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The Best Candy Bucket

Last updated on June 23, 2023
Best Halloween Candy Bucket

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Kids and families have been celebrating Halloween in the United States for over 100 years. While pillowcases were commonly used to collect candy when little ones went trick-or-treating door-to-door, children now have a whole host of options thanks to a variety of candy bucket designs on the market.

If you’re in the market for a new candy bucket, there are a few things you’ll want to keep an eye out for. Consider the age of the child you are purchasing the candy bucket for. Younger children would do well with a soft bag versus a hard plastic one.

Kids who are a little older may do better with a plastic treat bucket, as these can be easily cleaned in the event that an opened piece of candy melts or gets stuck to the sides. Hard plastic bags are also durable and can withstand a little more abuse during play.

Determine what you’d actually like to use the treat bag for. Of course, all of the candy buckets can be used to hold candy, but some models serve more than one purpose. The GiftExpress Cauldron Kettle Candy Bucket is one such product, as it can also be used as a table decoration. Parents can use it to hold candy or to serve as a decorative item.

If you need a large number of candy buckets to create party favors, you’ll want to look for a set. Sets are often cheaper than purchasing individual buckets. Some candy buckets come in sets of 12 that can handle treats for up to a dozen kids.

While some multi-packs feature just one design, others have a variety. For example, you may come across a 6-pack that features six different designs, including a Jack O’Lantern, ghost, witch and spider.

Our Picks For The Top Candy Buckets

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Product Overview
Our Take
 Best Overall

Cabilock Tiny Spooky Candy Bucket Set, 12-Pack

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

Cabilock

Tiny Spooky Candy Bucket Set, 12-Pack

If you're purchasing candy buckets for a large family or classroom full of children, this set of 12 is the way to go. Not only is the set affordable, but it also includes multiple Halloween-inspired designs. You'll receive three ghosts, three witches cauldrons, three skulls and three Jack-o-lanterns.

Overall Take

Most EconomicalThese non-toxic candy buckets are perfect for giving out party favors on Halloween.

 Perfect for Party Favors

LUOEM Eco-Friendly Lightweight Mini Candy Bucket

LUOEM

Eco-Friendly Lightweight Mini Candy Bucket

You'll receive 10 mini candy buckets when you go with this cute set. Each bucket resembles a pumpkin and comes with a handle for carrying. Since the buckets measure just 3 inches high and 2 inches wide, they are better suited as decorations or party favors at a child's Halloween get-together.

Overall Take

High-Quality SetUse this candy bucket to give out gum, peanut butter cups and peppermint candies on Halloween.

 Witchy Pick

GiftExpress Plastic Witch’s Candy Bucket

GiftExpress

Plastic Witch's Candy Bucket

This candy bucket comes in the shape of a cauldron. It can be used along with a witch costume at Halloween to collect candy while trick-or-treating or placed on a table as a party decoration. The cauldron is 8 inches and made from a sturdy plastic that is easy to clean.

Overall Take

Doubles as a DecorationYou can use this candy bucket as a way to collect candy or as a way to distribute it.

 Plush Pick

Blue Panda Soft Pumpkin Candy Bucket

Blue Panda

Soft Pumpkin Candy Bucket

Soft to the touch, this candy bucket feels more like a stuffed animal, which makes it an excellent choice for younger children. It's also a top pick for adults, as the metallic foil stars and jack o'lantern face make it a perfect decoration to place on a table or fireplace mantel.

Overall Take

Soft and SturdyKids will love this candy bag, which is made out of a soft plush material instead of hard plastic.

What to Look For

  • How you clean your candy bucket is dependent upon the material the bucket is made out of. Plastic models can be washed by hand in your kitchen sink with warm water and a little dish soap. Plush models can often be tossed in the washing machine, while felt buckets require the most care. You’ll need to spot clean these with a little dish soap and water. Don’t immerse them in water and be careful of any felt pieces that are attached, as they may easily come loose. If a felt piece does come loose during the cleaning process, you can try to reattach it with a hot glue gun.
  • If you opt for a treat bag made of plastic, always check to make sure it has been tested and is free of toxins.
  • Another option is to put out a treat bucket with small toys and knick-knacks for children who are highly sensitive to sugar.
  • If received as a gift or from a stranger, it’s important to tell children that they need to wait for an adult to check their candy before they consume it. Parents should then look for any opened candy, out-of-date candy, discolored candy or any candy that looks out of the ordinary and discard anything suspicious that they come across.
  • When comparing the candy bucket prices, you’ll need to first look at the number of units in the set and divide that number by the price to determine the cost of each bucket. Typically, buckets that can hold more candy have a higher price tag.

More to Explore

Just over 2,000 years ago, the Celts celebrated the festival of Samhain in which they would gather together to pay their respects to the dead. This is believed to be the beginning of what we now know as Halloween. Of course, over time, tradition shifted and Americans now get together for costume parties and take our children around the neighborhood to collect candy.

Before your next Halloween celebration, you may find it humorous to review a few fun facts about the holiday.

  • People who have a fear of Halloween are said to have Samhainophobia.
  • Specifically for Halloween, Americans purchase an astounding $2.1 billion worth of candy (both to eat and to hand out at parties and on Halloween night).
  • The first Jack O’Lanterns weren’t made from pumpkins. Instead, carvers used potatoes, turnips and beets.
  • The city of Boston, Massachusetts holds the record for the most Jack O’Lanterns lit at the same time.
  • While each state has its own most popular candy purchased during the Halloween season, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups won out in 12 different states. M&Ms and Milk Duds came in second and third.
  • Candy Corn originally went by the name Chicken Feed thanks to its inventor George Renninger.
  • October 30th is National Candy Corn Day, along with National Speak Up for Service Day and National Publicist Day.
  • Tootsie Rolls are a popular Halloween candy, but many are not aware that since these tasty treats are stable in both hot and cold climates, they were given out to soldiers in WWII.
  • There’s a funny tradition that if a person dresses with their clothing inside out on Halloween and then walks backward, he or she will come across a witch when the clock strikes midnight.

More to explore