We’ve got some bad news for trick-or-treaters this year.
Halloween in Walt Disney World
We’re getting closer and closer to Halloween, which means Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is almost here (it begins on August 12th) and we’re almost to the premiere of Hocus Pocus 2 on September 30th. But if Halloween mostly means CANDY to you, it might not be your best Halloween ever.
According to CNN Business, Hershey CEO Michele Buck warned, “We will not be able to fully meet consumer demand” for Halloween this year. That means the Halloween candy aisle might be emptier than usual. 😱
Less candy??!!
Supply chain issues have been affecting many companies over the past few years and the pandemic reportedly led to a higher demand for candy. Although Hershey has seen a large sales growth, they have had to make choices resulting in certain sacrifices, and they can’t manufacture both regular sweets and special Halloween products.
Candy at Treat Trails
Buck noted that Hershey has “a strategy of prioritizing everyday on-shelf availability,” and they plan to add more manufacturing lines over the next few years, but that means you might have to choose Mars products over Hershey sweets this Halloween (before everything sells out!). The good news is — you don’t NEED to hand out candy to trick-or-treaters!
Mars Candy
With many children and families living with allergies, handing out candy doesn’t work for everyone, and there are lots of fun alternatives that won’t break the bank. At Target, we found these fun Eyeball Bouncy Balls that come with 60 “eyeballs” for $18.99 (on sale from $29.99!).
©Target
These balls are made of non-toxic elastic for the best bounce. What kid doesn’t want a bouncy eyeball to play with? Depending on your neighborhood, 60 “eyeballs” could be plenty for handing out to trick-or-treaters!
Order the 60-Count Eyeball Bouncy Balls here!
If eyeballs aren’t your thing, check out this Glow Sticks Pack for only $7! Each pack comes with 57 glow sticks that come in 5 different colors and sizes, and they also come with connectors, cords, and clips so you can make them into necklaces or bracelets.
©Target
For only $7 for each pack, you can probably stock up on quite a few glow sticks to hand out to trick-or-treaters!
Get the Glow Sticks Packs right here!
Over on Amazon, you can pick up a 48-Pack of Halloween Pencils for $8.10! Each number 2 pencil comes with a fun Halloween print with green or purple erasers.
©Amazon
At only $.17 per pencil, that’s not a bad deal for a fun trick-or-treat item that isn’t candy.
Find the 48-Pack of Halloween Pencils here!
This 50-Piece Set of Halloween Stamps features 25 different designs for $12.99 (on sale from $19.99).
©Amazon
Designs include pumpkins, ghosts, mummies, Frankenstein, witches, vampires, reapers, and more! They are safety test approved and non-toxic.
Find the 50-Piece Halloween Assorted Stamps here!
If stickers are more your jam, you can grab these 100 Sheets of Halloween Stickers for $14.97. Altogether you’re looking at a total of 1,200 stickers (each sheet comes with 10 stickers).
©Amazon
There are a variety of sticker designs available featuring cute candy corn, cats, ghosts, jack-o-lanterns, and many more!
Find the 100 Sheets of Halloween Stickers here!
And finally, if you REALLY want to be the cool neighbor on Halloween, hand out Play-Doh! This 42-Pack of Play-Doh comes with 42 different 1-ounce colors of Play-Doh, and right now you can get it on sale for $13.98 (down from $16.99).
©Amazon
There are tons of colors in this pack meant to make any number of trick-or-treaters happy. In some situations, Play-Doh > candy.
Find the 42-Pack of Play-Doh here!
So if you can’t find candy this Halloween season, get creative and try something else! Keep following DFB for more Halloween news and updates!
5 Disney Halloween bags you need for spooky season!
Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
Do you ever hand out non-candy items to trick-or-treaters? Tell us in the comments!
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
When I read about the candy shortage, I immediately wondered if it would affect Disney’s Halloween parties. Then I remembered that Disney has a lot of pull with Hershey’s, so there’s probably nothing to worry about.
Uhm, some good ideas but I politely point out that some items are a choking hazard for kids. They always say under 3 yrs old but also think special needs and those lil daredevils in the group. Please think safety first.
Granola bars are a hit. I was surprised when 6th grade boys were commenting that we gave out the really good stuff!
Thanks for the suggestions, AJ. Happy Halloween!
😂we would not have called you the awesome house in my day if you had handed out pencils ..sorry 🤷♀️
Hersheys everyday and seasonal items are made on the same line, Hershey needed to balance production to improve on shelf availability of regular items. You might not find your peanut butter ghosts, but you’ll find good old regular peanut butter cups.
FYI, handing out pencils for Halloween is a good way to get you car or house “tricked” out with toilet paper by pranksters …hence trick-or-treat. Kids want candy!! 😉
I think that non candy items are great !!! Kids and adults eat way too much candy year round . Halloween can be fun without so much sugar and the extra cavities. Just my opinion.
Non food treats should be available for kids with allergies; those kids will be glad to get the items you showed.
Rice Krispie treats are good to give out.
I mean, hear me out here, I know it’s crazy, but what if… What if you actually baked some Halloween treats…
I know, crazy right?
I love to bake, but today, parents would probably throw away anything that wasn’t sealed in a manufacturer’s wrap, unless they were neighbors that you were very close with.