Keeping Kids Happy with Less Halloween Candy
By Jamie Kaun
Halloween is an event that many kids look forward to for months. It’s hard not to get excited at the thought of dressing up and walking around your community while your neighbors give you free candy!
Like many parents, I want my kids to enjoy the tradition of Halloween but not gorge on candy for weeks.
Several years ago, a friend introduced me to the Switch Witch. For those not familiar with the Switch Witch, she comes to children’s homes under the cover of darkness (like her friends the Tooth Fairy and Santa) and leaves behind a book, toy, sports equipment, or perhaps a certificate for a fun activity in exchange for the candy, which her bats love to eat. There’s a great poem that you can read to them to get them excited for the big exchange.
My three young kids look forward to going through their stash the day after Halloween and picking out a handful of their favorite pieces of candy to keep. They eat several pieces the first few days and then we quickly taper off how often they receive a treat.
Utilizing the Switch Witch to minimize how much candy remains in your home after Halloween can help teach kids moderation, encourage them to make choices and provide a lesson on trading and currency concepts. It also helps take away the temptation for parents to keep raiding the candy stash.
Wondering what to do with all that candy?
- Gingerbread houses ~ even if you choose a kit vs. a handmade house, extra candy is always needed. There are lots of crafts your kiddos can create with candy too!
- “Buyback” programs ~ select dental offices and businesses offer children money in exchange for their candy, which is then often sent to deployed troops.
- Visit a local nursing home and brighten residents’ day with a sweet treat.
You can keep the kids happy with minimal candy this Halloween while creating fun new memories!
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Have you met Susie Switch Witch?
She wears a crooked hat
She’s on the hunt for candy
To feed her naughty bats
They like the brightest lollipops
The green chews and the blue
And if you have some bubblegum
They’ll really want that too!
After trick or treating
Pick out some things to keep
And then put in a bucket
Things to swap while you’re asleep!
Only when you’re snoozing
Susie will drop in
She’ll take out all the candy
And who knows what she’ll put in?
You might wake up and find a toy
Maybe a book or bear?
Something for your piggy bank?
Or a funny game to share?
So put aside some candy
For Susie’s bats to eat
And in the morning you will find
A different kind of treat!
Source: http://www.natural.bm/suzie-switch/
Jamie Kaun, mom of three young children, teaches preschool. She and her husband, an Air Force officer, attend the Coffman Y with their family.
