Tomorrow is Halloween and many families will be enjoying the spooky fun of trick-or-treating! While the festivities are always a great time, sometimes the effects of the candy can be a real problem for families who have children with allergies. Small single-serving candy pieces often do not have ingredients lists or have lists that are just too small to read. Other candies use words for common allergens that we may not be familiar with. To help you and your family make sure that your kids stay away from allergens in Halloween candy we’ve compiled this simple list of the ‘good and the bad’!
How To Make Halloween Fun When There Are Restrictions
While many kids will be frustrated about not being able to eat all the candy they collect, there is a simple way to make it fun. Print out the lists below and get your kids involved on which treats are on the list and which aren’t. Help them focus on the ‘can eat’ pile or encourage them to keep count of the number of candy pieces they can safely enjoy. The ‘can’t eat’ pile should go in a bag where it’s out of sight while the ‘can eat’ pi;e should be right out in the open.
The Good
Halloween treats that most kids can enjoy include…
Fruit Treats
Smarties
Dots
Pixie Stix
Skittles
Jelly Beans
Swedish Fish
Chocolate (may contain dairy)
Keep in mind that most of these candies do include dyes and preservatives which could cause issues for some children. When in doubt, look up the complete ingredients list for each item online.
The Bad
Common allergy-inducing Halloween treats are those that contain nuts, soy, wheat, eggs, and dairy.
Some of the treats that most commonly contain the allergens listed above include…
- Nut Mixes
- Chocolate
- Candy bars
- Cookies
- Cupcakes
Keep in mind that not all of these items may have common allergens since there are work-arounds, so it’s always a good idea to double check. The same applied to candies that are ‘safe’ – double checking never hurts!
A Total Solution
One of the best things you can do if trick-or-treating is important to your family is to create a set route ahead of time and provide each house with a safe treat or even a small toy to give your child when they come around. People really appreciate this so that they are able to treat your child with something they know will be safe. You can provide a small note with your treat letting people know what your child will be wearing or how your child will introduce themselves so that they know to hand over the safe treat.
If you have any ideas about making Halloween safe and fun for kids with allergies, share it with us in the comments below!