose to do an experience instead. We have gotten tickets to local farm team sports for some, local theatre and musicals for others, or a day out as a family at an attraction. This is one that is newer for us but the one we are finding our kids are more interested in overand not in trick or treating. They are getting to an age where they know they can buy candy if they want it.
There comes a time in all kids' lives where they decide they are too old to trick or treat and our kids are all hitting it. We are lucky they love to spend time with us and this is an option they are really interested in more than money.
Stay Safe
No matter how you celebrate Halloween there are plenty of local food allergy awareness options available to families. Whether you go out amongst the ghouls and goblins or if you stay home and start new traditions, there are loads of ideas of how to spend the day.
Stay safe and choose to celebrate Halloween in whichever way suits you and your family with food allergies.
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