How to Build a Healthier Easter Basket
by Estela Schnelle, RDN
Easter is such a fun holiday for my kids. My four & two-year-olds love reading books about Easter, what the holiday is about, and of course, the Easter Bunny. With all of the candy and treats available at the stores, I figured I would share some tips on How to Build a Healthier Easter Basket for your children.
Growing up, I remember the joy and excitement when opening my Easter basket. There was always a bag of jellybeans, a chocolate Easter Bunny, and other fun things like coloring books, crayons, or a fun bow for my hair.
Then we would go to the backyard and hunt for Easter eggs. Some were eggshells that we dyed with fun colors and others were plastic eggs to open with usually more candy.
Easter Traditions
With so many holidays centered around candy, I like to focus more on activity and non-food focused treats. Our family likes to talk about the holiday, dye hard-boiled eggs, and I have so much fun putting together their Easter baskets. I don’t eliminate candy from their baskets or eggs; instead, I like to focus on moderation.
We do something active together as a family, whether it’s going to the park, riding our bikes, or something as simple as chasing bubbles in the yard. Then there is the Easter egg hunt. They have so much fun running around the yard finding all the places Easter eggs may be hidden.
As far as what’s inside the eggs and their baskets? I still include a little chocolate bunny and some jellybeans in each, but I also include a lot of non-food treats in their baskets and eggs.
Tips on How to Build A Healthier Easter Basket
Non-Food Ideas for a Healthy Easter Basket and Easter Eggs
- Matchbox cars
- Bubbles
- Books
- Coloring books
- Fun crayons (like glitter or neon crayons)
- Stickers
- Notepads
- Easter crafts
- Bookmarks
- Small toys
- Stuffed Animals
- Seed packets
- Fun pencils and erasers
- Hair bows
- Sidewalk chalk
- Activity books
- Legos
- Games
- Jump Rope
The kids will be ecstatic to find some new toys and materials to play with. Especially if it is nice outside this encourages them to get out and play!
Healthier Food Items for Easter Baskets and Easter Eggs:
- Dark chocolate
- Dried fruit such as raisins, craisins, dried cherries, or other no-sugar added dried fruits
- Trail mix
- Grapes
- Mandarin oranges
- Small bags of popcorn or baked chips
- Granola bars
- Nuts
- Baked Goldfish crackers
- Pretzels
- Sunflower seeds
Of course you can get creative with what your kids enjoy.
To round out your healthy Easter, check out these 25 Healthy Easter Recipes including appetizers, sides, main dishes and desserts! And, use up those leftover Easter eggs with these egg salad recipe ideas.
Make sure to PIN IT!
