The Teal Pumpkin Project is so important to millions of children with food allergies. This is an important project that's close to my heart. Learn more about having food-free surprises for trick or treat this Halloween! #TealPumpkinProject #ExcludeTheFoodNotTheChild
My nephew Jackson is inquisitive, smart, funny, and downright adorable! He also has severe life-threatening allergies to dairy and eggs. Did you know that food allergies affect 1 in 13 children? My sister and brother-in-law have worked hard to make sure Jack doesn't feel excluded because of his food allergy at school, at birthday parties, and on holidays.
The Teal Pumpkin Project is so important to food allergy families. Would you want to disappoint this little face on Halloween?
About the Teal Pumpkin Project
So what is the Teal Pumpkin Project? It's simple really, it's all about these little cuties who want to participate in Halloween, without having to worry about food allergies.
That's why non-food items are encouraged as part of the Teal Pumpkin Project. Participating is easy! Pick up a white craft pumpkin at your local craft store a bucket of teal paint, or some teal spray paint.
Add your teal pumpkin alongside your allergy-friendly Halloween items to show you care!
How can I support the Teal Pumpkin Project?
- Provide non-food treats for trick-or-treaters
- Place a teal pumpkin in front of your home so families know you have non-food items.
- Add your home to the Teal Pumpkin Project Map.
- Download a variety of signs, flyers and more here.
- Share online using the hashtag #TealPumpkinProject to help spread awareness.
What kind of non-food items should I include?
You can find a variety of cute and inexpensive allergy free treats for kids to include in your Teal Pumpkin Project basket. It's important to keep these items separate from any candy or other food you might be handing out on Halloween.
Here are some great items to look for:
- mini play dough containers
- crayons
- stickers
- card games
- action figures
- bouncy balls
- toy cars or trucks
- small bath toys
- spider rings
- bubbles
- glow sticks
- Halloween pencils and erasers
My sister and her husband handed out these neighborhood goodie bags along with a letter describing Jack's severe food allergies and the purpose of the Teal Pumpkin Project. In her own words...
Last year was Jack's first year really going Trick or Treating and our first Halloween in our neighborhood. We were nervous and considered skipping it out of fear for his safety. Instead, we put together a note about our family, Jack's allergies and the #TealPumpkinProject.
We gave each house a bag with non-food like toys, bubbles, stickers, pencils, vehicles... Our hearts were bursting from the kindness shown by our new neighbors, many of whom we had not yet met.
They surprised us by adding even more fantastic things to the bags, sent encouraging notes, called us to see what else they could do, and were thrilled to meet Jack when we got to their doors. We're doing the same thing this year and are ready to deliver the bags. Of course, we have a bucket filled with food-free treats for all the little cuties who come to our house again this year.
If you're on social media, think about sharing a message to show your support of the Teal Pumpkin Project and encourage others to join you. It's great for family and friends to know you're a safe stop for trick or treating, but also you might just inspire someone else this Halloween.
Teachable Moments
The Teal Pumpkin Project is a great way to teach your children compassion and empathy. Get them involved by letting them help pick out non-food items. You can also download these fun coloring pages.
KarenE says
What a fantastic IDEA!
Ang Paris says
It's such an easy way to make sure all kinds are included!
Heidi says
I love this! Two of my daughters have food allergies, and they have to give away most of their candy.