Ideas for Leftover Halloween Candy
Candy is a sweet staple of the Halloween holiday tradition. While your children (and you!) can enjoy a few pieces of candy over the coming weeks, they’ll almost certainly have lot of left over.
Contrary to your little one’s belief, not all of their candy needs to be eaten immediately. In fact, Halloween candy can be repurposed for baking, learning, and a whole lot more. Continue the Halloween celebration with your children by jumping into one (or more!) of these seven fun ways to reuse their candy.
1. Donate Halloween Candy to a Good Cause
Not only does donating candy rid your household of excess sugar, but it also teaches your children the importance of giving back. Operation Shoebox sends candy to service members overseas on a year-round basis. Following Halloween is National Gratitude Month, which is the perfect time to get involved and donate your extra treats to a great cause. Have your kids create a “Thank You for Your Service” card to include with their donation!
If you are looking for something a bit more local, most Ronald McDonald House Charities collect Halloween candy for the children and families residing in their homes during Halloween time. You can also give away some of your candy to retirement or nursing homes to provide a variety of sweet treats to the residents. And while homeless shelters or soup kitchens normally prefer food donations, treats during the holidays are also appreciated.
2. Use Leftover Halloween Candy For Learning
Candy is a great counting tool and can be particularly helpful for a visual learner when they’re first learning addition and subtraction. Older children can use leftover Halloween candy to practice measurements and more advanced arithmetic.
Science experiments are always exciting and engaging for kids, especially when involving candy. From creating a Pop Rocks balloon expander to setting up a density rainbow, your kids will love learning science concepts using materials in your own kitchen (with your help and supervision, of course). For younger kids, you can even set up a candy bar taste test that incorporates all five senses. This experiment allows your kids to evaluate the similarities and differences of the candies they’ve collected.
3. Use Leftover Candy for Arts and Crafts
Kids eat candy, but there are other ways to use it. Get creative with your kids by using leftover Halloween candy for crafts! Utilize the dye in colorful candies like Skittles or Jolly Ranchers to make a DIY candy watercolor set for your family’s next art project. Let the candies soak in water and watch as the dye creates a wonderful array of colors. Your kids will love painting with these familiar materials and will enjoy the thrill of having scented watercolors.
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, have your kids repurpose their Halloween candy by decorating turkeys and other festive crafts. Create a candy corn handprint turkey to display for family and friends in November. Or try making some turkey treats to decorate your living space for the upcoming holiday. Gobble, gobble!
Speaking of DIY, if you love all things crafty and want to DIY your kids’ Halloween costumes, we have some adorable costume ideas for kids of all ages.
4. Repurpose Excess Candy for Baking
Get ready for cookie swaps and countless holiday parties! You can find plenty of leftover Halloween candy recipes to choose from online. For example, excess M&Ms and Hershey’s Kisses can be saved for the upcoming holiday seasons and used to make festive chocolate pretzels. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups can easily replace chocolate chips in oatmeal chocolate chip cookies for a great way to spread some holiday cheer!
If baking isn’t your scene, try adding a bit of chocolate-based candies to sweeten up some homemade granola or trail mix. Both granola and trail mix can be added as a topping to Greek yogurt or a bowl of fresh fruit for an afternoon snack.
5. Sell or Switch Out Your Leftover Halloween Candy
To help prevent dental cavities, dentists nationwide will participate in the Halloween Candy Buyback Program, which allows you to trade in candy in exchange for a set rate per pound. This candy is then distributed to troops overseas with dental hygiene products via Soldiers’ Angels.
You can even organize a buy-back “program” in your family, where you offer to pay for pieces of Halloween candy from your kids. Use this as a time to teach older kids about saving money and financial goals.
Another fabulous idea that’s becoming increasingly popular? The Switch Witch! Order the original Switch Witch doll and storybook, or put your own spin on this newer Halloween tradition. Let your little one enjoy a few pieces of candy, then leave the rest out for the “Switch Witch” to take, she’ll “transform” the leftovers into something special. From board games and art supplies to books and movies, there are plenty of fun surprises they’ll enjoy long after Halloween is over.
