Halloween Switch Witch
When my boys were small they enjoyed trick-or-treating but I didn't want them to eat all that candy. My friend told me about the Halloween Elf who takes away the candy and leaves a toy in its place. I thought that was a great idea. We let them choose a few pieces then put the rest out by the doorstep at night and in the morning a new toy would be in its place!
Since then I've heard about this tradition from many other parents. Some call it the Halloween Fairy or Switch Witch.
What does your family do?
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We have done the switch witch once and it was perfect when my oldest was a toddler. I’d love to do it again this year, but I’m not sure if he would be willing to trade out his haul of Halloween candy now that he’s older!
Ginny on
Brilliant idea!! Sooo doing this this year!
Carly on
We do something similar, but we call it the Sugar Sprite, a little fairy who takes the extra candy and distributes it among all the birds and little creatures preparing for a long, cold winter. There is always a little treasure left behind in thanks.
Anna on
I love this idea, lets them be a part of the process. We hand out candy at the door as a family, but the leftovers usually go in a bowl. The kids choose a few pieces, then the parents eat the few that remain. We can usually just hand out more at the door when the trick-or-treaters start to dwindle, so there haven’t been an overwhelming amount of candies left yet.
Andee F on
We trade out the inhealrhy candy for better options that are dye free & a little better
Rachel on
We haven’t done a switch yet but I really would like to! We already have them pick out their favorites to set aside for themselves and then have the rest go in a big bowl to share. Since they’re not allowed to eat candy too frequently, we often still have Halloween candy come Easter time. I think the switch witch needs to visit this year and bring some books in exchange for some candy!
Brandy on
Switch switch is a great idea.
We’ve always given out small toys instead of candy.
Sarah Baker on
This sounds amazing, I have a one year old and love the idea of this tradition! I’ve never heard of it before but I love that it makes the holiday last one more day. Thanks for sharing.
Jessica on
We also do the switch witch because my kids have multiple food intolerances. They love going trick or treating and then I give them aome safe candy to enjoy. Then they put their bags out for the switch witch and it disappears! In its place is a small toy that they can enjoy much longer than the candy !
Barb Howe on
I discovered the switch witch last year when I also discovered the Teal Pumpkin Project. The teal pumpkin project for those not familiar with it basically involves someone painting a pumpkin teal to symbolize they have toy prizes available instead of candy for trick or treaters with food allergies. Often people have candy for those not allergic and a non food treat as well.
My daughter has several food allergies and was always disappointed because she couldn’t eat most of her trick or treat candy. Someone on one of the allergy forums I follow posted information about the switch witch and we’ve done that since then. Now my daughter can’t wait to go trick or treating so she can get candy to trade the switch witch for. I usually make the toy something from her Christmas List which helps with the excitement to trick or treat for things she can’t eat.
Mamdy on
We do the Switch Witch, but I’ve heard of several dentists in the area who “pay by the pound” for kids bringing in their candy – we might do that instead this year!
Lauren on
Wow, I’ve never heard of that tradition; how cool! We usually sort out the candy and the kiddos pick what their favorites are. The rest, I stash and either bring a basket of candy to church or divvy it out throughout the next few weeks. What I’ve found is that if the whole bowl sits out, we still keep eating it, even if we don’t really care for the kind of treat it is. We just crave the sugar! So, if we pick out our favorites, then the rest can happily go! :)
Katie P on