The Best Halloween Treats Aren’t Tricky

There are plenty of options for stocking your candy bowl for the Halloween trick-or-treaters, but before you grab the first bag on sale it is worth a little planning to be sure your house is the favorite on the block for every little one looking for goodies.

Non-Food Treats

A bag of candy certainly serves as serious temptation for my own sweet tooth, but I've watched many a little one choose a toy over a treat. One of the great things about non-food items is that they're a good option for those kids who have food allergies or other reasons that candy isn't the best choice.

A few suggestions:

• stickers
• tattoos
• bouncy balls
• bubbles
• play-doh
• twisty straws
• pencils
• erasers
• glow sticks or bracelets
• spider rings
• stamps

Non-Candy Treats

After all that sugar, it is nice to have another option.

• goldfish crackers
• pretzels
• clementines
• fruit snacks
• popcorn
• pirate booty
• apples
• applesauce pouches

Allergy-Friendly Candies

Don't get me wrong – I love a peanut butter cup as much as the next person. But for many kids, allergies mean that traditional candy options can leave them with an empty bag at the end of the night.

Here are some allergy-friendly options:

• Smarties – Smarties^(R) and our entire line of products are free from most of the known allergens. All products are free of milk, egg, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat and soy. Smarties^(R) products are safe to eat for kids with peanut allergies. Smarties^(R) are gluten-free and vegan!
• Hot Tamales – Ingredients free of: wheat/gluten, peanuts, tree nuts, egg, milk, soy. Gluten-free.
• Dum Dum lollipops – Dum Dums are free of the top common allergens. The ingredients, as well as the processing aids (such as release lubricants), do not contain any peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, milk, fish, shellfish, wheat, or gluten. These products are processed on dedicated lines. Dum Dums do not contain the gluten protein found in wheat, barley, rye, or oats.
• Skittles – Top 8 allergen free.
• Ring Pops – Free of the top 8 allergens and gluten-free.
• Hi Chew candies – Nut and gluten-free, but may contain soy and milk.
• All Enjoy Life products are free of the top 8 allergens and gluten-free.
• Yummy Earth product facilities are free of free of peanuts, tree nuts, gluten,wheat, dairy, soy, sesame, shellfish, and eggs.

What's your favorite Halloween treat?