beyond the bunny: opting for healthier easter baskets

As we become more aware of the negative effects of sugar on our kids, we look to healthy and fun alternatives that still invoke the fun and tradition we all love.

With Easter baskets on the mind, and recent images of aisles chock full of candy swag,  I have created a simple list of ways to think beyond the chocolate bunny for our kids this Easter.

I don’t feel like you need to steer completely away from anything “fun” to nosh on, but we can certainly be more mindful when choosing goodies. You don’t need piles of candy laden with high fructose corn syrup or mountains of little plastic toys to make up for less sugar.

Here’s an obvious tip to parents who want to indulge in tradition: only buy what you can fit in one basket! Duh.

Classic Options (without the  candy):
Classic options for baskets that are festive, but won’t send them into orbit with a sugar high…

• Sunglasses
• Books
• Fizzing bath eggs
• Bubbles
• Plastic eggs filled with little toys
• Stickers
• Temporary tattoos
• A matchbox car

Homemade Coupon Options
Try handmade coupons that your kids can cash in for a special treat at any time! Here are some ideas…

• A family movie night
• A trip to the zoo
• A lunch date with a best friend
• A new toy at a favorite store

A Themed Easter Basket Options
Other creative options for your Easter baskets this year…

• An Art Basket: fun new markers, coloring books, notepads, fancy pencils, craft supplies and glitter glue.
• A Dress-Up Basket: a feather boa, a cape and mask, a magic wand and glitter, or a new fireman’s hat.
• A Spring Themed basket: for the kids who like to garden you can find kid sized gardening tools, gardening gloves, seeds to plant, and a little watering can.

Keep the Nosh Options
Another alternative is to stick closer to the ‘nosh’ tradition, but use healthy goodies you know your kid will enjoy. There are a bunch of options here! {I promise!}

• Yogurt covered raisins
• Trail mix
• Dried mango
• Dyed hard boiled eggs
• Annie’s bunny grahams
• Fruit leathers
• Sunny seed drops: chocolate covered sunflower seeds
• Peter Rabbit organic fruit pouches
• Yummy Earth gummy bears and lollipops

Remember, you can always find fun things that aren’t candy but still become your own tradition. Something that shows up year after year, like in our house: a new toothbrush!!

Have any other ideas to share? Leave a comment or join the (cool) progeny conversation on Facebook!

Happy Easter!

Author Description

angela

Angela Mirra first fell in love with the concept of natural healing when she discovered aloe plants soothed sunburns on a family vacation at age, 3. Since that day she has been fascinated by food and plants as medicine for the body. Angela has studied Eastern and Western healing practices, has been trained as a Holistic Health Counselor, is certified in several types of Massage Therapy, has worked in marketing and education for Pangea Organics, an organic skin care company and, most recently completed her first training to become a certified Doula. Angela comes to Baltimore by way of San Francisco and Brooklyn and has refined her practice to focus on the ultimate healing tool: food. With the help of her enthusiastic husband and zesty little three year old, Matteo. Angela works to simplify healthy food and lifestyle choices not just for her family, but for families throughout Baltimore.