Our Ultimate Free From Trick-or-Treating Guide

"Trick-or-treating with a child with food allergies or intolerances can seem like a spooky ordeal - but it needn't be! It's all about striking that crucial balance between having fun and being safe. We've rounded up some of our top tips to help you ensure your little monsters enjoy the witching hour with confidence.

1. Plan ahead.

It's always a good idea to lay out some ground rules and expectations ahead of time - particularly if the allergy or diagnosis is a recent development. If necessary, have a chat reminding your child what they can and can't eat safely. Coeliac UK's Food and Drink Directory lists over 18,000 products that are certified gluten free and safe to eat - handy if you're unsure about certain products!

2. Shift the focus

Hard to believe, we know, but Halloween isn't all about the sweets! Focus on the other aspects of Halloween by planning a cool and terrifying costume together, or playing some spooky games! We love this list from blogger My Life and Kids, which includes tons of activities focusing on fun, not food.

3. Save the treats til home time

It's vitally important that you take the time to sort through your child's stash for allergens before they start digging in. Do this together once you get home - you can donate 'no-no' treats to food banks or charities, or swap them with allergy-safe sweets or toys instead! To prevent your little ones raiding their stash before you get home, come prepared with free from snacks to eat while you're out trick-or-treating.

4. When in doubt, make your own!

A great way to focus on the things your child can eat on the big night, rather than what they can't, is to get baking together! We've collected together our favourite gluten and dairy free Halloween recipes here. These can be made ahead of time, and work great as 'swapsies' for other treats that contain allergens!

5. Call in some reinforcements

If possible, chat with neighbours and family members who you'll be visiting beforehand to remind them of your child's requirements. This will help to ensure a reliable stash of safe treats for your little ones to take home.

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Do you have any terrifying tips to make free from trick-or-treating a breeze? We'd love to hear from you! Contact us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, or email hello@deliciousalchemy.com, and we'll add it to the list!"