Halloween is a time for costumes, candy, and trick-or-treating, but you may have noticed a child carrying a blue bucket or a house displaying a teal pumpkin. These colors can have special meanings related to making Halloween more inclusive. Although both are connected to awareness and acceptance, they serve different purposes and can help families enjoy the holiday more comfortably.

A blue Halloween bucket may be used to indicate that a child has autism or another disability and might communicate differently. Some children may not say “trick or treat,” make eye contact, or respond in ways people expect, and loud noises, bright lights, and crowds can be overwhelming. However, blue buckets are not an official or universal symbol, so it is important not to make assumptions based on color alone and simply offer candy as you would to any other trick-or-treater.

A teal pumpkin has a more established meaning through the Teal Pumpkin Project, which promotes inclusion for children with food allergies and dietary restrictions. Homes displaying teal pumpkins generally offer non-food treats such as stickers, glow sticks, small toys, pencils, or temporary tattoos. These alternatives allow children who cannot safely eat certain candies to participate, since even small amounts of allergens can cause serious reactions.

Although blue buckets and teal pumpkins are sometimes confused, they communicate different things — one is an informal signal that a child may have different needs, while the other indicates that a household offers non-food treats. Making Halloween more welcoming does not require much effort: keep a few non-food treats available, avoid overwhelming children with loud noises, and do not demand that they say “trick or treat” before giving candy.