Safe and Healthy Trick or Treating Tips

Hearing the crunch of brightly colored leaves beneath our feet and the feel of a slight brisker air is a sure sign of my favorite season. I love seeing all the warm colored foliage that garnish the trees and also just taking in that fresh, crisp scent of fall.

Packaged candies, spooky costumes, and jack-o-lanterns will soon by festively lining the shelves of all the stores. Halloween is such a fun and happy time for kids. A fun time to get dressed up and scrounge for free candy. Would you like some ideas that could combine safety and good health along with all the fun for your children?

* Give your children boundaries of where it is safe to go trick or treating. Limit them to houses with people you know and trust.

* Always have an older sibling or an adult for your child's escort to go along trick or treating. The best escort they can have is of course you.

* Tell your children to refrain from going to houses without a porch light on.

* Firmly tell your children not to eat any of the goodies until they get home and you have had ample time to inspect. Carefully check your child's bag of goodies before consuming. Look out for any tears or holes in the packaging, or any discoloration. If you find any suspicious tampered candy at all, it's always best to throw it out.

First of all, make sure your child eats a well-balanced evening meal before going trick or treating. By doing so, this may discourage over eating snacks or candy. Definitely do not let your child go out without eating anything at all. Skipping dinner may result with an upset tummy later in the evening after overindulging.

* Drop some tasty trail mixes in those festive trick or treat bags along with a few pieces of your favorite candy corn. You don't have to eliminate the candy all together, just control the portions

* Cheese and crackers (preferably the low fat kind) is always a healthy choice over the high sugar candies. And of course they come in convenient small packages.

* Goldfish crackers or animal crackers are always a big hit with the kids. These snacks are also convenient for those little bags.

* Light cheese and butter popcorn is also another healthy snack kids will love without the sugar.

* The sweet taste of some dried fruit dropped in those bags is yet another alternative to candy.

* How about those small boxes of raisins? Kids love them and most importantly, they are good for you.

* What about sugar free candy? A lot of the sugar free candies are great tasting. The little ones won't even know the difference, unless of course you give out the bags of the sugar free goodies that say "sugar free." It's best to always give out individually wrapped candy when it comes to the sugar free type.

Have you ever thought of non-edible treats? Glow-in-the-dark stickers are always kid pleasers. Kids love stickers. Other ideas would be crayons, markers, pencils, brightly colored toothbrushes, and money (dimes, nickels, pennies). Just to name a few.

Use your creativity and imagination for more fun ideas and have a safe, healthy, and happy Halloween!