Parenting
Effective Ways To Use Leftover Halloween Candy
November 1st has arrived, and we’ve successfully navigated the Halloween festivities. Costumes are either in the laundry (unless your little one insisted on wearing theirs again today), the carved pumpkins are destined for composting, and the skeleton decor is being stored away. Moreover, if your family is anything like mine, your children returned with bags of Halloween candy from trick-or-treating, school parties, and festive parades. Many of us also likely overestimated the number of trick-or-treaters and now find ourselves with an excess of candy.
Having that much sugar around isn’t the best scenario for kids—or for parents like me who easily succumb to the temptation of sweets. If you’re pondering how to handle the surplus Halloween candy, there’s a new trend taking social media by storm—the Switch Witch. Here’s what you need to know about this initiative, along with 10 other inventive methods to utilize or repurpose that extra Halloween candy without overindulging on sugar!
1. Try the Switch Witch Tradition
The Switch Witch is a fun Halloween tradition for toddlers, young children, or kids with allergies who want to join in on the trick-or-treating fun. Similar to Elf on the Shelf, Boo Baskets, or Christmas Eve boxes, opinions among parents about the Switch Witch tradition vary. Here’s what you should know if you’re considering trying it out.
How does the Switch Witch Halloween tradition work?
Children select a certain amount of candy to leave outside their homes—or in a designated spot indoors—as a treat for the Switch Witch. They then wait for the Switch Witch to visit, usually overnight. Eventually, the “Switch Witch” (which could be a parent, grandparent, neighbor, or friend) swaps out the candy for a different kind of treat, like a small toy, a book, or some other non-candy surprise. This way, kids can still enjoy trick-or-treating but exchange candy for a unique treat from the Switch Witch.
Parents have been sharing their own Switch Witch experiences on social media, such as dad Brett Green (@dadgotbars). In one of his videos, “Grandma” plays the role of the Switch Witch, and his daughter appears absolutely thrilled!
2. Bake with the Leftover Candy
A simple search will reveal numerous recipes that utilize Halloween candy, ranging from Monster cookies to brownies and candy bar bark. You can also include M&Ms in a homemade trail mix recipe, allowing for a delightful mix with healthier snacks like pretzels, nuts, and cereal.
3. Get Crafty with Extra Halloween Candy
Select the least favorite candy options (yes, you Smarties and mystery candies) to use as materials for glued creations on cardboard or construction paper.
4. DIY a Candy Advent Calendar
If your family enjoys counting down to Christmas with an Advent Calendar or makes a countdown to the holidays or winter break each year, consider crafting your own with a piece or two of candy for each day.
5. Add Leftover Candy to a Gingerbread House Kit
Repurpose your stash of extra Halloween candy as decorations for gingerbread houses! Candies such as Sweet Tarts, Milk Duds, Nerds, M&Ms, Twizzlers, candy corn, and mini candy bars serve as fantastic embellishments. Store them in a bag until December.
6. Try Candy Science Experiments
Dissolving Candy: Encourage kids to predict which liquids will dissolve candy the quickest (experimenting with water, vinegar, soda, etc.).
Create a Skittles Rainbow: All you need is a plate, several packs of Skittles, and hot water for a vibrant science experiment.
Sink or Float: Introduce scientific concepts by testing various types of candy to see if they float or sink, then discuss the reasons behind the outcomes.
7. Trade It for Experiences
Establish a “candy bank” where kids can “cash in” pieces of candy. For example, one candy bar might buy them stickers or extra screen time, while several pieces could earn them a more significant experience, like a movie outing or a trip to the museum. It’s a blend of learning and fun!
8. Freeze It for Later
Many chocolate-based candies freeze well. Simply place them in a freezer bag, label it, and keep it for various future uses. The extra Halloween candy can be used for holiday baking, ice cream toppings (chop up the candy before freezing!), or simply to create an emergency chocolate stash.
9. Use Excess Candy for Learning Games
Basic Math Practice: Kids often grasp math concepts better with hands-on activities. Use candies for math games involving counting, sorting, or creating addition and subtraction problems. Pro tip: Keep a candy stash for when your child needs to bring 100 items for the 100th day of school.
Introduce Data Concepts: For older children, have them sort candy by type and then create a bar graph or calculate percentages in a pie chart to introduce data visualization and categorization in a fun way.
10. Find a Candy Donation Spot Near You
If you’re wondering where to donate leftover Halloween candy, numerous local organizations are open to accepting wrapped candy donations:
Military Donations: Many organizations assemble care packages for military personnel, and Halloween candy often makes a great addition. Look for local drop-off locations or mailing addresses to send extra candy, like Treats for Troops.
Local Organizations: Some food pantries, shelters, and charities accept unopened candy. Check if local organizations in your area are willing to take Halloween candy donations.
First Responders: Firehouses and police departments often appreciate community donations of extra Halloween candy. It’s a fun way to show appreciation for those who keep us safe, and children will likely enjoy seeing the fire trucks or police cars up close.
Teachers: Many educators use candy as rewards in their classrooms. Reach out to your child’s teacher to see if they would welcome a candy donation. Alternatively, if your children are not yet in school, consider offering it in your local community Facebook group.
11. Bring It to Work
Before becoming a parent, I always appreciated when colleagues brought in their surplus Halloween candy to share with the team.
Being mindful of how we consume Halloween candy can serve as an opportunity to educate kids on the importance of moderation regarding our health. Children can decide which candies they would like to keep and which they’d prefer to donate, swap, share, or repurpose using some of these ideas! These suggestions might inspire a wave of creativity, make that surplus Halloween candy feel more manageable, and potentially lead to the development of exciting new family traditions!
