If your treat bowl wasn’t emptied by grabby trick-or-treaters or your own kids brought home too much candy on Halloween, there's no need to be frightened.

There are loads of ways to put that leftover candy to good use without popping it piece after piece directly into your mouth, or watching your kids do the same.

Nutrition experts say children should enjoy Halloween candy in moderation.

“It teaches kids how to have those items around and to use them in an acceptable manner and not deprive themselves of it,” Nancy Farrell, a registered dietitian nutritionist in Fredericksburg, Virginia, told weather.com, suggesting kids have say two pieces after lunch or dinner. “Once you deprive them, they want it more.”

Families may want to downsize the Halloween haul, with concerns about overconsumption, obesity and cavities, and at a time when the holiday season is just beginning, experts say.

“Parents might want to consider getting rid of some Halloween candy because having too much around can lead to overconsumption, which over time can lead to obesity, ” Courtney Cherveny, a registered dietitian at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, told weather.com.

Or, as Farrell says, you can simply have too much of a good thing. “It’s OK to eliminate some of the candy that has come your way,” said Farrell, also a spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Luckily, there are many creative ways to reuse the sweet stuff.

“From baking to crafting to donating, there’s a lot of opportunity to utilize the candy other than just eating it,” Cherveny said.

Click ahead for a look at different ways experts suggest for repurposing Halloween candy.

In the kitchen 

The internet is filled with dessert recipes geared toward using leftover Halloween candy. While you’ll be creating more sweet treats, why not use the candy to bake with during the season of giving and share the creations at holiday parties and gatherings so multiple people are enjoying it.  

Another idea, add a little bit of a candy like M&Ms into a smoothie to jazz it up, Cherveny suggested. Just a few pieces will go a long way for a child. Or, sprinkle a few pieces on top of ice cream or yogurt, or toss it with pretzels, nuts and dried fruit for a trail mix.

Get crafty

Extra Halloween candy can be used to create holiday gingerbread houses, or use a toothpick to pierce holes in gummy candies and let kids make candy necklaces.

“The opportunity to use candy for crafting is endless,” Cherveny said. “It’s good family time away from technology.”

To add a little extra decoration to holiday gifts, try taping a piece or two of wrapped candy onto each package. Or save candy to add to a piñata for birthday or holiday parties or to include in goody bags for birthday party guests.

Learning time

Young kids can use candy like Skittles to practice sorting colors, or use any candy to work on counting skills. Older children can conduct experiments to see which candies sink in water and which ones float.

Donations

Organizations collect candy to send to military troops, including Operation Gratitude, which is accepting Halloween candy donations through Nov. 15 to include in care packages for deployed troops, first responders and others.

Check with organizations and businesses in your area, like homeless shelters or faith groups, to see if they take candy as well. Dental offices may collect candy for donation as well.

You can also bring Halloween candy to the office, where co-workers may (or may not) appreciate the treats, or if all else fails, you can throw it out.