Here comes Peter Cottontail and he’s filled your Easter basket with some amazing, fun and healthy treats! As we celebrate Easter I thought it would be fun to share a variety of great, healthy ideas for Easter Baskets. While some may instantly think candy, candy, and more candy I like to focus on a healthier basket filled with fun and healthy snacks and non-food ideas. Easter Bunny has taken on the a healthier approach to life because he wants kids and adults everywhere to not only enjoy a wonderful holiday but continue to enjoy a wonderful spring and summer with fun stuff he’s left! Notice some of these ideas we even have links to so you can follow the directions on how to create them.
HEALTHY EASTER BASKETS
Non-Food Items
Bubbles
Crayons
Coloring Books
Outdoor Chalk (Sidewalk Chalk)
Travel Sized Games
Card Games (Old Maid, Fish, Crazy Eights, UNO)
Jump Rope
Puzzles
Baseball
Ball & Jacks Set
Books
Super Balls
Barbie® Doll Clothes
Bath or Sand Toys
Matchbox© or Hot Wheels Cars©
DVDs
CDs
Video Games that require the players to move (Wii Fit, Just Dance, etc.)
Coupon for a discount on LYPT Wellness Class
Movie, Amusement Park, or Zoo Membership or Admission Ticket
Easter Egg Terrariums – Click HERE for instructions
Of course you can always add healthy food items too. These items may inspire healthy snacking! Check out this awesome list of goodies that can be easily found at your grocery store.
Healthy Food Items For Baskets
Organic Squeeze Fruit Pouches (applesauce, mixed berry, etc.)
All Natural Dried Fruit Leather (look for organic styles without added sugars)
Snack Sized Bags of Nuts (beware of nut allergies)
100% Organic All Natural Fruit Juice Boxes/Pouches
Fresh Fruit – use sturdy fruits such as apples, pears, bananas, oranges, etc.
Fruit Cut-Outs – Think of those edible food baskets created with cookie cutters and create your own fruit flowers. Put sucker sticks into them as “stems” and slide sandwich bags over the fruit. Tape shut so they don’t dry out.
**These will have to be eaten fairly quickly and refrigerated after the child gets the basket. Click here for instructions.
Fruit Kebobs – Use chopsticks or wooden kebob sticks and insert them into fruit pieces. To make it easy freeze the fruit before working with it. Top the fruit kebob with a “Peep®” if you want or simply put the kebobs in a vase. You can fill the vase with jelly beans, un-popped popcorn, or M&M’s etc.
Popcorn
Pretzels
K-Cups – try different flavors of coffee, hot cocoa, teas, etc.
Varieties of Teas – find teas that are all natural & can be used for a variety of reasons (for example a chamomile for sleeping, herbal teas for various symptoms, etc.)
“Candy Grapes” – wash grapes, dry them until they’re just a little moist. Place grapes in a zip bag & pour a box of dry, sugar-free gelatin over them. Shake the bag & place in freezer. They come out looking crystallized & are sweet like a candy. Keep frozen.
Annies All Natural Snacks – Bunny Grahams, Cheddar Fish, etc.
Use a chocolate bunny as a centerpiece of the basket and fill the basket with healthier options. This limits the amount of “junk” food and also instills the child(ren) and the entire family to be active when they get things like outdoor toys, jump ropes, balls, and such. Focus on healthier items with one or even a few sweet treats and the child will love getting items in their basket that continue to be of use. A piece of candy only lasts while it’s being eaten; while a fun, inexpensive toy can last for a summertime of fun and activity! We hope you have a wonderful Easter holiday and that your baskets are filled with healthier options this year!
Enjoy the holiday and feel free to stop by the blog after the Easter Bunny delivers your clever, healthier Easter basket to share your ideas! Our Easter Gift to you? We’d love to have you start your Spring Healthy!
Here’s a coupon for 10% off any private pay Wellness Session. Call our office at (612) 568-5506 to see what we offer. Coupon must be presented at the time of enrollment in the program and is limited to one coupon per person. At Live Your Life Physical Therapy we want you to Live Your EASTER HEALTHIER & HAPPIER!
Dedicated to Keeping You Healthy & Active,
Dr. Eva Norman
President & Founder
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Live Your Live Physical Therapy, LLC