5 Fun and Creative Ideas for leftover Halloween candy

I catch a glimpse of the wake boarding gold skeleton every time I pull into my driveway.  I think for a moment about putting it away and then like most thoughts in my head it quickly vanishes as I enter the house.  Thinking about paying the older boys $5 each to put all the decor away.

And the candy, there is SO MUCH candy.  After having four kids I've learned the amount of negotiating power you gain over a toddler when a bag of Halloween candy is at stake.  I've also been using it as a form of bribery, promising one piece for things like putting on shoes and getting dressed, which yes are extremely difficult tasks for some of the younger children in my house. 

With all that being said, I've got some great ideas for what to do with all that extra candy, because we all know your just going to keep finding empty wrappers hidden behind doors and other obscure places.  And let's be real, I do not find joy in answering the question, "Can I have a piece of my Halloween candy?" 65 times a day.

1.  Introduce the "Switch Witch"

What's the switch witch you ask?  The "Switch Witch" is a friendly Halloween character who visits homes after Halloween.  Just like Santa or the Tooth Fairy, she comes when kids are asleep, but her job is to help with leftover Halloween candy.  It works by letting the kids choose some of their favorite candies to keep, you then leave the rest out for the "Switch Witch".  In exchange, the Switch Witch “switches” the candy for a small toy, book, or other fun surprise by morning.  I'm thinking about exchanging for cash with my older boys.  It's a great way for the kids to still enjoy their candy but not over indulge.

2.  Freeze for Ice Cream and Dessert Toppings

This is brilliant!  Chop of those candy bars and sprinkle them on some vanilla ice cream, delicious!  You could have an ice cream bar for the kids dessert on Thanksgiving with all the delicious candy toppings.

3. Set up a Candy Science Lab

Turn candy into a mini science experiment! Dissolve Skittles in warm water, see what happens to gummy bears in saltwater, or try the classic soda-and-Mentos experiment. Kids can observe, make predictions, and learn—all while using up some of their sweets stash.  I've linked some of my favorite experiments below.

14 Candy Science Experiments by Science Buddies

21 Candy Science Experiments by Playdoh to Pluto

4.  Save for Gingerbread Houses

A money and time saver for sure!  Grab all the gummies, skittles, m&ms and whatever else you want through them in a ziplock and store them where your kids can't get them.

5.  Donate to a Good Cause

Many dental offices and community organizations except candy donations after Halloween and send to troops overseas or families in need.  Involve your kids in the donation process...It's a wonderful way to teach sharing and kindness.  

A few more organizations that except candy donations are Treats for Troops by Soldiers Angels and some of the Ronald McDonald House Charities (Call ahead to see if your local organization is accepting donations)

Hopefully this helps you make the most of the sugar overhaul!  My older boys have been taking handfuls of candy from their bags and handing it out to their friends at school, so that's always an option too.  I'm also sitting here wondering if I'm the only mother who is letting her kids take candy to school.   

Happy November!  You got this!