Okay, fellow mamas, let's talk Easter! Cute bunnies, egg hunts, and yes...the
inevitable sugar overload. If you're like me, you want to make Easter special for your little one but also want to avoid a week-long chocolate-fueled meltdown and want to make a healthy easter eggs and treats.
So let's get creative!
Healthy Egg Surprises (Your Toddler Will Still Love!)
Forget those sugar-bomb candies. Here are some healthier ideas that are just as exciting for little hands:
Fun Little Finds: Mini cars, animal figures, or even a few stickers make opening those eggs an adventure.
Fruity Treats: Raisins, dried fruit, or those little fruit snack pouches are still sweet.
Bunny Bucks: A few coins are a fun surprise, and hey, good practice for their future piggy bank!
Chalk it Up: Sidewalk chalk promises colorful fun for warmer days.
Easy-Peasy Easter Activities
Egg-cellent Art: Make some hard-boiled eggs and let them color them with crayons or markers = mess-free masterpieces. Stickers work too!
Materials:
Hard-boiled eggs (cooled completely)
Crayons or washable markers
Stickers (Easter-themed or ones your toddler loves)
Optional: Paper plates or newspaper to catch any crayon bits
Tips:
Supervise closely, just in case your toddler tempts to give the markers or stickers a little taste test.
Make it social! Decorate eggs together and talk about the colors and shapes.
Hard-boiled eggs might roll away. Try placing them in egg cups or a muffin tin for stability.
2. Bunny Hop-a-thon: Tape some colorful "lily pads" on the floor and practice those hopping skills. Giggles guaranteed!
Materials:
Construction paper in bright colors, cut into circles or large leaf shapes ("lily pads")
Painter's tape or masking tape (easy to remove from the floor)
Tips:
Space out the "lily pads" to match your toddler's hopping ability. Start close together and spread them further apart as they get the hang of it.
Sing a hopping song like "Little Bunny Foo Foo" or make up your own.
If hopping is too tricky, encourage crawling, stomping, or any fun movement from one lily pad to the next!
3. Sensory Surprise: Fill a bin with rice, plastic eggs, and little toys. Perfect for tiny explorers.
4. The Classic Hunt: Hide those healthy eggs indoors or out. Bright colors help toddlers spot them easily.
Nature Outings
Nature Detectives: Look for flowers, bugs, and collect stones or leaves on a backyard walk.
Egg Rollin' Fun: A gentle hill + hard-boiled eggs = laughter for all!
Bubble Blast: There's something magical about bubbles on a sunny Easter day.
Baby Animal Adventures: If you can, visit a farm for some chick and bunny cuteness.
Here are some additional tips:
Focus on Enjoyment: Easter is a time for creating happy memories with your little one, not about rigid routines or achieving milestones.
Tailor-made Activities: Consider your toddler's development. Younger toddlers might need simpler activities like hiding eggs in plain sight, while older toddlers might enjoy hiding them themselves or following clues.
Embrace Flexibility: Be prepared to adjust the activities on the fly. Maybe the hopping gets replaced with crawling or the sensory bin becomes a pouring station – that's all part of the fun!
Enthusiasm is Contagious: Your excitement sets the tone for the whole Easter celebration. If you're having fun, your toddler will too!
Shared Moments Matter: The most valuable part of Easter is the time you spend together, playing, laughing, and making memories.
Keep it Safe: Choose age-appropriate toys for the sensory bin and remove any choking hazards.
Celebrate the Mess: Lay down a waterproof mat or sheet for messy activities like egg decorating. Remember, a little mess often means big fun for toddlers!
Capture the Memories: Snap some photos or videos to document your toddler's Easter adventures. You'll cherish them for years to come.
Mama, You've Got This!
Remember, Easter is about making memories, not just the candy. With a little planning, you can make it a healthy, fun-filled day for your little bunny! Let's ditch the sugar crash and focus on giggles, playtime, and all that springtime joy.
Would you mamas like more ideas like these? Let me know in the comments!