Halloween 2020 may look a little different from Halloweens past, but for kids who have food allergies, that may actually be a good thing. With many families trading trick-or-treating for at-home Halloween parties with close friends, the candy and food served at these parties can more easily be tailored to the dietary restrictions of the attendees.
But if you're still planning on trick-or-treating or passing out treats this year, there are some ways to make the holiday fun and safe for kids with food allergies.
If You're Handing Out Treats
The top food allergens are dairy, egg, peanut, soy, wheat, tree nut, shellfish, fish, and sesame. And many of these allergens are found in traditional candy. This means that while kids with food allergies can go trick-or-treating with their peers, they can't eat any of the candy they collect.
If you plan on handing out food treats this year, consider purchasing from brands that make certified allergen-free treats. Enjoy Life Foods is a great example of a company that makes delicious snacks free from gluten and 14 common food allergies. They always sell fun-sized bags of candy in bulk around Halloween.
But candy, although yummy, is such a one-and-done experience. Instead of handing out candy, pass out non-food treats, such as small bottles of bubbles, cute shaped erasers, glow sticks, or pencils. These are things kids can use for longer than one night, and parents will like that it doesn't contribute to a sugar high. Check out your local dollar store or Oriental Trading for fun items.
If you're providing allergen-free or non-food treats, let trick-or-treaters know! Place a teal pumpkin on your doorstep to mark your house as allergen-safe as part of the Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) Teal Pumpkin Project. FARE is not publishing a teal pumpkin map this year, which usually helps trick-or-treaters find participating homes nearby, but you can still visit the FARE website for more non-food treat ideas and resources about the Teal Pumpkin Project.
If You're Going Trick-or-Treating
Trick-or-treating can still be a fun experience for kids with food allergies. At the end of the night, go through all the collected candy and set aside the stuff that contains allergens. This is the candy your child can use for a "trade-or-treat" or the Switch Witch. Leave that candy out that night, and in the morning it will have magically changed into a toy or other special goodie that the child wants. (Mom and Dad will need to plan ahead for this.)
Or, if your family isn't going trick-or-treating this year, consider hosting a small Halloween party as previously suggested, either with close friends or just your immediate family, where you can control what food and candy is served, ensuring that it's safe for all attendees.
Halloween will look different this year, but no matter what it looks like for your family, it can still be safe if you have food allergies!
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