One in 13 American children has a food allergy, which means that on Halloween night, a candy bowl can be a risk for kids walking right up to your door. The Teal Pumpkin Project offers a simple fix: put out a few nonfood treats and a teal pumpkin. Here is how to take part this weekend, even if you are reading this the day before.
What Is the Teal Pumpkin Project?
According to NBC Los Angeles, the Teal Pumpkin Project encourages households to offer nonfood treats alongside candy so trick-or-treaters with food allergies have a safe option. Participants show they are taking part by displaying a teal pumpkin or a sign in a window.
The idea began in 2012 with a local food allergy group in Tennessee and was expanded nationwide by Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE). You do not have to stop giving out candy to join.
Why Teal Pumpkins Matter
Many popular Halloween candies contain common allergens such as milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy and wheat. Fun-size candies may have different ingredients or manufacturing practices than the full-size versions, and ingredient information can be hard to find on individually wrapped pieces.
FARE CEO Sung Poblete put the everyday strain in perspective: “Families already spend so much of their time thinking about what can and cannot be safely eaten.” A teal pumpkin takes one small worry off the table.
How to Join the Teal Pumpkin Project in 5 Steps
- Pick up nonfood treats. Good options include glow sticks, bubbles, temporary tattoos, pencils, stickers, bouncy balls and Mini Slinkies.
- Choose age-appropriate items. Keep small objects away from very young children.
- Use two bowls. Keep candy and nonfood items in separate bowls, and tell trick-or-treaters which options are available.
- Display your signal. Set out a teal pumpkin by the door or put a Teal Pumpkin Project sign in a window.
- Spread the word. Encourage neighbors, schools, businesses and community groups to join.
DIY Teal Pumpkin Ideas
You do not need to buy anything fancy. Paint a real or craft-store pumpkin teal and let it dry overnight. If you are short on time, print a free sign or tape up a sheet of teal paper. For a party, a “choose your treat” table with stickers, bubbles and glow sticks works as a fun station for all ages, and it keeps the rule-following simple for kids.
New in 2026: The Teal Pumpkin Walk-In
This year adds a new twist for advocacy. Families can visit local elected officials’ offices in costume to raise food allergy awareness and deliver small, inexpensive nonfood treats. It is not meant to promote a specific bill or policy. Families can ask for a photo with their legislator and invite them to share it on social media. A remote option, the Teal Pumpkin Write-In, lets families message their legislators instead.
Helping Families Find Safe Houses
FARE offers an interactive map of participating homes, which families can use to plan routes. Adding your address helps neighbors find you. If your child has allergies, the map is also a handy way to scout a safer path before heading out. For candy-checking advice at home, read our guide to Halloween safety tips for kids.
Tips for Parents Heading Out
If your child has a food allergy, a teal pumpkin is a helpful signal, not a guarantee. Always read labels, carry any prescribed emergency medication, and keep your child’s allergy action plan on hand. Talk with kids ahead of time about politely asking for the nonfood option, and remind them not to eat anything until you have checked it at home. Households that offer nonfood treats can also help by keeping those items visibly separate from the candy bowl.
Bottom Line
Hosting an allergy-friendly Halloween takes about five minutes and a few dollars. The payoff is a doorstep where every child can pick a treat and feel included. Learn more at FARE’s website, and see our tips on keeping kids safe on Halloween. Will your porch show a teal pumpkin this year? Join the Teal Pumpkin Project and make Halloween a little kinder.
