Halloween is just around the corner, and children will be soon be dressing up in cute or spooky costumes.

Doorbells will ring, and sweet voices will yell, “trick or treat,” as tossed candy echoes off plastic pumpkins.

While Halloween is a joyous occasion for many children, it can be a point of stress for parents trying to control the amount of sugar and candy their child consumes.

Many parents are making concerted efforts to cut back on sugar for a variety of reasons, including reducing cavities and improving overall health.

When selecting treats for all the visiting goblins, consider alternatives to candy such as prepackaged snack bags of pretzels, sugar-free gum, granola bars or small boxes of cereal.

Non-food items —such as pencils, spooky erasers, small bottles of bubbles, trading cards, stickers, coupons for free items or other appropriate party favors are also great alternatives — especially if you know that you will have visits from children with food allergies.

Before heading out for an evening of fun, feed your little ghosts and goblins a healthy snack or a light meal, which can help curb appetites and make it easier to monitor food and candy consumption throughout the evening.

An easy way to monitor your child’s consumption — so that they do not end up with a bellyache or headache — is to allow them to select a couple of pieces of their favorite candy once they return home.

Then set a limit for each day after.

This simple act is also a great way to teach or reinforce counting and sorting by the type of item and color.

You have to love taking that teaching moment using something they love.

A great way to continue the fun is to create a special container or jar with your child.

After the fun of sorting and counting, fill the jar three-quarters-full with the smaller items they received.

Each day, allow the child to reach in and pull out two to three items. It will be a surprise for both of you and make having to wait a little more exciting.

Also, remember to only stop at homes of people you trust and who have their porch lights on.

Many communities have special events during trick or treat night as a safe alternative to going door-to-door.

There will be Halloween MAINia downtown, 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31.

I have seen several flyers for local churches and businesses that are sponsoring trunk or treat and other activities this weekend coming up, so check those out as well.

There are plenty of ways to participate in the Halloween festivities in a way that suits your family.

When you get home, dump all the loot and take the time to inspect each item before giving it to your child thoroughly.

Throw away all damaged items, potential choking hazards or food in torn or opened packages, anything that may look like someone has tampered with it.

The “dumping of the loot” was always my favorite part, where you could trade candy with your siblings or friends, giving up the Almond Joys for the Snickers or Milky Ways.

I may still participate in this process; though, as a parent, I don’t trade anymore.

I help myself to the loot when they go to sleep and hope they didn’t count how many they had.

Planning and providing structure is a great way to do trick or treating safe and fun for your child.

For more information on childhood nutrition or holiday safety, contact the Clark County Extension office.

Shonda Johnston is the Clark County Extension agent for family and consumer sciences. She can be reached at 859-744-4682 or by email at shonda.johnston@uky.edu.