Okay parents, Easter is just around the corner and you know what that means, right? CANDY BLIZZARD! It's snowing jelly beans, chocolate bunnies, Peeps. And even if you're not worried about the juvenile diabetes epidemic sweeping the country, you're at least not looking forward to Easter basket o' sugar crashes and gummy bear-induced tantrums.
Personally, I'm okay with some Easter candy in moderation. But I don't like the holiday to turn into a week-long candy orgy. So -- what can I use to balance out the serious sugar action in my son's Easter basket this year? Here are a few ideas.
Actual hard-boiled eggs: You've already dyed them. Might as well slip a few in. (Does your kid only eat the whites? Mine too. Here are some ideas for those yolks.)
Fresh berries: Put a handful of blueberries or blackberries inside a few plastic eggs for a sweet treat that's all natural.
Popcorn balls: These do have a bit of sugar from the marshmallows, but otherwise these are a high-fiber, low-sugar snack. Here's Martha Stewart's recipe for popcorn balls.
Dried fruit or nuts: For something different, try dried apricots, dates, yogurt-covered raisins, toasted hazelnuts, or macadamia nuts.
Annie's Cheddar Bunnies: My son loves these. They're basically Goldfish crackers, only made with real cheese and, hello, they're BUNNIES! They also make Bunny Grahams.
Clementines: These are wee relatives of the orange with super-thin skin most kids over 3 can peel themselves. They're usually a less tart than oranges, too.
Squeezable yogurt: Most brands with cartoon characters on the package are still loaded with sugar, but they're still less sugar than candy. We like freezing ours first.
Home-baked treats: Just about any homemade cookie or muffin is still going to be less sweet than candy.
And how about a few non-edible options?
Cascarones: These are colored eggs filled with confetti -- so fun! I was thrilled when my mom sent my son some last year. Just remember to crack them outdoors unless you love vacuuming.
Polished rocks or crystals
Legos
Bouncy balls
Stickers
Play Dough
Bubbles
Egg-shaped sidewalk chalk
More from The Stir:
Red Raspberry Custard Tart for a Super Easy Easter Brunch
5 Tasty Easter Treats You Can Make at Home
Peeps Sushi: The Perfect Easter Treat
What other non-sugary treats do you put in your kids' Easter baskets?
Hungry? Need dinner ideas? Just love anything and everything food and recipes? Then you'll totally want to follow us on Pinterest! Our virtual pin boards on Kid Friendly Recipes , Sweet Treats and Easter 2012 are pure eye candy. Yum!
Image via drewfer/Flickr
Ashley Is a Widow Who Stays Strong...
This Hot Dad Wants to Vacuum Your Rug
This Hot Dad Wants to Do Your Ironing
KStew Refuses to Shower
Comments 59
Great ideas! We just stick with some candy and a stuffed animal or something. They don't get a lot in the baskets, so we don't worry that they'll rot their teeth with the candy, and the rule is they have to brush as soon as they're done, too. :)
I love the ideas. I would much rather get them something healthy and good for their teeth than junk!
Most of the treats you listed may be lower sugar than candy, but they'll still cause cavities just as bad as candy will. Popcorn balls and fruit snacks will stick to teeth like nobody's business; cheddar bunnies may be slightly better than goldfish, but they're still made with gummy white flour (perhaps unbleached flour, but still not whole-wheat) and will cause cavities just as badly as sugar. Basically any food that sticks to teeth or is acidic, will be cariogenic. Hard candies that kids suck on, gummy foods that stick really badly, and acidic foods/drinks (citrus foods, or soda drinks) are some of the worst.
Chocolate is actually less cariogenic (cariogenic = cavity-causing) than many of the other things you listed. Chocolate doesn't stick to teeth, and especially if you choose dark chocolate with less sugar you get the benefit of the anti-cariogenic properties of cocoa.
Cheese, on the other hand, has a protective effect on teeth. And if your kids love cheese as much as mine do, they'll be just as thrilled to find cheese cubes in their easter eggs as if they found candy!
Most parents won't have to worry about giving their kids cavities over just one holiday. My son for whatever reason has extremely cavity-prone teeth, and we've learned a lot over the last few years :D
I'm always on a budget, so I love the dollar store for DD's basket - cute Easter-themed socks, pencils and erasers, notebooks (for journaling), hair accessories, and even packets fo seeds to plant (she's the gardener in the family). This year we got her a few packets of Go-Gos at Walgreens (she and her friends are into them) and I found her a Webkinz Leopard on sale for $2.99 at A.C.Moore.
we do lots of books, sandbox toys, and this year a My Little Pony train
I don't have any candy for DD's. If we make it to whole foods before Easter then I might get a couple small treats. I also don't do big presents. We do a a bunch of small things that are fun for spring and getting back outside. For my almost 4yo DD I have: a jump rope, egg shaped sidewalk chalk, a bunch of bubbles, stickers, small paint pad, plaster egg painting kit, a flower, and a stuffed bunny (DH's contribution, he's a sucker for getting her stuffed animals).
It's one day...Let them have their chocolate bunnies! Of course if your child has health problems, these are all fantastic ideas, but if your kid is healthy most of the time, let them indulge on holidays.