Hi Moms,
My son wanted this gas pump gumball machine for Christmas. But I don't allow him to chew gum yet. Is there a good candy substitute that would fit for gumball machines?
Thanks!
Thank you everyone! I appreciate you taking the time to answer! He's 5 and probably can have gumballs but at that age, I nearly choked on one, so I'm very weary. I'll probably do M&M's and only after dinner as a treat, as one mom suggested. He doesn't want the gumball machine because of the gumballs - he wants it because it's shaped like and old fashioned gas pump, and he's an autombolie (and everything related) nut :)
I don't know if this would work (you don't say how old he is) but what about gobstoppers? They're about the same size as some smaller gumballs.
My inlaws filled their gumball machine with m&ms since we didn't allow gum for our kids either. It worked well. I am not sure what kind of machine they had though.
What about just filling it with little toys, or quasi-healthy snacks? I personally wouldn't make a steady stream of candy available in my house, but that might just be me.
M&Ms are a great choice for a gumball machine since they are the right size and they do not stick together from moisture in the air. Jelly Belly or other small jelly beans are also a good option. We used to have a small gumball machine and put m&ms, jelly beans, runts, and other small things in there. I limited the kids to once a day and only one pull--AFTER dinner, chores and homework was done so it was more of a treat. They liked being able to say they had it. And they did not mind not having actual gumballs.
Are you sure he doesn't want it BECAUSE of the gumballs???
Otherwise, I'd say m&ms too.
How old is he? Does he have any dental appliances that prevent him from safely enjoying?
Ask his dentist what age is appropriate for safe monitored gum-chewing. The only reason my seven year old doesn't chew gum anymore is due to two spacers.
The dentist says he could use dental safe gum, but the best is none, so he's decided to be patient and tough it out.
Not enough information for me to say more than that.
Hope this helps.
Peanut M&M's or jelly beans?
I would say M&M's, but I would rethink the gumballs. Dieticians and dentists both recommend gum over candy. There are few calories, only a small amount of sugar and chewing gum actually increases the flow of saliva, reducing chances of cavity development.
Gobstoppers. They're the perfect size.
5-6 years old is the perfect age to introduce gum, IMHO. You can even get sugar free gumballs. ;-)
http://www.amazon.com/Sugar-Free-Gum-Balls-5lbs/dp/B005IX...
Kix cereal sometimes works, or other round cereal, but sometimes it's not heavy enough. One person I know had sunflower seeds (not in the shells) in hers, again, may or may not work. You can always fill it with nuts and bolts or colorful wires or something else car related and just have it for show since that is really why you are getting it. Might be kinda cool.
