Halloween is around the corner again, and that means it’s time for Trick-or-Treating! It looks like even though the Covid pandemic isn’t quite over, Americans are generally getting back to pre-pandemic Halloween trends. It’s been reported that roughly 69% of Americans plan to participate in Halloween this year, comparable to the percentage of would-be participants from before the pandemic. It’s nice to see things getting back to the way they were, and I’m sure it’s very nice for all of the children who have not been able to fully participate during this unprecedented period.
I remember going out to trick-or-treat when I was younger. We grew up Seventh-Day Adventist so we definitely didn’t indulge in the activity very much, but I can remember a few times when when we were allowed to go out with neighbors/ friends and it was always a blast.
Halloween is no-doubt a very fun time, but it can also be a worrisome for some parents.
Now that I think about it, it’s funny how so many children are afraid of the dark, yet I’ve NEVER heard of any children who chose not to go trick-or-treating because it was dark outside! I guess sugar is the great motivator! Halloween is no-doubt a very fun time, but it can also be a worrisome for some parents. A child’s safety is always a parent’s highest concern, and ensuring that your child can have a safe, enjoyable Halloween experience is at the top of most parents’ list this season.
Did you know that Americans purchase upwards of $2.5 BILLION worth of candy in the weeks leading up to Halloween? That a lot of candy! It’s estimated that about half of American will purchase candy either for themselves or to distribute on Halloween. Be sure to monitor your child’s candy intake! It’s estimated that the average trick-or-treat haul is around 3,000 calories and up! That’s a TON of calories and a child would need to engage in a considerable amount of physical activity to burn off the amount of candy collected on Halloween. And that’s just one statistic! How about the fact that about 35 million pounds of candy corn is produced a year?! Sounds like 35 million pounds TOO MUCH if you ask me… It’s safe to say that we love us some Halloween!
It’s estimated that the average trick-or-treat haul is around 3,000 calories and up!
And now the important stuff… SAFETY. We’ve all heard about kids receiving poisoned candy on Halloween. Even though this scenario is very scary, it turns out that this fear isn’t entirely based in fact. Most poisoned candy stories are hoaxes or exaggerations, although there is one infamous case (Ronald O’Bryan, 1974) where Halloween candy was indeed poisoned and distributed to children.
Although our fears of this may be overblown, it’s still a very real possibility and it’s up to parents to keep vigilant. It’s considered excellent practice to go through your child’s candy first to make sure there’s no funny business taking place. Checking that the candy packages haven’t been tampered with and that there isn’t anything dangerous mixed it (non-food/non-candy items that are not specifically intended for children) is always a good idea, no matter how friendly your neighbors are or how well you know them. Also, make sure that your little ones are supervised! Having a parent or older sibling or chaperon is just as important as checking your child’s candy haul, and will give both you and your child peace of mind as you enjoy the holiday.
Halloween can be a lot of fun and a great experience for your child. When else can your kids stay out late, wear funky costumes (out in public, anyway), and eat all kinds of fun candy?! Halloween for a child may just be up there with birthdays and Christmas’ as far as holidays are concerned. And it doesn’t just have to be fun for your child! Halloween can be just as fun for parent as it is for their children. Go on; grab a scary costume and join in the fun! I’m sure your kid will get a kick out of seeing you in something fun as well!