Anyone with young children has probably seen first-hand the effects of Halloween candy overload on sensitive systems. Yipes! But we don’t want to be killjoys: trick-or-treating is a magical part of the Halloween experience. So here are some great ideas for alternatives to the candy bars and other sugary horrors that will fill most kids’ trick-or-treat bags this Halloween.

These easy-to-find imaginative treats won’t add to the sugar load, only to the fun!

Food Treats
These make healthier alternatives to the usual glut of sugary stuff:

Small boxes of organic raisins
Bags of trail mix or peanuts in the shell
Envelopes of instant cocoa
Organic mozzarella sticks
All-natural 100 percent juice boxes
Healthy chewing gum (natural flavors and sweeteners, no dyes)
Sun Drops (sort of like dye-free M&Ms)
Small boxes of healthy cookies or crackers

Non-Food Treats
I live in a village where she gets upwards of 150 trick-or-treaters. If you get mobbed at Halloween, you could try my method: I cleaned out her piggy bank and doled out the spare change. My little ghoulies and ghosties were thrilled.

Other fun ideas for non-edibles include rubber spiders, stickers, small packets of crayons or markers, pencils with fun-shaped erasers, miniature pumpkins, or small charms. Look in your local dollar store for fun and inexpensive goodies.

Happy Halloween!