Share the Teal Magic: Turn Halloween Fun Into Something Good
10 ways to have a spook-tacular time while raising food allergy awareness.
It’s October, and that means spooky season is officially here! Costumes, decorations, and plenty of festive fun make Halloween a magical time. But for the 1 in 13 children living with food allergy, this holiday can feel more like a trick than a treat.
At FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education), we believe every trick-or-treater deserves to enjoy Halloween. From the Teal Pumpkin Project to our Halloween Baking Challenge and the 31-Mile Teal Pumpkin Run, there are countless ways to have fun while also making it easier for families with food allergy to join in on the celebration.
Fun and fundraising can go hand in hand—and this Halloween, you can spread the teal magic while doing something spook-tacular!
We’re so proud of our incredible community for helping kids and families celebrate in creative ways—proving Halloween magic doesn’t have to come from candy alone. We’d love to see how you celebrate, so don’t forget to tag us on social media with your allergy-friendly Halloween fun!
10 Ways to Share the Teal Magic Fun for Halloween
- Be part of the Teal Pumpkin Project. It’s more than just a teal pumpkin—you’re helping bring the magic of Halloween back for kids with food allergy! Be a beacon and show that you are offering non-food treats.
- Join the October Baking Challenge. From October 1-31, whip up a weekly allergy-friendly treat on your own or with your friends and family. It’s a delicious way to raise awareness and support FARE’s mission to advance breakthroughs in food allergy prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care.
- Take on the 31-Mile Teal Pumpkin Run. Go the distance this October in our official virtual challenge. Complete 31 miles your way—walk, wheel, run, cycle or swim—to support transformative research, education, and advocacy for food allergy.
- Host a Halloween scavenger hunt. Create a neighborhood or backyard hunt with spooky and fall-inspired items to find: black cats, crunchy leaves, and maybe even a witch’s cauldron! It’s a fun alternative to food-focused traditions.
- Plan a spooky (or family-friendly) movie night. Transform your living room or outdoor space into the ultimate movie theater. Add a fundraising twist by selling tickets and enjoy a night of thrills and fun.
- Organize a pumpkin carving contest. Invite friends or neighbors to carve their most creative pumpkins. Award prizes for scariest, silliest, and most unique—and don’t forget the “teal pumpkin” category! Collect donations through entry fees or votes to take your impact even further.
- Hold an in-person or virtual costume contest. Whether in-person or virtual, showcase the creativity of costumes—a cornerstone in Halloween magic! May we suggest a teal pumpkin? Make your contest even more competitive by having entrants fundraise.
- Host a Halloween arts and crafts night. If you love a cozy night in, gather supplies for Halloween and fall-themed crafts. All ages will love making decorations and being creative—and don’t miss FARE’S free Halloween coloring and activity sheets for kids!
- Throw a Glow-Stick Dance Party. Just because the sun sets early, doesn’t mean the fun does too. Hand out glow sticks, hit the tunes, and bust a move! Here’s a trick: glow sticks make a great non-food trick-or-treat item, too! Go even further and make your dance party a fundraiser to share the Halloween magic!
- Enter the Teal Pumpkin Giveaway. One winner will get something special to help spread awareness this year. You can’t win if you don’t enter!
Why Activities Like This Matter
Halloween with food allergy doesn’t have to feel scary or limiting. While having clearly labeled, top 9- and gluten-free candy options is helpful for many children, it won't address everyone's concerns. That’s why activities—where every child can join in without hesitation—matter so much.
When a child with food allergy can join in without reading labels or trading candy, they get to experience the same holiday magic as everyone else. These moments build confidence, joy, and a stronger sense of community.
Non-food trick-or-treat options such as stickers, glow sticks, bubbles or pencils are more than just fun—they send a powerful message: food allergy is taken seriously, and every child can enjoy Halloween magic without stress.
Every teal pumpkin and allergy-friendly celebration also helps shine a beacon to guide those looking for a food allergy-aware space during Halloween. They also raise awareness—awareness that sparks meaningful action. They play a critical part in FARE’s mission to advance education, research, and advocacy for the more than 33 million people in the U.S. living with food allergy.
How Halloween Fundraising Makes It Easier for Everyone to Celebrate
When you add in a fundraising component to your celebrations, you’re helping fuel breakthroughs and making the quality of life better for families year-round. FARE’s Halloween Baking Challenge and 31-Mile Teal Pumpkin Run are just two of the many ways you can turn spooky season into something truly transformative. DIY fundraisers—whether it’s a pumpkin carving contest, a movie night, or simply sharing your story—let you put your own creative spin on raising support for food allergy research and education.
No matter how you get involved, you’re helping build a future free from food allergy. Your participation isn’t just about one night in October either—it creates traditions that make it easier for everyone to enjoy time together. Together, we can share Halloween magic and make it a spook-tacular season for everyone to enjoy.