Have you heard of the Teal Pumpkin Project?
Well if you haven’t you’re in luck! Today I’m giving you the low down behind this marvelous project from the Food Allergy Research & Education Network. For those who have kiddos with food allergies and/or sensitives, this is truly a parents dream!
The idea behind the Teal Pumpkin Project is to provide the excitement for all individuals who want to partake in Halloween but for a medical reason or lifestyle choice, cannot have the candy that is typically passed out. Thus, the Teal Pumpkin Project is a way for homes to show families with kids who fall into this category that they have a non-food option for them.
By painting a pumpkin teal, you identify to the public that you are participating in the Teal Pumpkin Project and support the festivities of the holiday for all!
Now, here’s a few of the non-food items you can purchase to join the Teal Pumpkin Project!
- Glow sticks, bracelets, or necklaces
- Pencils, pens, crayons or markers
- Bubbles
- Halloween erasers or pencil toppers
- Bouncy balls
- Spider rings
- Vampire fangs
- Mini notepads
- Bookmarks
- Stickers
- Stencils
If you’d like to still pass out a treat, but are looking for things that are free of the top 8 allergens, here are my top 3 favorite Dietitian Approved suggestions!
Clementines painted as Jack-o-Lanterns via Armelle Blog
Popcorn Hands via Sugar Spice and Spilled Milk
DIY Ghost Lollipops via Thrifty Mom
Happy Halloween Week!! What are you passing out?
Amy @ Happy Healthy RD says
Great idea to share about the Teal Pumpkin Project! I love the idea of handing out some non-candy items to all kids. But I also have to hand out mini Babyruth’s…I look forward to them all year. 🙂
Elizabeth Shaw says
Thanks Amy!! Me too 🙂
Melanie says
This is a great project! I love your list of non-food treats and allergy-friendly treat ideas. That jack-o-lantern clementine is so cute! I think I might just go ahead and do that for myself (since last year we only got 1 trick-or-treater group. I was so disappointed!)
Elizabeth Shaw says
🙂 Thanks Melanie! I love when we get a ton of kiddos, hopefully this year we get more than last year… 🙂
Alex Caspero MA,RD (@delishknowledge) says
Ah! You are so cute! I love those costumes! I just heard about the Teal Pumpkin Project and I’m all about it! My sister is giving out glow sticks and I think that’s the cutest idea. I think I’m going to do both candy and glow-sticks! So, all kids can choose 🙂
Elizabeth Shaw says
Good call! Options are always fun for everyone!