For our family, Halloween is a fun holiday that we don’t go all out with, but also do not shy away from. We string up pumpkin lights to decorate, carve jack-o-lanterns, make a haunted gingerbread house, pick out the perfect costumes, and of course, go trick or treating.
So Much Candy – Enter the “Switch Witch”
As an amateur “foodie mom”, I try to expose my son to a variety of foods and limit the amount of sugary treats he eats. I also recognize that being overly restrictive could have its own ill effects, so we try to strike a balance that works for us. We definitely don’t vilify any foods in our home. All that said, the amount of candy one kid can accumulate during school parties and a two-hour stint of trick-or-treating is downright spooky. There’s simply too much of the stuff, and I don’t feel comfortable letting him eat it all, even over an extended period of time.
The solution? The Switch Witch, a distant relative to the Tooth Fairy. I heard about the Switch Witch years ago from some mom friends on Instagram, back when my son was still too little to go trick or treating. I knew this was a great strategy for us to give him a major incentive to willingly give up gobs of candy.
How It Works
When we get home from trick-or-treating on Halloween night, we let our kiddo examine his haul and eat several pieces of candy. After that, he chooses a few things that he wants to keep and enjoy over the course of the next week or so. The rest goes back into his bucket and by the front door for the Switch Witch to collect after he goes to bed.
The next morning, our son goes to the front door to find the candy in the bucket gone and in its place, a small new toy (this particular year it’s going to be a $15 Mandalorian LEGO set from Target). The candy overload has been controlled without a fuss, our kiddo has a cool new toy out of the deal, and we’re all happy. Success!
Where to Donate Extra Candy in Wichita
All that extra (unopened, of course) Halloween candy doesn’t need to go to waste. Candy can be donated to area organizations like HumanKind Ministries. They told us candy donations can be brought to their office at 829 N Market Street during normal business hours.
Your child’s dentist may also provide incentives for kids who bring in their Halloween candy to trade for a non-sugary treat!
Be sure to check out our Ultimate Guide to Fall & Halloween Fun in Wichita for more family-friendly activities and things to do!
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