Kelsey Hambor

Halloween is all about fun, imagination, and a little bit of spookiness. With a few thoughtful choices, you can make your celebration vegan-friendly while also being kinder to wildlife, reducing waste, and keeping your trick-or-treaters and companion animals safe.

Some candies are vegan without being marketed that way, while others contain milk, gelatin, beeswax, confectioner’s glaze/shellac, or other animal-derived ingredients. Vegan-appropriate candy such as Animal Crackers, Cracker Jacks, Skittles, Twizzlers, Ring Pops, Sour Patch Kids, Airheads, Swedish Fish, Smarties, and YumEarth Halloween Organic Fruit Gummies is always a hit. Always check the package before buying, since ingredients and formulations can change.

Not every treat has to be candy. Animal stickers, coloring books, small toys, pencils, and temporary tattoos can be fun alternatives and are especially useful for children with food allergies or dietary restrictions. For something extra special, you may also find delicious and cute treats at Ethique Nouveau in Minneapolis.

Artificial spiderwebs may look spooky, but the fine, stretchy material can entangle birds and other wildlife. Skip the webs and create a creepy-cool yard with pumpkins, reusable tombstones, skeletons, cardboard silhouettes, fabric banners, or window decorations instead.

Give your pumpkins a second life after Halloween. Save and roast the seeds, use the pumpkin flesh if it’s still suitable for eating, and compost the pumpkins when the festivities are over. Or, check with the local vegan sanctuaries listed in the ARC Vegan Guide to see if their residents would benefit from the pumpkins.

Halloween can be a stressful night for dogs and cats. Chocolate and some sugar-free products can be dangerous for companion animals, so keep the trick-or-treat bowl firmly off the menu. Keep your furry friends away from the constantly opening door, and make sure candy, small toys, glow sticks, batteries, and decorations are out of reach.

A vegan Halloween doesn’t have to mean giving up any of the magic. With plant-based treats, creative reusable decorations, wildlife-safe choices, and a little planning, you can have a Halloween that’s spooky, festive, fun, and a little kinder to the world around us.