*We’ve been participating in the Teal Pumpkin Project since our daughter was born. Alexa, along with our son, Jackson, have not demonstrated any food related allergic reactions and for that, we are grateful. At three months old, we didn’t know if she had any allergies yet. We wondered what other parents did for trick or treating if their kids had allergies. Thankfully, a quick Google search directed us to the #tealpumpkinproject.
For a little backstory, Halloween is one of my husband’s favorite “holidays”. He absolutely loves giving out goodies. He takes pride in the kids remembering our house and because of the 3 goody stations that we created for Halloween, we always have tons of visitors.
The first station is for the little ones who don’t have to worry about allergies on Halloween. We put snack sized packs of candies and chocolate and let the little ones grab as much as they want. The second stations is for the bigger kids, we welcome older kids and kids at heart the same way as little kids. Their’s is a big bowl of standard sized candy bars which kids usually take only one of. Some kids slyly take 2 and we just laugh and let them. After all, the more they take, the less we HAVE TO EAT.
The last station is the Teal Pumpkin Project treats. We usually try to put in the extra effort of making two types of goody bags. We usually hit up our local dollar store for items to include in the goody bags. Sometimes, Target, Walmart or even Party City will have better deals on packaged items. I just do a search on each website for “Halloween favors” and compare the price per item. Don’t forget to use coupons when applicable to save more money. These goody bags do start costing a little bit more if you go crazy with trying to stuff them.
Non-Candy fun items. Be careful of small items that could be choking hazards.
Sometimes, only candy will do. These are some candies that do not contain any of the 8 major allergens (per the manufacturers’ websites).
- Skittles
- Starburst
- Lifesavers hard candy and Lifesavers Gummies
- Dum Dums
- Saf-T-Pops
- Marshmallow Circus Peanuts (Peanut shaped marshmallows) from Spangler Candy Co.
- Sour Patch Kids
- Pez
For the Parents of Kids with Allergies, please make it easier on us by giving us a silent signal.
- Teal Pumpkin Carrier
- Teal Hyde and Eek! pail
- Check out FARE’s (Food Allergy Research & Education) interactive map that shows you households that are participating in FARE’s Teal Pumpkin Project®.
- Order your Tealoween Kit from AAFA (Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America-$20)
Households that will participate in the Teal Pumpkin Project, show your Teal.
- Display these: Teal Pumpkins, Inflatable Teal Pumpkin
- Add your location to FARE’s (Food Allergy Research & Education) interactive map.
- When the trick or treaters come, say, “You pick: Candy or Prize?“
- Order your Tealoween Kit from AAFA (Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America-$20)
- Make sure to put Allergy free goodies in a separate containers.
To find out more about Teal Pumpkin Project visit Kids with Food Allergies and FARE.
*Since moving to our new house, we’ve been unable to hand out treats since nobody comes to our house due to it being on a busy street and not in a traditional neighborhood with safe areas for pedestrians. We’ve been really sad about that so we take the kids trick or treating instead (check out my guest blog post on 10 Family Friendly Halloween Events in Northern Virginia and DC at ihustleforher.
Hi Ya, Disclosure Time: This information is for your convenience. It is not an endorsement or a guarantee of the product’s safety. Always read ingredient labels. Contact the manufacturer, if needed, to confirm the safety for your child.
Some of the links in this post may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I might receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials.”
