15 Ways to Repurpose Halloween Candy

Trick or treating can be fun for adults and kids alike, but no-one needs that much candy. Here are 15 Ways to Repurpose Halloween Candy

Trick or treating is fun for adults and children. Seeing the excitement on the faces of little kids when they go through their loot is magical. But as a parent, the idea of having that much candy in the house can almost be anxiety inducing as you think of the sugar highs and then subsequent crashes. There are numerous ways to repurpose Halloween candy. Here are 15 great ways to do something fun and creative with all that candy.

1. Donate It to Troops Over Seas

Programs like Soldiers Angels and Operation Gratitude are just two of the many programs that are designed to send care packages to the troops. This also helps teach children to be involved in giving back.

2. Care Packages for Nursing Homes

Sadly, many elderly people in nursing homes don't have family or friends to visit them. Help your children make crafts and gift packages using the candy and deliver them to local nursing homes.

3. Make it a Reward

Use the leftover Halloween candy as an incentive for completing chores without being asked or for a job well done of homework. It rations out the candy and helps to teach responsibility at the same time.

4. Gift it

Candy bouquets are a popular gift for children and adults. With a quick trip to the craft store, the perfect candy bouquets and gift boxes can easily be made and add a personal touch.

5. Take it to Work

Fellow co-workers will love a candy bowl and all the candy will be out of the house and out of reach.

6. Party Favors

Have a birthday party or family gathering coming up? Make homemade gift bags or fill a pinata with the candy

7. Take it Your Family Thanksgiving Get Together

Instead of bringing a salad to Thanksgiving dinner, bring a candy bowl. Candy will be a much bigger hit than any salad or side dish.

8. Christmas Decorations

Leftover Halloween candy can be used to decorate Christmas cookies and other desserts. Using the candy to decorate gingerbread houses is a great way to make the houses look unique and special. So much better than what you might find at the store. Making a homemade DIY advent calendar can also be a fun family craft project.

9. Make it a Learning Tool

The candy can be very helpful with younger children in learning to count, as well as other math exercises.

Read More: Top 10 Educational Websites for Children

10. Arts and Crafts

Leftover candy can add a decorative splash to gift boxes. It can also be great for making pictures and sculptures. With some construction paper and a little glue, the possibilities are endless.

11. Sweeten Your Coffee

Adding different types of chocolates to hot coffee or espresso is a fun and inexpensive way to get a flavored mocha at home.

12. Infuse Your Own Alcohol

Soaking the different candy and chocolates into a bottle of alcohol can make for some delicious cocktails. Chocolate martini's anyone?

13. Throw a Wine and Chocolate Party

Wine and chocolate alone are wonderful, combining the two is a match made in heaven. With a little research on pairing the various types of chocolate with different wines, the perfect adults only party will be easy to plan.

14. Make Your Own Trail Mix

Trail mix is a fan favorite. Take the candy add some mixed nuts and dried fruit and easily the homemade trail mix can be created.

15. Take it to the Kitchen

The leftover candy works great in recipes. Homemade ice cream toppings, milkshakes and maybe even making a copycat blizzard without having to go to the ice cream shop. Melt the chocolate into pudding or cakes and even adding some chopped up candy to take your usual chocolate chip cookies up a notch.