Alternatives to Easter Candy
Each year young children, especially, think of Easter in terms of the Easter bunny and baskets filled with candy. As parents you may want them to learn that there’s more to Easter than sweets. Here are a few alternatives to Easter candy you may want to add to your child’s basket this year.
Hard-boiled eggs are common during Easter. Keep them refrigerated as long as you can before you hide them or place them in your child’s basket. This will ensure safety for your child and other consumers.
Add your child’s favorite fresh fruits. Not only will this choice be something your child will enjoy, it will be considerably healthier than chocolate eggs and jelly beans.
Cheese sticks are another food items that can be added to your child’s basket rather than candy.
Packages of nuts or raisins would also be a wonderful replacement. You could also add cheese and cracker packages.
Boxes of fruit juice might also be something your children would enjoy. Juice is much healthier than candy but will still provide them with something sweet.
Remember to consider your child’s age when thinking about alternatives to Easter candy. Very small children may have problems eating certain fruits like raisins or grapes. They may also have difficulties with seeds or nuts.
Rather than fill plastic eggs with sweets, create an IOU or a coupon for something you know they want, fold and insert into the egg. Options are unlimited–CDs, books, DVDs, games, toys, free time, library visits, a nature walk—anything that is age appropriate and matches your child’s interest.
Young girls will enjoy finding jewelry inside their plastic eggs. If your daughter is very young, you don’t have to use purchase anything expensive. In fact, they may enjoy toy jewelry that they can play with. Older girls will enjoy jewelry they can actually wear rather than play with.
Many boys are enthralled with Lego toys. Purchase a small kit and place one or two pieces in each egg until the entire kit is empty. Place the empty package in their basket and then let them hunt for the pieces as they’re searching for eggs.
Think about what your child enjoys most and you’ll have a great start for purchasing alternatives to Easter candy. Then decide if you want to include any candy at all.
