Allergy-friendly Halloween treats and nonfood alternatives for trick-or-treaters

An illustration of a Halloween treat bag covered in a creepy pattern; the pattern includes a jar of eyeballs, a potion bottle with a snake on the side of it, a box full of bones, spiders, a dripping candle, a mouth full of crooked teeth, and a mortar and pestle used for spell or potion making.

A lot of us don’t think about how many allergens are in most traditional Halloween treats. But if you have little ones with specific food allergies, then you’re fully aware that trick-or-treating can be a bit…tricky.

And we want everyone to be able to enjoy Halloween and not worry about eating something that will give them an allergic reaction. So we came up with allergy-friendly Halloween treats your family and neighbors will enjoy!

Below you’ll find simple treats that are dairy, nut, gluten or soy-free, as well as nonfood treats, goodie bag ideas, and more for you to choose from! 🎃

Inspired? Create and share by tagging @HallmarkStores.

What are some easy Halloween treats that are allergen-free? 🦇  

It doesn’t feel like Halloween if we’re not eating treats until our tummies hurt. Well, maybe not to that point. 😂 But we all love a sweet or a snack on Halloween. These easy treat ideas are good alternatives to make if you can’t find allergy-friendly Halloween candy in stores.

Just remember to check any food labels for possible allergens, as some commercial food formulations and labels can change over time. Check to make sure the specific ingredients you’re buying to make the treats below are allergen-free as well, if needed.

  • You can find vegan and gluten-free baked goods at the store or can bake your own from scratch.
  • Fruit that is freeze-dried or fresh is a simple and often safe snack.
  • You can make allergen-free pumpkin bars by substituting ingredients like flourwith gluten-free flour and swap in applesauce and vegetable oil for butter and eggs.
  • Flavored popcorn or popcorn balls are super easy, and you can bind them with a nut butter or chocolate. If needed, you could use a dairy-free chocolate or omit the nut butter. Or you could use various seasonings to flavor the popcorn instead, like cinnamon and sugar or dairy-free ranch seasoning.
  • Bake dairy-free, nut-free and gluten-free cookies in frightful Halloween shapes.
  • Make your own monster mix by crumbling dairy-free and gluten-free cookies with popcorn, melted chocolate and allergy-friendly candy pieces. Shake everything in a bag and enjoy! You could portion it out in cellophane bags to give out to trick-or-treaters.
  • Bake a dairy-free and gluten-free brownie cake decorated like Frankenstein!
  • Dip apple slices in dairy-free caramel and cover with colored sprinkles.

What are some nonfood Halloween treats? 👻  

These are fun options if your kids are looking for goodies they can play with instead of eat.

  • Stickersheets and decals are perfect for decorating note pads and bedrooms.
  • Mini erasersin silly or colorful shapes will make their schoolwork more fun.
  • Glow bracelets, necklaces or hair ties will help them shine bright.
  • Fake tattooscan add some flare to their outfit or costume.
  • Little toy bats, spiders or ghosts are fun additions for their backpacks and desks.
  • Miniature toy cars are great for starting a collection or trading with friends.
  • If they like Snoopy (and who doesn’t?), they’ll love this It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown puzzle!
  • Fidgets and squishable toys are great for relieving stress and anxiety.

 

A variety of creepy Halloween illustrations like monster hands, a box of bones, a jar of eyeballs, potion bottles, witches' broomsticks, spiders, dripping candles and a bottles filled with crawling bugs.

Are there nonfood Halloween treats for adults?  

Of course! These are good options for coworkers and friends (or yourself!) who love Halloween, too.

  • Face gemsare a fun addition to their costume for the after-work party or concerts.
  • Friendship braceletsare still a flex.
  • Matching scrunchies would let them twin with a niece, daughter or friend.
  • Funny hatsare always welcome and are meant to be worn around the office, right?
  • Mini kaleidoscopeswill add a bit of whimsy to any office desk.
  • A pack of seeds is perfect for any avid gardener.
  • Harry Potter fans will love this Slytherin mug! Or honestly anything here.
  • Retro games like jacks or a bag of marbleswill make them feel like a kid again!

Can you share any Halloween goodie bag ideas?  

You got it! These items are great to add to your festive Halloween goodie bags.

  • Hacky sacks are a timeless gift for kids!
  • This cute black cat plush is perfect for Halloween.
  • Finger puppetsare fun for ages 10 years old and younger.
  • You can’t go wrong with slime!
  • Halloween stencilsare just what the creative kids need.
  • A mini activity or coloring bookis great for any age.
  • Sillysunglasses are perfect for group photos and unserious selfies.
  • Everyone should have a mood ring at least once in their life!

What are some everyday ideas that are thoughtful and useful? 🧟  

Apart from allergy-friendly Halloween treats, these ideas are thoughtful plus useful for school-aged kids.

  • Multi-color pens will make doodling and journaling more fun.
  • Mini puzzles give them an opportunity to focus and use problem-solving skills.
  • This friendly ghost plush will be their new fave.
  • Necklace charmsor pendants would be adored by the jewelry crafters.
  • Every kid who loves reading needs a bookmark or two!
  • Help them get into sending letters with their own stationery set.
  • Scented hand sanitizer is a backpack necessity.
  • New spiral notebooks are a must for their classroom desk.

Do you have packaging ideas for allergy-friendly Halloween treats?  

Yes! These packaging ideas will display your Halloween treats in a festive and unique way.

  • Craft aluminum foil or tissue paper into fun shapes like coffins, bats with spread wings,witch hats, etc., to disguise your treats.
  • Buy or craft a large cauldronand place treats inside. Add a smoke machine around it for a scary effect. The trick-or-treaters will love it!
  • Cover a table with butcher paper and draw Halloween shapes or a haunted house scene. Then arrange various treats and nonfood items on top for guests to grab.
  • Use this gravestone charcuterie board as a cute display!
  • Put treats in a narrow box and then wrap it multiple times with strips of white tissue paper like a mummy. Unwrapping it will be a scream!
  • Create a boo basket—thrift a basket, add some festive tissue paper and fill with goodies! Wrap in purple, green or black netting and tie with a bow. More ideas here!
  • Make and paint a giant cardboard or papier-mâché pumpkin to display treats in.
  • Consider not using materials that some people can be allergic to like Styrofoam, certain plastics (or latex or rubber) and aluminum.Use glass trays, paper boxes, etc., instead.

What are some card and gift add-ons to go with allergy-friendly Halloween treats? 🧡  

These card and gift add-on options will make your friends, coworkers and family feel special!

  • Ifyou’re bringing treats to work or your child’s classroom, a Hallmark pop-up card like this haunted house will make a festive display among snack trays and bowls.
  • Make your own bath products like bath salt, lotion or lip balm to add to treat bags, but be mindful of possible skin allergies in your ingredients.
  • Add your ownnutrition labels that say the treats are made with creepy ingredients like powdered bones and spider eggs.
  • This Halloween card and a heartfelt message will add a thoughtful touch to any gift.
  • Find or write a fun Halloween riddle for the office or classroom to figure out.
  • Attach a creepy Halloween word search page to your gift.
  • If you like to knit or crochet, make a small Halloween pal like a ghost or pumpkin.
  • This birthday card will give Halloween babies an extra reason to smile.

 

Just because someone you love has a food allergy doesn’t mean they can’t fully enjoy one of the most festive days of the year! We hope these Halloween treats and nonfood treat items will make your Halloween celebration extra special for those with food allergies. 🍬