15 Eco-friendly, Non-food Treat Ideas for the Teal Pumpkin Project

With allergies so prevalent within today’s society, basic activities such as trick-or-treating can become deadly for some children. Even just touching a treat or even a person’s hand that had previously touched an allergen can cause these children to react with anything from slight discomfort to anaphylaxis or worse.

Fortunately, you can help out these affected kiddos as well as those who are being raised to make healthy choices by using our eco-frienly, non-food treat ideas.

The non-food treat idea was popularized by the Food Allergy Research and Education {FARE} organization via the Teal Pumpkin Project in 2014. The premise of this effort is to set a teal-painted pumpkin and/or post a Teal Pumpkin Project printable flyer or sign so that children who have severe allergies have a place to get non-food treats and have a safe, fun Halloween.

Now, since most of the trick-or-treaters that frequent your house will likely have no food allergy problems, what I would recommend doing is handing out some healthier chocolate treats {such as these mini chocolate bars by Equal Exchange or some grass-fed Nick’s Sticks} to most of them {and, indeed, many of those kids with allergies can also have these}. But keep these pointers in mind:

• Be sure to ask every child that comes to your door if they have any allergies.
• Keep in mind that allergens are like germs–they can cross contaminate. If you touch something with gluten or peanuts in it then touch one of the non-food treats, you’ve just transferred that allergen onto the non-food treat. For this reason, even if you have candy for kids without allergies, still avoid top allergen ones such as those containing gluten {which is pretty much omnipresent in everything processed}, eggs, dairy, peanuts, and so on. And if you touch anything with any of these allergens {such as your dinner}, be sure to thoroughly wash your hands before handling any non-food treats.
• Some kids have latex allergies, so remember this when selecting non-food treats.

Eco-friendly, Non-Food Treat Ideas

Below are 15 ideas that I found. Some of these goodies might be a little pricier, but it’s totally worth it in my opinion if it keeps kids healthy and safe {and they can totally be hoarded just for those kids that need them}.

1. Bloomin Seeds Paper Leaves. These are adorable leaf-shaped pieces of paper that are embedded with seeds. The kids can plant them at home and watch the plants grow! If you want to make this treat a bit nicer, you can make some simple cards with directions on them then attach the seed paper leaves inside.
2. Rainbow Color Pencils. These neat pencils have four colors in one pencil, making for some extra fun doodling or coloring.
3. Bamboo Toothbrush. Toothbrushes for Halloween? Actually, most kids really think it’s neat, especially these wooden ones.
4. Play Dough. This play dough is gluten free and comes in bright, fun colors.
5. Crayon Rocks. Made from soy wax as opposed to petroleum-based wax, these crayons are just as fun and colorful without the toxicity. You could build up this treat by giving each child one or a few coloring pages along with one or more crayons {print some from online or buy a coloring book and pull the pages from it}.
6. Paper Straws. Unlike plastic straws, these straws easily biodegrade. Plus, they come in unique, fun colors and patterns.
7. Wood Shapes to Paint. Kids love to paint and be creative, so give them several of these little wooden shapes to put their artistic talent to use.
8. Ink Stamps. Made out of wood, these cute little ink stamps are always a hit.
9. Mini Metal Slinkies. Ditch the plastic slinkies for these more durable little ones.
10. Train Whistles. Made of wood, the kids will have a blast and drive their parents insane by sounding like an approaching train.
11. Wood Wiggly Snakes. More paintable fun! These little snakes are made so they’re bendy and look like they can slither.
12. Brain Teasers. Kids of all ages {and many adults} love having fun with these little nick nacks.
13. Sandalwood Fans. These cute Japanese inspired fans are fun to play with and maybe even decorate with some paint.
14. Finger Puppets. Cute little animal characters come to life at the children’s fingertips with these plush finger puppets.
15. Rope Bracelets. Gender neutral and even fashionable, these bracelets should be a hit with the littlest to the biggest of trick-or-treaters.