Sugary candies that are commonly given out have a certain amount of health risks attached to them, including heart disease risks. If you’re concerned about the risks of handing out sugary candies to children on Halloween, there are a number of fun alternatives that will entertain children without disappointing them.
Sugar-Free Gum
Sugar-free gum is a great alternative from regular candy, because it still has the flavor of regular gum and kids will love it. Sugar-free gums will reduce the various health risks from sugar, and have also been proven to prevent tooth decay through the use of sugar alternatives. A great plus is that unlike other sweets, gum lasts a while, and almost everyone likes to chew gum. Giving out packets of sugar-free gum is one of the best alternatives to sugary candy, because it is essentially healthier candy.
Stickers and Tattoos
Children love to play with stickers and temporary tattoos, and giving out festive stickers depicting witches, pumpkins, and other Halloween themed images is sure to be a real (and healthy) treat. Keep in mind that some tattoos and stickers can scare very young toddlers, so be sure to have a few age appropriate items for younger children if you purchase spookier stickers.
Vampire Teeth
Vampire teeth are a great handout because they are Halloween themed and can be used with almost every costume (change a doctor to vampire doctor, etc.) There is always the off chance that a vampire will show up, so make sure that you have a couple of alternatives - items on this list are a great choice – just in case that does happen.
Small Tubs of Play-Doh
Play-Doh is a favorite for children of all ages, and there are a number of Halloween themed crafts that kids can do with Play-Doh. Since these are toys and not anything edible, they pose no health risks, and can be used for hours and hours, making them a treat that won’t be gone in a week. They are fairly inexpensive as well, so buying a large amount of small tubs is financially feasible.
Baked Chips
Chips are a great treat for children, as the salty taste and crisp texture makes them a hugely popular snack food. However, they are usually soaked in oils and fried, and have a ton of salt put on them, which can be just as big of a health risk as sugar. However, baked chips aren’t friend in oils, and typically contain less salt than fried chips.
Dylan Lamberti - I have been writing on-line for a period of just under two years, and have written for such sites as Demand Media Studios and Brighthub.
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