As moms, we often deal with the aftermath of holidays and special occasions. One of my least favorites? leftover Halloween candy.
Here’s how to use this candy to cultivate curiosity, inspire creativity, encourage civic engagement AND save time for your future self:
1. Use Lefover Halloween Candy In STEAM and Art Inspired Activities
Much of the candy kids get for Halloween is filled with food coloring. The upside? It makes for some fun STEAM and art projects that can pique your child’s natural curiosity and creativity.
Try some of the ideas featured on MakeTimeForMom Pinterest Board at home or ask the science/art teacher if they would consider incorporating some into their own lessons:
The Best Part? You can do all these activities using these same basic supplies:
Candy: Candy corn, Skittles, M&M’s, Twizlers, Laffy Taffy, chocolate bars, hard candy, gummy candy
Household Supplies: canning lids/cookie cutters, baking sheets, parchment paper, toothpicks, cups, plates, bowls, cooking spray, salt, and water.
STEAM Supplies: Cardstock, Glue Dots, Elmer’s School Glue, twine, paintbrush set, and eye droppers
MomTip#1: Consider turning these activities into a yearly tradition by Inviting friends and family to join and fill in any supply gaps you might have. It will also solve the problem of what to do with your extra candy next year!
Looking for an easier option? Read the next tip for ideas on where to donate your leftover Halloween candy:
2. Use Leftover Halloween Candy to Model Charitable Giving
Make Halloween a meaningful teaching opportunity by encouraging children to Pay it Forward.
Here are three ideas:
I) Send Candy to Agencies That Accept Halloween Candy By Mail
This option has become less common as agencies require time and resources to process in-kind donations such as candy.
One program that still accepts donations year-round is Operation Shoebox. They include the donated candy in packages sent to troops deployed overseas.
Another agency to consider is Move America Forward. They offer both direct ship programs and a few collection programs featured in the next section.
MomTip#2: Try to visit the receiving agency website to see what other donations they might need. If you are able to, consider including some of these items in your candy shipment.
II) Participate in a Halloween Candy Buyback Program
Halloween candy Buy Back programs encourage dental offices, schools, local organizations, clubs, and businesses to register as collection sites for excess candy.
Each site can decide if to trade the candy for hygiene products, prizes, coupons, cash, or just a thank you. These collection centers then send all the candy to receiving agencies.
Visit these websites to find Buyback locations near you or to register as a collection center:
Treats for Troops: the candy from collection centers is shipped to Soldiers’ Angels who share it with deployed service members and veterans.
Halloween Candy Buy Back: partners with local businesses such as dental offices to trade candy for toothbrushes, hygiene kits, coupons, or other creative exchanges.
Move America Forward: offers participating locations the choice of three types of collection events:
MomTip #3: It’s a good idea to read the fine print of each program. Many require that local Buyback programs pay the full price of shipping the candy to its final destination.
lll) Operate an In-House Halloween Candy Buyback Program
1) Buyback – hand out $1 per pound of candy donated.
Some kids, especially as they get older, might just want some cold hard cash in exchange for their extra Halloween candy.
This is a great opportunity to highlight food insecurity and our ability to support those in need. Encourage your kids to donate a third of their buyback money to an agency of their choice.
If you didn’t find a place to donate candy try this next idea instead:
3. Use leftover Halloween Candy to Save Time for your Future Self
My favorite use for surplus Halloween candy? Use it to save time for my future self.
If you find that there really is no time in your day to do anything with extra Halloween candy (except eat it, of course) consider just storing it today so you don’t need to go out and buy it tomorrow.
Here are some examples:
- Save smaller pieces of candy for Future Gingerbread Home decorations.
- Set some aside to use in an upcoming birthday Piñata, party favors, or stocking stuffers.
- Mix small bits of candy, cereal, and nuts together into snack bags to use as a kid-friendly trail mix on your next hike.
- Keep some as special Movie Night snacks.
- Use surplus cookies and chocolate for future campsite S’mores.
- Encourage kids to personalize their emergency bags by adding to them some of their favorite candy treats. Read more about these kits in Home Emergency Preparedness Made Easy (and Fun)!
2) Give Thanks – show appreciation to those donating.
Feel free to use some of the ideas in this post to give leftover Halloween candy a second life. In the process, you will find meaningful ways to engage kids and save some time for your future self.
This post was originally posted on October 27, 2022.
3) Sweet Swap – trade candy for healthier treats.