Teal Pumpkins and Treats: Making Halloween Magic for Everyone
Halloween is just around the corner, the time of year when kids dress up in their favorite costumes and go trick-or-treating. However, if your child has food allergies, this treat-filled holiday can be a real challenge. Halloween treats often include store-bought candy that typically contains common allergens like eggs, milk, peanuts, soy, and tree nuts. The risk of being exposed to an allergen while going door-to-door for treats is so high that some kids and their families don’t feel comfortable trick-or-treating at all. The Teal Pumpkin Project was created to help change that.
What is The Teal Pumpkin Project?
With one in 13 children in the United States living with food allergies, the Teal Pumpkin Project was started by the Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) in 2014. Its goal is to help make Halloween more inclusive for kids with food allergies or intolerances by encouraging households to offer non-food treats, such as trinkets or toys, instead of candy.
How Does it Work?
On Halloween, a teal pumpkin located outside the front door lets families know that allergy-friendly items and non-food treats are available for trick-or-treaters. You can purchase a teal pumpkin at local retailers, or paint one yourself using allergy-safe paints, turning it into a fun family activity.
Become a Teal Pumpkin Participant
“Joining the Teal Pumpkin Project is as easy as turning a pumpkin from orange to teal.”
Source: FARE
Anyone can help spread the magic in a few easy steps:
- Add your address to the Teal Pumpkin Project Map, so kids looking for non-food treats can plan their routes.
- Show your participation with a teal pumpkin or one of FARE’s free printable signs.
- On Halloween, be sure to have non-food treats ready for trick-or-treaters!
Allergy-Safe Tips for Halloween Night
Participating in the Teal Pumpkin Project is a great way to help more children enjoy Halloween without fear, but it doesn’t have to stop there. With a little creativity and some planning ahead, there are plenty of ways you can make the holiday special for your child while keeping safety top of mind. Here are a few ideas and things to consider.
Check Candy Labels Carefully
- Enforce a “no eating while trick-or-treating” rule so you have time to review each item. You can also use sorting through your child’s candy as an opportunity to teach them about hidden allergens and reading labels.
- Avoid candy and treats that do not have an ingredient label. Always have an epinephrine auto-injector available if prescribed.
- Keep in mind that the mini-size, fun-size, or bite-size version of candy may contain different ingredients than their full-size counterparts. Make no assumptions, read all labels carefully, and always double-check.
- Remember that a candy that’s been safe for your child in the past may now have different ingredients.
Make Halloween Magic With or Without Candy
- Stock up on safe treats or inexpensive trinkets/toys to trade for any unsafe candies your child might receive while trick-or-treating.
- Consider starting a tradition by allowing kids to leave their unsafe candies out for the “Good Witch” to collect and leave behind small gifts and safe treats.
- Consider making small and safe “goody bags” for neighbors to give to your child. Deliver the bags in advance and describe your child’s costume to your neighbors. Encourage your child to trick-or-treat at the houses in which you’ve delivered the bags.
- Consider skipping trick-or-treating and having a Halloween party instead, featuring safe and delicious treats. Or, skip the treats altogether by replacing them with other fun Halloween toys, games, or party favors.
- Keep the emphasis on the fun, rather than the candy.
Halloween Fun for Everyone
Every teal pumpkin on a doorstep represents more than an allergy-safe treat. It’s a sign of community, kindness, and inclusion. By keeping a few simple safety tips in mind and taking part in activities like the Teal Pumpkin Project, families can help make Halloween fun and safe for every little witch and wizard alike. For more information or to register your home on the Teal Pumpkin map, visit www.foodallergy.org/our-initiatives/awareness-campaigns/living-teal/teal-pumpkin-project.
