Alternative Easter Gifts – How to Make Easter Fun Without Having Too Much Chocolate

Easter is one of my favourite times of the year. It’s great fun for the kids and marks the start of longer days and (hopefully) warmer weather, hinting that summer is finally on its way.

And Easter wouldn’t be Easter without the obligatory chocolate egg (as close to breakfast as my children can push it). However, it is possible to have too much of a good thing. Last year, Easter eggs were still loitering around our kitchen when the trick-or-treaters arrived for Halloween!

That’s why we’ve put together our alternative Easter gift guide. It offers a host of ideas for making Easter fun while keeping the chocolate down to manageable quantities.

Easter gift ideas for babies and young children

There’s no need for babies or very young children to miss out on Easter fun. There are lots of Easter gifts that can replace chocolate eggs. Easter themed clothing is always very popular, while Easter helium balloons will keep them amused for hours – not to mention entertaining their older brothers and sisters.

While it’s sometimes harder to persuade older kids that eight Easter eggs really are enough for anyone, they’ll soon come round to your way of thinking if you make sure your gifts are fun and entertaining.

Bunny or chick cuddly toys are cute Easter gifts for kids. When buying cuddly toys for babies, just make sure you check all gifts are suitable from birth.

Turning Easter gifts into Easter treats

Alternatively, why not offer them something that little bit different this Easter? Local cinemas often have family-friendly, new releases showing during the Easter holidays and a trip to the cinema is always a welcome treat. In fact, it’s not only a great way to keep them entertained during the Easter holidays but you can also take along their chocolate eggs to enjoy during the film instead of popcorn.

A fun shopping trip for a new summer outfit will also keep their mind off chocolate Easter eggs and on the warmer days ahead. Most high street stores have their spring and summer collections on the shelves at this time of year so it’s the perfect opportunity to re-stock their wardrobe for summer and replace all those T-shirts and shorts they’ve mysteriously outgrown over the winter months.

It’s also a great way to spend time together as a family and, if you’re feeling generous, why not include a special lunch as part of their Easter shopping treat.

Easter gifts that entertain

If you want to keep them occupied over the long Easter break, then why not treat them to a board game as an Easter gift? There are a range of board games for all ages, from the more traditional such as Ludo and Snakes & Ladders to more modern games, all of which will keep them away from the TV and entertained on rainy days. Board games are also a fun activity for all the family to share.

Another great idea for bringing the family together and keeping the kids entertained during the holidays are Easter gifts with a creative theme, such as egg cup painting kits.

Budget Easter gifts

If you’re trying to keep costs down this Easter, then why not plump for something homemade. Encouraging your kids to make their own Easter cards for aunts, uncles and grandparents, not only helps you stick to a budget, but also keeps the kids entertained for hours and will be treasured by relatives.

While we’re on the subject of making things, Easter is a great time to enjoy a spot of baking with your children. Even very young children can help you make chocolate cornflake nests, while older children can try their hand at gingerbread or shortbread biscuits in the shape of chicks or rabbits. For something more traditional, why not bake your own hot cross buns or Simnel cake.

If you have any spare eggs after all that baking, then why not make your own decorative Easter egg? Either hard-boil the egg or carefully make a whole at either end of a raw egg with a pin and, using a straw, blow out the yolk and white, leaving you with the shell to decorate. It might take a bit of care and practice but it is possible and, if you’re artistic, your decorated eggs can make very effective Easter gifts.

Whatever you decide to do this Easter, try not to overdo the Easter eggs – after all, it will soon be time to dig out your swim suit ready for your summer holidays!

Sophie Baxter lives in the UK with her husband and two children. She runs Big Fat Balloons, an online shop that sells helium balloons, teddy bear gifts and chocolates.

Big Fat Balloons’ ultimate aim is to make gift hunting fun, by providing customers with a wide choice of gifts and balloons that make a welcome and memorable present for friends, family or even work colleagues.

For more Easter gifts why not checkout our web site? Children adore our Easter balloons and cuddly Bunny Rabbits. Our Me to You collection, which feature the cute, blue-nosed tatty teddy and friends, and are bound to melt the hearts of girls of all ages.

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