Now that you’re a parent, you might find yourself joyfully reminiscing about your childhood Halloweens – yet also a little stressed and unsure about how to handle the influx of sugar for your child. Should you limit candy intake, or just leave it be?

There are cases for both approaches, and experts generally agree it’s not black-and-white. In fact, what makes a candy approach “right” for you will come down to a nuanced look at your family values, dietary needs, and what your individual child most needs.

The backing for setting limits: Unlimited access to candy may have a negative impact on some children, even if it’s generally true that some sugar with foods is okay. There can be ways to set “covert limits” that won’t feel so restrictive, such as offering a middle ground where the child can explore candy within parameters, like setting a date at which the rest of the stash will get frozen or donated.

The backing for no limits: If there are no health concerns for a particular child, keeping things open-ended is the most neutral approach, which can work well for avoiding the “scarcity mindset” trap. This is basically the idea that the more “rare” we treat certain foods, via limits or restrictions, the more we put them on a pedestal. This can backfire and lead to an obsession with the candies they otherwise feel they “can’t have.”

With that said, here are a few creative ways to manage candy when you’re inevitably worried about having it in excess. It’s important to feel out how your child feels about these approaches before choosing one. If, for example, the “switch witch” feels like a loss to them, and they are not thrilled about the concept, then honor that and work with them to figure out a new plan. The key is to look for the nuance and ensure you’re promoting neutrality overall.

1. The Switch Witch

Introduce your child to the legend of the Switch Witch, a friendly witch named Candy Clara who visits on Halloween. Explain that Clara collects unwanted candy from kids who want to enjoy less sugar. Let your child pick out the candy they’re willing to part with, help bag it up, and leave it out for Clara. Overnight, when they’re asleep, “the witch” (wink, wink—it's really you!) swaps the candy for a special toy, game, or activity. Your child can then wake up excited to discover what Clara left behind!

*This often works well for toddlers, who are less likely to feel attached to the candy they collected, whereas older children may not feel this is fair and may not want to give up their candy. Don’t force or bribe your child to give up their candy, as that can backfire and lead to an unhealthy obsession with sweets.

2. Operation Shoebox

Encourage your child to participate in Operation Shoebox, a wonderful initiative where they can send candy to military members. This not only teaches generosity but also helps children understand the importance of sharing. Pack up the extra treats together and send a little care package filled with sweets and a handwritten note of thanks, making it a fun and meaningful activity.

Again, this can work beautifully if your child is on board! Avoid making them feel like they have to give up their Halloween stash, which can fuel possessiveness and make lessons of generosity and sharing harder.

3. Freeze and use for trail mix

Turn leftover candy into a year-round treat by freezing it! M&Ms and other candies freeze well and can be added to homemade trail mixes for a sweet touch. Involve your child in the mixing process, creating combinations with nuts, dried fruits, and popcorn. This not only helps manage candy intake but also encourages healthy snacking throughout the year.

Freezing can be a great option for pacing candy intake without your child fielding pressure to “give up” any.

4. Science experiments

Transform Halloween candy into a fun learning experience by using it for science experiments. Explore concepts like density, chemical reactions, or even create candy art. For instance, you can dissolve candy in water to study solubility or use candy to demonstrate the effects of temperature.

Remember, you also don’t need a specific approach, so if this feels like a nuisance to your mental load, you can let things play out naturally! Most children will find Halloween night the most novel and exciting, but in the coming days and weeks, the novelty often fades, and children begin to self-regulate their intake without any formal intervention.