Halloween handouts kids will love (and none is candy)
Corey started Green Halloween® after she noticed that her two girls were more interested in the stickers and bubbles they received when trick-or-treating, than the candy. And so were the other kids with them.
In talking with moms, she realized that kids are overexposed to candy today. It isn’t that they like it any less than their parents did, it’s just not quite so special.
That’s when Corey thought that there might be an opportunity to make Halloween healthier for kids and at the same time, a bit better for the environment.
And one day, while she was emptying out her daughter’s pants pockets, another thought struck her. The rocks, dried flowers and acorns she removed were “treasures” to her child.
As we grew Green Halloween, we continued searching for treasures (in addition to the stickers and bubbles that had attracted her girls), that children would like to receive just as much if not more, than candy.
We have assembled a great list at Green Halloween.org which includes:
- Adhesive “bandages” with pirate, black cat and other fun themes (one per child. Great for older kids!)
- Barrettes or other hair things
- Beads
- Bean bags (homemade)
- Bells
- Charms
- Coins (US or non-US)
- Confetti-biodegradable, water-soluble
- Cookie cutters - mini
- Cootie Catcher Note Cards (one card per child)
- Crayon “rocks” (soy-based)
- Earth tone feathers
- Elf and fairy items
- Fake jewels (lead free)
- Fortunes
- Games for Your Brain Ocean Cards (one card per child)
…and many more.
All of the ideas at Green Halloween are kid tested.
In fact, we have a large board covered with many of these items plus some organic and other healthier treats, that we display at events. We’ve shown it to thousands and thousands of children over the last four years, asking the question, “How would you like to have one of these items in your Halloween bag?”
We’ve never had a single child from four to fourteen who has not found something she’d like.
Which doesn’t surprise us in the least, although many parents are absolutely flabbergasted.
If you’re considering handing out something other than food to your trick-or-treaters this year, we suggest going through the list with your kids and ask for their ideas as well. (And please let us know what they suggest in the comment section below.)
Since no one item is going to entrance every child, offer a variety and encourage kids to choose their favorite.
Your house will quickly become the most popular stop on the block!
(By the way, not all items on the list can be considered eco-friendly. We of course, suggest you choose those that can be used up (like bubbles), used repeatedly (games, jewelry) and recycled or re-purposed when children are done with them.)
Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson are mother and daughter and authors of Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family, and founders of Green Halloween®.
