My oldest child is CRA-ZAY on candy! She has a lot of energy already, but candy sends her into “rare form.” As each holiday rolls around the calendar, I’m always trying to find alternative treats to candy. So here’s your not-quite-comprehensive guide to a candy-free or candy-lite Easter basket.
BOOKS
Target has a cute little end cap with Easter books already on display. They have board books and children’s books. Most are secular in nature, but I found one that is seriously impressive about the real Easter story. It’s called God Gave Us Easter by Lisa Tawn Bergren and illustrated by Laura J. Bryant. It is probably best for ages birth through 8/9 years old.
This delightful book is about a young polar bear learning about the true meaning of Easter as she and her family engage in traditional Easter activities, such as dying eggs and exploring nature. It respectfully puts the Easter Bunny and other traditional activities and icons in a place in view of the cross. It not only tells the story of the cross, but it takes the young reader all the way back to the beginning of why the cross was necessary. This, or another book about Easter would be a great addition.
BAKING
What a great way to replace candy with a sweet treat you can make together! Baking is something you can do with younger and older kids. If you want to keep the bunny theme going, Annie’s is a brand geared towards kids that has a bunny mascot.
CRAFTS
If you are brave enough, you can put together a craft kit involving your favorite Easter icon. You could grab a cut out of a bunny or an egg and pair it with the supplies to decorate it. Stickers books are also a great choice too.
TOYS
Some toys come out with special editions for holidays, so you might check out your child’s favorite type of toy and see if they offer an Easter edition. Or, you could include a toy with an Easter-ish look. For example, one year we bought my daughter a “Sofia the First” figurine kit because it had Clover the bunny in it.
Stuffed animals are a classic basket buddy. Or, for big kids you could go original and choose a small item they’ve been wanting. Regardless of your choices, you could even use it as a segway to talk about the gift Jesus gave us.
CLOTHES
This could be a tradition in the vein of Christmas pj’s. Wake up Easter morning and surprise your child with a new outfit to wear to church that day. (You might think about getting your picky and/or big kid’s input first though!)
There you have it, 5 things that you can put in your kid’s Easter basket besides candy. I will probably put a few Reese’s Eggs in Viv’s basket still. But mostly so that Jeff and I can eat the rest of the bag.
What have been some of your favorite Easter Basket items?
Meet the Author!
Phoebe is a therapist at Connect Counseling at Deaconess Pregnancy and Adoption, mom to the very lively Vivi and very chill Charlie, and wife to Jeff. You may spot her out and about at almost any Target in the area with a coconut milk latte in hand. She enjoys nonfiction books, Disney movies, and helping others find peace and healing in the hope of the Gospel.
This blog is meant to further the conversation about mental health and is not intended as medical or professional advice.
