Every child should be able to experience the joy and tradition of trick-or-treating on Halloween. But kids with food allergies are often left out of the fun, since most candy is off limits.
FARE’s Teal Pumpkin Project helps make sure all children will come home on Halloween night with something they can enjoy. It just takes one simple act: offering non-food treats, such as glow sticks or small toys, as an alternative to candy.
Last year, households from all 50 [U.S.] states and 14 countries participated. This is a worldwide movement to create a safer, happier Halloween for all trick-or-treaters.
How to Take Part
Provide non-food treats for trick-or-treaters.
Place a teal pumpkin in front of your home to indicate to passersby that you have non-food treats available.
Take the Teal Pumpkin Pledge! Sign up to tell your friends and neighbours that you want Halloween to be safe for everyone.
Make a donation to support the Teal Pumpkin Project and receive a free gift.
Ideas for Non-Food Treats
Available at dollar stores, party supply stores, or online shops, these low-cost items can be purchased and handed out to all trick-or-treaters, or made available in a separate bowl from candy if you choose to hand out both options. Nearly all of these items can be found in a Halloween theme or festive colours.
Glow sticks, bracelets, or necklaces
Pencils, pens, crayons or markers
Bubbles
Halloween erasers or pencil toppers
Mini Slinkies
Whistles, kazoos, or noisemakers
Bouncy balls
Finger puppets or novelty toys
Coins
Spider rings
Vampire Fangs
Mini notepads
Playing cards
Bookmarks
Stickers
Stencils
