It’s that time of year again — time to start pulling out old costumes, crossing our fingers everyone doesn’t change their mind on what they want to be for the fifth time, and trying to not inhale all the miniature sized treats in sight. I am here to help with that last bit, let’s reduce the candy this Halloween, shall we?

Let’s face it, our kids don’t need the sugar high and neither do we. I have seen many creative ideas floating around the internet on how to get rid of all the candy AFTER trick or treating. Why not try and reduce it BEFORE it’s sprawled all over our living rooms?

I want to give you a jump start on your holiday prep so you have one less thing to worry about while scrambling for costumes. With amazon prime taking over our lives, it’s easy to order these favors ahead of time. No worries that we will break into them for a late-night binge before it’s time for trick or treating. 

My kids always love the party favors they get in their bags on Halloween. Sure, it is junk. But it’s junk that doesn’t rot their teeth, make them cranky, or interrupt their sleep, so I’m okay with it. I may sound like the grinch of Halloween. My kids do eat candy like most children on this holiday, but I try to keep it manageable.

When my kids are presented a bowl full of trinkets and favors they get extra excited. I have found a few of their favorites. Hopefully this gets the ideas flowing for others this Halloween. Let’s add a little variety to those treat bags!

8 Candy-Free Trick or Treat Ideas:

1. Glow Sticks – my children can’t get enough glow sticks, and besides being fun, they are a good safety item as well with them running around in the dark!
2. Sticker Boxes – what is it with kids and stickers? I will never know, but this is a great option that gives them something to do the next morning in their stupor.
3. Festive Stamps – fun for all ages, my older kids love these!
4. Bouncy Balls – I would rather these than my kids bouncing off the walls . . .
5. Glow in the Dark Bugs – one of my favorite random toys from childhood were these big plastic bugs. Even better if they glow in the dark!
6. Play-Doh – I love these tiny portions of play-doh and kids love picking out their favorite color!
7. Wikki Stix – these cute Halloween themed packs of wikki stix are awesome! If your kids haven’t played with these yet, they are perfect for travel or quiet play at home. I take them on road trips.
8. Mini Note Pads – I have 3 girls and 1 boy and they ALL love to scribble and draw on mini note pads. This is a fun way to add something different to your Halloween favors.

I will be taking wikki stix packs to my kids’ school parties, and handing out glow sticks and bouncy balls on Halloween this year! I would love to hear what your favorite ideas are for a candy-free Halloween?