Dressing up as a favorite character is fun, but the reason kids really love Halloween is the hoard of treats they collect on their trek around the neighborhood that night. However, all of those gratis goodies can add up to a less-than-healthful collection.
A child can easily amass thousands of calories worth of candy on this spooky night. The Daily Mail reports that kids consume more than 3,000 calories from Halloween candy and parents come close to eating nearly 2,000 extra calories as well.
If you’d like to avoid adding to this frightening statistic, consider doling out something besides sweets on All Hallows’ Eve. Don’t worry—you don’t have to give kids fruits and veggies. There are loads of cool and exciting alternative treats that your Halloween visitors will rave over, and that’s no trick.
1. Stampers
Self-inking stamps are fun for decorating paper, marking personal property or stamping the backs of little hands. This pack of 24 includes 12 different designs.
Kids won’t miss the candy when they’re slapping these shimmering, sticky hands against all sorts of surfaces. With 72 in a pack, it’s easy to make sure you have enough for trick-or-treaters, as well.
A happy assortment of Halloween characters makes up this kid-size finger puppet collection, which will fit nicely as an alternative to sweets in your Halloween candy bowl.
Light up the night with illuminated jewelry that boys and girls will want to wear right away. With 50 rings in a pack and an array of designs, these non-candy treats are a win.
Temporary tattoos are a fave of the younger set, and these goofy grinning monsters are just right for Halloween night. At 72 tats for less than $5, they’re easy on your budget, as well.
These stretchy, springy, colorful coils are fun for fidgeting or cool to try to “walk” down the stairs. They come in four Halloween colors with unique pumpkin faces.
Adjustable, neon-colored cord bracelets make an original Halloween treat that will last much longer than candy corn. This package includes 144 bracelets for less than $10.
School has been back in session for a little while now, which means a plethora of pencils have been chewed up, sharpened down and just plain lost. Replenish the neighborhood school supply stash by passing out these fun pencils instead of sugary treats.
What can top a Halloween pencil? Why, a silly eraser, of course (quite literally!). These eerie erasers come in numerous designs, such as bats, ghosts, monsters and witches.
After a long night of begging for treats, kids (and parents) can rest their feet while they find their way through mazes, connect the dots or try out tricky tongue twisters with these Halloween-themed activity books.
There are so many clever, cool and creepy goodies you can give out that you may never hand trick-or-treaters candy again. Of course, you can still hit the Halloween clearance sales for yourself. We promise, we won’t tell.
Tricia Goss is a Texas-based writer and editor with nearly two decades of experience. She is passionate about helping readers improve their skills, gain knowledge and attain more happiness in life. When she’s not working, Tricia enjoys traveling with her husband and their dog, especially to visit their five grandchildren.
