What do to with all that Halloween candy? Here's 10 clever ideas to do with leftover Halloween candy including candy donations ideas.
You've enjoyed dinner in a pumpkin, played all the Halloween party games, gone trick-or-treating and now have trick-or-treat bags full of candy.
But now what do you do with Halloween candy? Do you let your kids have free reign with it and let them eat candy to their hearts content? Or do you want to donate it?
Here's some helpful ideas for leftover Halloween candy that may just be the answer you're looking for!
What to do with Halloween candy
1. HALLOWEEN CANDY COUNTING GAME
Who doesn't love counting all your Halloween loot? Now there's a fun and easy way to see what kind of Halloween candy you got and how much!
Directions:
- Print off the free Halloween Candy Counting Game Printables
- Once you are done trick-or-treating, sort all your candy by type.
- Count up each different type plus the extras and see who wins!
Since you'll have so much candy, read on to find a great way to share it....
2. SAVE HALLOWEEN CANDY FOR BAKING
Leftover Halloween candy makes for some great baking mix-ins. Here's a few recipes you will love using that Halloween candy!
- Delicious Snickers or Rolo Cookies
- M&M Gingerbread Men Cookies
- Classic M&M Cookies
- Classic Sugar Cookies Recipe
3. USE CANDY IN A PINATA OR FAVOR BAG
Save yourself some money by stashing away extra Halloween candy for a birthday or holiday party. Pull out the candy when you're ready to fill a pinata or make favor bags.
4. EAT IT. AND DON'T FEEL GUILTY!
Everyone deserves a little treat now and then. Save a secret stash of Halloween candy when you need a little pick-me-up.
5. FREEZE HALLOWEEN CANDY
Can you freeze candy? Yes! Stash like items together in freezer-safe bags or containers. Pull out candy and use for mix-ins in shakes, cookies, treats, or just when you need a little sweet to eat.
6. SWITCH WITCH HALLOWEEN CANDY
Have you heard of the Switch Witch? I first heard this clever idea from my cousin a few years ago. The "Switch Witch" is a nice witch that comes to take the extra Halloween candy and switch it for something else. So it's a win-win! The children get something fun (like a new small toy) and parents don't have to deal with sugar-infused hyperness of their children.
Click here for the printables!
7. GO REVERSE TRICK-OR-TREATING
October 31 is the day for trick or treating, but November 1st is a great day to go reverse trick-or-treating. What's Reverse Trick-or-Treating? You can read all the details of Reverse Trick or Treating Here , but basically you take treats to someone. So....
Instead of asking for treats, you give them away!
Think: an elderly person, someone in the hospital, a widow, or someone else who could use some extra cheer! And bonus.... you can even dress up one more time and get extra use out of those cute costumes!
8. USE LEFTOVER HALLOWEEN CANDY FOR GINGERBREAD HOUSES
What to do do with old Halloween candy? Use it for gingerbread houses at Christmas time!
Once my children are done sorting Halloween candy, I give them a bag to fill with leftover Halloween candy. I write their name on it and then stash it in our Christmas box to use for candy houses at Christmastime!
Where to donate Halloween Candy near me
9. Donate Halloween Candy
Donating Halloween candy is a great way to get kids thinking of others. Here's a few places you can donate candy to.
Candy donations for troops is a great way to use extra Halloween candy and feel good while doing it! Operation Gratitude collects candy for the deployed troops and first responders. Last year they received nearly 550,000 lbs of candy! You can help break that record this year by donating extra candy to the troops.
We have hosted a few of our own candy drives and my kids love to donate candy to the military! Keep in mind, you are responsible for the shipping costs.
Another option for candy donations for troops is Operation Shoebox. This organization collects extra candy year-round and includes candy in all their care packages to the troops.
- Mail candy to: Operation Shoebox, 8360 East Highway 25, Belleview. Fl. 34420
- See more information here.
Call your local Ronald McDonald house chapter and see if they are accepting candy. Most chapters love to share candy with families with severely sick children during holidays.
10. Halloween Candy Buy Back
Last but not least, trade your extra Halloween candy in for money! My children were pretty darn giddy to each earn $10 from our local orthodontist.
Now tell me, what do you plan to do with all that Halloween candy? Leave a comment below! I'd love to hear your great ideas!
Amy Saunders says
Yoo-hoo! Halloween is just around the corner and this time my husband is thinking of giving some special gifts for the kids around the neighborhood. I totally have no idea that certain types of candy could withstand the pressure and intricacy of external elements, making them look more delicious than ever. I'll keep this tip in mind when I go out and make a purchase afterwards. https://stockyards-sarsaparilla.com/
Tiare Worthen says
A bunch of friends and I were discussing this at the gym this morning!! I love these ideas! Another one they suggested was filling or making an advent calendar with it!
Tiersha Whitmore says
These are great ideas. Our local fire department is always accepting candy. I will be donating ours there, today.