DEVENS, Mass., Oct. 27, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Learning Express Toys offers several options to help parents choose toys instead of sugary or allergenic treats this Halloween. For children with food allergies, diabetes, or obesity, trick-or-treating can be a challenge – or even a life-threatening risk.
According to the advocacy organization Food Allergy Research & Education, one in 13 children in the United States has a food allergy. In 2012, more than one third of children and adolescents were overweight or obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Learning Express Toys urges parents to consider alternatives to candy.
"We want Halloween to be a safe, fun holiday for all children, and believe toys are the perfect alternative to food treats," said Sharon DiMinico, founder and CEO of Learning Express, Inc.
Learning Express Toys supports The Teal Pumpkin Project, an effort launched by Food Allergy Research & Education in 2014 to help families with food allergies trick-or-treat safely. Placing a teal pumpkin outside your house means you have non-food items available for trick-or-treaters. Learning Express Toys sells a variety of party favors, colorful pens and markers, Shopkins, miniature stuffed animals and other goodies that make safe non-food treats for Halloween.
After Halloween, have the Switch Witch visit your home. Like the Tooth Fairy, the Switch Witch is a story about a friendly witch who takes away candy in exchange for toys. Bring your excess candy to the store, purchase a toy or toys to swap, and Learning Express Toys will donate the candy to a local nonprofit organization. Select stores also offer "Boo Bucks" coupons in exchange for the candy.
Learning Express, Inc. will make a donation to Food Allergy Research & Education in support of The Teal Pumpkin Project and other food allergy awareness campaigns.
The TEAL PUMPKIN PROJECT and the Teal Pumpkin Image are trademarks of Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE).
Learning Express Toys wishes all families a happy and safe Halloween.
About Learning Express Toys
Learning Express Toys is the nation's leading franchisor of educational toy stores with more than 125 locations across the country, each one locally owned and operated. Providing an extraordinary shopping experience, Learning Express Toys is known for its knowledgeable sales staff that offers expert advice on choosing the perfect toy, for every child, for every occasion. The Learning Express Toys product mix is carefully selected from manufacturers around the world, and each toy has exceptional play value. A birthday gift registry, free gift wrapping, free personalization, and civic fundraising make each Learning Express Toys store an integral part of its community.
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