White pumpkins are definitely a fashion fad adorning the front steps of many homes, but why are there teal pumpkins on some doorsteps?
Have you ever heard of the Teal Pumpkin Project? I first heard about it 8 years ago when one of my mom friends from our playgroup shared that her son had severe food allergies. I remember this sweet mom explaining how Halloween was a hard night for their young family. Their little boy wanted to trick-or-treat like everyone else, but was too young to understand his allergies and why he couldn’t have treats. I immediately told my friend to bring him to my house and I would be sure to have safe, non-food treats for him. Then she told me about the Teal Pumpkin Project, and this is exactly their vision.
The Teal Pumpkin Project
She explained that if you painted a pumpkin teal or placed a teal pumpkin sign in your window or on your door, families with allergies would know you have safe non-food treats. I wanted to be a part of making every kids Halloween experience great. A quick google search led me to the Food Allergy Research and Education organization.
The Teal Pumpkin Project website has links to:
1. Print a teal pumpkin sign
2. Safe non-food treats to pass out, like…
- Glow sticks, bracelets, or necklaces
- Pencils, pens, crayons or markers
- Bubbles
- Halloween erasers or pencil toppers
- Whistles, kazoos, or noisemakers
- Spider rings
- Mini notepads
- Bookmarks
- Stickers
- more…
3. Add your address on their map.
My address has been on their map for the last eight years. This is a map that parents and kids with allergies use to enhance their trick-or-treating night to make sure they go to allergy safe houses.
I still pass out regular candy, I just have two different pumpkins to pass out from. I just never mix the two, my non-food treat pumpkin has never held candy and my candy pumpkin has never held non-food treats. This simple inclusion of all kids on Halloween started as a good experience for my family, and has now become a tradition. It has allowed me to teach my littles about food allergies and the importance of inclusion of all. An extra bonus is that I get to see even more costumes, which is my favorite part about Halloween all the creative costumes. I do hope you will join me and others this Halloween in the Teal Pumpkin Project!
Thank you for these ideas on how to include little ones who otherwise might have missed out on Halloween! It’s got to be hard for kids to feel like they can’t enjoy Halloween with their friends and siblings, but hopefully more homes can do what you do and give fun for every child. Love this!