6 Ways to enjoy Halloween (without food)
6 Fun Ways to Enjoy Halloween Without Food
Halloween is often thought of as a holiday centered around sweets and candy, and for some that is the main component. However, that was never what it was about for me.
My mother was adament that I would enjoy halloween for the fun and gouly time it was intended for. She is Irish and in Ireland they do Halloween a bit differently. "
As much as the Halloween was intended to embrace the spirit realm and celebrate the winter, in ireland it has since become what all of us see of Halloween now. Dressing up and sweets. For those with food allergies or sensitivities, it can be challenging to partake in those sugary celebrations. The good news is, Halloween doesn't have to be all about food! With a little creativity, you can embrace the spooky, fun-filled day without worrying about food allergies.
Here are six exciting ways to enjoy Halloween without food:
1. Create a Spooky Scavenger Hunt
Transform your home or backyard into a haunted treasure hunt! Instead of candy, hide Halloween-themed trinkets, toys, or glow-in-the-dark objects. Set up clues, creepy messages, or riddles leading participants to their next "haunted" location. Items like glow sticks, small Halloween toys, temporary tattoos, or even costume accessories can make fantastic prizes.
To add to the eerie atmosphere, decorate your scavenger hunt locations with cobwebs, skeletons, or fake spiders for a little extra spook factor! (depending on the people who will partake you can make more or less spooky).
2. Host a DIY Costume Contest
For me halloween is ALL about costumes - I make it the star of my celebrations. Encourage your friends and family to dress up in their most creative, spooky, or hilarious costumes. Take it up a notch by organizing a mini catwalk or "spooky runway show" where everyone can show off their outfit. (A new take on trick or treat).
If you are having kids at your halloween party - you can even create categories for winners, like:
Most Creative
Scariest Costume
Best DIY Costume
Funniest Outfit
This is a fantastic way to shift the focus away from treats while still having a blast. Plus, it's a great excuse to get crafty with your costume.
3. Set Up a Pumpkin Decorating Station
I LOVE to carve & pain with the children I nanny. It is always so much fun seeing there creative side come through and nothing says Halloween like pumpkins! But carving isn’t the only option. A pumpkin decorating station is an awesome food-free activity that kids and adults alike can enjoy.
You will need:
Paint
Markers
Stickers
Glitter
Googly eyes
For those who want a no-pulp option, outline a pumpkin on a A6 piece of paper and have the kids (or adults) decoarate their paper pumpkin and put it up on the wall as decoration . Each person can design their own unique pumpkin masterpiece. You can even organize a mini contest for the best designs, ranging from funny faces to spooky creatures.
4. Have a Halloween Movie Marathon
Nothing sounds better to me than watching a movie in the winter cosied up with a blanket and your loved ones. So why not, settle in for a cozy night of thrills and chills with a Halloween-themed movie marathon. Choose age-appropriate films —whether you're watching classic spooky flicks like Hocus Pocus, or family-friendly animations like Ghostbusters. (Honestly, I am not one for horror, Harry Potter will do me just fine)
Create a cosy and festive space with candles (diy ghost themed candles are my fave), comfy pillows, and blankets. Turn down the lights, light some pumpkin-scented candles, and immerse yourself in the spooky atmosphere. Make sure to watch with someone else, or your might be up all night.
5. Glow-in-the-Dark Dance Party
Glow-in-the-dark anything instantly ups the excitement of Halloween festivities. Remember when you were a child and you would turn off every light to see the glow in the dark stickers? Well, now make it funky!
Host a Halloween dance party with blacklights, glow sticks, and spooky tunes, or just dance on your own. Get a great a Halloween playlist from Spotify - make sure it includes Thriller, Ghostbusters, and Monster Mash (otherwise whats the point).
Get some glow bracelets, necklaces, and rings, and watch everyone light up the room as they groove to the music. You can even add fun dance games, like freeze dance or a spooky version of musical chairs.
6. Create a Haunted Trail
For you horror fiends, make a DIY haunted trail as your Halloween activity. Transform large space in your house and make a spooky maze filled with eerie decorations and surprises. Get creative with cobwebs, fake spiders, spooky lighting, fog machines, and creepy sound effects.
If you're short on space, consider a mini haunted trail outdoors. Set up stations along the path where you or family members can dress up as ghosts, witches, or monsters to give participants a playful fright.
What it comes down to is, having food allergies shouldn't prevent anyone from enjoying Halloween. There are so many ways to celebrate this spooky season without focusing on candy or food. From scavenger hunts and movie marathons to DIY costumes and pumpkin decorating, the possibilities are endless for a safe and exciting Halloween.
The key is creativity—by focusing on fun, interactive activities, you can create unforgettable memories that don’t revolve around sweets.
So, this Halloween, try something new, get spooky, and make it a food-free celebration for all to enjoy!
(Ps. Scroll to end for food)
BUTTTT - I do know that halloween food is fun, and when you have kids you can’t not supply foods so here are some of my favourite things to eat around halloween:
Rice Krispie ghost treats - this allergen friendly recipe with a strawberry jam and white chocolate you can have!
Pumpkin pancakes - just add 1/4 cup of pumpkin puree to this recipe.
Pumkin seeds popcorn - just toast the seeds in a pan with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and clove.
Popcorn with Pumkin spice seasoning (cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and clove)
Just Love Company Cake (decorated for Halloween)
