Put down the tiny boxes of raisins and leave them in the store.  I still remember the disappointment I felt when parents handed out raisins for Halloween.  Are you kidding me?  No kid gets dressed up for Halloween and parades around from door to door for raisins!  Or toothbrushes for that matter.

So what can you hand out that is a little more healthy then typical candy but doesn’t make your split-second guest run away even faster?  When it comes to non-food items, small packs of stickers delight little children (glow in the dark ones are a big bonus!), boys like matchbox cars and girls like barrettes and hair ties (especially the theme-based ones like Hello Kitty).  And, every small child likes mini boxes of Play-Doh from Hasbro. Target and the Dollar Store are stocked with these items.

Food items can be a bit trickier.  However, CLIF Kid launched their Spooky S'mores Organic Z-Bar for Halloween (a limited time only).  This whole grain bar has some protein and fiber in it and 12 vitamins and minerals.  It also has no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives.  And, the packaging is cute!  My nephews call Clif Z-Bars “kids bars.”  I think they like having their own food made for them and I’m pretty sure that is also their way of telling me not to eat their stash!

These yummy snacks also come in individual serving sizes: Terra Blues® Chips, Barnum’s animal crackers, Chocobillys chocolate chunk cookies, Mrs. GoodCookie animal crackers, 12 oz bottles of Vitaminwater (let’s face it, running from house to house is hard work so every kid needs to stop and take a drink!  Vitaminwater is also preservative-free and free from artificial colors and flavors).  And, don’t forget good old granola bars!  There are so many varieties to choose from and they offer more nutritional value than most candy!