Opening the pantry, I was welcomed by the delicious aroma of candy my kiddos collected at our church’s Fall Festival. While I love the yummy smells, enough candy and sugar greet me to start a small candy store.
The do-not-waste-anything mentality inside of me won’t let me throw it away. But I don’t want my kids eating all of it. Heaven knows that I don’t need it!! So, what do we do with it?
Through the years I’ve discovered ideas that can turn Halloween candy into memorable teachable moments.
1. Kindness Jar
Grab a jar, fill it with candy, and label it “Kindness Jar.” Explain to the kids that your family is going to look for ways to show kindness. Every time someone is caught being kind, that person gets to choose a piece of candy from the jar. You’ll be amazed how quickly everyone starts watching for acts of kindness!
To tie this back to God’s Word, read one of these verses together:
1 Corinthians 13:4
Galatians 5:22–23
Proverbs 19:17
Proverbs 12:25
Ephesians 4:32
2. Save for Gingerbread House
Save the leftover Halloween candy for decorating gingerbread houses the day after Thanksgiving. It’s a fun way to use what you already have, and it helps stretch the candy a little further into the holiday season. Thanks, Karyn, for this great idea!
3. Freeze It for Later
Toss the fun-sized candy bars in the freezer to pull out for road trips, movie nights, or ballgames. It’s a treat for the kids (and you!) and saves you from buying something at the concession stand or gas station.
4. Use in Baking or Desserts
M&M’s or cutup chocolate pieces are perfect in baking cookies or granola bars. How about some trail mix? Or use the candy in ice cream sundaes. Yum!
5. Teaching Tithing with Candy
Gather your children around a bowl of the collected Halloween candy. Explain that God made everything and everything we have has been given to us by God. Because God has given us so much, we want to give back to God which shows that we love Him and are thankful for what He has given us. Giving back to God is frequently called a “tithe.”
Dave Ramsey shares: A tithe is a portion (10%) of your income given as an offering to your local church. (Fun fact: The word tithe literally means tenth in Hebrew.) Because the custom of tithing is biblical, many Christians and Jews practice it as part of their faith. Leviticus 27:30 (TLB) says, “A tenth of the produce of the land, whether grain or fruit, is the Lord’s, and is holy.” And Proverbs 3:9 (NIV) says, “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops.”
Because we want to give back to God first, have each child count their Halloween candy and put the first piece of every ten aside. Discuss ways that your child can give the candy “back to God.” It may be to give the candy to someone who was unable to trick-or-treat due to sickness. Or call a local shelter and see if donations can be made to children there. To include more in your learning, talk to your church pastor or children’s ministry to see if the church can hold a “Candy Tithe” the Sunday after Halloween. Use the candy for upcoming children and youth events. More ideas for tithing.
6.Share with Others
Many local charities, schools, and churches accept candy donations. Call and ask if they can use it. This is such a simple way to show the child that giving doesn’t always mean money—it can be sharing what we already have.
7. Re-Gift the Candy
Use leftover candy in birthday goodie bags, make a piñata for New Year’s Eve, or include it in a care package for someone who could use a smile.
8. Exchange the Candy
Receive too much of one candy type? Exchange your extra candy corn with a family who has too many Snickers {if that could ever be possible}. The kids will have fun creating their own real-life game of Pit.
Halloween Candy into Teachable Moments
Isn’t it amazing how God provides opportunities – teachable moments – for us to teach our children about giving and being good stewards? Even in left-over, Halloween candy. These small, everyday moments are what shape the child’s heart toward gratitude and generosity.
🦃 Now is the Perfect Time to Grab the Thanksgiving Activity Workbook!
Saturday, November 1st is the perfect day to shift focus away from candy to gratitude. The Thanksgiving Workbook 50-page unit is designed for children ages 3–12. Drawing on the timeless wisdom of Psalm 100, this comprehensive unit turns praise into fun, tangible lessons through storyboards, imaginative crafts, irresistible songs, and engaging activities. Plus, watch the excitement grow as your child or students create a special Thanksgiving Tree starting in Week 3!
Order your copy today on the ABCJesusLovesMe website and help the child build a thankful heart this season.
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