Do you enjoy Halloween and like to stock up on goodies for trick-or-treaters? Have you ever paused to consider how it feels for a child who receives treats they can’t safely eat? This is an important question for anyone preparing for Halloween, especially if you want the holiday to be inclusive for all children, including those with food allergies or coeliac disease.
Food allergies are common among children. In the United Kingdom, for example, research has estimated that several percent of children have food allergies, and about 1% of the population lives with coeliac disease, which requires a strict gluten-free diet. That means many households will include children who must avoid certain ingredients in the sweets they collect at Halloween.
In our family we don’t take part in trick-or-treating in the neighbourhood. I’m not comfortable with my children going door to door, and I also find the repeated requests for sweets around the house a hassle. But another, very personal reason shapes that choice: if my child came home with a bag full of treats that contain gluten or other allergens, it would be heartbreaking. Seeing a child excited to share goodies only to discover they can’t eat them is upsetting for everyone involved.
Which leads me on to teal pumpkins and the five things you should know about them…
- Teal pumpkins were introduced as a visual way to show that allergy-friendly or non-food treats are available at a particular house, helping families identify welcoming stops.
- The teal pumpkin is an awareness tool that signals inclusivity for children with food allergies, coeliac disease, and other dietary restrictions.
- Community organisations and allergy groups often offer free resources to help households promote a teal pumpkin and plan safe, allergy-aware Halloween activities.
- If you want to make your home a safe stop for children with allergies, you can register with community maps or local initiatives that list homes offering non-food or allergy-friendly treats.
- Providing non-food treats is a simple, effective way to support the teal pumpkin project. There are many creative non-food options that children enjoy and that keep Halloween fun and accessible for everyone.
Painting a pumpkin teal, placing a teal-painted pumpkin on your doorstep, or displaying a teal sign in your window are all clear, visual ways to let trick-or-treaters know you offer allergy-friendly or non-food options. This small step helps families plan their route and gives children with allergies the opportunity to take part without feeling excluded.
When choosing non-food treats, think about items that are popular with kids and easy to share. Small toys, glow sticks, stickers, temporary tattoos, erasers, pocket-sized games, bubbles, and pencils are all items that travel well and can be enjoyed by children of many ages. Packing treats in sealed wrappers or labeled bags can further reassure families about safety and help parents feel confident their child can accept the item.
For those who prefer to offer food items, consider clearly labelling any sweets you hand out so parents can quickly see ingredients and make safe choices. Alternatively, select commercially packaged treats with clear ingredient lists and common-allergen warnings. When in doubt, non-food treats eliminate the risk and often create memorable Halloween moments just as effectively as candy.
Participating in a teal pumpkin approach not only helps children with allergies or coeliac disease, it raises community awareness about food intolerance and safety more broadly. Making Halloween inclusive sends a positive message to neighbours and families: holiday fun should be accessible to all children, regardless of dietary needs.
So pick up some teal paint, or find a teal accessory, and make this Halloween welcoming for everyone in your community. A small visual cue at your doorstep can make a big difference to a child who simply wants to join the fun without worrying about what’s in their treat bag.