Halloween is right around the corner, and if you're like most folks here in Surry County, you're already wondering: What candy should I buy for trick-or-treaters? How much will I need? And how can I make sure everyone stays safe while having fun?
As a local insurance agent who's handed out candy to countless Elkin kids over the years (and fielded my share of Halloween-related insurance questions), I've put together this complete guide to help you nail your Halloween candy game this year—plus some important safety tips every homeowner should know.
Top 10 Halloween Candies Kids Actually Want in 2025
Let's start with what matters most: what candy do kids actually get excited about? Based on national candy sales data and local trends from Surry County neighborhoods, here are the top performers:
1. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
The undisputed king of Halloween candy. Perfect chocolate-to-peanut butter ratio.
2. Skittles
Fruity favorite that's nut-free. Great for kids with allergies.
3. Snickers
Chocolate, caramel, peanuts, and nougat - the complete package.
4. Kit Kat
Crispy wafer bars that are easy to share. Always a hit.
5. M&M's
Colorful chocolate candies that "melt in your mouth, not in your hand."
6. Starburst
Chewy fruity squares with intense flavor. Nut-free option.
Rounding Out the Top 10
- 7. Twix: Crunchy cookie, caramel, and chocolate combo ($11/bag)
- 8. Hershey's Chocolate Bars: The classic choice that never disappoints ($10/bag)
- 9. Sour Patch Kids: For the kids who love that sour-then-sweet experience ($9/bag)
- 10. Milky Way: Light, fluffy nougat with caramel and chocolate ($10/bag)
"Planning your Halloween candy? Reese's, Skittles, and Snickers consistently rank as kids' top 3 favorites in NC. Stock up on these winners!"
Click to Tweet ThisBudget-Friendly Halloween Candy Options
Let's be real: if you're expecting 100+ trick-or-treaters, buying premium chocolate bars can get expensive fast. Here are smart ways to maximize your candy budget without disappointing the kids:
Best Value Candy Picks
Money-Saving Tips from a Surry County Neighbor
- Shop early (September): Prices skyrocket the week before Halloween. Start buying in mid-September for the best deals.
- Buy in bulk at warehouse stores: Costco, Sam's Club, and BJ's offer significantly better per-piece pricing.
- Mix premium with budget candy: Buy 2 bags of premium (Reese's, Snickers) and 3 bags of budget options. Let kids choose.
- Use cashback apps: Ibotta, Fetch Rewards, and RetailMeNot often have Halloween candy rebates.
- Stock up during post-Halloween sales: Candy keeps for a year. Buy next year's stash at 50-75% off on November 1st.
Allergy-Friendly & Inclusive Trick-or-Treat Options
Here in North Carolina, about 1 in 13 children has a food allergy - that's roughly 2 kids per classroom. Being the house that offers safe options makes you a hero to parents and kids with dietary restrictions.
🔵 The Teal Pumpkin Project
Consider joining the Teal Pumpkin Project by placing a teal pumpkin on your porch to indicate you have non-food treats or allergy-friendly options available. This simple gesture means the world to families dealing with food allergies.
Allergy-Safe Candy Options
- ✓ Skittles
- ✓ Starburst
- ✓ Swedish Fish
- ✓ Dum Dums
- ✓ Smarties
- ✓ Nerds
- ✓ Glow sticks
- ✓ Pencils or erasers
- ✓ Stickers
- ✓ Small toys
- ✓ Play-Doh
- ✓ Temporary tattoos
Gluten-Free & Vegan Options
Many popular candies are naturally gluten-free and vegan-friendly:
- Gluten-free: Most chocolate bars (Hershey's, M&M's), gummy candies, and hard candies
- Vegan: Skittles, Sour Patch Kids, Jolly Ranchers, Airheads, Dum Dums
How Much Halloween Candy Should You Buy?
This is the million-dollar question, isn't it? Buy too little and you're turning off your porch light at 7:30pm. Buy too much and you're eating candy corn until Thanksgiving.
The amount of candy you need depends on several factors specific to your neighborhood:
Factors That Affect How Many Trick-or-Treaters You'll Get
- Neighborhood density: Urban/suburban areas get more foot traffic than rural roads
- Sidewalks and street lights: Better infrastructure = more visitors
- Your reputation: If you give out full-size bars, word spreads fast!
- Weather: Rain or cold weather can reduce turnout by 30-50%
- Day of the week: Weekend Halloween = more trick-or-treaters
- Local events: Competing trunk-or-treats can reduce home visits
Pro Tip from Bill
As an Elkin resident, I've found that neighborhoods near the schools (like around Elkin Elementary or downtown Elkin) see 2-3x more trick-or-treaters than areas farther out. If you're in a high-traffic zone, plan accordingly!
Quick Estimation Formula
Here's a simple way to estimate your candy needs:
- Low traffic area (rural): 20-40 trick-or-treaters → Buy 50-75 pieces
- Medium traffic (suburban): 50-100 visitors → Buy 125-150 pieces
- High traffic (urban/popular streets): 100-200+ visitors → Buy 250-300+ pieces
Speaking of Halloween Safety...
Did you know your homeowner's insurance covers liability if a trick-or-treater gets injured on your property? As your local independent agent, I can review your coverage to make sure you're protected - especially important during high-traffic events like Halloween.
- Free policy review for Surry County residents
- Umbrella policy options for extra protection
- Local service - I'm here when you need me
Halloween Candy Calculator
Figure out exactly how much candy to buy for your neighborhood
Pro tip: Always buy 20% more than the calculator suggests. It's better to have leftovers than to run out!
