Non-candy Halloween treats for trick-or-treaters
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Our quick picks
| Pick | Best for | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|
| Glow stick bracelets | Best for dark evenings | Amazon.caAmazon.com |
| Halloween sticker sheets | Best for younger kids | Amazon.caAmazon.com |
| Halloween pencils and erasers | Best for school-age kids | Amazon.caAmazon.com |
| Bubbles party favours | Best for preschool and up | Amazon.caAmazon.com |
1. Glow stick braceletsBest for dark evenings
- What we like
- Listed by FARE as a non-food treat idea. Light and cheap per piece when bought in bulk packs.
- Watch out for
- Better for older kids. Keep them away from little ones who might chew or break them.
A classic for a reason. Kids can wear them for the rest of the walk, which also makes them easier to see.
2. Halloween sticker sheetsBest for younger kids
- What we like
- On FARE's non-food treat list. Flat, light and easy to drop into any bag.
- Watch out for
- The American Academy of Pediatrics notes stickers can be a choking hazard for babies and toddlers.
Easy to sort into small bundles ahead of time, and they work for a wide range of ages.
3. Halloween pencils and erasersBest for school-age kids
- What we like
- Pencils, erasers and pencil toppers are all on FARE's list of ideas.
- Watch out for
- Small erasers and toppers aren't suitable for very young children.
Useful after Halloween is over, which many parents appreciate.
4. Bubbles party favoursBest for preschool and up
- What we like
- Suggested by both FARE and the American Academy of Pediatrics as a non-edible treat.
- Watch out for
- Small bottles can leak in a treat bag. Check the cap is tight.
Small bottles of bubbles are cheerful and give kids something to do once they're home.
Not every child who knocks on your door can eat candy. Some have food allergies. Others have diabetes, follow a special diet, or simply have families who want fewer sweets in the house. A bowl of small toys and trinkets means every trick-or-treater leaves with something.
Non-candy treats also last longer than chocolate bars, don’t melt and don’t spoil, so whatever’s left over can go in a party-favour drawer for next year.
The Teal Pumpkin Project
The Teal Pumpkin Project is run by Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), a US food allergy organization. It’s still active this year. FARE asks households who want to take part to do three things:
- Stock non-food treats for trick-or-treaters.
- Put a teal pumpkin on the doorstep, or display one of FARE’s free printable signs.
- Add your home or event to FARE’s online Teal Pumpkin Project map, so families can plan a route.
The teal pumpkin is a signal that kids with food allergies can safely get something at your door. Food Allergy Canada also supports the campaign, so you’ll see teal pumpkins on both sides of the border.
If you hand out candy too, FARE suggests keeping the non-food treats in a separate bowl. That way nothing picks up crumbs or traces from the candy.
Non-candy treat ideas
FARE publishes a list of non-food treat ideas. These are the ones that tend to work best at the door:
- Glow sticks, bracelets or necklaces. Kids can wear them for the rest of the evening.
- Pencils, pens, crayons or markers. Halloween-print pencils are easy to find in bulk.
- Halloween erasers and pencil toppers. Small and inexpensive, but best for school-age kids.
- Stickers and stencils. Light, flat and easy to bundle.
- Bubbles. Small party-favour bottles.
- Spider rings and vampire fangs. Cheap, silly and on theme.
- Bouncy balls, mini Slinkies and finger puppets. Small toys that feel like a real prize.
- Whistles, kazoos and noisemakers. Great for kids. Their parents may disagree.
- Mini notepads, bookmarks and playing cards. Good for older kids who’ve outgrown spider rings.
- Coins. A few coins still feel exciting to younger children.
The American Academy of Pediatrics also suggests non-edible goodies such as glow sticks, spider rings, vampire fangs, pencils and bubbles on its Halloween safety page. The American Dental Association’s Halloween guide adds colouring books and crayons to the list.
Match treats to ages
Trick-or-treaters range from babies in costumes to teenagers. A two-bowl setup helps:
- Toddler-safe bowl: larger items with no small parts, such as chunky crayons or a small colouring book.
- Big-kid bowl: everything else, including erasers, bouncy balls, rings and fangs.
This matters for safety. The American Academy of Pediatrics warns that candy wrappers, stickers, small toys and temporary tattoos can be choking hazards for babies and toddlers. Its choking prevention guide also notes that balloons pose a choking risk for children up to 8 years old, so leave balloons out of the treat bowl.
When a very small child comes to the door, it’s fine to ask their grown-up which bowl they’d like.
Where to buy non-candy treats
FARE suggests dollar stores, party supply stores and online retailers. Buying in bulk packs keeps the cost per piece down, especially for glow sticks, stickers and pencils. Look for Halloween themes or orange, purple and black colours so they still feel festive.
A few tips:
- Buy early. Halloween-themed party favours often sell out close to the date.
- Count your usual trick-or-treaters. If you don’t know, start with a modest amount and keep a back-up of pencils or stickers, which keep for years.
- Mix it up. A bowl with several kinds of small treats lets kids choose, which is half the fun.
Making it work at your door
- Put the teal pumpkin where it’s visible from the sidewalk, and keep a light on so families can see it after dark.
- Say what you have. “We’ve got glow sticks and stickers” helps kids who can’t have candy know they’re welcome.
- Don’t assume. Some kids with allergies will still want to choose a non-food treat even if you also have candy. Offer both bowls to everyone.
- Consider all needs. Kids with sensory sensitivities or other disabilities may not say “trick or treat.” A smile and a treat are all that’s needed.
What to do with candy your own kids bring home
If your kids come home with more candy than they need, see our guides on what to do with leftover Halloween candy and where to donate it. Our candy drive collects wrapped candy from November 1 to 15.
For more ideas, browse our healthier Halloween guides or non-candy party favours.
Sources
- Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE): Teal Pumpkin Project
- FARE: Ideas for non-food treats
- American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org: Halloween safety tips
- American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org: Choking prevention
- American Dental Association, MouthHealthy: Halloween survival guide