What candy is a choking hazard for toddlers?

Hard candies, caramel apples, popcorn, gum, gummy candy, jellybeans and other small candies, pumpkin seeds, and anything with whole nuts are all choking hazards for babies and toddlers. Children under 4 are at the highest risk, so offer only age-appropriate treats and supervise closely.

Is it safe to take a baby trick-or-treating?

Yes, with a few precautions. Keep the baby warm and dressed for the weather under any costume, make sure costumes do not cover the face or restrict breathing, and use reflectors or lights on the stroller so drivers can see you after dark.

What is the Teal Pumpkin Project?

The Teal Pumpkin Project, organized by FARE, promotes offering non-food treats so children with food allergies can safely take part in Halloween. A teal pumpkin on a doorstep means non-food items such as stickers, glow sticks, or small toys are available.

Should my toddler wear a costume mask?

It is better to skip masks for young children because they can block vision and make breathing harder. Use child-safe face paint or makeup instead, and test it on a small patch of skin a day or two before to check for a reaction.

How do I make my child visible while trick-or-treating?

Add reflective tape to the costume and treat bag, pick bright or light-colored costumes, and carry a flashlight or glow sticks. Add lights or reflectors to a stroller, walk on sidewalks, and keep young children within arm's reach.

How can I make Halloween safer for a child with a food allergy?

Look for teal pumpkins offering non-food treats, bring your own safe candy so your child always has an option, and read every label since fun-size candies can differ from full-size versions. Keep an epinephrine auto-injector on hand if your child has been prescribed one.

What should I look for on a costume label?

Look for the words flame resistant. Also choose a costume short enough that your child will not trip, with soft and flexible accessories, and avoid loose fabric that can drag or catch.

Fall safety · All ages

Halloween with a baby or toddler: what to check first

A baby's first Halloween is mostly for the adults, and that is fine. For toddlers who are walking and grabbing, the real risks are costumes that catch or trip, candy that can choke, and being hard to see after dark. Here is how to keep the night safe without taking the fun out of it.

2 min read Seasonal Safety Updated June 2026

Costume safety

Look for the words flame resistant on costume labels. Costumes, wigs, and accessories should be made of materials that resist fire.

Fit matters more for little kids than for anyone. Costumes and shoes should be short enough that your toddler will not trip, with nothing dragging on the ground. Skip masks, which block vision and breathing, and use child-safe face paint or makeup instead. Test any face paint on a small patch of skin a day or two ahead in case of a reaction.

Keep accessories soft and short. Swords, wands, and canes should be flexible so a fall does not turn them into a hazard.

Candy and choking

Babies and toddlers should not have hard candies, caramel apples, popcorn, gum, gummy candy, pumpkin seeds, jellybeans and other small candies, or anything with whole nuts. All of these are choking hazards for young children.

Children under 4 are at the highest choking risk. Hold onto the candy and give only age-appropriate treats in small amounts, or swap candy for a non-food item like stickers or a small toy.

Check every treat before your child has any. Throw away anything unwrapped, opened, spoiled, or that looks tampered with. Feed your toddler a good meal before heading out so there is less urge to sample along the way, and keep an eye on what goes in their mouth.

Food allergies and the Teal Pumpkin

The Teal Pumpkin Project, run by FARE, is a nationwide effort to make Halloween safer for children with food allergies. A teal pumpkin on a doorstep signals that non-food treats are offered.

If your child has a food allergy, look for teal pumpkins and bring your own safe treats so they always have an option. Read every label before your child eats anything; fun-size candies sometimes have different ingredients than the full-size version.

If you are handing out treats, consider keeping a bowl of non-food items such as glow sticks, stickers, bubbles, or small toys so allergic kids can take part. Keep food and non-food treats in separate bowls to avoid cross-contact.

Being seen after dark

Most Halloween injuries happen because drivers cannot see small children at dusk. Make your child easy to spot.

Add reflective tape to costumes and treat bags, choose bright or light-colored costumes when you can, and carry a flashlight or glow sticks. A stroller with lights or reflectors helps if you are out with a baby.

Walk on sidewalks, cross at corners, and keep toddlers within arm's reach. Always go with young children rather than letting them run ahead between houses.

Common questions

What candy is a choking hazard for toddlers?: Hard candies, caramel apples, popcorn, gum, gummy candy, jellybeans and other small candies, pumpkin seeds, and anything with whole nuts are all choking hazards for babies and toddlers. Children under 4 are at the highest risk, so offer only age-appropriate treats and supervise closely.
Is it safe to take a baby trick-or-treating?: Yes, with a few precautions. Keep the baby warm and dressed for the weather under any costume, make sure costumes do not cover the face or restrict breathing, and use reflectors or lights on the stroller so drivers can see you after dark.
What is the Teal Pumpkin Project?: The Teal Pumpkin Project, organized by FARE, promotes offering non-food treats so children with food allergies can safely take part in Halloween. A teal pumpkin on a doorstep means non-food items such as stickers, glow sticks, or small toys are available.
Should my toddler wear a costume mask?: It is better to skip masks for young children because they can block vision and make breathing harder. Use child-safe face paint or makeup instead, and test it on a small patch of skin a day or two before to check for a reaction.
How do I make my child visible while trick-or-treating?: Add reflective tape to the costume and treat bag, pick bright or light-colored costumes, and carry a flashlight or glow sticks. Add lights or reflectors to a stroller, walk on sidewalks, and keep young children within arm's reach.
How can I make Halloween safer for a child with a food allergy?: Look for teal pumpkins offering non-food treats, bring your own safe candy so your child always has an option, and read every label since fun-size candies can differ from full-size versions. Keep an epinephrine auto-injector on hand if your child has been prescribed one.
What should I look for on a costume label?: Look for the words flame resistant. Also choose a costume short enough that your child will not trip, with soft and flexible accessories, and avoid loose fabric that can drag or catch.

Sources & further reading

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This guide reflects current AAP, CDC, and other public-health guidance and is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. ParentFlow is a wellness companion — not a substitute for your pediatrician. For any medical concern, contact your healthcare provider.