Tips for a Healthier (and Safe) Halloween
| 2 min read
Halloween can be a fun time of year for kids and parents alike. As families gear up for parties, trick-or-treating and spooky fun, the Healthier Michigan team has some tips for making one of the season’s not-so-healthy holidays a little healthier.
- Enjoy candy in moderation. Kids collect thousands of calories worth of treats on Halloween, not to mention all the sugar. Set aside a small handful of candy and put the rest away. Don’t let kids eat everything at once.
- Fill up on a healthy dinner. Before heading out for trick-or-treating, have kids fill up on a healthy dinner. Strapped for time? Slow cooker soup or chili can be a healthy way to warm up on a cold Halloween night.
- Decide on a point to get rid of leftover candy. Set a date to get rid of any candy that’s leftover — for example, by Thanksgiving. Or, even better, allow kids to trade in their candy for a new toy or another kind of reward.
- Consider non-edible treats (keep an eye out for Teal Pumpkins!). Stickers, pencils or other dollar store goodies are fun for kids to collect. The Teal Pumpkin Project (TM) is an effort to help kids with food allergies enjoy Halloween by providing non-food treats for trick-or-treaters. Keep an eye out for the teal pumpkins in your neighborhood, or print one out here to participate.
Trick-or-Treating Safety Reminders
- Take caution and drive slowly around the neighborhoods. Be on the lookout for kids crossing at sidewalks and driveways. Remember to take it slow.
- Make sure your child’s costume does not present a trip hazard or obstruct his or her vision. Be sure to bundle up if it’s rainy or cold.
- Keep walking areas around your house clear of obstacles so trick-or-treaters have an open path. Be especially careful to place jack-o-lanterns or other candlelit decorations in a place where they won’t pose a fire hazard.
What other safety reminders do you have for Halloween?
Photo credit: Steenbergs
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