What Candy Do Kids Like? | Top Picks From Real Polls

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups is the favorite candy among U.S. kids, with M&M’s and Kit Kat as the closest runners-up.

If you’re stocking a party bag or filling a piñata, the evidence points one direction: kids want peanut butter cups. Data from YouGov’s youth polls and Statista’s consumer surveys consistently place Reese’s at the top for children, with chocolate, berry, and sour-fruity flavors filling out the rest of the wish list.

Here’s what the numbers say and what it means for your next shopping trip.

What The Polls Say Kids Actually Pick

YouGov asked U.S. children outright which candy they’d choose for trick-or-treating. Nearly one in five kids (18%) named Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups as their favorite. Kit Kat came in second at 8%, followed by Snickers, M&M’s, and Sour Patch Kids at 7% each.

Kids care about taste first, and that preference shows up in the flavors they pick. A Comax study summarized by Food Dive found that children gravitate toward milk chocolate, berry flavors for gummies, and strawberry or watermelon for hard candies. Chocolate and fruit dominate because they hit the sweetness kids crave most.

The pattern is consistent across different kinds of questions. When YouGov ran a Halloween matchup poll, Reese’s won 75.9% of head-to-head pairings, beating Original M&M’s at 72.8% and Milky Way at 70.6%. A Statista survey likewise found that slightly over three-quarters of children chose Reese’s as their leading Halloween candy.

How Kids’ Picks Differ From Overall Best-Sellers

There’s a gap between what kids love and what sells most to everyone. Broad consumer rankings often put M&M’s at the top because adults buy candy too, and they have different tastes than children do.

The takeaway: if you’re shopping for a specific kid, buy Reese’s. If you’re buying a general bag for a mixed-age crowd, M&M’s is the safer bet because it appeals to both kids and adults.

What To Buy For A Group Of Kids

Milk chocolate and berry-flavored gummies cover most of what kids want, but a variety box performs better than a single type. Kids have strong individual preferences, so a mix ensures everyone finds something they like.

If you’re planning a birthday party or classroom treat, a bulk bag of assorted chocolate and fruity options covers the spectrum without leaving anyone disappointed. See our tested bulk candy picks for party-sized bags that hit these favorites without breaking the budget.

Safety Notes For Younger Kids

Two concerns matter more than popularity when kids are young. Reese’s contains peanut butter, so skip it entirely if any child at the gathering has a peanut allergy. Hard candies and small gummies also pose choking risks for children under four, so stick to larger or softer options for that age group.

Check ingredient labels before serving anything, and keep an eye on kids while they eat. The polls tell you what kids want to eat, but safety always comes first.