As a parent, discovering your child has dietary restrictions can be a challenge. For my daughter, Lily, it was when she turned 8 that we found out she needed to avoid gluten. Initially, it was tough navigating a world filled with food choices that didn’t consider her needs. However, over the past decade, awareness around food allergies and intolerances has improved significantly, which is a relief for families like ours.
While Lily’s gluten sensitivity isn’t as immediately dangerous as severe allergies like those to peanuts, it has given me a deeper understanding and respect for parents who must constantly monitor what their kids can eat. Once you learn about a dietary limitation, everyday activities take on a new complexity. Quick stops for fast food become tricky, and snacks at events can turn into a guessing game.
Halloween was particularly eye-opening for us. Lily’s obsession with her favorite candy, chocolate bars, became a problem as we realized how many contained gluten. Our post-trick-or-treating routine now involves sorting through her candy haul and trading out the gluten-filled treats for alternatives.
For children with more severe allergies, such as peanuts, the stakes are even higher. A single PayDay bar in their bag could lead to a trip to the emergency room. This is why the Teal Pumpkin Project, initiated by FARE (Food Allergy Research and Education) in 2014, is so essential. The idea is straightforward: offer non-food treats to trick-or-treaters and signal your participation by placing a teal pumpkin on your porch.
These non-food options allow kids with various dietary restrictions to enjoy Halloween just like everyone else. The teal pumpkin serves as a visible reminder of your commitment to inclusivity. According to FARE, nearly 6 million children in the U.S., or about 8%, are affected by food allergies, so there’s a good chance you know a child who could benefit from this initiative.
Kids may also require special diets for other medical reasons, like avoiding sugar or dairy. This shouldn’t exclude them from the Halloween fun! Surprisingly, many kids appreciate non-candy treats—especially those who cannot enjoy traditional sweets. Here are some creative ideas for non-food goodies:
- Glow sticks
- Bubbles
- Stickers
- Fun pencils
- Erasers
- Temporary tattoos
- Bouncy balls
- Kazoos
- Yo-yos
- Mini flashlights
- Bookmarks
- Slap bracelets
- Stamps
- Cookie cutters
- Mini-crafts
- Noise-makers (sorry, parents!)
You can still offer candy along with these alternatives, just keep them in separate bowls to avoid confusion.
If you’d like to get involved, you can paint your own teal pumpkin or purchase one from various retailers. Many craft stores and even some Target locations offer teal pumpkins that can be reused year after year. Consider adding your home to the participation map at foodallergy.org so families in your area know they can come to your house for allergy-friendly treats. If you have a child who needs non-food options, use this map to find teal pumpkins nearby.
Let’s come together as a community and ensure that all children, including those with food allergies, feel included in the joyous spirit of Halloween.
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In summary, the Teal Pumpkin Project makes Halloween safer and more inclusive for children with dietary restrictions. By providing non-food treats and displaying a teal pumpkin, we can foster a sense of belonging for all kids in our community during this festive season.