This Halloween you may notice something different when you’re out trick or treating with your kids. There’s a teal takeover happening. It’s part of the Teal Pumpkin Project, an international campaign to provide an alternative for kids with food allergies to keep Halloween a fun and positive experience.
Many popular Halloween candies contain nuts, milk, egg, soy or wheat, which are common allergens. According to foodallergy.org, 1 in 13 children in the United States has a food allergy.
Teal is the New Orange
So, is teal the new orange? It very well could be. The Teal Pumpkin Project encourages people to put a teal painted pumpkin outside their home if they will be offering a non-food treat for kids with allergies.
Does this mean you can’t offer candy? Of course not. However, if you choose to provide a non-food option as well as candy, please keep them in separate bowls.
How to Participate
Anyone can participate in the Teal Pumpkin Project. Just follow these 3 simple instructions.
- Provide non-food treats for Trick-or-Treaters.
- Place a teal pumpkin- the color of food allergy awareness- in front of your home to indicate that you have non-food treats.
- Display a free printable sign in front of your home to explain the meaning of the teal pumpkin.
Non-Food Treats
Here are a few ideas for non-food treats.
- Glow sticks, bracelets or necklaces
- Pencils, Halloween erasers or pencil toppers
- Bubbles
- Vampire fangs
- Stickers
- Bouncy balls
- Halloween bookmarks
- Spider rings
Create a Safer Halloween
