Easter Basket: Alternatives to Candy?

Hi 4babes-

Kites...

Gotta have a new kite!

whiffle balls and bat...

Have fun!
michele/cat

Depends on their ages, but I like spring things like bubbles, chalk, jumpropes.

I was a kid that liked getting treats like almonds, trail mix and dried fruit in my basket as a kid.

My MIL prepares Easter baskets for all of us full of candy, so I usually just do toys in the baskets I make for my kids. I love the dollar bins at Target! They have great holiday themed coloring books, socks, board books, sidewalk chalks, all kinds of fun things. I usually get them one or two bigger things, like a small stuffed animal or a swimsuit or something, then fill the rest of the baskets with silly stuff.

Yes to all the things listed! I also do bandaids. In the Easter Egg hunt that the cousins do I also put small amounts of money like quarters and dollar bills sometimes. I think it's fun to collect the coins and they can spend them at the grocery store or wherever.

My other staples are books, coloring things, small toys/actions figures.

Books. I'm putting in our house's next installment of Calvin and Hobbes.

When she was young, DD got her play kitchen from EB.

Movie passes?

But we will share some candy. We don't drink soda and we don't buy candy unless it is a holiday.

I remember getting hair stuff, art supplies and crafty stuff. I also got my first bra in my Easter basket (many, many, many years ago).

Our favorite "holiday" is baseball's opening day and it is usually around easter so we're in the habit of making Opening Day Baskets. This year, opening night IS easter so it works perfectly. We fill ours with baseball tickets, a new ball or bat, things from our team's kids' club, a few baseball toys from the dollar sections of target or walmart, a new shirt or hat. We do put candy in as well and have an egg hunt to celebrate spring and the fun of another holiday.

One of my best ever finds was a stuffed baseball, made to look like a bunny, that played take me out to the ballgame. The perfect blend of easter and baseball! I have a (poor) video of it here, from 4 years ago. http://www.flickr.com/photos/strausy/3436722020

New toothbrush and toothpaste, kids shampoo, Chap Stick, nail polish, hair clips, Hot Wheels, Bakugon, Lego Mini Figures, Playdough, markers, crayons, gel pens, yo-yo's, Silly Putty, Sidewalk Chalk, Little People, gift cards. Depends on the age and sex of the children...

Books, hair stuff, shower gel, frilly socks, funny boxers, Lego anything, sidewall chalk, kites, jump ropes, silly putty, comic books, stickers, cds, movies, .......

I have put all kinds of things in my families Easter baskets. One year I put swimwear, sunblock, flipflops, and sunglasses. Other ideas are books, coloring books, crayons, summer sand toys, and hats. This year I have a book for each family member, for my son I have earbuds and for my daughter I have kids fake nails w/ tootsie rolls on them (I often call her Tootsie and she loves them).

Books, WII games, DVD's, summer toys, coins in easter eggs instead of jelly beans (we do half and half), kids plate/cup set, water bottle for bike rides

We do summer stuff and art stuff - and a pack of flower seeds!
bubbles, side walk chalk, jump rope, umbrella, markers, crayons, paint, playdoh, stickers, books.
And the plastic eggs that the bunny leaves outside and filled with jelly beans or coins!

Hi 4Babes,
In my house the Easter Bunny has become Santa #2. I don't like candy either. I have put CD's DVDs. I even put shoes in for my older son (20) he needed new casuals and sandals. Things like underwear, flip flops, swimming suits all work too. Happy basket filling have fun. Hope this helps.
H.

Not sure of their age.. but.. Different colored chalk (if they are little) this way they can draw on the sidewalks.. and it's so colorful.. just like Easter :)
Balloons.. I used to love em when I was small...
Additionally, bubbles.. hot wheels, a big ball for a smaller child... new bedtime story book... those fun plastic straws that are all twisted.. roll up lightweight colorful PJs.. things for hair like ribbons or barrets.
have fun with it!

I never do candy. Jump ropes, bubbles, hair ties, match box cars, coloring books, crayons, cute pen and pads of paper. Just go to the dollar store and you will finds LOTS of stuff.

i did the dollar store thing for a couple of years when i was cutting back on candy, but found i disliked the crappy little toys and 'crafts' almost as much.
the best baskets were ones that encouraged them to go outside and play after a winter of so much indoor fun. kites, fishing supplies, whiffle sets, swim gear. and lots and lots of gardening stuff! (after the initial playing in the dirt they didn't garden much with me, but it felt good.)
:) khairete
S.

Confetti Eggs (love those, but outside only)
Sidewalk Chalk
Jump Rope
Bubbles

depends on their age. My kids used to get hot wheels, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, and other spring toys. They are older now so I tailor it to what they like, so this year they will get some sky lander figures.

I never give my kids a bunch of candy. I get them a small gift. My older one this year will get sunglasses, not an expensive pair but trendy. She is 16. My youngest one will get a toy of some sort. I haven't decided what exactly. My kids always get an item that reflects our faith because the reason for easter is the Resurrection and not so much about bunnies.

Not sure of their ages but:

puzzles
key chains
bubbles
sidewalk chalk
magazine for the pre-teen set
kid books
coins in eggs
coloring pens
costume jewelry (cute inexpensive ring, earrings)
paperweight for a desk
iTune gift card for the older set
playdough
jacks
Matchbox cars
cute water bottle
coloring pens
crayons
stickers
travel game
small bouncy ball
marbles
kid sunglasses
mini bright color picture frame
paint brushes, water paints
coloring book
plastic tea set
blocks
thermos

Again all depending upon their ages.

My 1 year old daughter is getting hair bows, socks, touch and feel baby books, and a plush chick my almost 7 year old boy is getting a book, some sort of action figure, a kite and a few treats.

Updated

My 1 year old daughter is getting hair bows, socks, touch and feel baby books, and a plush chick my almost 7 year old boy is getting a book, some sort of action figure, a kite and a few treats.

Celebrate spring! Would they like some seeds to plant, some soap in a cute animal shape? Stickers, crayons/markers, a fresh pad of paper. I like Momof2's outdoor toys suggestion and was also going to go that route. Cute kiddo sunglasses. Maybe a marble shooter and some marbles, or jacks? Matchbox cars? Simple sets of card games?

A little hard to know exactly what to suggest, as you don't say ages.

Books, lip gloss, stickers, hair things, small toys like cars or small dolls or lego sets, nano bugs, themed rubber duckies, stuffed animals, glow sticks...

Theme baskets! My boys both love superheroes, so action figures, puzzles, crayons, coloring books, little cars, bobble head or beanbag toy, maybe a dress up outfit with a cape and mask, all superheroes! You could do the same with each kiddo's individual obsession.

Bubbles, sidewalk chalk, small games, butterfly nets, sand toys. Think summer toys.

You've got some great suggestions for non-food items. I do more snack type items along with some candy in the eggs. Goldfish crackers, animal crackers, pretzels, fruit snacks, granola bars, etc. I had a friend who filled the eggs with different types of cold cereal. Still sweet, but not as much sugar as candy.