6. Freeze Leftover Halloween Candy for Future Use
If you have some extra freezer space available, freezing chocolate prevents them it from melting and extends its shelf life. By having these treats in storage, they can be turned into an ice-cream topping for special occasions or used for future baking and holiday crafts.
7. Make Homemade Chocolate Milk with Leftover Candy
Chocolate candy can be added to low-fat milk or a milk alternative in order to whip up a special cup of hot chocolate to keep your little ones warm during the holiday season. Start by combining your chocolate candy and milk in a saucepan. Whisk together until the chocolate melts, then pour into glasses, add a little more milk, and stir!
Too many treats can be tricky! After having your kids pick 10-15 pieces of candy to enjoy over the week, get started on one of these ideas to continue the holiday. Crafts, donations, buy-back programs, and the Switch Witch are just some of the ways to reuse your kid’s Halloween candy so they don’t over-indulge in treats.
On this holiday, be sure to also serve some nutritious Halloween snacks and meals your kids will love. If you’re looking for a nourishing, delicious treat to fuel them up after the Halloween festivities, Nurture Life has great options. Find out more about our meal plans and get them delivered straight to your door just in time for Halloween!
FAQ
What to do with leftover Halloween candy?
If you’ve ended up with too much candy after trick or treating, try repurposing it creatively! Use chocolate chips or chopped candy in homemade cupcakes, trail mix, or even granola bars. You can also freeze Halloween candy to enjoy later during movie night or use it as a topping for gingerbread houses during the winter holidays.
Can leftover Halloween candy be reused for Easter baskets?
Absolutely! Save wrapped candy in a sealed bag and store it in a cool, dry place. When spring arrives, your candy stash can be added to Easter baskets or used to fill plastic eggs. Just check expiration dates and make sure the candy still looks and tastes fresh. Make sure that the candies didn’t expire.
Are there donation programs for extra Halloween candy?
Yes! Candy donations are a great way to spread joy and reduce sugar overload. Local businesses, shelters, or programs like Operation Shoebox accept candy to share with service members or those in need. Donating teaches generosity and keeps your candy bowl from overflowing.
What are some baking ideas using leftover chocolate bars?
Candy bars like Twix, Snickers, and Reese’s Pieces are perfect for baking. Chop them up and mix them into cookie dough, brownie batter, or oatmeal bars. You can also melt hard candies for colorful stained glass cookies or swirl chocolate into marshmallows for an upgraded hot cocoa treat.
What to do with leftover Halloween candy if you don’t want to eat it?
If you’re wondering what to do with leftover Halloween candy but don’t want to eat it all, consider using chopped candy in recipes like cookie bars or even stuffing it into a cupcake for a surprise center. You can also freeze pieces to enjoy closer to next Halloween or melt them into a warm drink.
How can I satisfy a sweet tooth without overindulging?
Instead of snacking straight from the bowl, try incorporating sweets into controlled portions, like topping yogurt with chocolate chips or adding a small square of chocolate to a snack mix. Reimagining these as part of a homemade recipe can also reduce the temptation to eat too much at once.
Can leftover treats be saved for other holidays?
Yes! Wrap and store your stash in an airtight bag for future use. Add it to Easter baskets, use for gingerbread houses in December, or save fun-size bars for your next movie night. Having a plan helps avoid waste and makes future holidays sweeter, but you should also be careful about the expiry date.
What are some fun recipes using extra candy?
Try using chopped candy and chocolate chips in cookies, melt it down to create a drizzle for popcorn, or mix with pretzels and marshmallows for an easy, crowd-pleasing snack bar. For inspiration, follow baking blogs like Butternut Bakery or explore themed recipe pages online.
How can I reduce sugar intake while still enjoying treats?
One option is to limit how much you fill your snack bowl and choose recipes that dilute the sugar with healthier ingredients. For example, create homemade granola bars with oats, nuts, and just a sprinkle of sweet pieces. You’ll still enjoy the flavor without overwhelming your sugar intake.