Navigating Halloween with a Feeding Tube

Halloween is just around the corner, bringing excitement to households across the country. For many children, the highlight of October 31st is dressing up in costumes and going door-to-door to collect candy. However, for children who rely on tube feeding, this food-focused holiday can feel isolating. While candy may seem like the center of attention, it’s important to remember that Halloween can still be a time of fun and celebration for everyone. 

In this blog, we’ll explore how to make Halloween more inclusive for tubies, offering ideas such as non-food alternatives to candy, adaptive costumes, and creative ways to celebrate. By adapting traditions and finding ways to include everyone, we can ensure that all children feel safe, included, and able to participate in the magic of the season. 

Let’s dive into how you can make this Halloween a special, memorable experience for your tubie! 

Understanding the Challenges of Halloween for Tubies 

Halloween can be a tricky holiday to navigate for children who rely on tube feeding. While the excitement of costumes and community celebrations is undeniable, it's essential to prioritize their social and emotional well-being when making plans. The key is open communication with your child to ensure they feel empowered and included.  

Remind your tubie—and yourself—that Halloween fun is what you make of it. It doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s celebration to be meaningful. Tailor the experience to your child's preferences and focus on the aspects they enjoy most, whether it's dressing up, or spending time with friends. 

Fun Alternatives to Candy 

Halloween may seem all about candy, but it doesn't have to be! For tubies, the focus on food can sometimes make the holiday feel exclusive. That’s why it’s important to shift the attention to what truly makes Halloween special—the excitement of dressing up, spending time with friends and family, and enjoying the spooky atmosphere. Your tubie can absolutely join in on the fun without missing out on the trick-or-treating experience. 

One great way to do this is by participating in the Teal Pumpkin Project, an initiative started by the nonprofit FARE (Food Allergy Research and Education). This project encourages families to offer non-food treats, making Halloween safer and more inclusive for kids with food allergies or dietary restrictions. Though it was initially created for children with food allergies, it’s a fantastic way to ensure that all kids—including tubies—can enjoy Halloween without feeling left out. 

Click here to learn how to get started with the Teal Pumpkin Project and make your home a welcoming spot for all trick-or-treaters! 

Trick-or-Treating Tips for Tubies 

If your tubie wants to go trick-or-treating, here are some helpful tips to make the night enjoyable and stress-free: 

• Watch for signs of anxiety: Pay attention to your child’s body language and be prepared to take breaks or change plans if the experience becomes overwhelming. 

• Stick to well-lit areas: Avoid dark, spooky spots that may cause stress or anxiety for your tubie. 

• Keep your tubie hydrated: It's important to maintain hydration, so make sure to bring water along for the night. 

• Be mindful of decorations: Flashing lights or loud noises may be overwhelming, so steer clear of overly decorated homes. 

• Non-verbal trick-or-treaters: Some children may not be able to say "Trick-or-treat!" or "Thank you."  

• Offer non-food treats at home: Whether you’re trick-or-treating or staying in, having non-food treats on hand can make your tubie feel included and excited. 

• Hand out candy yourself: For kids who may have trouble grabbing treats, offer to hand out candy directly. 

• Communicate clearly: When addressing trick-or-treaters, ensure they can see your face to help children with speech or hearing difficulties understand you. 

• Review Halloween safety: Before heading out, talk about safety rules and what to expect during trick-or-treating. 

• Accessible trick-or-treating: Set up your trick-or-treating station in a spot that’s easily accessible for children with mobility challenges. 

Though the Teal Pumpkin Project is growing, not every house will have non-food treats. However, you can still collect candy with everyone else and later donate it to friends or participate in a candy buy-back program at local dentists. Some charities, like Ronald McDonald Houses, also accept candy donations. 

Fun Alternatives to Trick-or-Treating 

Trick-or-treating isn’t the only way to celebrate Halloween! If it's overwhelming or not enjoyable for your tubie, there are plenty of other ways to join in the fun: 

• Host a costume contest: Gather family and friends for a costume parade or contest. 

• Decorate pumpkins: Get creative with pumpkin painting or carving. 

• Halloween scavenger hunt: Organize a spooky hunt for non-food treats or small toys. 

• Watch Halloween movies: Enjoy a cozy night watching family-friendly Halloween classics. 

• Crafts and games: Complete Halloween-themed crafts or activity pages.  

• Visit a pumpkin patch: Take a trip to a local farm for pumpkin picking and autumn festivities. 

Costume Considerations for Tubies 

Dressing up is one of the best parts of Halloween, and everyone should have the chance to feel like their favorite character. When choosing a costume for your tubie, focus on comfort and accessibility. Thankfully, adaptive costumes are becoming more popular and easier to find. You can check out these stores for great adaptive options: 

• Target 

• Rolling Buddies 

• Halloween Express 

• Disney Store 

• Walmart  

• Amazon  

Here are a few of our favorite costumes: 

• Pikachu

• Incredibles  

• Bluey 

• Trolls 

• Darth Vader 

If you can’t find the exact costume your tubie wants, making a homemade costume can be a fun family activity. This doesn't need to be expensive or complicated—use adaptive clothing you already have and get creative with items from the dollar store or online. 

Managing Nutrition on Halloween 

To keep your tubie energized and ready for Halloween fun, it’s important to plan around their nutrition needs. If your trick-or-treating schedule overlaps with feeding times, consider consulting with your healthcare provider to safely adjust their routine if needed.  

Here are some tips for managing nutrition during Halloween events: 

• Stick to your regular feeding schedule as much as possible, even during busy activities.

• If your tubie is on a blended diet, consider incorporating tube-safe Halloween flavors or themes into your child’s feeds to make it festive.  

• Pack extra supplies, like feeding bags, syringes, and formula, in case your outing lasts longer than expected.

• Encourage your tubie to focus on the aspects of Halloween they find fun, like dressing up and spending time with friends.

Tubie Tips from the Community 

• "Let kids play with all the candy—sensory play with the wrappers and textures makes it fun, even if they can't eat it!" 

• "We have a yard sign saying we have food and non-food treats. We do the Teal Pumpkin Project!" 

• "My child loves trick-or-treating, even though they might only taste the candy a little. The act of getting the treat is fun enough!" 

• "Some costumes are adapted for tube access, which has been a game-changer for us." 

• "Giving out non-food items alongside candy makes me feel included." 

Halloween should be fun and inclusive for everyone! Whether your tubie is going trick-or-treating, dressing up at home, or participating in alternative celebrations, the key is to make the holiday enjoyable and stress-free. By embracing creativity, flexibility, and open communication, you can ensure your tubie feels included and excited to join in the Halloween festivities.