So trick-or-treat is over and now your kids have a haul of Halloween candy. And of course you want them to eat all that sugar as soon as possible (not!). Or maybe you're stuck with stale candy you couldn't give away because it rained on Halloween or you didn't get as many trick-or-treating children. Or maybe you gave out yucky kinds like Mike-N-Ikes or Mary-Janes, tsk-tsk. You could blow your diet, eat all the treats and then regret it. Or you could try one of these healthy ways to use up leftover trick-or-treat goodies.
"Buy" trick-or-treat candy from your children. Have them sort out and keep their favorite candy (the
chocolate candy bars, maybe?) Bring the rest to a dentist or doctor who is participating in Halloween
Candy Buy Back program. Caregivers "buy" kids' candy to spare patients' teeth and health. If you
can't find one, offer to trade your children a new book for their unwanted candy.
Trade leftover candy for fruit. Make a big fruit salad and serve it with your child's favorite meal.
Freeze leftover candy and use for stocking stuffers. Use to fill Easter eggs in the spring. Save
chocolate for baking. Have an ice cream party and use fruit candies (Nerds, Runts, gummy worms) for
toppings.
Bake cupcakes with candy surprises inside. Use Halloween candy to decorate birthday
cakes.
Save trick-or-treat candy for birthday party treat bags and party game prizes.
Take leftover Halloween candy to nursing homes or area senior centers. Give the candy to staff to
distribute. Not all elderly people can eat candy, but those that can will love it! Many enjoyed trick-or
treat as kids and passing out candy as adults. Halloween is sad for them because they don't see
many children. Take a few minutes to visit and maybe make a new friend.
Donate candy to local food pantries. Share leftover candy with those who come to soup kitchens and
homeless shelters. Look for food giveaway truck locations. Give the candy to be distributed.
Add candy to Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes. Through the Samaritan's Purse organization,
people fill shoeboxes to go to children around the world who lack basic necessities. Candy is a rare
and sometimes unheard of treat. They will appreciate the leftover Halloween candy more than those
kids who already have so much.
