You don't have to eat it all
Party bags
What didn't fit in the piñata can go right into the birthday gift bags. If you're worried about what other parents will think, offer to take candy off their hands and add it to the take-home booty. They'll be grateful, trust us.
Let them eat cake
Get creative and use colorful Halloween candy to decorate cakes, cupcakes and cookies. And don't limit yourself to M&Ms. Skittles, Starburst, Reese's peanut butter cups and licorice all elevate the usual to the decadent, while also blowing through your post-October inventory.
Donate It
While kids might be reluctant to share their candy with family and may insist on a fair trade with siblings or friends, few mind turning over a large bag to soldiers overseas. There are even candy buy-backs if straight-up giveaway is too much. Some food banks and other services whose mission is to feed people may also take in wrapped treats.
Office candy bowl
Not all your co-workers have children from whom they can pilfer the occasional Snickers mini. Share the wealth, and bring in your leftover candy to the office. Give whoever is in charge of the office candy bowl the week off from having to refill it.
One for you, two for me
Hey, you made Halloween happen for your kids—and walked all those blocks in the dark on a weeknight. Surely, SURELY, they wouldn't mind if you dipped in for a little sweet hit. "One for you, two for me …" Maybe best to go this route when they're not looking.
Create a sensory table
Combine candy into a bucket or basket, and let everyone take a turn burying their arms and faces in it. Even through wrappers, the smell of cheap chocolate and artificial flavors is stimulating. Talk about how it feels to have the wrappers on their skin. Listen to the sounds of all that waxy paper crackling. Throw in scoops and measuring cups, and let them practice filling and pouring. Think sand or water table, only with less cleanup.
