Has Halloween candy infiltrated your classroom yet? If it has, have no fear! There are some easy ways that you can incorporate it into your lessons. Check out these sugar-free activities!
Lessons with Halloween Candy
Graph It
You know it is hiding in those lunch boxes, so encourage children to get it out and start graphing the candy. Graph it by type, wrapper color, or even how long it is. Students will get great practice sorting and measuring.
Word Problems
Turn those bite-sized miniature candy bars into word problems. Even if your students do not have candy bars in their lunch bags, using them as examples in word problems is a great way to relate to a timely event. Ask for student input on the types of candy to include in the large group problems, and have them write their own word problems to exchange with one another.
Halloween Candy Art
Yes, those pieces of candy can be turned into art. Encourage students to create a Halloween collage using different pieces of candy (still in the wrapper, of course!). When glued on heavy cardboard, those candy collages will be the talk of the school.
How Much Does the Candy Weigh?
If your class is studying weights and measurements, have them weigh different candy bars to see which ones are the heaviest. They can report their findings to the class. It might also be interesting to compare the weight of the candy to the number of calories in it. The question may be, does a heavier piece of candy make you heavier?
Donate Halloween Candy
Have students bring candy in and donate it to a service project. Many organizations that work with servicemen and women overseas collect candy for distribution. Check with your local Reserves or with organizations like Adopt-a-Platoon for more information.
Do you have a favorite way to turn those bite-sized pieces of sugar into a lesson? If so, share your ideas with us in a comment below! We would love to hear how you turn a potentially negative treat into a positive lesson.
This post was originally published on October 30, 2010.
It was updated on October 3, 2016.
We did a categorize and classifying activity with it today. The students were given a bag of candy (pre-sorted to eliminate doubles) and had to find ways to classify and categorize all of the candy by size, ingredients, color, shape, etc. They really got into it and then those who brought a piece in, got to take a new piece home…or to lunch rather. 🙂 We also sometimes use it as a great writing activity. The students start with describing the wrapper, then the candy, and then continue with the flavor, and texture. It creates great delicious and descriptive writing!
Great, versatile ideas for using the candy.
I agree that there are so many ways that candy can be used within the curriculum. Students can imagine themselves as a particular piece of candy and write a short play about their life (complete with costume if there’s time). They could also make a collage of candy types. The possibilities are really endless.
I had never considered using candy to make art collages. Another idea in that vein would be to do some kind of sculpture with the candy. Just imagine what students could create.