Halloween Safety Tips & Insurance Considerations
As a local insurance agent, I want to make sure you not only have the best candy but also a safe Halloween. Here are important tips every NC homeowner should know:
Homeowner Liability Protection
Your homeowner's insurance typically includes liability coverage that protects you if someone is injured on your property. During Halloween, this becomes especially important:
Common Halloween Claims
- ✗ Child trips on uneven walkway or steps
- ✗ Someone slips on wet leaves or decorations
- ✗ Dog bites trick-or-treater
- ✗ Fire from decorative candles spreads
- ✗ Electrical decoration causes shock/injury
Pre-Halloween Home Safety Checklist
- Clear all walkways: Remove leaves, toys, hoses, and tripping hazards from paths to your door
- Improve lighting: Make sure your porch and walkway are well-lit. Consider battery-powered LED lights
- Secure decorations: Ensure nothing can blow over or become a trip hazard in wind
- Use flameless candles: Battery-operated LED candles in jack-o'-lanterns prevent fire risk
- Contain pets: Even friendly dogs can get spooked. Keep them in a separate room
- Check outdoor electrical: Use GFCI-protected outlets and don't overload circuits
Vehicle Safety Reminders for Halloween Night
If you're driving on Halloween evening (especially 5-9pm), remember:
- Drive slowly in neighborhoods - 15-20 mph max
- Watch for kids darting between parked cars
- Turn headlights on early (4pm) for better visibility
- Avoid distracted driving - put the phone away
Insurance Quick Check
Most standard homeowner policies include $100,000-$300,000 in liability coverage. If you host large events or have a pool/trampoline, consider an umbrella policy for an additional $1-2 million in coverage. It typically costs just $200-400/year.
Not sure what coverage you have? Give me a call at (336) 835-1993 for a free policy review.
North Carolina Halloween Tips
- Weather: NC Halloween temperatures range from 45-65°F. Have backup indoor plans if it rains.
- Trick-or-treat hours: Most NC communities observe 6-8pm, but check your local town's guidelines.
- Popular spots in Surry County: Downtown Elkin and Main Street Mount Airy see heavy foot traffic.
- Local events: Many churches and schools host trunk-or-treat events 1-2 weeks before Halloween.
"Bill helped us add an umbrella policy after we had 150+ trick-or-treaters last Halloween - we had no idea how much foot traffic our street gets! It cost less than $25/month and gave us peace of mind. Plus, he gave me his candy calculator estimate and we actually nailed it this year!"
Common Halloween Candy Questions
When should I start buying Halloween candy?
Mid-September is the sweet spot (pun intended). Stores start stocking Halloween candy in early September, and prices are usually best before October. Wait until the week before Halloween and you'll pay premium prices with limited selection. Pro tip: Buy non-chocolate items early (they last longer) and save chocolate purchases for October to ensure freshness.
What if I run out of candy mid-evening?
Don't panic! Options include: (1) Switch to giving one piece instead of two, (2) Supplement with non-candy items you have at home (pretzels, fruit snacks, or even quarters), (3) Turn off your porch light to signal you're done - no shame in that! Most trick-or-treaters hit the streets between 6-8pm, with peak traffic at 6:30-7:30pm. If you make it past 7:30, you're usually in the clear.
Should I give out full-size candy bars or fun-size?
It depends on your budget and goals! Full-size bars cost about $1 each and make you legendary (kids will remember your house for years). Fun-size/snack-size bars cost 20-40¢ each and are the standard expectation. A middle-ground strategy: Give full-size bars for the first 25-30 kids, then switch to fun-size. Or reserve full-size bars for particularly great costumes!
How long does Halloween candy last?
Most sealed candy lasts 6-12 months when stored properly in a cool, dry place. Hard candies (lollipops, Jolly Ranchers) last longest - up to a year. Chocolate is best within 6-8 months. Gummy candies last about 6-9 months. Check expiration dates on bags, and don't buy anything expiring within 3 months of purchase. This is why buying leftover candy on November 1st for next year is actually smart!
What candy should I avoid giving out?
Skip anything homemade (parents throw it away for safety reasons), super cheap/generic brands kids don't recognize, anything unwrapped or that looks like it could be a choking hazard for young kids, and pennies or religious tracts (unless you want to be known as "that house"). Also avoid black licorice - it's the most hated Halloween candy according to surveys!
Does homeowner insurance cover Halloween incidents?
Yes! Your homeowner's insurance liability coverage protects you if someone is injured on your property, including during trick-or-treating. This includes trips, falls, dog bites, or other accidents. Standard policies include $100,000-$300,000 in liability coverage. If you host lots of visitors or have additional risk factors (pools, trampolines), consider an umbrella policy for $1-2 million extra coverage at about $200-400/year. Call me at (336) 835-1993 for a free review of your coverage!
Make This Your Best Halloween Yet
Halloween is one of the most fun nights of the year in Surry County. Whether you're in downtown Elkin watching kids swarm the streets, or on a quieter road in Dobson seeing a handful of trick-or-treaters, the right candy selection makes all the difference.
Remember the key takeaways:
- Stock up on the top 10 crowd favorites (Reese's, Skittles, Snickers lead the pack)
- Mix premium and budget options to maximize value
- Include allergy-friendly choices and consider the Teal Pumpkin Project
- Use the calculator to estimate your needs, then buy 20% extra
- Prep your home for safety and review your insurance coverage
Have questions about Halloween safety or want to review your homeowner's coverage before October 31st? I'm just a phone call away.
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Read moreAbout Bill Layne
Bill Layne has been serving Surry County families as an independent insurance agent since 2004. A lifelong Elkin resident who's handed out candy on North Bridge Street for over 20 years, Bill understands the importance of community, safety, and having the right protection for your family. He represents top carriers including Nationwide, Progressive, Travelers, and more—allowing him to find the best coverage at the best price for his neighbors. When he's not helping clients, you'll find Bill at local events, youth sports games, and yes, giving out candy on Halloween!