The children in your neighborhood are no doubt looking forward to filling their buckets with candy this Halloween, but too many sweets aren’t a good thing for anyone’s smile. This year, why not do your part to prevent cavities by handing out some non-sugary treats? Below are 5 examples of non-candy items you can give to trick-or-treaters that will still leave them smiling!
1. Healthy Snacks
One of the first things you probably think of when it comes to non-candy Halloween treats is healthy foods. This doesn’t have to mean handing out apples; there are plenty of health-conscious alternatives to candy that children will still appreciate. Some options that are worth considering include miniature bags of popcorn, bags of pretzels, boxes of raisins, and string cheese.
2. Mini Maze Toys
If you’re thinking you would like to give out toys this Halloween, mini mazes can be a great go-to option. You’re probably familiar with these small plastic mazes that require you to tilt them to move a small metal bead all the way to the end. This pocket-sized game will give kids something fun to do once they finish trick-or-treating, and it can help give their thinking skills a boost.
3. Costume Accessories
Aside from the candy, one of the other things that kids love most about Halloween is dressing up in costumes. So why not keep the fun going with some accessories? Eye patches, fake mustaches, silly novelty glasses, and masks can all be welcome surprises in a child’s Halloween bucket.
4. Play-Doh
If you want to give out something that children can enjoy even when it’s not Halloween, you can’t go wrong with Play-Doh. Even after trick-or-treating is finished, kids can still get hours of entertainment out of letting their imaginations run wild and molding their Play-Doh into all kinds of shapes.
5. Items That Glow in the Dark
Glow-in-the-dark objects aren’t just fun for kids; they can also make them more visible at night, which can go a long way toward helping them have a safer Halloween. This year, why not be the house handing out glow sticks, glow bracelets, and glow necklaces?
All of the items listed above can help children enjoy Halloween to the fullest without putting them at risk for tooth decay and other oral health issues. Think carefully about the treats you want to hand out this year so that you can help protect the smiles of the little ones in your neighborhood.
About the Practice
At Healthy Kids Pediatric Dentistry, our team cares about making sure that children have positive experiences at the dental office early in life. We’ve gone out of our way to create a fun, educational, and caring office environment that your little one can look forward to visiting. We offer a wide range of dental services for children, including routine dental checkups and cleanings. If you would like to schedule a pre- or post-Halloween dental appointment for your child at our office in Silver Spring, visit our website or call (301) 871-8880.