What have they come as? Halloween costume inspiration from the kids of 1887

Halloween is often a time when children indulge in an abundance of candy and sweets, but it doesn't always have to be that way. Parents can make Halloween healthier for kids without dampening their excitement.

One approach is to let kids experience one big night of lollies, as this won't have a long-term impact on their health. However, regular consumption of sweets can lead to dental problems and contribute to childhood obesity. To keep sweets limited, children should have them as special treats rather than daily indulgences.

The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating suggests children have up to one to three serves of discretionary foods per day, with higher amounts for teenage boys. These discretionary foods include lollies, soft drinks, fried foods, sweet biscuits, and pastries. To reduce the sugar load, parents can give children a smaller bag or bucket for collecting treats, portion out the lollies for longer-lasting excitement, and opt for smaller individual serving sizes or non-food treats like bouncy balls.

Having healthy snack options ready can also balance out the lollies and ensure kids are still eating nourishing food. Some easy snack options include fruit, yogurt, nuts, and plain popcorn. Halloween can also be overwhelming for kids and parents due to the sugar rush and crash. To minimize potential meltdowns, discussing and setting expectations about sweets before trick-or-treating can help kids understand what to expect and reduce resistance.

For older kids, this could involve a conversation to negotiate and agree on limits, while for younger children, parents can clearly communicate and enforce the rules. If a child has food allergies, setting clear boundaries around sweets during trick-or-treating is crucial. This might mean not eating any sweets until they can be checked by a parent or ensuring older children know what to look for on food labels and have a medical kit on hand.

If the lolly-focused Halloween isn't suitable for your family, there are alternative ways to celebrate. Consider a scary movie night, pumpkin carving, a costume competition party, or a backyard Halloween-themed scavenger hunt. Regardless of how your family chooses to celebrate, having an early conversation about treats and setting clear expectations can ensure everyone enjoys the spooky season.