Halloween is one of the most exciting times of the year for kids (and let’s be honest, for us parents too!). But while candy is traditionally the star of the show, sometimes it’s fun to mix things up—whether it’s to avoid the sugar overload or to be mindful of kids with food allergies or dietary restrictions. After all, no one should have to miss out on the Halloween fun just because they can’t indulge in certain treats.
If you’re looking for some creative, non-candy alternatives to hand out at Halloween parties, trunk-or-treats, or even on the big trick-or-treating night, you’re in the right place. These ideas are sure to bring just as much joy (if not more) to the little goblins and ghouls who come knocking on your door. Plus, they’re a great way to stand out and offer something unique while ensuring every child gets to join in the Halloween excitement.
From glowing goodies to festive trinkets, these ideas are sure to entertain and keep the Halloween spirit alive without a sugar rush!
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Why Non-Candy Alternatives Are a Great Choice for Halloween
Offering non-candy treats isn’t just about avoiding sugar—it’s a thoughtful way to make Halloween fun for everyone. Here’s why it’s such a great idea:
- Supports kids with food allergies: Many children have allergies to common ingredients like nuts, dairy, or gluten, and non-candy options ensure they can safely enjoy trick-or-treating. If you haven’t heard of the Teal Pumpkin Project you should check out their website to help support safe trick-or-treating for kids with severe food allergies!
- Includes kids with dietary restrictions: Some kids may be on special diets or have restrictions, and non-food treats give them a way to join in the fun.
- Teaches creativity: Non-candy options spark kids’ imaginations with toys, trinkets, and fun activities they can enjoy long after Halloween night.
- Encourages a healthier balance: While candy is part of the fun, it’s nice to offer options that won’t contribute to sugar overload!
Non-candy treats make sure every child feels included and excited about the Halloween magic!
The Best Non-Candy Alternatives for Halloween
Glow Sticks and Glow Bracelets
Who doesn’t love something that glows in the dark? Glow sticks are always a hit, especially on a spooky night like Halloween. They’re fun, safe, and they make kids easier to spot while trick-or-treating. You can even get glow bracelets, necklaces, and other fun glowing accessories!
Halloween Themed Stickers
Stickers are an affordable and super cute option that kids of all ages will enjoy. You can get packs of Halloween-themed stickers featuring pumpkins, ghosts, bats, and witches. Throw a few into each kid’s bag, and they’ll be able to decorate notebooks, lunchboxes, or even their own spooky crafts.
Temporary Tattoos
Temporary tattoos are always a big hit, and there are so many fun designs out there for Halloween! From cute little pumpkins to creepy skeletons, there’s something for every kid. Plus, parents will love that they’re non-messy and easy to remove.
Slime
What kid doesn’t love slime? You can find small containers of slime in fun rainbow or even in Halloween colors like orange, green, and purple. It’s the perfect mix of creepy and cool for Halloween! Just make sure to let parents know it’s non-toxic.
Keep the Halloween fun going by handing out mini activity books! Look for ones with mazes, coloring pages, or puzzles that will keep kids entertained long after the candy is gone. These are especially great for younger children.
Crayons
Another great non-candy alternative is Halloween crayons! It’s a cute and practical treat that pairs perfectly with coloring books or activity pages, and kids will get plenty of use out of them after the holiday!
Play Dough
Mini containers of play dough are another great alternative to candy. Kids can use it to mold all sorts of spooky shapes like pumpkins or ghosts. It’s hands-on, creative fun that kids of all ages will enjoy.
Halloween Bouncy Balls
These are perfect non-candy alternatives for energetic little trick-or-treaters! Halloween-themed bouncy balls are fun, easy to hand out, and they’ll keep kids entertained long after the candy stash is gone. Look for ones with fun designs like jack-o’-lanterns or glow-in-the-dark options.
Hair Accessories
For a unique twist, why not hand out Halloween-themed hair accessories? Little girls will love spooky hair clips, headbands, or ponytail holders with bats or pumpkins. It’s a fun, unexpected treat that will have them feeling festive all season long.
Kids love getting creative, and handing out small craft kits can be a fun way to keep the Halloween spirit alive long after the night is over. You can find kits that let kids make their own spooky masks, decorate haunted houses, or create little ghost figurines. These are perfect for a rainy day activity, too!
For little readers, Halloween-themed bookmarks are a cute and practical non-candy option. Choose designs with friendly ghosts, witches, or pumpkins. Not only are they fun, but they’ll also encourage kids to get reading after the holiday excitement dies down.
Puzzles
Mini puzzles make a great alternative to candy, especially if you’re hosting a Halloween party or trunk-or-treat event. You can find spooky-themed puzzles that come in small boxes, making them easy to hand out. Plus, they’re a great way for kids to keep their brains working after all that Halloween fun.
