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