The spookiest month of the year is upon us and it’s time to think about Halloween costumes, scary decorations, celebrations and CANDY! Is your Teal pumpkin ready?! Have you heard of the Teal Pumpkin Project?
What is it?
The Teal Pumpkin Project aims to raise awareness about food allergies and make Halloween inclusive of all kids by encouraging homes participating in handing out candy, to offer non-food treats or non-food treat options to trick-or-treaters who may have life threatening food allergies or otherwise are not able to eat candy.
How to Participate
On Halloween homes which are participating place a teal pumpkin in front of their houses to let everyone know they have non-food treats available to trick-or treaters. You can also print off a free printable poster to display on your door if you are not able to find or paint your pumpkin teal. I found my teal pumpkin at Walmart for $1.98. You can also find them at Michael’s craft stores. Check out the FARE website for all kinds of information, printables and social media materials to help spread the word about the Teal Pumpkin Project!
Why the colour Teal?
Teal is the colour used to promote and represent food allergy awareness. Teal has been used for 20 years now!
What is a Non-food Treat?
Non-food treats include Halloween stickers, bubbles, noise makers, glow sticks, small toys, pencils, pens etc. FARE has a great list of non-food treat ideas HERE and a few items that you should avoid.
Sounds Expensive…
I get all of our Non-food treats from Dollar Tree and the entire lot pictured below cost me about $5.00. Far less expensive than the $15.00 a box of candy! We have always found kids of all ages are excited to have an option other than candy and sweets.
This project is so near and dear to us as our boy grows up because Halloween can be a very stressful time for kids and parents of kids with food allergies. We want our son to feel as excited and included in Halloween festivities as any other kid would be and this is a wonderful project to help make sure that happens.
If you think this is something you would like to try at your home this Halloween, the FARE website is a great place for information and spooky and safe inspiration.
Happy Halloween!!!
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This is such a great idea! I am doing it this year too. I am allergic to peanuts, so this is something I am super sensitive about when buying candy. And you are right…little toys are cheaper than the big bags of Halloween candy!
Thanks Mary! Halloween can be so tricky with food allergies.
Great Idea! I love it. Sharing on FB.Thank you for sharing on Merry Monday! Hope to see ya next week!
Kim
Awesome, thank you Kim! Thanks for helping spread awareness!!!