I enlisted the help of my seven-year-old sister for this post. I was explaining to her that I wanted to come up with alternative items (NOT candy) to give to trick-or-treaters when she replied "oh no, we're going to be that house?" I assured her that there would be plenty of candy to go around to which she said "that's the point."
Once I further explained that I was not including items like toothbrushes and carrots (and assured her that those people only existed in nightmares), her brain started churning. So here it is, from the mind of a seven-year-old, what would be "cool" to get instead of candy for Halloween:
1. Silly Putty
Me: Some parents don't like Silly Putty because it is sticky and messy.
Little Sister: So are lollipops and bubblegum
Fair enough. Oriental Trading has 48 mini containers for $10.
2. Squinkies
A little expensive for the average trick-or-treater but apparently these are all the rage right now. $8 for 12 individual Squinkies.
3. Neon Vampire Teeth
She liked these because according to her "vampires are scary." She obviously hasn't seen Twilight. $8.00 for 144 pieces.
4. Stickers
No specific theme, just the request that there are both boy and girl options.
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I was thinking of glow-in-the-dark items like bouncey balls or the bracelets. Decided to go with candy, but might try something different next year.
I've given out glow-in-the-dark sticks for years, I combine two with the supplied links in order to make into necklaces, and the kids love them - plus - it helps make them more visible in the dark. You can buy them in bulk online and they're cheapest if you buy a large number, say 500, with a several year due date so you can use them for at least 2-3 Halloweens (or split the order with a neighbor or family member).
Glow in the dark bracelets or temporary tattos. Kids love them!
Figure out how much you are willing to budget for halloween items, then go to the bank for rolled coin. A big bowl of pennies with some nickels thrown in for extra bling is not a huge expense and kids will love you!
Coins are a great idea! As are bouncy balls and temp tattoos. Are silly bandz still cool? Those are cheap and would go well in a candy bowl.
I was an art kid, so a box of crayons or little tub of playdoh was always appreciated (silly putty too).
I have glow in the dark bracelets to throw in with our candy this year as well. Found them in the dollar aisle at Target - tube of 15 for $1.
Wow, whoever thinks kids like pennies on Halloween must have grown up on a different planet than me. When I was little, people who gave out pennies were right up there with people who gave out dental floss or religious pamphlets.
I'll second anything that glows in the dark. Kids go giddy for them, and necklaces or sticks are a safety plus for the night.
I've given out googly stick-on eyeballs from the crafts store. They are about 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch across and have a peel-off backing. They come in big bags. Plus I can identify illicit repeats even among the non-costumed, because the first thing the kids do is stick the things to their foreheads as third eyeballs. :)
Second @akay...Pennies, when I was a kid, would get you raw eggs on the house!
Re: Pennies, let's be nice to each other......
I don't hand out pennies, I let kids scoop up as much as they can hold themselves and yes, there's other coin in there too.
I grew up quite poor and Loved the Money Lady on our block---once I scooped up over a dollar. That was pretty special to me. To each their own, I guess.
I don't think plastic crap is any better than food crap! I like the idea of consumables, like tattoos or stickers.