My kids have some amazing friends. We are really very lucky. One of these amazing friends belongs to my 12 year old son. My oldest son has a sweet friend with severe food allergies. This cute 12 year old boy is allergic to almost everything. Holidays and food related fun have become such difficult times for him and his family. Halloween is tough, really tough. I have tried in my small ways to help this cute boy feel included. I have always wanted to do more but didn’t know how. Now I know – I am going to participate in the teal pumpkin project this Halloween season. Have you heard about the teal pumpkin project?

Sometimes you hear about something that makes you so happy and reassures you that the world is still a friendly place. I experienced one of those times recently when I heard about the teal pumpkin project. There is a movement this Halloween to make the holiday easier on families with children who have food allergies or other food restrictions. Those who want to participate are getting non-food items to hand out for trick or treating.

Participating in the teal pumpkin project is really simple. Some people are doing all non-food items and some people are getting both food and non-food items. You can take your pick and do it either way. If you have both treat, remember to keep the non-food treats in a separate bowl or container. Once you have decided to participate, you place a teal pumpkin on your porch to signal that you are participating in the teal pumpkin project. Teal is the color of food allergy awareness. When families are out trick or treating they will see the teal pumpkin and know your house is one where the kids who cannot have food items can get something fun and safe. There is even a free printable sign available HERE.

The non-food items don’t have to be expensive or complicated. There are plenty of small cheap ideas. Lots of them are even available at most dollar stores. Here are a few great ideas:

• Glow sticks, bracelets, or necklaces
• Pencils, pens, crayons or markers
• Bubbles
• Halloween erasers or pencil toppers
• Mini Slinkies
• Whistles, kazoos, or noisemakers
• Bouncy balls
• Finger puppets or novelty toys
• Coins
• Spider rings
• Vampire fangs
• Mini notepads
• Playing cards
• Bookmarks
• Stickers
• Stencils
• Glow sticks
• Small coloring books

For more information on the teal pumpkin project visit https://www.foodallergy.org/teal-pumpkin-project. They have lots of information, printable flyers, graphics for blogs and more.  You can help raise awareness of food allergies and this movement during the Halloween season by sharing on social media using hashtag #TealPumpkinProject.

Do you have any ideas for non-food treats that we haven’t mentioned here? We’d love to hear from you!