Hi, my name is Leila and I am an expert procrastinator.

Easter is one week away and aside from
provided to us from Personal Creations; I have nothing else ready.

No menu plan. No basket fillers. Nothing.

Previous years, we have always filled the kids’ baskets with a fun item, an educational item, and an outfit. We aren’t big on the candy aspect and prefer that their gifts be something that they can use for longer than the five seconds it takes them to open and eat the candy!

With the help of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona’s Nourishing Arizona program, I have put together a list of non-candy alternative to fill your Easter baskets!

Make some homemade granola bars that are egg shaped.

Fill plastic eggs with dried fruit and nuts.

Include mini carrot packs, just like the Easter Bunny eats!

Sidewalk chalk

Jump ropes

Bubbles

A kite

Water guns or other water toys

Frisbees and yoyos, although my kids would much rather have a badmitton set

Books in their Easter basket {I know a great person to get books from! Hint, hint!}

Easter coloring pages, puzzles or stickers or activity books in general such as word finds.

Crayons, markers, colored pencils, water colors.

Play-Doh or Kinetic sand

A board game for the entire family go play.

Puzzles

A deck of cards or card games like Uno, Phase 10

Craft kits for making their own jewelry, hair accessories, perler beads, etc.

Movies

Children friendly cooking items

A new toy they have been asking for.

Stuffed animal

Items for a new hobby/sport such as a baseball glove, batting glove, bat, roller skates, bikes, etc.

Clothes (although if I do clothes, I try to limit it to one outfit. We all know just clothes is boring!)

Stationary, pens and pencils

Dress up clothes

Gardening items; gloves, pots, seeds, watering can, etc.

Legos

CDs (great for bedroom CD players or car rides!)

A new swimsuit for upcoming summer

As you can see, there are plenty of great options to put in the kiddos’ Easter basket besides candy! Even on a budget with more than one kid, several of these items can be picked up at the dollar store so you don’t break the bank, but still get a healthier Easter option.

What are some of your favorite things to put in your kids’ Easter baskets?