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The Teal Pumpkin Project
Households participating in The Teal Pumpkin Project paint their pumpkins teal, representing that they’ll have non-candy treats to offer kids with food allergies on Halloween.
“Trick or treat!” This phrase has been a longtime favorite for kids. But keeping the treats safe can be tricky for those with food allergies.
This is where teal pumpkins come in, representing households that offer non-food treats on Halloween, so kids with food allergies can still enjoy trick-or-treating and receive a fun, safe treat.
Food Allergy Research & Education suggests low-cost toys that you can find at dollar stores, party supply stores or online. Ideas include glow sticks, bracelets or necklaces, pencils, pens, crayons or markers, bubbles, bouncy balls, etc. See their list of ideas.
It seems likely that your kids know someone with food allergies – or maybe have allergies themselves – so consider painting your pumpkins teal this week as a family art project, and offering some non-candy treats on Halloween so that all neighborhood kids can enjoy the trick-or-treating experience.
Dr. David Engler with The Allergy Clinic said he ordered this assortment of toys from Amazon, which includes pencils, stickers, toys and more, to give out to trick-or-treaters in Bellaire on Oct. 31.
Raymond Tucker, office manager of The Allergy Clinic’s Fannin location, says they’ve found that using smaller, white pumpkins work best, as they’re generally easier to paint. He suggests washing the pumpkins first with a bleach mix to kill any bacteria on the surface. Then, he recommends prepping the pumpkin with a coat of hairspray so the acrylic, teal paint doesn’t flake off.
Participating in The Teal Pumpkin Project doesn’t mean you can’t give out candy anymore, though. According to their website, you can give out candy if you want to – just do so safely. The idea is to make trick-or-treating as inclusive as possible. FARE suggests keeping food treats and non-food treats in separate bowls.
Find out more about the project and check out the Teal Pumpkin Pledge here. Also, be sure to check out the 10th Anniversary FARE Walk for Food Allergy, Minute Maid Park, this Saturday, starting at 7:30 a.m.
Do you plan to have a teal pumpkin outside your home this Halloween? Share photos of your teal pumpkins – plus your Halloween costumes, decorations, parties, trick-or-treat fun and more – with us.
Looking for more on food allergies? See our Sept. 2013 article on how to handle kids’ food allergies and playdates.
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