Can you have an Easter basket without candy?? The answer is a simple yes.
But, but, but…Easter is about having chocolate bunnies and Peeps and Cadbury Creme Eggs!
Actually, it’s not. It’s really about a very important man and the miracle of his resurrection.
It’s no sin to enjoy chocolate. It’s no sin to have an Easter basket filled with candy, either. But is that really the tradition I want for my kids? That what they look forward to each Easter morning is the candy-induced sugar high and ensuing coma? Not really. I already know how my kids act, feel and become after they’ve eaten a bunch of junk. And that’s not how I want to celebrate my Easter (or the few days after).
So, if I’m not filling baskets with candy confections, what will I fill them with? Glad you asked.
Here are my top 10 candy-free ideas to fill an Easter basket:
1. A new cup. It’s become a tradition that every year I get each of our kids a new cup to drink out of. They each use the same cup pretty much every day, all year long. Makes my life easier, and then there’s never arguing over whose cup is whose. I usually find some cute ones at Target.
2. A journal, notebook or nice pad of paper. All our kids like drawing or doodling or writing or using paper to make paper airplanes. There’s always a use for paper!
3. A set of markers or crayons. To go with all that paper!
4. A flashlight. Seriously, what kid doesn’t like a flashlight? Around our house, the kids do flashlight tag outside in the dark. And being armed with new flashlights (with batteries!) is an awesome score.
5. A pack of seeds. Spring is all about new growth. Give your kid an area of the yard or a small pot and let him or her go to town!
6. A swimsuit. I’ve done this many times before, but only if the kids actually need a swimsuit. If you’re gonna buy one anyway, throw it in the basket! !
7. A kite. I like gifts that my kids can use outside. I just picked up some kites at Target that were $1.99 each. They’ll probably be broken within the day, but at least it’ll provide hours of fun!
8. A cheap bucket and shovel. Usually the dollar section at Target starts to carry these around now. I use the bucket as the “basket” and kill two birds with one stone!
9. Chalk. Another great outdoor activity!
10. An age-appropriate book. Books are a great filler, and provide a good activity for the kids to do after they’ve eaten their Easter dinner!
Some other non-candy items are:
Bubbles
Stuffed Animal
Legos
New clothes
Puzzles
Jewelry
Small toys (jump rope, yo-yo, etc.)
Bouncy ball
Hit up the dollar store and find tons of stuff, too!
So will my kids’ Easter baskets be completely devoid of all candy? Probably not. They’ll probably each get a pack of gum since that’s a favorite of theirs. And I’ll probably pick them up each one treat from Whole Foods–something that is corn syrup/food dye free.
How about you? What non-candy ideas do you use in your kids baskets? Or do you let them go all-out this time of year?
Jen Wylie (conley) says
I purchase a new Adventures in Odyssey or Jonathan Park CD set for my kids at holidays that traditionally require candy. It is a great way to add to our audio cd library and it is a gift all three kids LOVE. http://www.libraryanded.com has them for fantastic prices, so for under $15 all three of my kids get a gift that keeps on giving throughout the year.
Jamie Miller says
The Easter bunny always brings fun outdoor stuff to my son. Bubbles, a new kite, sidewalk chalk, water balloon…and the favorite is a new water gun. Starts the summer off with lots of fun!!!
Sharon says
Thanks Shanti, love your suggestions! The kids baskets include a little candy but more non-sweet goodies. I was just perusing Oriental Trading’s website last night and found some great ideas. If you don’t need the dozen amount split it with another mom. We are having some families over for an Easter lunch and egg hunt so I may hide some of the eggs for the egg hunt too.
puzzle balls:
http://www.orientaltrading.com/puzzle-balls-a2-12_1801-18-0.fltr
Egg splat
http://www.orientaltrading.com/egg-splat-balls-a2-16_639-18-0.fltr
Iridescent putty eggs: http://www.orientaltrading.com/iridescent-glitter-putty-eggs-a2-12_2002-18-0.fltr.
Kelly says
I do swim suits, towel, seed kits and art supplies. Great post!
Amanda says
This year I did a classic book for each, a stuffed animal for the girls, one chocolate rabbit each and will get the boys some outdoor things.
Angie says
I did a gardening basket for each kid once: garden gloves, gardening tools, seed packets, etc. They loved it!!! This year so far I have new water bottles (since they always want to drink out of mine!). 🙂
Bonnie says
We don’t have Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods around here. Are there any brands of gum that are less chemical laden? It seems like all the main-line options have corn syrup and or aspartame. My son loves gum but I haven’t been letting him have it. I’d love to surprise him with some – maybe I can find it online!
radlandon says
Hi, Bonnie! This is a brand I bought at Trader Joe’s, but they have it on Amazon. It’s obviously in bulk, but you may be able to find some other options on there as well: http://www.amazon.com/Glee-Gum-Peppermint-Piece-Boxes/dp/B000KNCZ2I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1363811216&sr=8-1&keywords=natural+gum
Bonnie says
Great thank-you! I found it here for $0.93/pack – I wasn’t sure about the brown rice syrup, but I guess it’s better than the alternatives for an occasional treat!… http://iherb.com/p/33039?rcode=one706 Since I shop at iHerb a lot anyway, I’ll add it to my next order. (If you aren’t familiar with iHerb, I can share my referral code with you to save on your first order)
Caryn Staebler says
The Easter Bunny always brought me fun small toys to play with, note pads, etc. But one year, I got a bag of brownie mix, my own wooden spoon set and a small mixing bowl. That got me interested in baking. This year, baskets I give out will include a healthy bag of brownie mix! Gluten free, grain free, nut free with low glycemic sugar– by Think.Eat.Live.
marijana barreras says
I would like to get an Easter basket for my little brother that is 6 years old and an Easter basket for my baby sister that is 3 months and One for my daughter She not here yet