Trick or treat tips for a fun and healthy Halloween

Updated Jul 26, 2023
healthy halloween treats for toddlers trick or treat tips

What’s the scariest part of Halloween? For parents, it’s probably not ghosts, goblins, or haunted houses, but it might be the thought of their kids eating so. much. candy. Have you ever seen a toddler crash from a sugar rush? Spooky! Deciding on how to handle Halloween treats is up to you - you know your family best! But in case you are looking for some guidance on best practices, keep reading.


IN THIS ARTICLE:

When can I let my child eat candy?

How much candy should my child eat?

What should I do with excess candy?

Safety hazards in Halloween treats for toddlers

Trick or treat tips that won’t spoil their appetite

Healthy Halloween treat alternatives

Trick or treat tips FAQ


There is no agreed-upon age recommendation for allowing children to eat candy. However, expert groups such as the American Academy of Pediatrics [1] and the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans [2] recommend avoiding added sugar for children under the age of 2. For kids over 2, it’s recommended to keep added sugar under 10% of daily calories which equals roughly 25 grams or 100 calories for a two-year-old. 

In reality, as hard as parents may try, it can be difficult to avoid all added sugars until their child turns 2, especially when it comes to holidays or if there are older siblings in the picture. In the case of candy, many babies under age 1 are likely not skilled enough eaters to handle most candy, but 1 - 2 year olds are more likely to be aware of Halloween candy and want to try it. 

Deciding how much candy your child should eat on Halloween and the days following is a personal decision. Everyone’s comfort level with candy is going to be different, and you get to decide what’s best for your family. However, the following guidelines may be helpful to consider when making a decision.

Generally speaking, the more we try to restrict something, from ourselves or our kids, the more appealing it becomes. And research supports this! Studies show [3] the more food is restricted in children, the more obsessed they become with it and the more they eat it when given a chance. 

Children are born with an innate sense [4] of how much they need to eat to grow optimally for their body size. Parents can nurture and encourage their children’s natural abilities by following a division of responsibility in feeding -- including Halloween candy! Your role as the parent is to decide when, where and what to feed and your child decides if they are going to eat and how much they will eat. 

It’s much harder to make a sound decision at the moment, so have a game plan ahead of time. Be specific. Decide how much candy you feel comfortable with your kids eating on Halloween, the day after, the week after, etc. Consider what you will do with any excess candy. 

Kids’ interest in Halloween candy tends to fizzle out if it isn’t put on a pedestal, so try to keep the experience as neutral as possible. Enjoy the holiday and move on! Just don't forget to give those teeth an extra good brushing afterward.

halloween food for kids

Even with a game plan in place, many families feel they have an excess of candy after Halloween. Here are a handful of ideas on how to deal. 

  • Simply throw it away.

  • Donate to a local collection. Many dentist offices will collect excess candy. 

  • Have your child trade extra candy for a small toy or experience. 

  • Freeze it for later use such as holiday baking.

  • Use it to decorate a holiday gingerbread house.

  • Bring it to your workplace. 

Sugar isn’t the only thing to consider when it comes to Halloween candy. Safety is equally important, especially for babies and toddlers. Certain candies may pose a choking risk or contain common food allergens. Additionally, eating candy while trick-or-treating, walking, running or playing can increase the risk of choking. It’s best to enjoy treats sitting down at home! And for toddlers, stick to soft sweets that dissolve quickly.

Common choking hazards include: 

  • Hard candy (Lifesavers, Jolly Ranchers, lollipops, Gobstoppers)

  • Small candies (M&Ms, jelly beans, Nerds, candy corn)

  • Chewy candy (Starburst, Skittles, fruit snacks, Sour Patch, caramel)

  • Candy with whole nuts (Snickers, Peanut M&Ms, Payday, Baby Ruth)

  • Caramel apples

  • Popcorn

  • Small non-food items (candy wrappers, stickers, small toys, temporary tattoos) 

Of course, an adult should always check children’s treats before they eat them. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics [5], candy tampering is rare, but it can happen. It’s recommended to throw away any spoiled, unwrapped, or suspicious-looking items. 

healthy halloween treats for kids

As much as possible, stick to your normal meal and snack schedule on Halloween or other days you may be celebrating. This provides kids with a dependable time to fill their bellies and they won’t go into celebrations overly hungry. 

