Trick or treating is a super fun rite of passage for any kiddo, but there are many other ways to celebrate the spectacularly spooky season of Halloween. If you’re looking to limit the sugar this year and work in some fun, non-candy traditions, this blog is for you. Keep reading to learn more about fun ways to have some non-candy Halloween fun this year and the play tunnel we created to help make it even more frighteningly fun!
Starry Fright Play Tunnel
One awesome way you can keep Halloween fun, whether you’re looking to be candyless or not, is by playing with our Starry Fright Play Tunnel!
There’s no better play tunnel to tell ghost stories in! This 6’ x 2.5’ x 2.5’ Starry Fright Play Tunnel comes complete with sensory streamers and spooky graphics for a frightfully good time. With enough room for all your little ghouls and goblins, enjoy hearing the laughter erupt both indoors and outdoors as your little one’s imaginations run wild. Made of high-quality polyester and super stitched seams, this tunnel is made to last many Halloweens (and pretend Halloweens!) to come.
This tunnel is also great for kiddos who might be scared of Halloween to get them excited and amped up for it! You can also toss in some pillows for a spooky book nook or bring it outside to people-watch (or scare!) all the trick-or-treaters!
Awesome At-Home or Candyless Halloween Ideas
Looking to limit your kiddo’s candy intake this year? Whether your toddler is too little for all that sugar or you need to keep Halloween a little more low-key this year, we’ve compiled an awesome list of great candyless fun for you to have with your family!
Activities
- Create a haunted porch. If you don’t want to go out trick or treating this year, pass out your own tricks and treats in a fun way by creating a super haunted porch with your family!
- Host a costume party. Bring the fun to you by having some friends or family over for a costume party this year.
- Have a movie marathon—in costumes! Halloween can be special for some kids with extra candy, and it can be special for yours with extra screen time! Show your kids your favorite Halloween movies, and take it up a notch by keeping the lights off and lighting some spooky candles.
- Play Halloween Witch Tag! In this version of freeze tag, one child is assigned as the wicked witch, and another is the good witch. Here’s how to play:
- The wicked witch has a broom that she must fly around on as she chases players
- The good witch has a magic wand
- The remaining players must run from the wicked witch
- Anyone the wicked witch tags has to freeze in place
- The good witch must tap frozen players with her wand to set them free, without being caught by the wicked witch
- After two minutes, play stops and anyone who is still frozen is turned wicked
- Those who have escaped are turned into good witches
- The witch with the most players on her side wins!
Crafts
- Paint pumpkins. If you’ve already carved pumpkins this year or you’re not into making a whole pumpkin-guts mess, you can paint them! Have a pumpkin painting contest with your family; bonus points for glow-in-the-dark paints!
- Create creepy food. Forget what Grandma says; it’s time to play with your food! Make caramel apples, hot dog mummies, or a spooky charcuterie board.
- Do Crayon drip pumpkins. Looking for more ways to spruce up the front porch while also clearing out the crayon box of old crayons? Try these crayon drip pumpkins! Grab a handful of old crayons, remove the wrapper, and glue or tape the end of it to the top of the pumpkin so that it points out. Once you’ve made a ring around your pumpkin stem with crayons, grab a blowdryer and start melting. The crayons will drip all down the pumpkin, making a super cool effect!
- Make fun decorations. There’s nothing more fun than creating your own decorations at the holidays and hanging them up; it all starts on Halloween! We have some great DIY ideas; check them out here, here, and here!
- Head out on a family walk or bike ride! Hop on your bikes and take a ride around the neighborhood! Many people are still decking out their porches and front lawns even though, like you, they might not be passing out candy this year. If weather permits, get outside with your family and see all the festive homes. Keep a log of your favorite ones, and vote on which one you all think is the best!
Non-Candy Treats
Rice Krispies Treats. One of the easiest treats you can make on Halloween will give your kiddo the sugar they crave without (most of) the bad stuff. In a large saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat, then add Rice Krispies cereal. Stir until well-coated, press mixture into a pan, and cool!
Smores. If you’re fine with allowing your kiddo just one night of a chocolate fix rather than multiple days thanks to a candy stash, making some smores might be perfect for you!
Pumpkin seeds. Wondering what to do with all those pumpkin guts? Save them, and make roasted pumpkin seeds! All you need to do is pick out the seeds, wash them, spread the seeds onto a baking sheet, spray with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, and roast at 325 for 20 minutes, stirring them in the middle. Crunchy, yummy, and addictive!
Ready for some more awesome DIYs, products, and holiday fun? Head to PacificPlayTents.com and check out our Amazon Store here!