Silicone Bracelets
These stretchy, colorful bracelets are a favorite among kids. You can find Halloween-themed ones with cute sayings like “Boo!” or “Trick or Treat.” They’re fun, fashionable, and super easy to hand out to large groups.
Halloween Slap Bracelets
Halloween-themed slap bracelets are another nostalgic, fun alternative. Kids love the satisfying snap as they wrap the bracelet around their wrists, and they come in spooky designs like ghosts, pumpkins, and witches.
Keychains
Kids love collecting keychains, and Halloween-themed ones are a cute, unique treat! You can find designs with pumpkins, ghosts, black cats, or even cute little monsters. They can hang them on their backpacks or use them as zipper pulls.
Fun Glasses
Handing out goofy, spooky glasses is a sure way to make the night fun! Look for ones with silly eyeballs, bat wings, or even glow-in-the-dark frames. These are perfect for kids to wear during Halloween night, adding to their costumes!
Mini Fidget Spinners
Mini fidget spinners are a fantastic non-candy option that kids will love! They’re small, easy to hand out, and keep little hands busy. Plus, you can find Halloween-themed spinners in fun colors like orange, purple, and black, or even ones shaped like bats and pumpkins.
Bubble Wands
Kids love bubbles, and Halloween-themed bubble wands make for a magical, non-candy treat. These wands come in fun designs like witches, pumpkins, or ghosts, and they’re great for outdoor fun long after trick-or-treating ends.
Stamps
Halloween-themed stampers are perfect for little ones who love to craft. You can find fun stamp designs like spiders, pumpkins, or bats, and kids can use them to decorate paper, cards, or other Halloween projects.
Finger Lights
Finger lights are small, colorful lights that kids can wear on their fingers to light up the night! These fun, non-candy treats are perfect for Halloween as they add an extra spooky glow to costumes and are great for nighttime trick-or-treating. Kids will love running around with glowing fingers, making this a hit among all ages.
Silly Straws
Make hydration more fun by handing out silly straws with Halloween-themed designs! Straws shaped like pumpkins, bats, or ghosts will make any drink a little more exciting. Kids will love using these long after Halloween is over.
Rubber Ducks
Who doesn’t love a cute rubber duck, especially when they’re dressed up for Halloween? Halloween-themed rubber ducks come in all sorts of costumes—like witches, vampires, and ghosts. They’re perfect for younger kids and make an adorable, non-candy alternative that can double as a fun bath time toy!
Erasers
Halloween-themed erasers are a cute and practical non-candy treat. You can find them shaped like pumpkins, bats, or ghosts, and kids will love adding them to their school supplies.
Bendable Zombies
These bendable zombies are a fun addition to any Halloween party for any age kid!
Vampire Fangs
Vampire fangs are a Halloween classic and make a fun, spooky alternative to candy! Kids will have a blast popping them in and pretending to be vampires as they go from house to house. They’re affordable, easy to hand out, and add an extra level of fun to costumes.
Spider Rings
Spider rings are a Halloween staple that kids love! These stretchy, creepy-crawly rings are perfect for adding a bit of spooky fun to any Halloween night. They come in various colors and are easy to hand out in bulk, making them a great non-candy treat for trick-or-treaters or party guests.
Halloween Pencils
Halloween-themed pencils are a practical and festive treat that kids can use at school long after Halloween has passed. They come in fun designs featuring pumpkins, ghosts, bats, and other spooky characters, making them a great non-candy option for trick-or-treaters or party favors.
Mini Notepads
Mini Halloween-themed notepads are a fun and practical non-candy treat! Kids can use them for drawing, jotting down notes, or even for school.
Finger Puppets
Halloween-themed finger puppets are a playful and imaginative non-candy option! These tiny puppets are perfect for little hands and come in fun designs like ghosts, witches, and monsters, giving kids hours of entertainment as they act out spooky stories.
There you have it—tons of fun, non-candy alternatives to make this Halloween memorable for every trick-or-treater or Halloween party goer!
Whether you’re looking to avoid the sugar overload, help kids with food allergies, or just switch things up, these creative options will keep the Halloween spirit going. Plus, kids will love getting something a little different this year.
Have fun, get spooky, and enjoy a safe and sweet Halloween!
Check out other great seasonal content here:
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- Autumn-Inspired Baby Names: Cozy and Charming Options for Your Little One
- 120+ Spooky Halloween Letter Board Quotes
- FREE Printable Halloween Bingo Cards
- 25+ Darling Baby Halloween Costumes [On Amazon]
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