The American Heart Association offers these tips for a healthier Halloween this year:

• Remember to have a healthy meal before you go trick-or-treating. This reduces the temptation to “snack” while walking.

• Make this a fun family physical activity event. Set a goal of how many houses you will walk to and then stick to it.

• Think about a healthier version of treats to give out at your house: Mini boxes of raisins, 100 percent juice juice-boxes, snack sized pretzels, pre-packaged trail mixes, pre-packaged dried fruits, crayons, stickers, silly bands, tooth brushes, bubbles, plastic spiders, or coupons to local frozen yogurt stores. Avoid using toys that could be a choking hazard to little ones.

• Find the right sized collection bag for your child. Steer clear of the pillow case method.

• Create a plan to deal with excess candy lying around your house come Nov. 1.

• Avoid the urge to buy onsale candy in the grocery stores after Halloween.

• Select one piece of candy per day for five days and put those in the refrigerator. When your child asks for a piece of candy, make sure to pair it with a healthy snack: an apple, a banana, some healthy nuts or celery.

• Avoid the additional empty calories of sugar sweetened beverages like soda, which has been linked to weight gain and obesity in children.

• “Buy back” the candy from your child with money or tokens they can trade in for a fun activity: a day at the zoo, an afternoon playing at a local park, going ice skating, or a day at the pool.

• Some dentist offices and veterans’ groups have been known to buy back the candy from the community, so be on the lookout for that option!

For more information on healthy lifestyles for children, visit www.heart.org/ healthierkids.