CHIP Tip No. 40: Healthy Halloween

Halloween shouldn’t be just about the candy.
This year, shift the focus from candy to fun!

Here are a few ways to move sweets out of the Halloween spotlight:
? Make a family tradition of carving pumpkins together, then roasting the pumpkin seeds for a healthy snack.
? Plan your children’s costumes well in advance and let them help make at least some part of them.
? Provide the materials for your kids and their friends to do Halloween crafts.
? Read or write short Halloween stories with your children.

But don’t go overboard trying to control your kids’ Halloween fun. They’ll almost certainly come home with some candy, so plan how you’ll handle it. For example, you may allow them to have a piece of candy after finishing a healthy dinner. Be sure any “candy rules” are clear before trick-or-treating begins so expectations are established.

Most of the homes children visit will provide less-than-healthy treats, so why not give out something a little different this year at your house. Many parents will thank you!

Some healthy treat suggestions:
• Halloween pencils, erasers, stickers or stencils
• Plastic spider rings
• Black and orange balloons
• Yo-yos
• Bouncy balls
• 100% fruit juice boxes
• Small boxes of cereal
• Granola bars
• Individuals packages of raisins, peanuts or pretzels
• Mini bottles of water