Easter Egg Hunt: More alternatives to candy, cheap plastic toys

So, in my continued effort to keep that from my doors, I offer these alternatives to traditional plastic egg fillers - a sequel to the post I wrote last year with five alternatives.

1. Ride tickets to Pullen Park. The kids will have fun finding the eggs and even more fun, later, riding the rides during a family trip to the popular Raleigh park. At just $1 a piece, these are a great and affordable option that offer some great entertainment for the family with nothing but good memories when you're done.

2. Movie tickets to a museum documentary: A trip to the movies can be expensive, but both the IMAX theater at Marbles Kids Museum and the WRAL 3D Theater at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences offer affordable options - especially if you are a museum member. I love the documentaries at both museums for a couple of reasons. They are quick - about 30 to 40 minutes each. And they are really interesting. (I really enjoyed "National Park Adventure 3D," which opened at Marbles last month). Tickets are between $2 and $7 at Marbles. They are between $2 and $5 at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences.

3. Membership to TRACK Trails: OK ... this is free and just requires you to fill out some information online. But, the program will connect you with kid-friendly trails across the Triangle and in some other parts of the country too. Online, you'll find all kinds of specific information about trails in parks in the region so you'll know where to go and what you might find when you get there (in addition to some great family time!). You could fill some of the eggs with the names of the trails you plan to check out!

4. Band-Aids with characters: For my active kindergartner, especially, I know we will need and use these over the next few months.

5. Travel size bottles of toiletries, other travel supplies: When we were planning a trip to Disney World at Christmas, I filled my kids' stockings up with these items to prepare them for the big trip. If you're planning a trip this spring break or summer or expect to spend a lot of time at the pool where small bottles of shampoo and body wash could come in handy, these can be great options.