Children are Never Disappointed with These Non-Candy Treats for Halloween, Party Favors, and Stocking Stuffers

Thank you to Moose Toys for providing complimentary product samples as non-candy treats for my children's classroom Halloween celebrations.  All opinions expressed are my own.

For the past two years, non-candy treats have been part of my children's Halloween fun.  In 2011, we had Trash Pack toys for trick-or-treaters who were 5 years and older.  In 2012, we sent in Trash Pack toys for classroom celebrations.  They were such a huge hit that we are thrilled to be able to do the same thing this year, except this year we will also be sending in the new Glitzi Globes as well.

In our school, there is a strict no-sweets policy for any type of celebration.  That means no candy on Halloween and no cupcakes on birthdays.  That coupled with all the various food allergies in each classroom, I find it much easier to send in non-food treats for all celebrations.  The Trash Pack were a huge hit last year, so I am happy to be able to be able to send them in again along with another fun new toy.

 If you are not familiar with them, The Trash Pack toys are small collectible figures that each come with their own trash can container.  Each figure is something you might find in the trash, but portrayed in a cute way.  All 3 of my children, both my sons and our daughter, love collecting Trashies.

Glitzi Globes are a fun new toy that are geared towards girls and also appeal to the collector.  They are little kits that come with everything you need to make a glitter globe.  All you need to do is add water!

Now the single pack samples I received to distribute are not available in-stores, but you can easily purchase multi-packs of The Trash Pack or Glitzi Globe toys and split them up to put in your treat bags or to just wrap each in cellophane and ribbon to hand out by itself.  I found 5-packs of the Series 4 Trash Pack here for just $4.79 each.  That's less than $1 per favor!  I have used these for non-candy treats in goody bags, in Easter baskets, for stocking stuffers, and to hand out on Halloween to trick-or-treaters and the reaction of the children have never disappointed me.

What other ideas do you have for non-candy treats?

The Trash Pack's "Design Your Own Trashie Contest" Has Officially Started!

All three of our children have quite the imagination.  They also love their Trash Pack toys.  If your children are anything like ours, then they will likely find The Trash Pack Design Your Own Trashie Contest to be right up their alley.  This fun contest will give Trash Pack fans a chance to create an original Trashie from their imaginations and have that Trashie brought to life in the upcoming line of "Gross Grots Team" Trashies.  Designs will be judged on creativity, originality, and of course grossness.

• 3 Grand Prize Winners will each have their designs brought to life, have their Trashies featured on the "Meet the Trashies" section of the website, receive a mini collector's guide, and receive a Trash Pack Prize Pack worth $50.
• 3 Runner-Up Winners will each receive a Trash Pack Prize Pack worth $50.

Even without these great prizes, I think children will have lots of fun designing the grossest Trashie they can imagine.  Go here to learn how to enter to read the official contest rules.  Parents can help their children mail in their entries or scan and upload them online so that they are received by the May 15th deadline.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about The Trash Pack Design Your Own Trashie Contest!  Before you go, be sure to enter to win the Trash Pack Prize Pack (pictured above) by using the widget below.  The prize pack consists of a Series 3 Ooze Pack and a Street Sweeper.


Thank you to Moose Enterprise for providing the products for our contest prize.  All opinions expressed are my own.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck in the drawing!

"The Trash Pack" Toys and 9 More Ideas for Non-Candy #Halloween Treats

Our children's school has a strict policy against sweet treats, such as cupcakes, candy, and cookies for school celebrations.  Some people think that the policy ruins the fun, but I have to disagree.  Our children do not seem to mind having alternative treats, both food and non-food items.  Last year, we handed out The Trash Pack toys to trick-or-treaters and the children just loved it.  Our own children enjoy collecting these little Trashies, as do many of their friends at school.  So this year, Moose Toys sent us enough single-pack Trash Pack toys for my children's teachers to hand out to all their students on Halloween.  I will be sending each of these jack-o-lantern buckets filled with Trash Packs to school as a surprise for the classes.  I have even managed to keep it a secret from my own children.

Ideas for Non-Candy Halloween Treats:

1.  The Trash Pack Toys
2.  Fun Pencils
3.  Mini Boxes of Raisins
4.  Pencil Toppers or Erasers
5.  Temporary Tattoos
6.  Granola or Fruit Cereal Bars (But, be aware of any nut allergies)
7.  Bookmarks (To promote literacy)
8.  Superballs
9.  Whistle Keychains (Handy as emergency whistles for kids)
10.  Mini Magnifying Glasses (To encourage exploration and discovery)

What items would you add to this list?

To learn more about The Trash Pack, including where to buy them, visit www.TrashPack.com, where you will also find fun free games and downloads.  You can also find The Trash Pack on Facebook.


Thank you to Moose Toys for providing complimentary product samples for us to donate to our school.

Trash Pack Series 2 Collectible Trashies Are Here!

Approximately a year ago, my children were introduced to Trash Pack toys.  Honestly, I was surprised at how utterly cool they thought these little trash-themed figures were.  Then when we were able to give out individual Trash Packs for Halloween to the trick-or-treaters, I saw how excited all the children were and I knew then that these toys were here to stay.  They were also a huge hit when I put them in goody bags for our son's 8th birthday.

(Click any photo to enlarge)

From Series 1, my children only ever owned the figures, but they seemed to really want the The Trash Pack 'Trashies' Garbage Truck, so I am happy to see that this batter-free toy has returned this year along with a slew of new figures.  The Series 2 Trashies figures (168 to be exact) include the Astro Trash metallic Trashies, the Special Edition Moldy Trashies, and a new wave of The Gross Gang Trashies.

Like a real garbage truck, this one can lift a dumpster up and empty it into the receptacle in the rear.  My 8 year old son's favorite feature of this truck is the two sides that open to reveal a space in the center of the truck.  He likes to imagine that it is a secret headquarters for the Trashies.  It's also pretty cool that you can store up to 10 Trash Pack cans in this section of the truck, making it a great portable toy for your child to take to a friend's or relative's house.

Our 8 year old son plays with this toy much differently than our 5 year old twins.  He seems to be interested in the collectible aspect of this toy series.  He likes to look up the names of each figure on the included chart and to play the suggested games, such as stacking up the garbage cans and trying to knock them over with the Trashies.  His favorite Series 2 figure is the toilet named Septix, who is part of the Hard Rubbish collection.

The Trashies are quite affordable and would make great rewards for children.  The Five Pack Collections retail for just $5.99 and the 12 Pack Collection is a great value at $9.99.  The Garbage Truck retails for $19.99 and really brings forth imaginative play to Trash Pack toys.  Visit www.TrashPack.com to learn more about these and other Trash Pack products and to play The Trash Pack Stack game on your computer.

Thank you to Moose Enterprise for providing complimentary product samples for us to base this review upon.