Then you hear the response: “But they won’t eat it. Kids’ will HATE the pencils, or toys, or whatever … just give them the Jolly Ranchers!!”

This conversation happens every year at this time. So Yale University researchers from their Center for Eating and Weight Disorders wanted to see if it was true. If children can choose, will they pick candy over toys, when offered both on Halloween.

Hmmmm…..

In this study, seven households gave trick-or-treaters (all between 3 and 14 years old) a choice between comparably sized toys and candies.

The result? Conventional wisdom takes it on the chin. Children were just as likely to choose toys as candy. There were no gender differences.

The implication of this study is that children will not be disappointed by toy treats on Halloween.