[ej-momtobe]

I don't let DS eat candy, so I feel like kind of a hypocrit giving out candy to trick-or-treaters on halloween. Does anyone have suggestions for alternatives that kids of all ages will really like? We will probably get 50-75 trick-or-treaters.

I has to be something cheap, because I am not willing to spend $100 on handouts for Halloween.

[JoshGuat]

We do not celebrate Halloween, so we all go out to eat every year We do not promote candy either. We all love going out each year on Halloween, we don't feel like we are missing anything. By the time we get back all the trick or treaters are finished

[alreadylove2005]

I saw this on another forum. I haven't been to Wendy's to check on it but if true, it's a good idea! They're floats are awesome and they support adoption.

"Wendy's Halloween coupons are now available. You get a pack of (10) Free Jr. Frosty Floats for $1."

[robandjulie]

We've hit the party-supply store before and bought cheap party favors to pass out: little stamps, stickers, stencils, etc.

I usually have a big stash of candy to hand out but then a smaller stash of healthier options--if you look in the halloween candy aisle they have themed single-size goldfish crackers, fruit snacks, and a few others. I usually give goldfish to kids under 2-ish and fruitsnacks to kids between 2-6/7, and then candy to the older kids. If there's a whole mix of ages at once I let them or their moms pick.

We take DD (and this year DD and DS) out and I appreciate coming home with snacks that I would consider giving her anytime.

I also like just plain M&Ms as a treat since you can parcel those out easily or use them to make some cookies or something, unlike a mini candy bar or gum or taffy.

[catsnkids]

Popcorn Balls and Snyder has little bags of pretzels. I got the pretzels for my daughters daycare trick or treating.

[Disneycrazed]

Oriental trading company online. YOu can get stuff like quite cheap. Although might be late to get it at this point.

[jgriese1]

I have seen pencils, stickers, small party favors or the popcorn balls, pretzels or Goldfish. I do like the Wendy's coupons someone mentioned earlier.

[jenneb]

what about snack packs of animal crackers? Or something simular in smaller packs

[drasusi]

For similar reasons to your concerns about hypocrisy, we'll be giving a choice of individual goldfish packets or Snyder pretzel packets. Sorry to those who wanted sugar rather than salt...but at least if I have leftovers, I won't be tempted to indulge myself, and my toddler can take them when we're on the road.....

[Ms.Judi]

Fruit snacks !! or little playdough containers!!!

[giovanni7460]

I was going to say the playdough packs as well. The have little ones that you give away in goody bags. I give them out to the little kids rather then candy.
Patty

[Momonthefarm]

Our art teacher hands out markers to all the kids that come to her house. You could check out the dollar store in your area and see how many come in a pack I think maybe ten. Each kid picks one color! Renee

[mommytoEli]

i think those are all great ideas. we do not trick or treat either. we do pass out candy for about 30-60 minutes while we are having our own party, then we turn off hte light and ignore the rest while continue our own party indoors. we are having so much fun and eating such good food, the kids do not care about not having a basket full of candy!

[shelbydog]

Pencils, erasers - things kids can use doing homework, etc. Crayons? I bet you can get some cheap multi-packs of things from Oriental Trading. They often sell stuff in "lots" of 20 or more. Sidewalk chalk wrapped in tissue paper.

Popcorn balls or popcorn.

As for the fruit snacks, when we get them in party bags, etc. they go into the trash! They are worse for kids' teeth than candy! My dentist and my kids' dentist are appalled at how they are fed as little snacks. They get caught and stuck in the crevices of kids' teeth and just sit there, eating away at the teeth. Unfortunately they are marketed as "high in vitamin C" and "contains real fruit" (some of them). But our dentist blames them for a big rise in kids' cavities over the past few years. I'd rather my kids eat a Hershey bar than fruit snacks! Just a thought.

[ej-momtobe]

Thanks everyone for the great ideas. I think I will go to my local dollar store and get someting tomorrow.