A few years ago, I started moving away from filling my children’s baskets with lots of Easter candy to filling them with healthier candy choices and fun items. I like to do spring and summer-related items though indoor toys are also a great option. I find these items at stores like 5 Below, Target’s Dollar Bins, and Michael’s Craft Store Dollar Bins. The Dollar Store has some cute stuff in the Easter section though I find their items to be less sturdy.
- small boxed Lego sets
- Lego figures
- K’Nex sets
- Playmobil figures
- gardening gloves
- frizbee
- small spray bottles
- art supplies – pad of paper, colored pencils, watercolor set, crayons
- shovel and pail
- Easter-themed pencils
For more ideas, check out the 101 Non-Candy Easter Basket Goodies list at Cuppa, Cuppa, Cuppa, a new blog I found just last week.
Presenting Heather of Real: The Kitchen and Beyond as a co-host
Heather of Real: The Kitchen and Beyond dishes out a big helping of life in the kitchen combined with glimpses of our family’s adventures throughout other rooms in the house – from school to play, fashion to reading, you will find a little bit of everything, all with her creative frugal twist.
Because I love meeting new people and sharing, this post is linked to:
Taking a Time Out Thursday, DIY Thrifty Thursday, The Mommy Club, Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways,
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Whether it’s Easter, Christmas, Valentines Day, or any holiday where I give to the grandkids, I give one candy item and lots of creative things like jewelry making kits instead of giving jewelry, models, art supplies, books. I believe that kids today,because of the amazing technology around them, become spectators rather than participants. Teaching them to craft rather than consume will prepare them for life. One year, for Christmas, I gave my 12 year old granddaughter a package containing the recipe and all the ingredients for making her favorite cookies. She and her Mom had a fun project to do together and a learning tool. I could have made the cookies, put them in a fancy tin but that would have been a lesson in consumption not in creating.
The Wilderness Wife recently posted..12 Easter Egg Trees To Make with your family!
I love it! – Teaching them to create rather than consume. The recipe idea is fabulous. I may do that for some of our upcoming birthdays where I know there’s no allergies and the activity would be welcomed.
I gave my kids some craft kids for Christmas. They’ve been such a big hit that I’m going to do it again.
I love that you’ve switched from baskets of candies to toys. Many years ago I asked my mom to stop hiding candy for my annual Easter hunt, and just hide new books instead 😉
Danielle @ Poor and Gluten Free recently posted..Waste Not Want Not Wednesday #21
My inlaws tuck change into the eggs for the Easter hunt. Anything but candy.
Thanks for hosting Barb! I too have deserted the traditional Easter fare. We still have Valentine’s candy from the blasted school party… Hope you’re having a super week!
Little Sis recently posted..Roasted Cabbage? Yes, Please!
We moved away from candy more out of necessity than anything (my son is on Feingold and finding all organic versions of his favorite candy was $$$$) Now we usually get the kids a new movie and maybe an iTunes gift card each.
I so needed this right now:) Getting ready to prepare for Easter basket filling this weekend!
Lauryn recently posted..Watermelon Magic – A Refreshing Movie for Kids
Thanks for linking to Cuppa Cuppa blog!
Great ideas! My son brought home more candy on Valentine’s Day than he got on Halloween. I can’t even imagine what Easter would be like.
I love all of your ideas Barb! We try to do the same – and my kids LOVE it!
We always got lots of socks and underwear in our baskets as kids. Now I try to do toothbrushes and fruit for my kids. They like it just as much as they would candy and it ends up being cheaper.
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