by J. McDole

Created on: August 17, 2009

Treats for little ghosts and goblins that ring your doorbell on Halloween night need not be unhealthy. Pre-packaged food or non food items are the most desirable for trick-or-treaters, of course. Halloween parties can also have nutritious snacks that the kiddies will gobble up.

A few edible ideas for healthier treats are individual packets of hot cocoa, pudding or string cheese; kids love them, and they get extra calcium. Cereal bars and juice boxes provide extra nutrients and are still special treats. Little packages of crackers and peanut butter, pretzels, or other snack crackers are healthier than chips and candy. Fruit parfait cups provide vitamin C. Small packs of sugar-free gum and individual bags of popcorn are also great alternatives.

For gifts other than food, consider small boxes of crayons and Halloween coloring pages or puzzles; coloring pages and puzzles can be found for free on the internet. Small comic or reading books, little decks of cards, brightly colored shoe strings, glow bracelets, washable magic markers, Halloween pencils and erasors, Halloween-themed plastic rings and necklaces, Halloween stickers, and temporary tattooes all make great handouts.

Plan activities at Halloween parties for kids. The evening shouldn't center around food. Although, bobbing for apples is genuinely fun for kids and provides a healthy prize.

Goldfish crackers are the perfect color for Halloween snacks, and are healthier than potato chips, as they are not fried. Have a bowl of popcorn with some Halloween M&M's and a few gummy worms scattered through it. Cookie cutters work great on flour tortillas. Simply cut out some Halloween shapes from the tortillas, sprinkle with a little shredded cheese, Place on cookie sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray and bake at 350 for about 7 minutes, or until cheese melts.

Serve an open-faced chicken patty sandwich or hamburger. Place a slice of cheese with jack-o-lantern faces cut into them on top of the chicken patty or burger. Use Halloween cookie cutters to make scary peanut butter finger sandwiches. Add a slice of black olive and a few slices of pimento to deviled eggs to make scary, bloodshot Halloween eyes.

Make a skeleton or monster out of celery and carrots or other fresh vegetables and place on a platter. A small bowl of low fat vegetable dip can serve as the head. Cut fresh cauliflower and serve it in a bowl as sliced brains.

Fruit can be dipped in dark chocolate for a healthier dessert. Bananas can also be dipped in dark chocolate and frozen. Depending on the age of the kids, fruit skewers are a good alternative as well.

Give out toys instead of candy for Halloween bags at parties. Decorate brown lunch bags with construction paper Halloween designs. Put in the gifts of your choice. Plastic Halloween cups and straws, spider rings, plastic toys, Halloween stickers, and Cracker Jacks for a treat make perfect gifts for kids to take home.

Halloween can be devilishly fun without being sinfully unhealthy!

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