What Do I Do With All This Candy?

Perhaps, the kids went trick or treating and ended up with a pillowcase full of candy. Maybe you were expecting more costumed visitors than you received?  Either way you are now asking yourself, “What do I do with all this candy?”

Here are some guilt free ideas to help you with the rest of the candy:

• Dental offices may collect extra candy and exchange it for a new toothbrush and toothpaste.  Some may offer money for the candy.  Check this registry for a local office.

• Schools, churches or other groups may collect candy and send it to active military troops.  Send candy that will not melt.

• Local charities may be willing to accept your extra candy.  Check with your local Ronald McDonald House, food pantries, or shelters.

• Add candy to trail mixes.  Chocolate-coated candies can be added to nuts, raisins and dried fruit.  Store in an air-tight bag to keep fresh.

• Use candy as decorations for upcoming holiday events.  Search Pinterest for ideas.

• Conduct candy experiments. What happens when you dissolve your favorite candy in water?  Check out candy experiments for safe and fun ideas.

• Use candy to practice counting or for math problems.  Sort the candy by type (chocolate, non-chocolate), shape or size and figure out what percentage each group contributed to the total.

• Use the candy to fill a piñata.  Empty piñatas are available at party stores

• Save candy to make a gingerbread house, or create a fall focused candy house.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) offers some Halloween safety tips.