Halloween has been gaining more and more momentum in Australia each year. If you live in a neighbourhood that does trick-or-treat, and you are participating this year, we have some tips to help you.
Tips to help make Halloween fun and inclusive for everyone:
- Raise awareness for food allergies and promote inclusion for all trick-or-treaters by offering non-food treats at your house and ask your neighbours to also. To be a safe house for those with allergies simply offer up non-food treats such as stickers, tattoos or other small items. Download the Non-Food Treats Here sign from My Food Allergy Friends or Halloween posters from Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia to display on your front door and mailbox.
- Pre-position safe candy for your children to be given at friends' houses.
- Carry safe snacks with you while trick-or-treating.
- Trade unsafe candy (or the entire bag) for allergen-safe treats, money or non-food items once your children return home. Other non-food ideas include colouring books, pencils, stickers, stuffed animals and small party favours.
- Check all ingredients. Remember that treat-sized candy may have different ingredients or be manufactured on different machinery than their full-sized versions. It's always important to read the ingredient list on the product packaging carefully before consuming and to contact the manufacturer if you have any questions regarding allergen statements and suitability for your individual requirements.
- Check ingredients of make-up and face paint for allergens and contact the manufacturer if you have any questions as full ingredient information is often limited on cosmetics and skincare products. More information on Cosmetics ingredients labelling can be found here.
- Be sure to carry your child's emergency medicines (if applicable) with you while trick-or-treating.
- Ensure your child understands that they should check with a parent or carer first before touching or eating anything.
- Plan an alternative activity, such as going to the movies or having a scavenger hunt for safe treats.
- Bake your own safe treats for Halloween like creepy looking foods! You can do some amazing things with fruit - search the internet for countless inspiration!
- Some schools and pre-schools may plan Halloween parties or discos. If this is the case, ask your child's teacher if you can bring in safe treats for the class or ask if non-food treats can be offered instead.
- Look for allergy friendly candy and treat options in store (always read ingredients carefully) and at online stores. Some of our favourites are Happy Tummies, Sweet William and The Rocky Road House.
- Check out our Australian Allergy Friendly Finds pages on Facebook and Instagram and our Allergy Friendly Foods and Products page for more ideas!
Gingerbread Haunted House
Gingerbread houses don't have to just be for Christmas!
An allergy friendly idea and fun activity for Halloween is to decorate a gingerbread house like available through the ausEE Gingerbread Folk fundraiser as a haunted house! Gingerbread Folk gingerbread house kits are dairy free, egg free and nut free and there is a gluten free option available for the same price. Orders are shipped direct to you by Gingerbread Folk and ausEE charity will receive a 20% commission from every sale using the AUSEE discount code!
To support us this Halloween, please purchase your Gingerbread Folk treats through our fundraiser link and use our discount code AUSEE to get 5% off!
Useful Links
Allergic Living - Allergy-safe Halloween treating
Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia - Halloween and food allergyAllergy Life - Halloween with allergies: an Australian trick or treat?
EOS Network - 25 Non-Food Treats for a Fun and Allergy-Friendly Halloween
FARE - Teal Pumpkin Project
Happy Tummies - Additive free Halloween treatsKids with Food Allergies - Tips to safely celebrate Halloween with food allergiesMy Food Allergy Friends - Thai's fun page
recipe
Spiced Glazed Pumpkin Scones
Scone Ingredients:2 cups self-raising flour1/2 cup caster sugar1/2 teaspoon salt1 1/2 teaspoons spice of choice (e.g. ground cinnamon and ginger)4 tablespoons dairy free margarine3/4 cup mashed pumpkin1-2 tablespoons dairy free milk1 teaspoon vanilla
Spiced Glaze Ingredients: 1/2 cup icing sugar2-3 teaspoons dairy free milk1/2 teaspoon spice of choice (e.g. ground cinnamon and ginger)
Spiced Glaze Ingredients: 1/2 cup icing sugar2-3 teaspoons dairy free milk1/2 teaspoon spice of choice (e.g. ground cinnamon and ginger)
Method:
Preheat your oven to 180 degrees. Line a baking sheet with baking paper.
In a large bowl, mixed the flour, sugar, salt and spices until everything is combined.
With fingertips rub in the dairy free margarine until mixture is like crumble. Then, add in the pumpkin, dairy free milk and vanilla. Fold everything together. The dough will be a little wet and sticky.
Drop the dough onto a lined and lightly floured baking sheet and shape the dough into a large approximately 2cm thick circle.
Using a knife or pizza cutter, cut it into 8 slices.
Bake approximately 20 minutes until light brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool on a wire rack.
Glaze:
While the scones are baking, make the glaze. Mix icing sugar and spices and add dairy free milk one teaspoon at a time until you get the desired consistency.
Drizzle scones with glaze while still warm.
Makes 8.
Page last modified: 5 October 2025