If you’ve seen teal pumpkins out and about, you might be
wondering what they mean.
Simply put, they are a reminder for food allergy awareness
and they denote homes that have non-food treats for children with
life-threatening food allergies.
and they denote homes that have non-food treats for children with
life-threatening food allergies.
My son is one of the 1 in 13 children in this country with life-threatening food allergies and this will be our third year as a teal pumpkin
house. It’s starting to catch on and people know what it is – unlike the first
year when everyone looked at me like I was a goofball!
house. It’s starting to catch on and people know what it is – unlike the first
year when everyone looked at me like I was a goofball!
It’s easy to participate. Just find a teal pumpkin (you can
paint your own or buy one at a store like Wal-Mart or Michaels) and display it.
Then, load up on some non-food treats. I promise, the kids will LOVE them. We
even have non-allergy kids clamoring for our glow sticks, stretchy skeletons
and bouncy ball eyeballs.
paint your own or buy one at a store like Wal-Mart or Michaels) and display it.
Then, load up on some non-food treats. I promise, the kids will LOVE them. We
even have non-allergy kids clamoring for our glow sticks, stretchy skeletons
and bouncy ball eyeballs.
Many retailers are starting to stock lots of teal pumpkin
goodies. Target has a section of non-food treats or you can buy these trinkets
on Amazon or Oriental Trading.
goodies. Target has a section of non-food treats or you can buy these trinkets
on Amazon or Oriental Trading.
I even find that if you shop smart, it can be cheaper than
candy! Amazing.
candy! Amazing.
It makes my heart happy to see this catching on, because as
a food allergy parent, I hate to see my kid – or any kid! – excluded. By
participating in this movement, you are making the day of every child who has
had to turn down or hand over a treat because of a life-threatening food allergy.
a food allergy parent, I hate to see my kid – or any kid! – excluded. By
participating in this movement, you are making the day of every child who has
had to turn down or hand over a treat because of a life-threatening food allergy.
Just seeing the smiles of the kids, who know they can keep
and play with their teal pumpkin treat makes it all worthwhile!
and play with their teal pumpkin treat makes it all worthwhile!
And let’s be honest, it is one less piece of candy you – or ahem,
your kids – will scarf down. Win, win, right?
your kids – will scarf down. Win, win, right?
To learn more about the Teal Pumpkin project or to download
printables, visit the this website.
printables, visit the this website.
Here is a list of my 10 favorite Teal Pumpkin treats. Enjoy
and Happy Halloween!
and Happy Halloween!
1. Glow sticks
2. Pencils
3. Stretchy skeletons
4. Bouncy balls that look like eyeballs
5. Mardi-gras style necklaces
6. Spider rings
7. Bubbles
8. Mini notebooks (these were a HUGE hit last year!)
9.Stickers
10. Vampire fangs (always a favorite – the glow-in-the-dark
ones are a winner!)
ones are a winner!)
Author: Korie Wilkins
Korie is a work at home mom to an energetic boy and a sweet todder girl. She loves big books, chocolate, writing, crochet and her Peloton. A recovering former journalist, Korie is also a wife, cook and allergy mama. Follow her on Twitter at @koriemw.
Korie is a work at home mom to an energetic boy and a sweet todder girl. She loves big books, chocolate, writing, crochet and her Peloton. A recovering former journalist, Korie is also a wife, cook and allergy mama. Follow her on Twitter at @koriemw.
