More Green Halloween Tips

As the end of October draws near, many-a mind wanders to the delicious thoughts of Halloween. While handing out candy and other sweet treats to trick or treaters has been a tradition for a rather long time, the truth is, kids often enjoy non-sugary treats as much, if not more, than they like the plastic wrapped sweet stuff.

Not only are raw fruit and vegetables healthier than junk food, some kids are more likely to choose fruits and vegetable when given the option between fresh produce and candy.

So how can you promote an eco-friendly, healthy Halloween? Simple, by handing out healthier treats, or non-edible treats. We will discuss a few eco-friendly ideas below.

Fruit Snacks

Fruit is one of nature’s candy. Although most parents are weary of their children receiving fruits such as apples from strangers, (due to the old razor-blade-in-the-apple urban legend,) some fruits such as bananas and oranges are perfectly ok to give out to trick or treaters.

As long as the fruit is contained within a peal, it should be alright. Baggies of fruit or vegetables, such as apple wedges or carrot sticks, can also make a delightful treat for the youngsters. Be sure that the plastic they are wrapped in is bio-degradable.

Nuts

Nuts are another good option for trick-or-treaters; just make sure they aren’t allergic to the specific nut you are shelling out, though. Nuts that are still in their shells, such as walnuts, brazil nuts, hazelnuts, peanuts, and pistachios are both tasty and non-harmful to the environment.

Non-Edible Items

A fail-proof route you can always choose, is handing out non-edible items to the costumed kiddies knocking on your door. Halloween pencils, erasers and stickers can be purchased in bulk for a fairly inexpensive price, as well as party favors such as kazoos, tops, and yo-yos. A handful of pennies also make a good treat for the trick-or-treaters.

Another idea is to give out crystals or fancy looking rocks (despite Charlie Brown’s dismay over getting a bag full of rocks in “It’s The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown”,) most kids love getting these kinds of things- if they are unique and not given in mean-spirit.

Miniature pumpkins and gourds also make exciting treats- mini pumpkins can be purchased fairly cheaply, and can be given with a small baggie of sequins, beads, ribbon and other crafty items for decorating and personalizing when the kids return home.

Inexpensive coloring books, crayons, crossword puzzles, word searches and mazes and short children’s books make excellent treats as well.

This year when trick-or-treaters come trampling past your garage door, on their way to your porch to ring your doorbell, make sure you have plenty of healthy, eco-friendly treats on hand to give out on Halloween night. The environment- and the children and parents in your neighborhood- will thank you.

What treats will you be giving out this Halloween? Share your ideas in the comments.

image credit: kpishdadi on Flickr