Halloween is all about costumes, spooky decorations and, of course, candy. But for the millions of American kids with food allergies, this exciting activity can turn into an unsafe one. As a result, some families may miss out on the joy and memories of trick-or-treating altogether.

Every child deserves the chance to join in the fun on this holiday, without worrying about the fear of a serious reaction. If your home is a stop on the neighborhood trick-or-treat route, you can take a few simple steps to make Halloween safer for everyone. Below, learn more about how you can make trick-or-treating safer for all families this year.

Educate Yourself on Food Allergies

Food allergies happen when a person’s immune system mistakenly identifies a certain food as harmful. They’re more prevalent than you might think, affecting one in 13 American kids. The most common food allergies are peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, wheat, soy, sesame, fish and shellfish — many of which are common ingredients in Halloween candy. Food allergy reactions can range from mild to severe, with the potential of causing a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis.

Let Neighbors Know You’re Safe

Because food allergies are so common, making Halloween safer for all children should be a group effort. The Teal Pumpkin Project, an initiative of Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE), encourages families to have non-food treats available for trick-or-treating so kids with food allergies can safely participate in Halloween festivities.

A teal pumpkin on your doorstep signals that you offer non-food treats that are safe for all trick-or-treaters. Consider painting a pumpkin as a family and having a conversation with your kids about food allergies, safety and inclusion.

If you’d rather not paint a pumpkin, print out a free sign from the Teal Pumpkin Project website and hang it on your door. You can also add your information to the Teal Pumpkin Project database, so other families can find you on a map of homes with safe trick-or-treating options.

Provide Non-Food Treats for Trick-Or-Treaters

The best way to make Halloween safe for kids with food allergies is to avoid food treats altogether. Many candies labeled “allergen-free” actually still contain potentially harmful allergens. Mini-, fun- and bite-sized versions of candy may also contain different ingredients than full-size versions. 

Instead of candy, offer fun non-food items, such as: 

• Glow sticks, bracelets or necklaces
  
  
• Pencils, pens or crayons
  
  
• Bubbles
  
  
• Erasers or pencil toppers
  
  
• Whistles, kazoos or noisemakers
  
  
• Bouncy balls
  
  
• Mini notebooks
  
  
• Stickers
  
  
• Bookmarks
  
  
• Temporary tattoos
  
  
• Keychains
  
  
• Silly straws
  
  
• Toy cars or figurines
  
  
• Small puzzles or brain teasers
  
  
• Mini containers of modeling clay
  
  
• Slap bracelets
  
  
• Halloween-themed wearables, such as spider rings or vampire fangs

While candy may seem central to Halloween, remember it isn’t the only way to celebrate. Offering non-food treats not only makes the night more inclusive for kids with allergies, but it can also spark unique memories — sometimes a glow stick, sticker or small toy is even more exciting than another piece of candy.

If you have questions or concerns about a potential food allergy, schedule an appointment with your child’s primary care provider or reach out to Children’s Wisconsin’s Asthma, Allergy and Immunology Clinic.