A Simple Way to Make the Day Silly and Safe
It’s time for fun costumes and all sorts of sweet and sticky candy for Halloween. What if you or someone you know has a food allergy that makes trick-or-treating a difficult or impossible task?
The Teal Pumpkin Project is an easy way to make trick-or-treating safer and more inclusive for the one in 13 children living with food allergies and restrictions.
Let people in the neighborhood know you want to help all kids take part in the fun by including non-candy items in your Halloween handouts. Place a teal pumpkin outside on your doorstep or porch and send a signal to all the ghosts, goblins and princesses that, in addition to candy, you offer non-food items that are safe for all trick-or-treaters.
What is the Teal Pumpkin Project?
The festivities of Halloween can be an overwhelming occasion for those with food allergies. Many of the candy items handed out at Halloween aren’t safe for kids with food-related health allergies and concerns. The Teal Pumpkin Project offers an alternative for kids and keeps the fun and laughs in the experience.
How Did the Teal Pumpkin Project Start?
The Teal Pumpkin Project was the inspiration of a local awareness activity project initiated by the Food Allergy Community of East Tennessee (FACET). The goal began as a way to reach families across the country with a message of awareness for food allergies and encourage inclusion for all members of a community.
How Can You Participate?
Put a teal pumpkin outside the entrance of your home and let kids know they can get non-candy treats when they come to the door.
Get your kids involved and paint a pumpkin with non-toxic teal-colored paint.
You can also print out a sign with the logo to let people know you are participating in the project.
Purchase inexpensive teal-colored pumpkins from a craft or dollar store, online or local retail shops to display at your door.
Add yourself to the map and make your house easy to find for those who are looking for non-candy treats.
You can find many ideas for displaying a teal pumpkin and non-candy treats at your local CVS and Target stores.
Get the neighborhood and community involved!
What Can You Hand Out to Trick-or-Treaters?
Provide items like stickers, glow sticks or other small toy items. This allows children to participate and add something to their bag as they make their way around the neighborhood and show off their Halloween costumes. Isn’t that a big part of the fun?
Other items can include:
Bracelets, necklaces and rings
Erasers and pencils
Bubbles
Mini-slinkies
Whistles or noisemakers
Small bouncy balls
Fake coins
Finger puppets
Playing cards
Bookmarks
Notepads or stencils
Spread the word! Share information about the Teal Pumpkin Project with family, friends, neighbors and community members.
Post pictures of your teal pumpkins and use the hashtag #tealpumpkinproject.
You can find more information, ideas and downloads for posters and projects at Teal Pumpkin Project – FoodAllergy.org
Have fun and be safe this Halloween!
