With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, Gene and I decided to hit up our local Target to see what allergy-friendly treats they had in store. We even brought along our best buddies to help us!
Below you will find a simple list of top 8 allergy-friendly candies & snacks and a few other treats that are allerGene-friendly (meaning they’re free of peanuts, eggs, and wheat).
These lists aren’t even close to all of the options available at Target and other stores, but they’re a start!
TOP 8 ALLERGY-FRIENDLY CANDY
DumDums Heart Pops
DumDums Lollipop Bouquets
Fun Dip Valentine
Ring Pop Cupid Packs
Skittles Valentine Exchange
Sour Patch Conversation Hearts
Sour Patch Kids Lollipop
Starburst
Swedish Fish
YumEarth Organic Giggles
YumEarth Organic Pops
YumEarth Organic Sour Beans
TOP 8 ALLERGY-FRIENDLY SNACKS
Boom Chicka Pop Kettle Corn
Fruit by the Foot Mini Feet
Sensible Portions Veggie Chips Mini Hearts
Made Good Chocolate Chip Mini Granola Bars
Welch’s Fruit Snacks Hearts
Annie’s Organic Bunny Fruit Snacks
YumEarth Organic Sugarcoated Gummy Fruits
OTHER ALLERGENE-FRIENDLY TREATS
While all of the items above are free from the top 8 allergens, we still have a few favorites that contain other allergens such as milk. If you’re looking for strictly peanut free or gluten free foods, the following would be great options along with those already listed:
Pirate’s Booty
Rice Krispy Treats
Utz Valentine Mini Cheese Balls
As always, if you’re looking for products that are made in dedicated facilities (like YumEarth), be sure to check out Spokin’s list of verified brands here.
3 WAYS TO MAKE Valentine's Day FUN FOR ALL
If your goal is to make Valentine’s Day inclusive for all kids, here are my three suggestions:
- Only pass out candy & snacks that are free of the top allergens
- Pass out non-food treats such as pencils, temporary tattoos, stamps, stickers, bubbles, etc.
- Pass out the old-fashioned store-bought valentine’s cards or have your child make personalized valentine’s cards for their classmates
happy Valentine's Day!
-xoxo Gene & Rachel
@allerGene-friendly
