5 Top Non-Candy Halloween Treats For Kids With Epilepsy

Halloween is a fun time for a lot of children, but for parents of kids with epilepsy, it can also be a stressful one. Because amongst the fun, are a lot of potential seizure triggers; and sometimes it’s hard to avoid these triggers while still making sure your little one has a good time.

One of the most obvious triggers is the increased sugar intake presented by the Halloween candy everyone passes out. But thankfully, this can also be one of the easiest triggers to eliminate while still ensuring that your child has a great Halloween.

The answer… non-candy Halloween treats! 

You can give these to your children instead of letting them eat the Halloween candy they get whilst trick-or-treating, and if you’re someone who passes treats out yourself then you could non-candy options to ensure that your treats will be safe for all children!

Why Choose Non-Candy Halloween Treats?

There are many reasons why non-candy Halloween treats might be a good option, and many of them apply even if your child doesn’t have epilepsy.

• First of all, an excess of sugar is bad for you regardless of preexisting health conditions. And at the very least, it can lead to an upset stomach and a serious sugar crash at the end of the day. Avoiding it will eliminate those problems!

• Secondly, there are always food allergies to consider. If your own child has allergies, there isn’t always a reliable way to know if the candy you get from others doesn’t contain dangerous allergens. And if you’re passing out treats, then you risk giving a child with allergies something that will hurt them. Non-candy treats don’t present that issue.

• Lastly, many of the non-candy treats we’ll be discussing today can be enjoyed by children a lot longer than a brief sugar rush!

The Best Non-Candy Halloween Treats For Kids -

#1 - Glow-In-The-Dark Toys

Glow-in-the-dark decorations are everywhere on Halloween, so why not stay on theme and choose some affordable glow-in-the-dark toys to hand out as party favors and/or give to your own children.

There are glowing bracelets, wands, fake insects, bouncing balls, and more. And you’d be surprised at how many of these things are Halloween-themed and come in packs so that it’s easier to pass them out!

#2 - Squishable Toys

Small squishy toys are another great option, and typically aren’t that expensive if you buy them in packs. And although these may not become your child’s new favorite toy, they’ll have a blast stowing them away in their bags and giving them a squish or two throughout the night.

You can find Halloween-themed versions of these toys if you’re passing them out as party favors; and you could either do the same with your own kids or choose ones that relate to something they enjoy instead (a favorite tv show, movie, etc).

#3 - Toy Slime

Slime is a toy that kids enjoy playing with anytime, but this toy goo also has a spooky element to it. Which makes it perfect to give your kids on Halloween. And although this might not be the best party favor, it  could serve as an entertainment option if you’re throwing a Halloween party for your kids.

Plus, if you wanted to combine this idea with the first one, then you could easily buy some glow-in-the-dark slime!

#4 - Stickers

Moving on from toys… stickers are a super affordable option to hand out as party favors if you’re on a budget. Because handing out little toys to each child that comes by can get pricey fast, and it may not be feasible for everyone.

And if you’re on this list to find non-candy treat alternatives for your own kids, then a pack of stickers could be a fun way to “trade” for candy. Your child could collect more and more of the stickers as the night goes on, as they trade in their candy for them.

For instance; one piece of candy could equal one small sticker, five pieces could equal a bigger sticker, etc.

#5 - Halloween-Themed Coloring Pages

Lastly, some Halloween-themed coloring or activity pages could be a fun thing to give your children instead of candy. And once again, if you’re throwing a Halloween party for kids, this could introduce a fun activity for the group to enjoy together.

There are a lot of Halloween-themed coloring books out there. And there’s also a wide variety of independently designed Halloween-themed printable pages available on sites like Etsy, if you don’t want to invest in an entire book.

Other Tips For Keeping Kids With Epilepsy Safe On Halloween -

Now, as I mentioned earlier, sugar isn’t the only seizure trigger that could be a problem on Halloween. A lack of sleep, flashing lights, missed medication, and potentially even stress, could all be an issue on Halloween. Especially if you’re going to (or hosting) any parties, or trick-or-treating.

But there are some ways to cut down on how much these triggers could affect your child.

Lack Of Sleep - As much as kids may want to stay up late on a holiday, making sure they still get to bed on time is important to avoid unwanted seizure activity. And thankfully, if you’re opting for non-candy Halloween treat options, it will be easier to get them to sleep than if they were full of sugar.

But, if you know that your child’s bedtime is going to be disrupted despite your best efforts, then at least try to schedule a nap during the afternoon before the fun gets started.

Flashing Lights - I actually wrote another article on how holiday lights can trigger seizures, so check it out if you’re interested in learning more. But in summary, people with photosensitive epilepsy might be triggered by flashing lights. And it’s no secret that there are plenty of these around on Halloween.

The best way to eliminate this trigger is to steer clear of any homes that are decorated in this way.

Missed Medication - Missing just a single dose of epilepsy medication can be dangerous, and although this could happen at any time, it’s more likely to occur on days where there’s a lot of excitement and activity.

So just be aware of this risk on Halloween, and be sure that your child still takes their medication. One great way to remind yourself is to set an alarm on your phone, and I actually recommend doing this every day… even if it isn’t a holiday.

Stress - Too much stress and excitement is another potential trigger for seizures. So, although you obviously want your child to be excited and happy on Halloween, it’s best to stay on the lookout for an excess of excitement or signs of stress.

For example… A haunted house might be fun for some children, but for others it could be a source of stress that should be avoided.

Other Triggers - I just listed some of the most common seizure triggers that could be present on Halloween, but every child is different and remember that you know your child the best. So as long you stay aware of their triggers, you’ll know best how to avoid them.

Conclusion -

Halloween can still be a fun holiday for kids with epilepsy, as long as their condition is considered when making plans. And cutting out the sugary Halloween candy is a big step in making sure they enjoy their day.

Plus, I’m a big advocate for non-candy Halloween treats anyway. Because of the reasons I listed earlier in the article.

I hope you enjoyed this post and gained some value from it. And be sure to tell me in the comments if you have any Halloween safety tips of your own for people with epilepsy.

Happy Halloween everyone!