If you’ve seen teal pumpkins on porches and in stores the past several years but aren’t sure what they’re about, I’m here to help show you How to Support the Teal Pumpkin Project this Halloween.
The Teal Pumpkin Project was originally inspired by a local Tennessee food allergy awareness fun run that brought attention to how scary and often disappointing trick-or-treating on Halloween can be for children with food allergies or sensitivities. In a world where we try to be as inclusive as possible, Halloween poses a particular threat because the day is focused on kids getting and eating candy and treats, often loaded with the very allergens these children have to avoid at all costs. These parents often had to opt-out of Halloween entirely or spend the evening terrified that their child will have an allergic reaction.
Now, with so many families participating in the Teal Pumpkin project every year, these fun-loving kids that happen to have allergies can join in on the traditions and festivities, too! I have put together a list of over 20 ideas, full of information and inspiration so you’ll know How to Support the Teal Pumpkin Project, too!
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Teal Pumpkin Project Information
About the Teal Pumpkin Project
I think it’s important to start with the official website for the Teal Pumpkin Project to begin your learning journey. Their site gives loads of background information and explanation for why it’s so meaningful to support and participate in this wonderful new tradition.
Halloween Really Is the Scariest Day Ever for Food Allergy Families
I also think it’s meaningful and helpful to read about this experience from a parent’s perspective. Nicole from Coffee and Carpool has a son with severe peanut allergies and she does a fantastic job of explaining how Halloween is beyond scary for their family each year. I personally know several families with children who live with severe food allergies and sensitivities on a daily basis and I’ve heard candid accounts of how terrifying it can be to go door-to-door on Halloween.
Teal Pumpkin Project Craft Ideas
So how do you participate in the Teal Pumpkin Project? There are several ways to do that, the first of which is making your own Teal Pumpkin Project pumpkin or other craft projects.
Succulent Pumpkin to Support the Teal Pumpkin Project
Michelle over at Our Crafty Mom has some great additional information on the Teal Pumpkin Project including a link to meet the mom who started it all! Her Succulent Pumpkin is absolutely gorgeous and is completely make-able for you crafty people.
Glittered Polka Dot Teal Pumpkin
This was the very first Teal Pumpkin Project pumpkin I made! I took a plain craft pumpkin and turned it into a sparkly and whimsical way to support the cause. It makes me smile each year when I place it on my porch.
Make Your Own Teal Pumpkin for Halloween
Megan from C’mon Get Crafty made this lovely teal pumpkin using only items she already had in her stash! So if you already have a craft pumpkin on hand or even a pumpkin that can easily be painted like hers, you can totally add some paint and flair to your liking and make yourself a teal pumpkin.
DIY Teal Pumpkin Project Treat Bowl
Linsay from Artsy Fartsy Mama made a beautiful treat bowl out of one of those craft pumpkins with the openings already cut out. What a genius idea! Paint it teal and add some non-food treats and you have a one-stop shop for Teal Pumpkin Project kiddos.
Easy No Carve Pumpkin Idea – Teal Pumpkin Project Idea
And Michelle from Michelle’s Party Plan-it (what a great name!) made an absolutely gorgeous teal pumpkin using a lighter shade of teal paint. She then created a super cute design on the pumpkin using gold nails. You’ll have to go see it for yourself!
Disney Junior Bluey No-carve Pumpkin for Halloween
Kimberly from Savvy Mama Lifestyle gets kids in on the teal pumpkin fun and also incorporates a popular Disney character. I can see how this would attract kids on Halloween while also signaling the parents that this house has non-food treats. Win-win!
I made this topiary when I was trying to think of stylish ways to incorporate teal pumpkins into my Halloween porch decorations. Pumpkin topiaries always look so nice, and I think they look even better in teal instead of the usual orange and black.
Mini Teal Pumpkin Project Pumpkins
Kippi, from Kippi at Home, took the Teal Pumpkin Project to a whole new level! With the help of two sisters, they made a whole selection of mini teal pumpkins out of fabric to sell. I love how each pumpkin looks so different and these are perfect for smaller porches where people may not have a lot of room for Halloween decorations.
Speaking of smaller porches, I made this teal pumpkin sign specifically for people who want to help support the Teal Pumpkin Project but just don’t have space. Apartments and condos would specifically do better with a sign, depending on location.
Teal Pumpkin Project Printables and Signs
If you are ready to fully support the Teal Pumpkin Project but you really don’t have time or the crafty skills to make anything, printables and yard signs are where it’s at!
Free Teal Pumpkin Project Resources
The primary hub to find official Teal Pumpkin Project Information and resources is hosted by FARE, Food Allergy Research & Education. They have loads of printable flyers and signs you can print out for Free! They also have a Teal Pumpkin Project Map you can sign up for each year. It helps parents to plan out their trick-or-treating routes.
Teal Pumpkin Project – Free Printable Sign
Beth from The Kingston Home designed such a cute (FREE) printable sign with a poem that you can attach on a purchased teal pumpkin. This would also be a big time saver! Buy, print, poke, done.
There is no shame in just purchasing a Teal Pumpkin Project yard sign either, plus they’re super cute!
Teal Pumpkin Project Non-food Treat Ideas
Teal Pumpkin Project Class Party
As if worrying about candy and treats on Halloween isn’t scary enough, imagine having a Halloween class party where the parents may not be able to attend. Jessica at Everyday Party Magazine has come up with a great solution to cover all the bases when hosting an allergy-friendly class party.
Non-candy Trick-or-Treat Ideas for Halloween
Tiffany from Saving Talents has put together a list of 53 things to give to trick or treaters that are not candy. Now some of these may still not great for kids with allergies, like play clay, so use caution when making your choices.
Awesome Non-Candy Alternatives for Halloween
Shani from Sunshine and Munchkins has some great ideas I haven’t seen on many of the other non-candy lists. As she points out, having non-candy treats is a good idea even for kids without food allergies.
The Teal Pumpkin Project: 20 Non-food Things You Can Give Out for Halloween
Julia from The Quiet Grove gives out really great and specific ideas all of those non-food treats and they’re all under $10, which is fantastic in my book!
13 Inexpensive Non-candy Halloween Treats
Speaking of affordable, Jaclyn from Crayons & Cravings has compiled a handy list of non-food treats you can get inexpensively. It’s good to support the Teal Pumpkin Project and also save money, right?
Eco-friendly Teal Pumpkin Project Treats
If you’re also concerned about your treats being eco-friendly, Diana at The Baby Steps Dietitian has several great ideas for non-food treats including one idea you haven’t seen anywhere else.
There is also no shame in just ordering your non-food treats in a bundle and calling it a day. When I have gone to purchase similar items on my own, I very rarely find everything I want in one store at a price I like, so here, I’m your personal shopper now, lol.
I hope that you’ve gotten some great ideas for How to Support the Teal Pumpkin Project from all of these wonderful sources and that if you haven’t participated in the past, you’ve been convinced to start this year.
Whether you’re making your own teal pumpkin or buying a premade sign, your thoughtful participation in The Teal Pumpkin Project is greatly appreciated by all of those trick-or-treaters out there who need non-food treats. Thank you!
I love the teal pumpkin ideas.