Top Tricks and Treats for a Fun Halloween

As a health coach & mom, I’m not a fan of giving kids bags full of candy (I’m sure you can imagine)! So I wanted to share a bunch of other things we do with the girls to make this holiday super fun.

Halloween is often centered around candy and sweet treats, but it doesn’t have to be! And even if your kids (or you) partake in that aspect, that’s ok too. But there is still lots more fun to be had!

FILLING FOOD

Thinking of what to have for dinner on Halloween when you have zero time to cook since you are out trick or treating with your kids or handing out candy and always interrupted by the doorbell? I have a BRAND NEW Youtube cooking video just for you! My easy Instant Pot vegan Chili!

I love loading the kiddos up on HEALTHY and satisfying real foods before they ever have a treat (whether it be Halloween candy or birthday cake!). Also, eating healthier real food first will limit you from over eating or eating too much of the treats. 🙂

THE SWITCH WITCH

My girls can have a piece (or 2) of their loot but then we do the Switch Witch! Have you heard of it? (I highly recommend the book which we have , The Switch Witch and the Magic of Switchcraft and doll too!)

Basically, the Switch Witch will come at night and take the kids candy and leave them a present in the morning! (My husband and I then donate the candy to the troops).
So far, this has worked well for our family!

COSTUMES

Focusing on creativity and dress up often gets kids super excited! In our house, costumes are a big deal. Although I wasn’t always big on dressing up for Halloween, my husband and I have been doing it WITH the girls.

They love that it’s a family affair. The girls get to pick out at least 2 costumes since they wear one to school (which will no doubt get dirty and ruined) and need another for Halloween parties and trick or treating. They LOVE to dress up so they have a blast with this! They tried on their costumes last night and were beyond happy… I was worried they wouldn’t take them off!

HEALTHIER SPOOKY TREATS

To keep the sugar intake to a minimum, I like to focus on healthier food treats like these. Most of these you can even make together with your kiddos. The girls LOVE to join me in the kitchen so this gets them excited and interested too!

Some are home made candy (with healthier, whole food ingredients and are naturally sweetened unlike their store-bought counterparts loaded with unnecessary sugar, dyes, additives and highly processed fillers). Others are totally non-sugary yummy treats that are just good, spooky fun!

BOOKS

My girls LOVE books so I always get them new Halloween books every year.
Here are some of our favorites! (And a few we’re planning on for this year.)
Sometimes a new book will be a Switch Witch gift as well!

EXPERIENCES WITH YOUR CHILDREN

And lastly, as always, experiences WITH YOUR kids are one of the best GIFTS to ever give them. They LOVE being with you, having your attention and having fun with you!

Going to a pumpkin patch and having your kids pick out their own pumpkin to decorate, carve up as a jack-o-lantern or just put somewhere in your home or outside your front door is a festive and fun way to get everyone in the spirit! We do a pumpkin patch every year but last year was a real treat: we went to Disneyland during Halloween time. It was SO fun and the girls had a blast! Both girls schools are also having Halloween parties and there are many Halloween events around town to partake in. You can also host your own!