Once that first cool fall day hits, kids start planning their costumes and dreaming of Halloween candy. Local grocery stores are already starting to stock treats and decorations. We’re rounding up local Halloween (Chicago suburbs) happenings for this fall, from not-too-spooky hayrides and pumpkin carving events to trick-or-treat hours and indoor events to have on standby in case of rain.
It’s still early in the season, but we’re getting you this list so that you can register for events with limited availability and begin to plan your family’s Halloween festivities. Happy hauntings!
This guide is sponsored by Pixels by Emily. Yes, Christmas is a little off topic in this guide, but the holiday planning comes so early that we didn’t want you to miss this one!
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Magical Santa Experience
Pixels by Emily
704 E Franklin Street
Mahomet, IL 61853
(217) 730-3050
With the fall holidays also comes planning for Christmas!
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Halloween in the Chicago Suburbs
The Teal Pumpkin Project and Other Allergy-Friendly Halloween Ideas
As a mom of a trick-or-treater with a peanut allergy, I’ve definitely had to come up with strategies to help my child celebrate Halloween safely. My friends have older kids with food allergies, too, and I want to be an allergy-friendly Halloween stop on their route. After all, the scary part of Halloween isn’t supposed to be the candy!
A few years back, I reached out to Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) for their tips on having a safe, healthy Halloween.
“For kids with food allergies, trick-or-treating on Halloween can be risky because candies collected often contain many of the major allergens such as peanuts, tree nuts, and milk,” FARE’s Senior Director of Communications, Nancy Gregory, told me. Here are a few of her tips for a fright-free night:
No snacking en route.
Parents need a chance to look over all the candy before kids dig in. Nancy says to check labels even if your child has eaten the candy safely before, because manufacturers sometimes mix up ingredients for seasonal products.
No label? Don’t eat it.
Look for the teal pumpkins.
The Teal Pumpkin Project is a nationwide effort to “create a happier, safer Halloween for kids with food allergies,” says Nancy. Homes with painted teal pumpkins (or a teal pumpkin printable sign) have non-food treats at the ready.
It’s not just families with food allergies themselves who participate. “I love the idea of making Halloween more inclusive,” says Kelly Holquist, a local mom who doesn’t have kids with allergies herself, but has friends who do. She joked that she appreciates less candy for her own kids, too.
Try the old switcheroo.
Nancy says many parents buy candy they know is safe ahead of time, then trade their kids for the unsafe or questionable treats they picked up throughout the night. Genius.
This is one of my family’s own favorite strategies. We set up an informal trading system where smaller pieces can be traded in for a bigger treat, or a non-food item.
Be a safe spot yourself.
Even if you don’t have kids with food allergies, you probably have friends or neighbors who do. Nancy suggests buying some inexpensive non-food treats, then keeping them in a separate bowl to prevent cross-contact.
Non-Food Treats
Having a selection of non-food items doesn’t have to break the bank! Here are a few easy ideas:
- Glow Sticks
- Halloween Mochi Squishy Toys
- Halloween LED Light-Up Rings
- Halloween Bubble Wands
- Halloween Slap Bracelets
- Variety Pack of Halloween Trick or Treat favors
- Sticker Sheets to Make Halloween-themed Faces
- Punch Balloons
- Glow in The Dark Slime
- Halloween Sticky Hands
- Small Containers of Play Doh
- Glow in the Dark Bouncy Balls
- Self-Ink Stamps
- Pull-Back Cars
- Mini Coloring Books
- Crazy Straws
- Luminous Temporary Tattoos
Our Guide to Fall Family Fun has even more seasonal activities for your family to enjoy!
