Halloween is a time for spooky fun, creative costumes, and most importantly, candy! Kids everywhere race door-to-door, hoping to fill their buckets with their favorite sweets. But amidst the sea of delicious treats, there are always a few notorious candies that seem to disappoint every child who gets them. These “trick” candies are the ones that kids roll their eyes at, exchange for something better, or even leave at the bottom of their stash, never to be touched.
As Millennial and Gen Z parents, we’ve all seen it—our kids eagerly open up their Halloween loot, only to groan when they see certain candies. But which ones are the worst offenders? Let’s dive into the top 10 most kid-HATED candies that seem to haunt every Halloween basket.
1. Candy Corn
Ah, candy corn. It’s the quintessential Halloween candy with its iconic orange, yellow, and white stripes. While some adults may have a soft spot for this sugar-packed treat, most kids can’t stand it. Candy corn is often criticized for its overly sweet taste and waxy texture. For many kids, it just doesn’t live up to the hype, making it one of the most hated candies of the spooky season.
Why kids hate it: The chalky texture and overwhelming sweetness leave most kids feeling underwhelmed or downright disappointed.
Fun fact: Despite its unpopularity, candy corn has been around since the 1880s!
2. Tootsie Rolls
Tootsie Rolls might have their loyal fans, but they’re definitely not a crowd-pleaser among kids. These chewy, chocolate-flavored candies seem to be one of the most common trick-or-treat giveaways, but they’re also one of the most likely to get traded or tossed. Kids often find them too tough to chew, and the artificial chocolate flavor doesn’t exactly excite young taste buds.
Why kids hate it: The chewy texture and artificial chocolate taste make Tootsie Rolls feel like a chore to eat, especially when compared to other chocolatey treats.
Pro tip: Tootsie Pops tend to fare better with kids, thanks to their fruity lollipop exterior.
3. Necco Wafers
These thin, chalky, disc-shaped candies have been around since the mid-1800s, but most kids today find them confusing at best. Necco Wafers come in a variety of pastel colors and flavors, but their brittle, dry texture and subtle taste make them a disappointment for sugar-loving kids who want bold flavors and satisfying textures.
Why kids hate it: Necco Wafers feel like chewing on flavored chalk, and their mild taste doesn’t pack the sugary punch that kids expect from Halloween treats.
Pro tip: If you’re looking to be the house that kids remember, it might be best to skip these old-school candies.
4. Good & Plenty
Good & Plenty might look enticing with their vibrant pink and white candy shell, but inside, they hide a secret that makes kids cringe—licorice. Most kids aren’t fans of black licorice, and Good & Plenty has a distinct, strong anise flavor that’s not kid-friendly. The candy-coated shell can be misleading, but once kids take a bite, they’re usually met with disappointment.
Why kids hate it: Licorice is a flavor that most kids haven’t developed a taste for, and the candy shell doesn’t help its case.
Fun fact: Good & Plenty is one of the oldest branded candies in the United States, dating back to 1893.
5. Smarties
Smarties may be colorful and fun to unwrap, but most kids would agree that they’re one of the least exciting candies to find in their Halloween haul. These small, chalky discs have a tart yet sweet taste that many kids find lackluster. While some might enjoy the novelty of popping a few Smarties into their mouth, they’re rarely anyone’s top choice.
Why kids hate it: The chalky texture and subtle flavor leave most kids wishing for something more exciting.
Fun fact: Smarties are often compared to another unpopular candy, Necco Wafers, for their similar texture.
6. Mary Jane Peanut Butter Kisses
Wrapped in orange and black wax paper, Mary Jane Peanut Butter Kisses are a vintage candy that many kids groan at when they find them in their treat bags. These taffy-like candies have a chewy texture with a peanut butter and molasses flavor that feels out of place among the sweeter, more exciting candies of Halloween. While some older generations may enjoy them, they’re typically a big miss with today’s kids.
Why kids hate it: The chewy, sticky texture and old-fashioned peanut butter flavor feel outdated to most kids who are used to more modern, sweet treats.
Pro tip: Stick with peanut butter cups if you want to win over the kids!
7. Bit-O-Honey
Bit-O-Honey is another chewy candy that kids tend to leave behind. While the honey-flavored taffy might sound appealing to some adults, it’s not a favorite among kids. The flavor is mild compared to the bold sweetness of other candies, and the sticky texture can make it difficult to eat. It’s the kind of candy that often gets stuck in your teeth—and in the bottom of Halloween buckets.
Why kids hate it: The hard-to-chew texture and subtle honey flavor just can’t compete with the brighter, more vibrant candies that kids love.
Pro tip: If you’re giving out honey-flavored treats, honey sticks might be a fun and kid-approved alternative!
8. Wax Lips
Wax Lips aren’t really candy, but somehow they always end up in Halloween treat bags. These oversized, waxy lips are meant to be worn as a costume accessory before chewing them like gum—but let’s be honest, no one actually enjoys eating them. The waxy texture is strange, and they don’t offer any real flavor. Kids are often confused about whether Wax Lips are even edible, and most would prefer a candy that they can actually enjoy.
Why kids hate it: Wax Lips are more of a novelty than a tasty treat, and kids would much rather have something they can eat, not wear.
Pro tip: If you’re looking for fun, non-candy alternatives, consider glow sticks or Halloween-themed stickers instead.
9. Circus Peanuts
One of the most polarizing candies out there, Circus Peanuts are those strange, orange, peanut-shaped marshmallow candies that have been around for decades. With their artificial banana flavor and rubbery texture, they’re often regarded as one of the worst Halloween candies. Kids aren’t fans of the weird flavor or the strange texture, and Circus Peanuts are often left uneaten at the bottom of the treat bag.
Why kids hate it: The artificial banana flavor and rubbery texture are a far cry from the chewy, fruity candies kids usually enjoy.
Fun fact: Circus Peanuts were originally invented in the 1800s, and their popularity remains a mystery!
10. Peanut Butter Taffy
Peanut butter is generally a well-loved flavor, but peanut butter taffy? Not so much. These candies are often hard to chew, and the combination of peanut butter with taffy’s sticky texture doesn’t do them any favors. Kids might be tempted by the promise of peanut butter, but the tough texture and bland flavor leave much to be desired.
Why kids hate it: The tough-to-chew texture and underwhelming peanut butter taste make this candy one that most kids leave behind.
Pro tip: Stick with peanut butter cups or peanut butter M&Ms for a more kid-approved option.
Why Do These Candies Get So Much Hate?
Halloween is all about excitement, and kids want their candy to reflect that. Candies like the ones on this list either fail to deliver in terms of taste, texture, or novelty, leaving kids disappointed. While some of these may have nostalgic value for older generations, they simply can’t compete with the bold, sugary treats kids expect today.
As Millennial and Gen Z parents, we remember some of these candies from our own trick-or-treating days, but it’s safe to say that the candy landscape has changed. Today’s kids are all about fun flavors, bright packaging, and easy-to-eat treats.
Halloween is all about fun and indulgence, but not all candy is created equal—especially in the eyes of kids. If you’re looking to be the most popular house on the block this year, it’s probably best to avoid the treats on this list. Stick to crowd-pleasers like chocolate bars, fruity gummies, and classic Halloween candies that kids will actually enjoy. After all, Halloween only comes once a year, so let’s make sure the candy haul is as sweet as possible!