What to Do with All That Halloween Candy: Tricks for Making it Disappear

10/31/16 - By Tara D

Although you may have decided to give out non-edible treats this Halloween, chances are your neighbors are still handing out the sweet stuff. When your kids come home from trick-or-treating with all that loot and start sorting through it, the sheer volume may make you freak out (even more than the pint-sized grim reaper at your door did).

What are you going to do with all that candy? You could let the kids eat most of it in one sitting and get sick, or you might be tempted to dump it in the trash. There's no need to take drastic measures! I recommend giving your kids the opportunity to pick out a few of their favorite pieces and then make the rest disappear like magic. Read on for a few neat tricks. 

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Turn Candy Into a Science Project

Find out how M&M’s are used for scientific research from Kimberly Crandell, geek-mom extraordinaire. In her post, 10 Scientific Uses for Leftover Halloween Candy, she shares recipes and experiments using candy (which sometimes involves eating it). Educational and sweet—I like the way she thinks. Another great site for using candy to expand your kids’ minds is Candy Experiments. Tell your kids to leave a Skittle in water and see what happens!

Repurpose Halloween Candy

If you want to enjoy the candy, just not all at once, here are a few ideas:

  • Pack the candy into a piñata or stuff it into goodie bags for your child’s upcoming birthday. 
  • Whip up one or two of these drool-worthy recipes from Real Simple.
  • Use leftover candy corn to make these Candy Cornucopias from Simple Girl at Home for your Thanksgiving guests.
  • Give brightly colored candies a new home on a gingerbread house.
  • Set aside 24 pieces of candy for this simple Duck Tape Advent Calendar from JanDee Crafts.

See? The thought of all that Halloween candy isn’t so scary after all! And who knew you were such a talented magician?


Originally published Oct 2012 and updated annually.