Spring’s almost here, and that means Easter is fast approaching! Dying eggs and decorating pretty baskets with buttons and bows is always fun for the whole family. Waking up to find huge chocolate bunnies and marshmallow Peeps brings squeals of delight from kids and the young at heart.
If you’re looking for ways to add more fun and less sugar to the basket bounty this year, the following suggestions will inspire you with gift ideas for the boys and girls in your home.
Food for Thought
Books are great basket stuffers for school-age children. Encourage kids to read with action-packed adventure stories for the boys and the hilarious antics of Ramona Quimby for the big sister in all of us.
Add Some Color
It’s finally warming up and kids want to spend more time outdoors. Toss some sidewalk chalk or washable sidewalk crayons in the basket for hours of creative playtime in the sun. Cleanup is easy and the residue is safe for the environment.
Gifts From the Kitchen
One inexpensive gift idea is to bake your own cookies. Decorate with pastel icing and colorful sprinkles. It’s easier to control the amount of sugar and the quality of the finished product when making baked goods from your own kitchen. Baking with your kids is also a great family bonding activity, so roll up your sleeves and start measuring the flour!
Time for Togetherness
Spending time with your kids creates memories that will outlast anything they find among the straw with the chocolates, so give quality time as a gift. Make individual coupon books for each basket; include personalized vouchers for special outings, lunch with mom and dad or a trip to the park.
Baubles and Bows
Most girls love hair ribbons and jewelry. Add a variety of accessories like barrettes, bows and clips. Special pendant necklaces and charms are must-haves for any tweens and teens in your house.
For the Builder
Don’t leave out the young men. Model airplanes, car kits and mini tools are a few suggestions to keep your builders busy for hours. Or classic toys like Legos and even wooden blocks can exercise your boys’ imaginations.
Go Fly a Kite
Literally. Spring has some of the best updrafts for kite-flying. Kids of all ages love seeing how high they can get their kite into the air. Give each child a kite and head for the park. Pack a picnic lunch and spend the day together outdoors.
Digital Gifts and Other Entertainment
Teenagers want the best of both worlds—Easter surprises and grown-up gadgets. Consider the following options for your older kids’ baskets.
- Movie tickets
- DVDs or Blu-rays of their favorite movies
- Magazine subscriptions
- Music download credits
- Handheld electronic games
- Crossword books or puzzles
- Miniature board games
Filling an Easter basket with treasures and treats is fun. Add a few unexpected surprises this year—with or without the chocolate bunny and marshmallow Peeps.