There’s nothing wrong with Halloween candy, but I want to hold off my kids’ extensive knowledge of chocolate bars until they’re better versed in moderation. Here are 5 ways we handle the candy so everyone is happy…

I’ve never been a huge fan of Halloween, even as a kid, but the candy usually made up for it. Now that I have kids though, my perspective on candy has shifted somewhat.

It’s hard to avoid and it’s everywhere. The church festivals, the school parties, and of course, the trick or treating. Bags of candy are being handed to my sugar-loving, questionable-decision-making children with abandon.

So while I don’t want to spoil what is one of the best parts of this holiday, I do want to limit the amount of candy they have and separate the concepts of food and fun.

How do I handle the Halloween candy without halting the fun?

If you’ve been struggling with this same dilemma, here are five mom-tested methods to try…

1. 
   

   Exchange it

Offer to exchange their candy for something they want. It could be the whole bag for something big, like going somewhere special, or smaller, as in a handful for their favorite smoothie. You could even give pennies for candy pieces.

Whatever you decide is up to you and determined by the ages and interests of your kids, but choose something that is enticing to them and acceptable to you.

 

2. Give it away

Operation Shoebox sends care packages of candy to the military overseas. Have your kids donate their “extra” to a worthy cause. There are also buy back programs set up by dentists and other organizations. You can check here for one near you.

 

3. Repurpose it

Sometimes getting rid of the candy can be a tough sell, so you can offer an alternative. Being so close to Thanksgiving and Christmas means that there are a number of opportunities to bake and create care packages.

Have your children set aside chocolates and other goodies that would work for cookies, bars, and other homemade gifts. The thrill of making something special and new out of that Halloween candy may take the sting out of not eating it themselves.

 

4. Tax it

It’s never too early to learn about taxes. Your kids can leave their candy on the table overnight, and in the morning, find that the tooth fairy has taken her 25 percent.

Obviously, this works for younger children, but you can just tell the older ones that it’s the mom tax. Either way, it’s a matter-of-fact way of cutting down on the sweets from the get-go.

 

5. Wait for them to forget it

Every night, my kids are allowed to choose one piece of candy to eat. I keep the bags on the top shelf of the pantry, where they are hard to see and reach.

This nightly ritual starts out with excitement, but soon dies down and is forgotten more than it’s remembered. It’s not unusual to find Halloween-wrapped fun size bars up there at Easter.

 

I want to make it clear that I don’t hate candy. In fact, I really love it. But I also know that kids can’t crave what they don’t know exists. I want to hold off on their extensive knowledge of chocolate bars until they’ve learned to moderate themselves in the face of the addictive sweet-salty combo that is sold everywhere they look.

Let them wear costumes, go to parties and festivals, and enjoy silly-scary games. But they can have a blast at Halloween without the never-ending sugar rush. Really.

 

Does your family limit candy at Halloween? What do you do with the candy that comes home every year? Let me know in the comments!

 

Looking for more parenting solutions during the holidays? Then check out these posts:

5 Simple Ways to Keep the Thanks in Thanksgiving

How to Create the Traditions Your Kids Crave

The Best Christmas Traditions (according to our family)