So you’re stoked to celebrate Halloween, but you know several of your kid’s classmates have food intolerances or allergies. Or maybe some of them have disabilities, and you want your house to be inclusive.
Is an allergen, disability-inclusive experience going to be feasible? Or cost you an arm and a leg? Good news—no! Here are our favorite budget-friendly types of treats to have allergen friendly treats as well as whatever other candies you like to buy.
We’ll also list things not to do in order to make your Halloween decorations safe for trick-or-treaters with disabilities.
A variety of regular treats might do the trick
Some regular treats are allergen friendly. Welch’s fruit snacks, Milky Way, and hershey’s milk chocolate are all gluten-free and celiac safe. Starburst fruit chews and Sour Patch kids are nut-free. Having a variety of individually wrapped treats ensures that they are safe from cross contamination and you have lots of options for kids with intolerances or allergies.
Special allergy treats
These 9 ingredients are the culprit of most allergies: Milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish (like shrimp or crab), wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, soy and sesame. Pouches, like applesauce, are free of all these allergens. Pre-bagged popcorn is often safe from all these. Made Good, Yum Earth, and Free Yumm all have several free-of-all-allergen options too. And if you’d like more options, Google is your best friend!
If cost is an issue, feel free to introduce the special allergen bowl as only available for kiddos with allergies—“Trick or treat! And if you have allergies, feel free to check out our allergy safe bowl.”
Pass out whole foods
You’d be surprised how many kids might be excited by whole foods, like a clementine or potato. (Yes—I kid you not. I know a kid who had no food allergies and still chose a potato.) Jazz them up with googly eyes for a fun treat.
Offer toys
Some kids might be more excited about toys instead! Think stickers, tiny toys in a pack, even (depending on budget) books.
RELATED: Fall and Halloween Fun For Families Around Ann Arbor
Other safety notes
It should go without saying that sudden loud noises can be scary for anyone. My neighbor does a flame thrower every year—and although I personally love it, it’s caused a lot of screams from trick-or-treating kiddos.
Avoid flashing lights
These can be an issue for kids with sensory issues, anxiety, epilepsy or headaches.
But keep some lights on
A dark house isn’t inviting, period—and it’s easier for kids to trip. Turn on some of your lights to illuminate your walkway.
Sit by the sidewalk or at the end of your driveway
It can be stressful for a kiddo to walk up to a house, and it can be physically difficult or impossible for some kids if you have stairs.
Describe your options, and give the kiddo time.
Some kids might appreciate an auditory description. Other kids will get stressed if they’re rushed. Give everyone some time.
