Halloween is a time filled with costumes, laughter, and sweets galore — but for children living with food allergies, it can also bring worry and exclusion. Many popular treats contain common allergens such as nuts, dairy, egg, or gluten, and even a tiny trace can trigger a serious reaction.
At The Allergy Project, we believe every child deserves to enjoy the magic of Halloween safely. Here are some simple ways you can make this spooky season more inclusive and allergy-friendly.
🍬 1. Offer Allergy-Safe Treats
Not all sweets are created equal. Choose pre-packaged items with clear ingredient labels and avoid anything homemade if you’re unsure what’s inside. Individually wrapped fruit snacks, mini rice cakes, or vegan chocolate buttons are great options that many allergy families appreciate.
🏷️ 2. Keep Ingredients Visible
If you’re handing out treats, keep the original packaging nearby so parents can check ingredients. A clear label can make all the difference when deciding what’s safe for a child to eat.
🎁 3. Choose Non-Food Treats
Sometimes the simplest idea is the safest. Consider handing out fun, non-food items like stickers, glow sticks, bubbles or small toys. They last longer than sweets — and they’re suitable for everyone!
🎃 4. Display a Teal Pumpkin
The Teal Pumpkin Project is a worldwide movement to raise awareness of food allergies. Placing a teal pumpkin on your doorstep lets trick-or-treaters know you have non-food or allergy-safe treats available. A small gesture that means so much.
💬 5. Ask Before Sharing Food
Whether at school, parties, or trick-or-treating, teaching children to ask “Is this safe for you?” before offering food helps build empathy and awareness from a young age.
💙 6. Spread Kindness & Awareness
Talk to your children, neighbours and friends about why some kids carry EpiPens or can’t share sweets. Understanding leads to inclusion — and inclusion makes Halloween more magical for everyone.
🕸️ Together, We Can Make Halloween Safer
Every act of awareness counts. Whether you offer non-food treats, keep ingredients visible, or simply start a conversation, you’re helping create a world where all children feel included and safe.
If you’d like to learn more about supporting allergy-safe living, explore our range of practical resources — from iron-on anaphylaxis labels to multilingual allergy cards — at theallergyproject.com