Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups—Children’s Favorite

Millions of costumed children across America took to their neighborhood sidewalks last night to participate in the Halloween tradition of trick-or-treating. Countless pounds and packages of candy were collected, but recent polling shows not all candy collected is valued equally. The Harris Poll surveyed nearly 1,000 children across the country ages 8-17 to determine how they value popular Halloween candy. Topping the list of favorite candies—Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups—favored by 19 percent of the children surveyed. Sour Patch Kids and Snickers followed, garnering support from 14 percent and 10 percent of kids. Least favored candies—Tootsie Rolls, Almond Joys, and Candy Corns.

The Harris survey also asked about the trading value of different candies. For example, children said they would only trade Reese’s 11 percent of the time, but they are willing to trade candy corn 34 percent of the time. And children are willing to trade 10.5 small packets of plain M&Ms for 1 Tootsie Blow Pop. Other trading values can be seen in Figure 2.

The Harris Poll indicates the future of America is in good hands. Children’s well-reasoned selection of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups as their favorite and most valuable candy shows they can make fact-based, thoughtful, rational decisions and choices. American’s future is bright. (And, if you couldn’t already guess, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups happens to be the author’s favorite candy too.)  

Figure 2. Trade Value of Candies