Make balanced blood sugar and fullness your goal prior to trick-or-treating. Don’t force kids to eat anything, but it doesn’t hurt to provide some favorite foods you know they’ll fill up with. Try to include protein, fat, and fiber foods if possible. 

Waiting to eat treats at home allows kids to eat more mindfully instead of eating on the go. It also lowers the risk of choking. Take it a step further and enjoy the candy haul with a healthy meal or snack reducing the risk of a sugar rush! A cup of milk offers blood-sugar balancing protein and fat plus tastes good with the sweet stuff. 

Bring a water bottle along during trick-or-treating and offer sips every so often. Sometimes thirst gets mistaken for hunger so staying hydrated may reduce the risk of overeating later. 

After Halloween is over, set up a plan for when candy will be served. Is it available for a snack? With lunch? Deciding on when it will be eaten allows your child to feel like their intake isn’t restricted but allows you to keep candy binges at bay. 

While there tends to be a lot of emphasis on candy during Halloween, especially for kids, it is not needed to celebrate the holiday! A handful of ideas for non-food treats as well as alternative celebrations for babies and toddlers are broken down below. 

Non-food treats for Halloween

  • Stickers

  • Mini Playdoh

  • Bubbles

  • Pencils/pens

  • Glow sticks

  • Bouncy balls

  • Noisemakers

  • Spider rings

  • Mini notepads

  • Temporary tattoos

  • Mini erasers 

halloween treats for toddlers

For many babies celebrating their first Halloween, candy may not even be an option as babies do not start eating solids until around 6 months of age. Beyond that, older babies tend to not have the eating skills required to handle most candy. So maybe forget the candy for this age. Get an adorable costume and if your baby does eat, try making pumpkin muffins or banana ghosts at home. 

Toddlers may start to become more aware and interested in Halloween candy around age two or three. Consider making fun alternative treats at home such as tangerine pumpkins or energy bite spiders (add raisin eyes and pretzel legs). You could also make Halloween-themed cupcakes or cookies at home.

Trick or treat tips FAQ

Q: How can I avoid a Halloween candy sugar crash?

A:

Serve your kids a balanced meal or snack before and after they trick or treat. Include options with fat, fiber, and protein such as apples with nut butter, veggies and hummus, or a cheese stick.

Q: What should I do if kids crash on sugar?

A:

Get back on track by serving a healthy meal or snack at the next opportunity. For older kids, you can use it as a non-judgemental teaching experience. Talk about how sometimes eating a lot of candy at once can make our tummies hurt.

Q: What to do with excess candy?

A:

There are a lot of ways to deal with excess candy. Decide on a plan that is best for your family. You can donate locally -- many dentists have collections, have your kids trade it in for a toy or experience, or put it in the freezer to save for later.

Q: What Halloween candy is safest for toddlers?

A:

The safest candy for a toddler is soft and one that melts quickly and easily. For example, a Hershey chocolate bar or Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup. Avoid common choking hazards such as whole nuts, chewy candy, and hard candy.

Note: The content on this site is for informational purposes only and should not replace medical advice from your doctor, pediatrician, or medical professional. If you have questions or concerns, you should contact a medical professional.

5 Sources

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  1. American Academy of Pediatrics (2019). Added sugar in kids’ diets: How much is too much? : https://www.aappublications.org/news/2019/03/25/sugarpp032519

  2. 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/

  3. Loth, K.A. Associations Between Food Restriction and Pressure-to-Eat Parenting Practices and Dietary Intake in Children: a Selective Review of the Recent Literature. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13668-016-0154-x

  4. American Academy of Pediatrics (2022). Halloween Health & Safety Tips. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/all-around/Pages/Halloween-Safety-Tips.aspx