Dear Mr. Easter Bunny,
We are thrilled about your arrival this year and hope the pollen peak will pass before Easter Sunday. There is a wonderful newness and brightness in the air during spring that always has us hopping with excitement and playing outside.
With that in mind, I would like to suggest a few non-candy basket fillers that may be incorporated into your delivery stash. We are still working through Halloween candy, Christmas stocking candy and Valentine’s Day treats (even after throwing much of it away prior to each coming holiday or event).
Here are some ideas I think my three kids (as well as others) would love this year. I’m sure the dentists out there will also appreciate some of these alternatives to candy.
Sidewalk Chalk: This is a staple for outdoor playtime at our house, and we go through it quickly. From creating obstacle courses to chalk art, there is so much to keep the kids active and let their creative juices flow. There are also new chalk kits out there now with stencils or even glitter chalk!
Bubbles: This is another kid favorite that provides so much entertainment. From bubble wands to bubble mowers (my son’s favorite) and bubble blower machines, we can never have enough bubbles in our house.
Nail polish or nail stickers: I spotted some great Disney-inspired nail stickers at the Dollar Store a few weeks ago. My girls loved them! They didn’t last long but were still a special treat to play with. Our girls also love “Mommy Salon” where I give them mani-pedis at home.
Bath time toys: Bath time is always full of giggles and games at our house. From making bubble beards to using Crayola bath “finger paint” (soap), to practicing spelling and playing hangman with bath crayons, we are always in need of new bath entertainment.
Sunglasses and gardening tools: Spring is the perfect time to get out and plant some flowers together. Kid-sized garden gloves and tools allow them to easily help (or just play in the dirt).
Photo Album: What a special surprise it would be for kids to receive a photo album where you have slipped in their photos from past Easter celebrations. Kids are so used to just seeing photos on a screen. As a photographer, I know how special it is for kids to have a special little album where you can print off 4x6 photos for them to slip in each year.
Of course, you can’t go wrong with fidget toys, a gift certificate to get ice cream, craft supplies and Play-Doh. And if you like these ideas, may I put in a request for some SweeTart gummies just for me?
Tara Lynn is a former WRAL reporter and anchor. She lends her 15-plus years in journalism to tell visual stories through love-filled photography for families of all kinds. The mother of three little humans and one senior rescue dog believes in celebrating magic in the little things, the big loves, and the imperfect moments that make the most remarkable memories. Her vision is to help families celebrate and share their love through photography and curated album artwork that become timeless keepsakes connecting multiple generations...because moments often pass in the blink of an eye, and the photographs we take connect us to our memories and our great loves, forever.
