If you're a parent, guardian, caretaker, teacher, or coach of children, you may be aware that the upcoming Halloween means going trick-or-treating.
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| Image by gpointstudio |
In addition to the fact that there are kids who are struggling with weight, parents who have taken care of toddlers can attest to sugar crashes after a candy binge.
And yet, why let these restrictions dampen the spooky but fun spirit of Halloween?
The Short-Term Solution? Allow Halloween Candy in Moderation
Many experts believe that the occasional candy binge during trick-or-treating won't lead to any serious long-term health issues.
However, you can use this upcoming occasion to educate your kids about what's an acceptable amount of consumption of Halloween candy.
Prep Your Kids Before They Go Trick-or-Treating
Allow your kids to dress up and go trick-or-treating with their friends, but make sure to serve them a healthy meal that's extra filling first, in order to curb the temptation to binge on sweet treats.
After the Halloween haul, take stock of all the candies and chocolates available. You can come to an agreement with your kids that they can pack a chocolate bar or a few pieces of hard candy in their lunch boxes within the next few weeks after trick-or-treating.
The Trick? Keep Up With the Fun and Spooky Spirit of Halloween, Sans the Treats
The long-term solution is to seek out alternative ways to have fun on a Halloween night that doesn't involve overspending or hoarding on sweet treats and excessive consumption of candy.
(**DISCLAIMER: This post contains affiliate links, which means I'll be collecting a commission every time you click on those links and make a purchase.)
Here are 5 fool-proof ways to replace Halloween candy:
You can DIY your own Halloween coupons and set a budget for inexpensive, practical items that can replace candy.
The following are just a few suggestions that will delight trick-or-treaters:
- sticker sheets
- candy beads
- friendship bracelets
- accessories
- keychains
- bag charms
- fruit-flavored lip gloss
- crocheted animals
- phone charms
Have around 30-40 coupons ready (you may need to make more depending on the number of trick-or-treaters).
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| 500 pieces Happy Halloween stickers // Trick or Treat by RM Packaging Supply |
Materials
- several sheets of white cardstock (8.5" x 11" or A4)
- Halloween-themed scrapbook paper
- Halloween stickers, ephemera, or washi tapes
- pencil and scissors
- paper cutter (optional)
- black felt-tip pen
Procedure
(1.) Cut your white cardstock into 2.5" x 4" coupons, or slightly larger if you wish.
(2.) Using scrapbook paper, stickers, ephemera, or washi tapes, decorate your coupons however you want.
(3.) Take a black, felt-tip pen and write a non-candy item on each of the coupons.
(4.) Once the trick-or-treaters arrive, hand them out and make the kids "redeem" each inexpensive item.
(2.) Deck the halls with anything spooky!
Encourage your kids, the next-door neighbors' kids, and their friends to stretch their creativity and let their imagination run loose by upcycling any junk lying around into spooky Halloween decorations.
It could be a banner, bunting, or garland. Your kids can tear old magazines or newspapers into pieces and apply techniques in paper mache or decoupage to create a wreath or witch's cauldron.
(3.) Have a Halloween-themed stay-cation
Have a horror movie marathon.
Prep 4-6 scary movies. Thrust a couple of bags of popcorn into the microwave and shove some ice cubes into a pitcher of lemonade or orange juice.
For a truly spooky ambience, turn off all the lights in your den or room, save for a ring light or lampshade on a coffee table.
Tell ghost stories.
You can gather the entire family around the dining table and feast on pizza and pasta, or a large charcuterie board.
Enjoy your food while taking turns narrating ghost stories. It could be something your kids read from books, or tall tales you've heard from your childhood.
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| Dungeons & Dragons Monster Mayhem: Monster Madness Card Game from OU.STORE |
Play Halloween-themed board games.
A Halloween-themed board game can be scheduled before or after dinner.
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| CK Home Essentials' Cluedo: Sherlock Edition |
And scary elements don't need to constitute a family-friendly board game. It could have a mystery concept, which will allow your kids to role play a detective.
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| Halloween plaster painting set in a box by Callahtoy Online Store |
Work on some Halloween crafts.
Keeping your kids preoccupied with crafts is a good way to prevent any craving for Halloween candy.
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| Halloween kids crafts/ party favors by fashionfindings.ph |
And never let children bemoan that "they're not creative enough" or "artsy/crafty enough." You can look into a variety of crafts that will suit any level of skill, from beginner to advanced.
(4.) Have a Halloween scavenger hunt.
A scavenger hunt can appeal to children with a competitive spirit, while still maintaining an atmosphere of fun.
Prepare around 12-18 Halloween-related items and hide them strategically all over your backyard (e.g. plastic skull behind a cracked flower pot, witch's spell inserted under a rock, jack-o-lantern among the bushes).
Assemble your kids and the group of trick-or-treaters and divide them into two groups. Hand over the lists of Halloween items and set a timer to 30 minutes. Reward the first group to find the most number of items within that duration.
(5.) Host a Costume Party
What's a fun albeit spooky season without a costume party? If your home is spacious enough, it' your best bet for a party venue.
If you hope to invite more guests, why not rent a room at a multi-purpose hall, or set up decorations, tables and chairs at a basketball court?
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| Image from freepik |
For a fuss-free but extra-filling Halloween menu, serve finger sandwiches, quesadillas, fried chicken, alcohol-free punch, and bloody red spaghetti with eyeballs.
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