What to Do with Your Kids’ Halloween Candy Leftovers

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Anyone else out there just SO over their kids’ Halloween candy obsession? After a day or two of the constant, “Can I have a piece of candy?” requests, I’m ready to just throw it all away. Does that make me sound awful? Maybe . . .

I’m not insanely strict when it comes to treats, but if my daughter had it her way, she’d live off a candy-only diet for weeks following Halloween. The daily battle over how much candy she is allowed to consume gets old fast, so this year I’m planning ahead. Here are a few fun ideas, if you’re ready to ditch the candy and move on with your life, too.

Bake with It

A simple Google search will elicit endless results for recipes made with all varieties of popular Halloween candies. Plus, it gives you an opportunity to bake with your kiddos, which is always fun!

Check out these delicious recipes: monster cookies, s’mores skillet, or Reese’s fudge.

Chocolate candy freezes really well. So freeze it now to bake with it later.

bake with Halloween candyCraft with It

We’ve all tasted the Skittles’ rainbow . . . but why not make a rainbow out of Skittles, paper, and glue? Of course, if you’re going to craft with candy, it’s pretty much a given that everyone will be snacking while they work.

Make a Bargain with the “Switch Witch”

A friend just turned me on to the “Switch Witch” last week. The basic concept is this: after a couple of days enjoying their loot, your kids can leave their candy for the Switch Witch to take home. In return, she leaves them a toy of their choice. It’s kinda like leaving the cookies out for Santa or the tooth for the tooth fairy. I might actually give this one a try this year!

Plan for Christmas or Other Winter Holidays

The holidays are just around the corner! Use Halloween candy to decorate gingerbread houses. Or put leftover candy inside the doors of an Advent calendar. (Once again, the freezer is your friend.)

gingerbread house Halloween candyAfter-School Snacks

Use leftover candy in after-school snacks. Create a simple trail mix. Or melt chocolate to freeze on bananas. Melt caramel candy and pour on apple slices. Then sprinkle them with chopped candy. Another idea is to pour melted candy over popcorn. Check out this easy recipe for Twix Caramel Popcorn.

Educational Activities

Use candy for counting practice. Or have preschoolers line large numbers and letters that you draw with candy so they start to remember their letters and numbers. You could even have them sort candy by color if they’re still working on colors.

Halloween candy, AlbuquerqueDonate It

My MOMS Club chapter has done a Halloween candy donation for the past several years in a row. We send care packages to U.S. Troops. You could technically combine the Switch Witch and donation ideas into one. Switch Witch takes the candy one day, and then you pop it in the mail the next!

Here are a few organizations accepting donations.

Ronald McDonald House: Our local Ronald McDonald is accepting candy donations for their families. Ronald McDonald House Charities of New Mexico provides comfort, care, and a “home-away-from-home” for families whose children are in medical treatment.

You can call (505) 842-8960 to let them know you’re coming and drop off candy at their Yale location: 1011 Yale Blvd. NE | Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Treats for Troops: Soldiers’ Angels Treats for Troops is a Halloween Candy collection program where local businesses and organizations register to collect excess Halloween candy. One business is participating here in the Albuquerque Metro this year–Rio Rancho Family Dental Care is collecting candy on Nov. 2 & 3 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Operation Shoebox: This organization sends care packages to military men and women deployed overseas. They include candy in every package and gladly accept donations. Mail to Operation Shoebox | 8360 East Highway 25 | Belleview, FL 34420.

So do you limit your kids’ Halloween candy consumption? Whatever you decide to do (or not do) with your kids’ Halloween candy this year, don’t forget to sneak a few pieces for yourself!

Originally published October 2019. Updated October 2023. 



The opinions expressed in this post are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of ABQ Mom, its executive team, other contributors to the site, its sponsors or partners, or any organizations the aforementioned might be affiliated with.