I never missed a Halloween as a child with food allergies. I loved to dress up! I trick or treated. I had safety rules to follow like my friends and neighbors. The only differences were that my rules were more specific due to severe food allergies. I wasn’t upset. I didn’t feel left out. Just as in all other areas of my life, my “normal” was different than everyone else.
This was before the Teal Pumpkin Project and back when no food allergy awareness existed in the early ‘90s, my parents still made Halloween a fun and safe event for me.
How My Parents Managed a Food Allergy-Safe Halloween:
- We still dressed up and went trick or treating every year with friends and neighbors
- Our rule was no eating anything until we got home and went through it together
- My epinephrine auto-injectors always came with us – no matter the costume or that I wasn’t eating
- They would switch out unsafe candy for safe candy they bought
- My parents never made it a big deal or made me feel different – it just was our “normal” like with everything else that had to do with my food allergies
Halloween as a Child with Food Allergies in the ’90s
Growing up on a cul-de-sac, my neighbors and I would dress up to go trick or treating together with our parents. We had to wait until arriving home to eat. An adult sorted all the treats at whichever home we
gathered at afterwards. My parents took the extra step of helping me identify any food allergy safe, ingredient labeled, well-packaged candy that I could keep. We would then give my neighbors the candy I couldn’t eat. When I went home I would get safe candy to add to my bag. My Halloween as a child with food allergies are full of happy, inclusive, and fun-filled memories. It was about wearing fun costumes, having fun all together as a neighborhood and enjoying safe treats at the end of the night.
Every child deserves to have happy Halloween memories. As parents, you get to decide where your comfort lies with Halloween. When I was little there was no Teal Pumpkin Project. My parents had to figure out how to safely include me in Halloween plans with other families. With more food allergy awareness today, parents have a range of options to match comfort levels.
It seems the commercial world is on board with the allergy world at Halloween. I know this can be scrutinized as companies trying to capitalize on food allergies, but I am choosing to see it as an open door for more food allergy awareness. Target and other pharmacies like CVS now carry Teal Pumpkin toys and allergy-friendly snack brands. I was surprised in 2016 when I originally wrote this post to see a Halloween Allergen Guide hanging by the candy displays at Target. The best place to check out options though is Allergic Living, where they update food-free Halloween options as well as allergy-friendly candy each year. Check out this article for details.
Halloween Parties at School with Food Allergies
Handling Halloween school parties with children who have food allergies requires thoughtful planning to ensure everyone can participate safely. As a former teacher, I recommend having non-food items to be most inclusive to all allergies and parent comfort levels. Here are some tips for teachers:
1. Communicate Early with Parents
- Notify parents about the party in advance, asking how you can help accommodate any students with food allergies
- Invite parents to contribute allergy-safe treats or help plan activities that don’t involve food.
2. Choose Non-Food Activities
- Focus on games, crafts, and costume parades instead of candy-centric activities. This makes the party fun and inclusive for everyone.
- Activities like pumpkin painting, costume contests, or Halloween-themed scavenger hunts can replace traditional food-related events.
3. Provide Allergy-Friendly Treats
- If you do provide snacks, choose pre-packaged treats with clear ingredient labels, and consider options that are free from all top allergens.
4. Use Non-Food Treats
- Have a stash of non-food items like stickers, glow sticks, small toys, or Halloween-themed pencils to hand out. This can be a great way to avoid food risks altogether.
5. Label Everything
- Ensure that any food brought in is clearly labeled with ingredients, and remind other parents to avoid bringing homemade treats.
6. Education & Awareness
- Use this as an opportunity to educate the class about food allergies in an age-appropriate way, fostering understanding and empathy.
By focusing on inclusivity and safety, teachers can create a Halloween experience that everyone enjoys.
How are you celebrating Halloween this year?
