When our eldest son, Jake, was diagnosed with gluten intolerance at the age of 7, it turned our world upside down. The early days were a bit chaotic, but over the last decade, awareness and acceptance of food allergies has significantly improved. It’s comforting to see that the world is becoming more accommodating for kids with dietary restrictions.
While Jake’s gluten issue is not as severe as the life-threatening allergies some kids face, it has given me a newfound empathy for parents who constantly monitor their children’s food choices. The moment you learn your child has a dietary limitation, everything changes. Quick stops for fast food become an exercise in planning, and snacks at children’s events are often hit-or-miss. Halloween proved to be particularly tricky when I realized that Jake’s beloved Kit-Kats were off-limits, forcing us to sift through his candy haul and swap out what he couldn’t eat.
For us, the candy sorting was just an inconvenience, but for a child with a peanut allergy, a stray PayDay bar can be a ticket to the ER—or worse. That’s why the Teal Pumpkin Project was launched by FARE (Food Allergy Research and Education) back in 2014. The idea is simple: hand out non-food treats instead of candy, and let families know you’re participating by placing a teal pumpkin on your porch.
These non-food goodies allow kids with special diets to enjoy the Halloween spirit without feeling left out. The teal pumpkin signals your awareness of food allergies and your willingness to accommodate their needs. According to FARE, nearly 6 million children (about 8% of kids in the U.S.) are affected by food allergies. Almost everyone knows a child with some form of food intolerance, and while it might be easy to dismiss some concerns as exaggerated, many kids experience genuine adverse reactions to foods we take for granted.
Moreover, children may also need to follow special diets for other medical reasons. If a kid needs to avoid sugar or dairy, there’s no reason they shouldn’t partake in the Halloween fun! You might think kids would shy away from non-candy treats, but you’d be surprised at how much they enjoy these alternatives—especially those who can’t eat the candy in the first place. Here are some fun non-food treat ideas:
- Glow bracelets
- Bubbles
- Stickers
- Fun pencils or pens
- Erasers
- Temporary tattoos
- Bouncy balls
- Kazoos
- Yo-yos
- Whistles
- Mini flashlights
- Bookmarks
- Slap bracelets
- Stamps
- Cookie cutters
- Noisemakers (sorry, parents!)
- Mini-crafts
- Carabiners
Feel free to offer candy alongside these treats—just keep them in separate bowls!
If you’re interested in joining the Teal Pumpkin Project, you can either paint a pumpkin yourself or pick up a ready-made one from many stores, including Target and craft shops. These teal pumpkins are reusable, making them a practical choice for years to come.
Once you’ve decided to participate, don’t forget to add your location to the participation map at foodallergy.org so families know they can come to your home for inclusive trick-or-treating. And if you’re looking for teal pumpkins in your area, this map will help you find those who offer non-food options.
It takes a village to raise a child, and we can all be part of that village by helping kids with food allergies feel included in the Halloween festivities.
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In summary, the Teal Pumpkin Project is a fantastic way to ensure that all children can enjoy Halloween, regardless of their dietary restrictions. By offering non-food treats, we can create a more inclusive environment for those who face food allergies and intolerances.