What to Do with Vegan Kids on Halloween?
Halloween can be a tricky holiday to navigate for vegan families, especially when it comes to trick-or-treating and sugary treats. For vegan kids, Halloween presents a challenge of finding fun and inclusive activities while ensuring that no animal products are consumed. But don’t worry, there are plenty of ways to celebrate a spooky, fun-filled, and compassionate Halloween with your little ones!
Why Traditional Halloween Can Be Challenging for Vegan Families
Traditionally, Halloween candy is loaded with non-vegan ingredients like gelatin, dairy, and eggs. These ingredients pose a challenge for families trying to maintain a plant-based lifestyle. While kids love the excitement of going door to door, receiving candy that they can’t eat can be disheartening. To make sure your kids don’t feel left out, we’ve got some exciting vegan alternatives and ideas that will make Halloween just as thrilling!
Common Non-Vegan Ingredients in Halloween Candy
Most store-bought candy contains animal-derived ingredients, such as:
- Gelatin (found in gummy candies, marshmallows)
- Dairy (used in milk chocolate)
- Eggs (used in some baked goods)
- Honey (used in certain snacks)
That’s why it’s important to find vegan-friendly alternatives and rethink the traditional trick-or-treating experience.
Vegan-Friendly Trick-or-Treating Options
Instead of stressing over what candy is vegan and what isn’t, you can reinvent the trick-or-treating tradition with a vegan twist.
1. Reverse Trick-or-Treating
One fun idea is to do reverse trick-or-treating, where your kids hand out vegan treats to neighbors and friends instead of collecting candy themselves. This approach allows them to give back to the community while still enjoying the fun of Halloween. Plus, it opens up conversations about veganism in a positive, engaging way. According to Bohemian Vegan Kitchen, this is an amazing way to spread compassion and show others how yummy vegan treats can be.
2. Swapping Non-Vegan Candy
Another option is to let your kids go trick-or-treating as usual, but then swap out the non-vegan candy for approved vegan treats when they return home. This makes it possible to join in on the fun without compromising your values. Consider organizing a candy swap with other vegan families or creating a fun “store” at home where your child can trade in their non-vegan candy for healthier vegan goodies. Vegan Halloween candy alternatives can include brands like Skittles, Sour Patch Kids, and YumEarth Organic Pops(Veganuary)(Bite Size Vegan).
Crafting Vegan Halloween Treats at Home
Cooking and baking your own vegan treats can be a festive and creative way to celebrate Halloween with your kids. Whether you’re hosting a Halloween party or just want to have fun with your family, there are endless options for spooky and delicious treats that are entirely plant-based.
1. Vegan Candy Apples
One of the simplest and most iconic Halloween treats is the candy apple, which can easily be made vegan by using sugar, water, and corn syrup. Add vegan-friendly toppings like nuts, coconut flakes, or vegan chocolate chips to make them extra special. For a step-by-step guide on making vegan candy apples, check out Veganuary’s Halloween Guide.
2. Ghost Cookies and Spooky Cupcakes
Baking vegan cookies and cupcakes is a great activity for kids. You can use a ghost-shaped cookie cutter for the cookies and decorate them with vegan icing. For cupcakes, try topping them with Halloween-themed decorations like spiders made from licorice or pumpkins made from orange frosting (Bite Size Vegan)(Veganuary).
Hosting a Vegan Halloween Party
If you’re looking to create lasting Halloween memories, why not throw a vegan Halloween party? It’s a fantastic way to celebrate without the worry of non-vegan ingredients sneaking into the festivities.
1. Spooky Decorations
From eco-friendly spider webs to pumpkin carving, decorations are an essential part of Halloween. For a sustainable twist, you can create decorations from recycled materials or natural resources like leaves, acorns, and pumpkins. Kids can also carve or decorate pumpkins without the mess, using Halloween stickers or paints instead of knives.
2. Games and Activities
Keep the kids entertained with Halloween-themed games and crafts. Ideas include:
- Apple bobbing: A classic game that is naturally vegan and loads of fun.
- Pin the hat on the witch: A vegan-friendly version of pin the tail on the donkey.
- Pumpkin decorating: Instead of carving, use eco-friendly paints and stickers to decorate pumpkins
Eco-Friendly and Vegan Halloween Costumes
Halloween is not just about the treats, but also the costumes! Many store-bought costumes are made from non-sustainable materials or contain animal products like wool, silk, or leather. Encourage your kids to go green with their costumes by making eco-friendly, vegan costumes at home.
1. DIY Vegan Costumes
You can create fun and unique costumes using old clothes, fabric scraps, or recycled materials. Some creative ideas include dressing up as a vegan superhero or your favorite animal. Another fun option is to create costumes that align with vegan values, like a farmer tending to plant-based crops or an animal rights activist(
Vegan Halloween Movies and Entertainment
Halloween wouldn’t be complete without a spooky movie night! Enjoy a family-friendly movie marathon with your kids by watching some classic Halloween films like:
- Hocus Pocus
- Goosebumps
- It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
- The Nightmare Before Christmas
Serve vegan popcorn with a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutritional yeast, and pair it with ghost-shaped cookies for the ultimate movie night experience(Bohemian Vegan Kitchen).
Vegan Halloween Candy Brands
It’s important to have a list of vegan Halloween candy that is both accessible and delicious. Some brands have dedicated vegan-friendly options, so you can stock up for your own kids or share with neighbors.
Vegan Candy Options
- Skittles (Gelatin-free and plant-based)
- Sour Patch Kids
- YumEarth Organic Pops
- Twizzlers
- Swedish Fish
- Dots
You can also check out specialty stores or online retailers like No Whey Chocolate and Unreal for more plant-based options(Bite Size Vegan)(Veganuary).
FAQs: Common Questions About Vegan Halloween
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about making Halloween vegan:
Can Vegans Go Trick-or-Treating?
Yes! Vegans can still go trick-or-treating, but with some creative adjustments. You can choose to do reverse trick-or-treating or swap non-vegan candy for vegan treats when the kids come home(Bohemian Vegan Kitchen)(Veganuary).
What Are Some Easy Vegan Halloween Treats for Kids?
There are many easy vegan recipes you can make with your kids. Some ideas include ghost cookies, vegan cupcakes, and pumpkin-flavored rice krispie treats(Two Healthy Kitchens). These recipes are fun to make and allow your kids to get hands-on in the kitchen.
What Is the Best Vegan Candy for Halloween?
Several mainstream candies are accidentally vegan, including Skittles, Sour Patch Kids, Twizzlers, and Swedish Fish. There are also many specialty brands like YumEarth, No Whey Chocolate, and Unreal that make delicious, vegan-friendly options(Veganuary)(Bite Size Vegan).
Conclusion: Making Halloween Vegan and Fun for All
Halloween is about fun, creativity, and, of course, treats. With a little planning and imagination, you can make this holiday special for your vegan kids without compromising your values. Whether it’s through vegan candy swaps, fun party games, or delicious plant-based treats, the options are endless for a vegan-friendly Halloween that everyone can enjoy.
Encourage your kids to participate in activities that focus on the fun of the holiday, not just the candy. And remember, Halloween is the perfect opportunity to introduce others to delicious vegan treats and compassionate living, all while creating spooky, memorable moments with your little ones.