After Halloween night, it’s common for parents to wonder what to do with the enormous stash of candy that comes home. Rather than dealing with sugar highs and candy overload, here are a few strategies to keep things balanced while still letting kids enjoy their treats.

1. Let Kids Pick Their Favorite 14 One simple way to manage the candy haul is to let kids choose their 14 favorite pieces—one for each day over two weeks. This gives them a chance to enjoy the holiday treats but prevents the all-day candy snacking marathon. After two weeks, most kids will forget about the pile, leaving you with options for the rest.

2. Donate to a Shelter, Food Pantry, or Retirement Home Share the Halloween spirit with others by donating some of the candy to a homeless shelter, local food pantry, or retirement home. Many places appreciate having small treats to offer, especially during the holiday season. It’s a great way to teach kids about giving back and sharing the joy of the season.

3. Participate in Dentist Buyback Programs Many dentist offices offer a candy buyback program, where they’ll give kids tickets, prizes, or even cash per pound of candy. The candy collected often gets sent to troops overseas or donated to different causes. Check with your local dentists to see if they’re participating and turn the extra candy into a fun way to give back!

4. Gift to Teachers Teachers often love having a stash of treats for classroom activities or to use as small rewards. Reach out to see if they’d like a candy donation; it’s a fun way to share Halloween with others without the overload at home.

5. Simply Toss the Extra Finally, if you’re comfortable with it, toss the extra candy once the kids have picked their 14 favorites. Less candy in the house can mean less temptation, and this approach keeps Halloween fun without it lasting all the way until Thanksgiving.

For more support with family nutrition check out our online Family Wellness Course.