This Halloween, some houses will be putting teal-colored pumpkins out for trick-or-treaters. While at first glance, it may seem like they have odd taste in Halloween decor, there is actually a meaning to their blue-ish green pumpkins. Learn about the FARE organization and how their Teal Pumpkin Project is benefitting millions of kids throughout America.
What is the Teal Pumpkin Project?
The Teal Pumpkin Project is a nationwide program that encourages homeowners to hand out toys rather than candy during Halloween. While the main goal of the Teal Pumpkin Project is to provide a safe Halloween experience for kids with food allergies, reducing the candy kids consume comes with dental benefits as well.
How Does it Work?
When your kids are trick-or-treating, houses with a teal pumpkin on their doorstep have made a pledge to hand out non-food items for Halloween. These non-food treats include clever homemade toys and trinkets that many kids will find interesting, fun, and collectable.
How Do You Find Teal Pumpkin Participants?
Luckily, finding houses who are participating in the Teal Pumpkin Project is not a matter of trial and error. The Food Allergy Research and Education network, better known as FARE, hosts the Teal Pumpkin Project. They provide a detailed digital map that shows the exact addresses of participants. While some states have many participants and others don’t, most people should be able to find some teal pumpkins near their neighborhood.
Fun over Food – Ideal Items for your Teal Pumpkin
While buying Halloween candy is easy because it’s featured in every store you walk into, deciding what to put into your teal pumpkin may involve more creativity. From stickers to bookmarks, playing cards to art supplies, there are a lot of fun ideas that have nothing to do with food. Check out this list of non-candy ideas your kids may find in a teal pumpkin:
- Halloween erasers or pencil toppers
- Mini Slinkies
- Whistles, kazoos, or noisemakers
- Bouncy balls
- Finger puppets or novelty toys
- Unique Coins
- Spider rings
- Vampire fangs
- Mini notepads
- Glow sticks, bracelets, or necklaces
- Pencils, pens, crayons or markers
- Bubbles
As you can see, there are many fun options for trick-or-treaters that don’t harm their teeth or cause allergy problems. Whether you make your own non-food items or buy them, those who participate in the Teal Pumpkin Project do a great service to the kids in their neighborhood.
Visit Our Santa Rosa, CA Dental Team for Your Next Exam
During the weeks following Halloween, we see many patients report getting toothaches. If you’re one of the many Americans who will consume their body weight in candy this Halloween, then our Santa Rosa dental team can help. Dr. Albers will examine your mouth and ensure that no new cavities are developing. Contact us and make an appointment after Halloween – we’ll make sure your smile is strong and healthy!