Why are There Teal Pumpkins in my Neighborhood?

Over the past few weeks, I've spent a ton of time in the Cricut Design Space software designing the decorations for our Super Mario themed Trunk or Treat. The one thing I kept noticing? Patterns for "teal pumpkins." They're a growing trend across the Treasure Valley, for a very important reason! 

These unique pumpkins are actually part of an initiative started by the Food Allergy Research & Education non-profit.  Your child may be lucky enough not to have any allergies to the ingredients in some of the most popular Halloween candies, but chances they have a classmate that may be allergic to milk, chocolate, peanut and other allergens hidden on the wrapper.  For those kiddos, trick or treating can be a real bummer where they feel like they've been left out because they can't accept those treats.

That's where the "Teal Pumpkin Project" comes in! FARE encourages homeowners to select a more inclusive non-food trick or treat item to pass out.  Homeowners choosing to do that can mark their home as a safe place for kids with food allergies by placing a teal colored pumpkin or jack-o-lantern on their doorstep.

Want to participate, but not sure what a non-food trick or treat items kids would love? FARE suggests these to make your house a hit!

• Halloween Erasers or Pencil Toppers
• Glow sticks, bracelets or necklaces
• Pencils, pens, crayons or markers
• Bubbles
• Whistles, Kazoos or Noisemakers
• Bookmarks
• Bouncy Balls
• Mini Notepads
• Playing Cards
• Stickers
• Coins (my neighbor that handed out quarters ever year was my favorite house in the neighborhood!)
• Stencils
• Silly Straws
• Finger Puppets
• Vampire Fangs
• Spider Rings

Teal Pumpkin Inspiration

Like I mentioned, the Teal Pumpkin Project is huge in the Cricut crafting community and I've seen a lot of great creations posted in the Facebook groups I follow! If you're looking for a more creative way to show your house is food allergy friendly, here's some inspiration for decorating your pumpkin!