The Easter Bunny doesn't like to bring too much candy for my kids' Easter baskets. Probably because he knows we still have candy left over from Halloween that hasn't been eaten yet! So here are some of the alternatives our Easter Bunny does for us.
All three kids enjoy looking to see what the Easter Bunny has brought them, and they do delight in seeing the bubble gum eggs and candy dispensers with rabbits or chicks, but that is where the candy for the baskets usually ends (except for the egg hunt that comes later in the day).
It's amazing what little things can be put in Easter baskets that are so much better than candy ... jump ropes, puzzle books like soduku or word searches, craft supplies like markers, stickers, or pom-poms, crazy straws, sidewalk chalk, bubble bath, and colorful socks have all made their way into Easter baskets in our house over the years.
It's amazing what little things can be put in Easter baskets that are so much better than candy ... jump ropes, puzzle books like soduku or word searches, craft supplies like markers, stickers, or pom-poms, crazy straws, sidewalk chalk, bubble bath, and colorful socks have all made their way into Easter baskets in our house over the years.
In addition to the Easter baskets, our bunny also hides eggs in our backyard. Sometimes the Easter Bunny must be lazy and just puts goldfish, Swedish fish, or M&Ms in the eggs he hides (the Easter Bunny is a HE, right?)
However, the year my kids liked best was the year he had lots of time on his hands and made a scavenger hunt. Each egg held a clue to where to find the next egg. He had them rhyming to complete the clue and find the egg, or he gave them directions to different places in our yard, and at the end they each received a new book (my kids love to read, so the books were actually something they wanted). The Easter Bunny did this for my brother and me when we were growing up, too, and we received Super Soaker water guns at the end. We also received quarters wrapped in aluminum foil, a trick passed down through generations of Easter Bunnies that visited my relatives.
However, the year my kids liked best was the year he had lots of time on his hands and made a scavenger hunt. Each egg held a clue to where to find the next egg. He had them rhyming to complete the clue and find the egg, or he gave them directions to different places in our yard, and at the end they each received a new book (my kids love to read, so the books were actually something they wanted). The Easter Bunny did this for my brother and me when we were growing up, too, and we received Super Soaker water guns at the end. We also received quarters wrapped in aluminum foil, a trick passed down through generations of Easter Bunnies that visited my relatives.
My point in sharing this is that the baskets and egg hunts don't have to be all about candy. The Easter Bunny can spice it up without spending a lot, especially by getting great deals in the Target dollar bins or at discount "dollar" stores.
Here are even more ideas to inspire your Easter Bunny!
For Macaroni Tweens and Teens
Here are even more ideas to inspire your Easter Bunny!
For Younger Macaronis
colorful shoelaces
modeling clay
fun/colorful bandaids
keychains
sunglasses
fun toothbrushes
stickers
bouncy balls
building bricks
toy cars
bubbles
jump rope
trading cards
DVD
puzzle
books
coloring book and crayons (or markers)
For Macaroni Tweens and Teens
beach towel
swim suit
flip flops
earrings
nail polish
CD/DVDs
gift cards (movie theater, coffee shop, iTunes, book store or clothing store)
magazines
sunglasses
body spray
body wash and puff
