Posted by Eleni Prokopeas on Oct.30, 2009

ⓒ iStockPhoto - sjlocke

This time of year, kids are thinking of what to wear on Halloween, the fun of going trick-or-treating and all the candy they will collect and eat, but as a GreenDivaMom, this is the time of year I am forced to take on the candy battle and be creative with my kids.  I have perfected a ritual that helps me avoid candy overload, keeps them safe and at home. Even though candy is a central part of Halloween festivities, “healthy” doesn’t need to take the day off.

Make Halloween Healthy at Home

Enlist your kids to help make healthy Halloween cookies, cupcakes and treats.  This way they will learn to appreciate your healthy baking along with learning hands-on the value of good nutrition.  Try to use honey in place of sugar and use organic sugar sparingly when needed. Whole wheat pastry flour can be used in cupcakes, and any whole grain flour works in cookies. Try making juice popsicles or orange smoothies for Halloween drinks while you’re making your treats.

Spread the Health

Keep your fellow parents in mind when planning what to hand out to trick-or-treaters at your door. They face the same battles you do during the annual candy festival. Instead of a “fun size” lump of processed sugar, hand out festive, non-food items that don’t contribute to health problems and can be enjoyed by children who have special dietary needs:

• Stickers
• Temporary tattoos
• Small bottles of bubbles (look for these at party supply stores)
• Halloween trinkets
• Small, inexpensive toys
• Pencil toppers or other fun school supplies

The Trick-or-Treat Compromise

My own ritual for a healthy Halloween starts with the trick-or-treat swap out. First, I prepare a healthy goodie bag full of treats of my choice that I give to each child in exchange for the one they collected on Halloween.  At first it was met with a lot of resistance, but once they saw what was in the bag, they gave up the fight easily.  Here are a few suggestions of what to put in the bag.

• Little dollar store toys that appeal to your child
• Halloween accessories like hair clips for girls or spooky spiders for boys
• A variety of fruits and healthy snacks instead of candy.  I like to put berries in goodie bags.
• Special Halloween cards for each child
• One of those healthy cookies or cupcakes you baked together

Halloween Treasure Hunt

I also put some money in my kids’ goodie bags along with a treasure map.  I mix in coins and a few dollars in the bag, and give clues to find the treasure hidden in the house.  The kids love this! They run around and try to get it before the other.  Along the way, they get all kinds of clues, a scary Dad hiding in the closet, and a lot of fun.

Halloween Family Time

My children enjoy Halloween night but look forward to going home and spending the night with Mom and Dad.  At night, we will make some apple cider, sit by the fireplace, tell scary stories and sleep in front of the fireplace and have a sleepover. We really enjoy watching our kids and cherish these memories.

With so much fun, who cares about candy!  I have taken the emphasis off the candy and have created a really wonderful day my family looks forward to.  Enjoy your night and have lots of fun with the kids.  Oh and don’t forget to dress up, Mom and Dad. The kids love it!

Happy Halloween!!!!

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Posted under Family, GDM Kids, Tweens, Teens.