Does Peter Cotton Tail drop off goodies at your home? Or are they no-so-goodies? Don’t hear me wrong, friends, I LOVE myself some chocolate and treats, but you can still enjoy them without all the nasty ingredients and preservatives!
You can build memorable baskets with easy to implement ideas of healthier treats and non-food items too!
Let’s start with the classics… Pastel M&Ms, Cadbury Eggs, Peeps, Reese’s Eggs, and Jelly Beans! I mean truly, you see these in the store and your know Spring is around the corner!!
My main concern with these classics is the food dye (Red 40, Blue 1, Yellow 5 & 6), processed sugars (corn syrup and GMO cane sugar), and the use of other GMO ingredients. Conventional candy also typically contains emulsifiers, preservatives, chemicals, and other additives. Yes, sugar is sugar, so the organic options are still very much a candy/treat, but at least the coloring is from fruits and veggies, the sugar is organic, and our body can recognize the ingredients and how to process them!
Pastel M&Ms- Unreal Chocolate Gems (also in dark chocolate)
Cadbury Caramel Egg- Organic OCHO Caramel Egg
Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs- Organic OCHO Peanut Butter Egg
Peeps- SMASH Mallows
Brach’s Jelly Beans- Surf Sweets Organic Jelly Beans (also have sour options)
Well, if that list didn’t cover what you prefer for Easter treats, here are some more cleaner options!
Torie & Howard Fruit Chews (sub for Starburst)
Annie’s Organic Cheddar &/or Chocolate Bunnies
Dried Fruit
Organic Cheeky Bunnies
Yum Earth Organic Lollipops
Black Forest Organic Gummy Bears
Wholesome brand candies
Theo Organic Chocolates
Justin’s PB cups
But let’s be real, I know I am not a fan of loading my child up with sugar and having to deal with the aftermath (as I am sure you agree) so here are some items we can add to their baskets that are NOT food related! Trust me, they will enjoy these just the same and they last longer!!
Summer Theme- Swimsuits, sunglasses, pool towel, Safe Sunscreen, Bubbles, pool toys, silicone straws, or new pjs!
Gardening Theme- gloves, sunhat, umbrella, rainbows, little shovel
Beauty Items- hair accessories, little mirror, Prim and Pure nail polish and makeup, Crunchi lipgloss (you may snag this one for you)!
Art/Academic- notepads, crayons, markers, kinetic sand, books, stickers, chalk, and paint.
Oh, one last thing! While we are on the topic of Easter fun, check out Eco-Kids Eco-Eggs Coloring Kit. You’ll want this before Easter so you can dye eggs together, but you will feel a whole lot better about what your little’s hands are soaking in! And, adding a paint brush and a pain palette is fun for the kids, too!
