40+ Candy Free Halloween Ideas

One thing I loathe (OK and love) about Halloween is all the candy that comes home. The kids go out and come back with a haul of sweets that you (OK I) do not want them to eat. Way too much sugar, additives, and junk. They are already energetic enough!

So what to do with all that extra candy? Take some to work along with the rest of your coworkers and eat it instead. Ugh. Not a good plan! So I came up with another idea.

What Can Adults Pass Out Instead of Candy for Halloween?

I decided last year to try something different. I ventured to the local dollar store with a budget of $8.00. That is way less than a big bag of candy from Costco. Those range around $14.00.

There I found my local Dollar Tree had a ton of non-candy options. With the help of my oldest, we decided to buy pencils, erasers, teeth, little toys, rings, and bracelets. Of course, I also spent a small amount on candy that was not part of the $8.00 budget, just in case.

Truthfully, I was not sure how this would go over with the kids. Since I live in the downtown area of my hometown and I get a ton of kids every year. I knew I needed to have a pretty large selection to make it through the night.

So I put out my bowl of mixed goods. It was pretty surprising that many of the kids when they had a choice, they did not pick the candy!!!! In fact, most were actually HAPPY to see something other than candy. A lot of the parents were happy too.

I think this is for a couple of very simple reasons. First, there are just too many allergies these days. This means that kids are taught by their parents to steer clear of food that they do not check/give them.

Second, getting candy for any old holiday or even just a day that ends in a Y is so much more commonplace. That makes it a bit less special when you get candy on Halloween. Although, getting dressed up in a costume is still fun!

Non-Candy Halloween Ideas

My experiment gave me the bright idea to make this what I give every year. No more candy giving from this house.

Seeing how well my non-candy idea went over, I went to Target the day after Halloween and loaded up on several items which were 75% off. That means I paid a quarter for many of the items. The best part is that these items will not go bad and can be stored until next Halloween.

Now over the past few years, I might have a few of each of the items left. I put those in a container and save them for the next year. Now I have a nice collection of all sorts of different goodies for the kids that stop by. Easy and inexpensive. My two favorite things!

Then I went to the dollar store this year to purchase my pencils and erasers. All in all, I spent about $10.00 on the clearance items. If you remember a large back of candy is easily $14.00.

Here are some other items I purchased.

Prior to Halloween, I also splurged on the 80-piece play dough mini pack at Costco for $12.95. I gave those out at my kid’s schools (30 for each class) and still have 20 left to give out to the early birds on Halloween.

If you do not get a ton of kids, this can be a really nice option paired with some of the plastic cutters and molds that you can get a bag of 40 for a dollar.

The ideas above are not the only good non-candy items you can give out on October 31^st.

I have compiled a list of 40+ AWESOME Non-Candy Halloween Items that will not break your bank! Use it to help you start a nice collection of non-candy items to give out this Halloween and the next.