Halloween Safety Tips for Kids with Food Allergies

Halloween is a magical night with costumes, and laughter, but for children with food allergies, it also means extra anxiety. The good news? With some planning ahead, creativity, and talking, your child can have just as much fun without sacrificing their safety.

The tips that follow are practical and family-proven ways to make this Halloween less stressful and more enjoyable:

1. Organize a Safe Candy Exchange

Create a special tradition in which a "Switch Witch," "Treat Fairy," or you replace your child's unsafe candy with something special. Your child places their candy treasure out, and overnight (or faster) it seems to be switched for a toy, book, game, or stash of their favorite known safe allergy-friendly treats. This maintains the magic of Halloween and removes the worry of unsafe candy.

2. Implement a "No Eating While Out" Policy

Make it a strict rule that no candy is opened or eaten until all return home and an adult has read all of the labels. REMEMBER fun- or mini-packs often contain various ingredients or production risks than standard products.

Pack a pre-approved, allergy-safe backpack of snacks for your child to snack on during the trip so that they won't feel left out. Some comfortable familiar safe food can make the evening like any other evening.

3. Join the Teal Pumpkin Project

The Teal Pumpkin Project, funded by Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), embraces inclusion for kids with food allergies and other dietary restrictions by encouraging families to display non-food treats.

Your Action:

Display a Teal Pumpkin: Set up a teal-painted pumpkin or printable sign to let people know that you have non-food treats.
Look for Teal Pumpkins: Trick-or-treat and guide your child to teal-pumpkin houses—those usually contain non-food or allergy-safe treats.
Bring Non-Food Treats: Glow sticks, stickers, bubbles, temporary tattoos, pencils, and small toys are always a hit!

4. Always Carry Emergency Medication

Even with thorough preparation, sometimes accidents do happen. Be sure to bring two epinephrine auto-injectors.

5. Focus on the Fun, Not Just the Food

Halloween isn’t just about candy—it’s about the experience! Celebrate the excitement of costumes, decorations, spooky fun, and time spent with friends.

If trick-or-treating isn't stress-free, then host or attend an allergy-friendly party where you can control the surroundings. Costume contests, pumpkin carving, glow-in-the-dark games, and scavenger hunts are all great celebrations to have safely.

Last Thoughts

Halloween can be magical for food-allergic kids—with a little planning, lots of communication, and some creativity. The most important thing? Make your child feel included, safe, and part of the fun.

Wishing you a safe and happy Halloween!

—Theresa Marie Green
Allergy Apparel® | Mom-owned since 2008