It is that time of year – when parents are scrambling to pull together a costume that resembles a superhero unicorn or a taco-eating dragon. There is something about Halloween that is magical for both kids and kids-at-heart alike. With minimal effort, you can make Halloween special for all kids, whether or not they can eat the usual trick-or-treat candy offerings.
The Teal Pumpkin Project is a movement to make Halloween a more inclusive, happy experience for all children. By placing a teal pumpkin at your doorstep, you are indicating that you offer non-food items as an option so that little ones with allergies can take part in the trick-or-treating fun.
As a mother with Celiac Disease to a daughter who has life threatening food allergies, this project hits particularly close to home. Fortunately, I have found our family and friends to be incredibly supportive as it offers a teaching opportunity for their kids on kindness and being inclusive to all children. You can make it a fun crafts project by painting a pumpkin teal together. Or, if you are lazier like myself, you can purchase a teal pumpkin that can be reused year after year. Currently, Michael’s in Goleta has one on sale for $8. There are so many fun non-food items to offer that will get your trick-or treaters excited: Glow sticks, stencils, bubbles, spider rings, stickers, kazoos, crazy straws, silly glasses, whistles, playing cards, temporary tattoos and more. If you are like me and can’t resist some Halloween chocolate, Enjoy Life Foods now offers individually wrapped mini Halloween chocolates that are free from the top eight allergens along with casein, potato, sesame and sulfites.
For more information, please visit FARE’s (Food Allergy Research & Education) website on The Teal Pumpkin Project. Have a Happy Halloween and thank you in advance for spreading kindness to all!
gluten-free in sb 