At Easter time, stores are filled with candy, chocolate bunnies in every size, and plastic eggs galore. It’s a recipe for sugar-overload, and I don’t even want to think about where all those cheap plastic eggs will wind up.
The environmentalist and mom in me secretly cringes at these aisles every time a holiday rolls around.
I’m not a stickler. I love a good treat. Thankfully, there are some awesome alternatives to the conventional sweets full of corn-syrup and other additives, including some pretty cool DIY options (edible and non-edible).
Here are a few ideas for natural, eco-friendly Easter baskets for children, as well as treats to hide around the house.
Eco-Friendly Easter Basket Ideas
Wooden Toys
Wooden toys are amazing and there are lots of cute ideas for Easter:
- I love these wooden eggs (and this company!) and they are a perfect addition to any toy kitchen.
- We have two of these Hape push toys and they have been favourites of all my littles. This rabbit one is especially cute.
- How fun is this rainbow rabbit puzzle from Hape? So affordable and great for learning!
- This little baby chick waldorf toy set is so cute.
Felted Toys
Felted toys are a great, natural toy that kids of all ages can play with, and you can also make them yourself if you’re crafty. This year I’m going to be making a basket of eggs like these ones from Craft Passion, which will go well with the bunny K received last year. Check out my Pinterest Easter board for other simple, DIY Easter toys. If you prefer to buy some, there are a couple options:
- These wool felted eggs are perfect for Easter
- Or, get some cute cooked eggs – these are great for kitchen play!
Craft or Art Project and Supplies
I really like the idea of including art or craft projects in an Easter basket. I picked up a simple wooden birdhouse at Michaels recently that K can paint and decorate in whichever way he pleases. You could also include some art supplies like crayons or paints and brushes. Last year we included a set of beeswax crayons, which are still used very often and seem like they’ve barely gotten smaller!
Natural Candy and Organic Chocolate
For hiding around the house, Surf Sweets makes some great organic candy that is not only free of corn syrup, artificial flavours and colours, but is also made in a nut-free, vegetarian facility. There are also a ton of different organic chocolate companies to choose from, like Cocoa Camino, Green & Blacks and Canadian company Zazubean. You could also easily make your own little goodies like mini chocolate treats.
Chocolate Alternatives
If you want to avoid any sweets, some good ideas to hide in plastic eggs, which we have done in the past, include Hot Wheels cars, Lego mini figures, finger puppets like this absolutely adorable set from Folkmanis, or small wooden trinkets. Last year I went to an unfinished furniture store and picked up a bunch of tiny wooden letters, which we hid in different eggs. They can be used for learning the alphabet or a child’s name, or just for fun.
Eco Plastic Eggs
As an alternative to the regular plastic eggs, these eco Easter eggs are a great find. They’re made from plants, 100% renewable content, and are fully compostable after use. Fill these with healthier treats or fun little trinkets like wooden items.
Books
For kids, books are always a hit and it’s great to get a new one on special occasions. I have a list of children’s books about Spring, which would go great with the Easter theme.
Homemade Play Dough
Play dough is always a big hit over here, and thankfully, homemade play dough is easy and fun to make. Some of my favourite ideas for Easter and Spring-themed play dough are The Imagination Tree’s carrot play dough, and their play dough surprise eggs also look so fun!
For more Easter fun, visit HEN Family on Pinterest:
visiting from little bird linky… I did these things back in the day when my kids were little too. I just couldn’t make myself waste my money (not much in the first place!) on a basket or toy that would just get tossed in the trash in a few days! I always got a “basket” that was usable. LIke a dump truck toy for my son filled with some candy, but other things like travel size toothpaste, flavored chap stick, cool pencils etc. My daughter got a purse filled with things. THey loved it and never questioned “why dont’ I get a basket”.
That’s a great idea. We have filled a beach bucket in the past and it always get used. The dump truck is such a good idea, I love that.
Love these ideas, Megan! I tend to gravitate toward non-candy egg fillers, since there’s so much candy coming in from other sources anyway.
I agree Linda. It’s nice to not overload them.
I love the birdhouse idea! I always give the girls a fun pair of flip-flops or sandals and some new sunglasses in their Easter baskets.
That’s a great idea!
Great ideas!
Just started following your blog! I’m excited!
So nice to have you following:) Heading to check out your blog now too.
Love this (especially books!) I don’t like adding much, if any, candy or silly little toys so these are great alternatives!
Love these alternatives – and thanks for providing a vegetarian alternative so no kids are excluded!
Great ideas! We try to have the basket be something useful (a tote, or a sand bucket, etc). Thanks for allowing me to share in my Easter Roundup 🙂
I love that idea! We have often used a sand bucket as well. Kids love reusable bags and buckets, don’t they?:)