Ideas for Leftover Halloween Candy!

Who has way more candy than they need in their house? (raises hand!) This is the first year my boys have really collected a lot of candy at Halloween. We did a few activities prior to Halloween this year where they handed out candy – a Not Scary Haunted Trail, a local church’s trunk or treat, and an unhaunted house – so you can imagine how much candy both of them had after trick or treating on Halloween night. We typically let them eat a piece or two after dinner as long as they have eaten well, but, honestly, I’ve dug in their bags a few too many times already this year! I just need to do something with at least half of it!

Here are some ideas for what you can do with leftover Halloween candy:

Donate to the troops. If you know an active duty military person, you can ship it directly to them. You can also donate through Operation Gratitude or check your community for a local organization like Operation Santa.
Donate to Samaritan’s Purse – Operation Christmas Child.
Send to a sponsored child if you have one and your organization allows. Our family sponsors a child through Compassion International and Haitian Christian Ministries.
Take it to work!
Send it to your child’s school. I know my son’s teacher gives the kids candy on certain days as a reward so I know she would appreciate any donation.
Talk to your local hospital about donating candy to children who were hospitalized and couldn’t trick or treat.
Some dentist offices and organizations will take your candy in exchange for a small toy. Check your local area.
Freeze the chocolates and save for s’mores during the summer!
Try some new recipes with the leftover candy or cut bigger pieces up and use for ice cream toppings.
Make an advent calendar for the upcoming Christmas holiday.
Use it for crafts or kids games – gingerbread house, tic tac toe, etc.