The “Teal” with Pumpkins

Guest post by Julie from Julie’s Corner 

Photo Credit: Raw Pixel @rawpixel.com

Every Halloween, children look forward to dressing up in costumes, and going door to door for some yummy confection. For some children and parents too, Halloween is not all treats and games – in fact, it can be quite a tricky or even a dangerous time. Especially for those with food sensitivities and allergies.  I have a nephew who did have a nut allergy (he’s outgrown it since) but I remember always having to double and triple check anything I gave him in case an allergic reaction was triggered.

In 2014, the Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) launched an international awareness project called the Teal Pumpkin Project.  The goal was to promote safety, inclusion and respect of those managing food allergies or who candy is not an option for.

Can you imagine being left out and not be able to trick or treat?

Or to trick and treat but then have to dump half or even your whole bucket out?

There is a better option and the teal pumpkin program is it!

How to get involved?

1. Pick up a pumpkin, and teal paint. Paint your pumpkin teal and display it visibly outside your home.  Alternatively, you may also find a plastic blue pumpkin that you can use as a display.

Gorgeous!

Interesting fact: did you know that blue pumpkins actually exist?  They are often referred to as Australian Blue Pumpkins, or Jaradale.  Rather than a vibrant blue colour, they have more of a bluish grey color.  They look very cool!

2. Provide non-food treats for trick-or-treaters (See below for some ideas 😊)

3. Download and display a free printable poster/sign in your window so kids know there’s something for them (printable signs and other fun Halloween activities below)

• • https://foodallergycanada.ca/teal-pumpkin-project/
  • https://www.foodallergy.org/education-awareness/teal-pumpkin-project/free-resources
  • https://bydawnnicole.com/allergy-safe-teal-pumpkin-project-halloween-free-printables/

4. Tell your families and friends and ask them to join the campaign or as a neighborhood, band together and have a teal pumpkin block party so that kids can get the full fun and positive experience of Halloween!

Non-Candy and/or Non Food “Treat” ideas

• Play dough

Whether you make it yourself (check my favorite recipe here) or whether you opt for the store-bought ones, play dough is always fun for kids and stimulates creativity. Personally, I like the store-bought ones because you can buy a stack of mini ones to give out – makes my life easier, that’s all.

Make it even more of a treat by including a Halloween-inspired cookie cutter in a bag like Tonya Staab did here.

• Monster Jell-O Cups

Aside from the sugar factor, Jell-O is a pretty safe “treat” that can give kids some sweetness without the worry of triggering an allergic reaction. That being said, that’s still up to the parent/caregiver and it’s important to check the seal for any tears.

To make it special from your normal Jello cup, Craving Some Creativity has some monster printables that you can use and tape to the cup.

• Glow accessories

Trick or treating is more fun when the sun has gone down and the jack o lanterns are lit.  With tons of kids running around it is important to make sure the night is physically safe for children. Glow accessories are a great gift to have.  Use it on Halloween or save it for another time like a sleepover disco dance party.

To make it easy to give out – individually wrap each one with a cute card.  Thirty Handmade Days has a really cute printable that you can use for your glow accessory gift.

• Halloween themed rings or rubber critters

K is pretty squeamish about bugs but she doesn’t seem to mind the rubber critters that she gets, especially the Halloween themed rings.

(Photo credit: rawpixel.com)

Embellish Life Everyday has a cute printable jar that can accompany your critter toy or ring to give it an extra creepy feel.

• Ditch the sweet, and make it savoury.

Instead of a sweet “treat”, you can do microwaveable popcorn.  It’s perfect for a family movie for Halloween or any other time.  You can contact Savouring the Sweet Life for the pumpkin pattern or use orange paper and draw it yourself.

Variation:  Aside from popcorn, you could also do packages of hot chocolate or apple cider to warm up after all that fun activity.

• Stationary Items

Photo credit: Pixabay at Pixabay.com

Consider things like pencil top erasers, stickers, mini notepads and Halloween themed pencils.  Not only are they seasonal, they are also practical.  With my kids constantly losing their stuff, this is a much-appreciated treat even for me!

• Halloween Dress up Dolls

K loves dolls so whether it’s cardboard, paper or magnet, she loves to play with them all. I know that she would go crazy over these  Dress Up Dolls from Thirty Handmade Days. They are so cute with a variety of little costumes that even I want to play with it ;).

• Mini Games

Concentration is always a fun game no matter the age and can help your children focus and stimulate their visual memory at the same time.  Saltwater Kids has a template that you can follow but you could also go online and put together a bunch of fun images and then cut them up.

There you have it, just some ideas to help create a fun and safe Halloween for all children.

May your Halloween be a “tealing” and fun time!
Julie