21 Fun Candy Alternatives for Halloween

Keep Halloween fun and sugar-free with 21 unique candy alternatives kids will love! From glow toys to healthy snacks, treat them right!

Orange with halloween pumpkin face
by
Caroline Thomason
— Signos
Dietician + Diabetes Educator (CDCES)
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Updated by

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Science-based and reviewed

Updated:
Published:
December 19, 2024
October 28, 2024

Table of Contents

Halloween is a time for fun, costumes, and, of course, trick-or-treating. But for parents looking to avoid giving kids sugary candy, those with food allergies, or just wanting to mix up the trick-or-treating with a new treat bag to hand out, there are plenty of healthy and creative alternatives to keep the excitement alive without the sugar rush. 

Let’s review some non-candy alternatives perfect for Halloween, offering unique ways to treat kids while keeping their health in mind. And if the adults want a healthy refreshment while they pass out the treats, check out these 13 Non-Alcoholic Halloween Drink Recipes For The Entire Family. From glow-in-the-dark toys to Halloween-themed goodies, these ideas will make your trick-or-treat handouts as thrilling as traditional candy.

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Best 21 Sugar-Free Candy Alternatives to Hand Out on Halloween

Looking for fun and sugar-free treats to give out this Halloween? Here’s a list of non-candy treats that kids will love, offering a mix of playful toys and Halloween-themed goodies.

1. Honey Sticks 

Honey is a healthy and delicious snack that contains all-natural sugars, instead of artificial dyes and sugar additives that are often found in commercial Halloween candy.

2. Halloween Light-Up Rings

Kids will love these spooky light-up rings, which glow in the dark. They are the perfect accessory for trick-or-treating after dark.

3. Glow Bracelets

Glow-in-the-dark bracelets are a fun and safe way to add color to Halloween night, helping kids stay visible while trick-or-treating. Similarly, a slap bracelet could be another party favor for the trick-or-treaters.

4. Granola Bars

Granola has oodles of health benefits. It contains oats, which are gluten-free when uncontaminated by other grains, and is rich in beta-glucan, which confers impressive health benefits. Aim to find bars that are individually packaged and have low sugar content.

Granola bar

5. Halloween Rubber Ducks

A non-candy Halloween treat for the little kiddos is rubber duckies that come in various Halloween designs and are perfect for younger children who enjoy bath toys.

6. Stuffed Gloves

Instead of candy corn, fill a goodie bag like a Halloween-themed glove with small toys or treats like stickers or erasers for a fun and interactive surprise.

7. Halloween Lip Balm

Keep kids’ lips moisturized with fun, Halloween-themed lip balm. A practical and unique alternative to sugary snacks.

<div class="pro-tip"><strong>Learn More: </strong><a href=healthy-candy-options>5 Healthy Candy Options and How to Spot Them</a>.</div>

8. Oranges with Pumpkin Faces

Get small oranges and draw cute jack-o-lantern faces on them to instantly transform the orange into a festive pumpkin. This is a great way to give out a healthy snack to trick-or-treaters.

9. Halloween Temporary Tattoos

Temporary tattoos with spooky designs like ghosts, bats, and pumpkins are always a hit with kids and are super easy to apply.

10. Mini Pretzels

Mini pretzels are a great non-candy alternative as they come in individual bags and are shelf-stable.

Mini pretzels

11. Halloween Bracelets

Colorful Halloween-themed bracelets featuring characters like witches, skeletons, and jack-o’-lanterns will surely please trick-or-treaters.

12. Halloween Coloring Books

Mini Halloween-themed coloring books are a creative way to keep kids entertained long after Halloween night. Bonus: throw in some crayons for fun.

13. Halloween Squishies

These soft and squishy toys, shaped like pumpkins or ghosts, are fun, stress-relieving toys perfect for kids of all ages.

14. Halloween Slime

Kids will enjoy this gooey, fun slime in mini Halloween-themed containers. It’s a messy, hands-on treat that’s completely sugar-free.

15. Colored Pens

Brightly colored pens with fun Halloween characters are a practical and exciting alternative for older kids who love to draw or write.

16. Vampire Teeth

It isn’t a true Halloween party for kiddos without vampire teeth. Plastic vampire teeth are a classic Halloween accessory that will get kids in the spirit of the holiday without any sugar involved.

<div class="pro-tip"><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href=best-candy-for-low-blood-sugar>Best Candy for Low Blood Sugar (And Other Foods)</a>.</div>

17. Witch Fingers

These plastic witch fingers are a spooky, wearable treat kids can enjoy while trick-or-treating.

18. Halloween-Themed Bubbles

Mini bottles of bubbles with Halloween designs are fun for kids, offering hours of bubble-blowing fun without any sugar.

19. Halloween Bouncy Balls

Bouncy balls with Halloween designs like eyeballs or pumpkins make for an exciting toy that can be enjoyed long after Halloween.

20. Halloween Mini Erasers

Fun and practical, mini Halloween-themed erasers shaped like ghosts, cats, and pumpkins are perfect for school-aged kids.

21. Glow Sticks

Have fun without the Halloween snacks by lighting the night with glow sticks. One crack, and they’re ready to wave around in the dark! And good news, you can order them in bulk on Amazon.

Are you looking for healthy Halloween treats to make instead of the traditional, high-sugar stuff? We’ve got you covered there, too. 

Learn More About the Signos CGM Program

Signos incorporates cutting-edge research and the proven power of continuous glucose monitoring. The data gleaned from the Signos app can help guide your health journey. Not sure if Signos is right for you? Take this quiz to find out! Interested in learning more about nutrition and healthy eating habits? Check out more articles on our blog.

<div class="pro-tip"><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href=sugar-substitutes-and-artificial-sweeteners-part-3>Are Artificial Sweeteners Worse Than Sugar?</a>.</div>

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References

About the author

Caroline Thomason is a dietitian, diabetes educator, and health writer based in Washington, DC.

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