12 no-candy ways to fill those plastic Easter eggs
Apr 05 '01 (Updated Jun 03 '01)
The Bottom Line Here are some inexpensive, no-candy ways to fill those plastic Easter eggs.
Maybe I’m being silly, but I cringe when I think about the candy my toddler will undoubtedly receive (and try to consume!) this Easter. There will be the candy tucked in his Easter basket (after all, the famous bunny must make a stop at our house), and the candy he will receive from well-meaning relatives ("it isn’t Easter without chocolate bunnies and candy eggs!") Then there’s the neighborhood Easter egg hunt, where he will collect 12 little plastic eggs filled with—you guessed it—candy!
Why am I anxious? Truthfully, my hands are full now! Even without the sugar, my 18 month old is a bundle of energy. (Rome would have been built in a day if the Romans had harnessed and used the energy of a toddler!) I don’t think I have enough stamina to run after a toddler who has eaten his weight in chocolate!
In desperation, I decided to find some non-candy items that I could tuck in those plastic eggs used for Easter egg hunts. And because I know there are other parents who are also gearing up to take on the battle of the sugar-laden child, I thought I would share some of my ideas. Some are suitable for toddlers while others are more appropriate for older children. Most of these items should fit in standard sized eggs, which are usually 2½” - 3” long.
Note: since I can’t include photos or templates in the Epinions site, I’ve posted photos, resources, recipes, templates and additional information on my website. See the bottom of this article for the URL.
Idea #1: Magnets
This is a great “do-it-yourself” gift for the frugal-minded! You can easily make magnets yourself using clipart, magnetic paper, your computer and an inkjet printer. Think about using a theme—like animals or plants—and create a set of magnets around that theme. Your child can then use these magnets on any metal surface, like the refrigerator door. (It’s a great way to keep them busy while you cook supper!)
Idea #2: Felt board figures
Again, you could make shapes, letters, numbers, or even whole village scenes using scraps of felt. Or, if you aren’t artistically inclined you could purchase a FeltKids playset, take it apart and put some of the pieces in the eggs. The rest of the items could be put in your child’s Easter Basket. FeltKids playsets are available in a variety of themes—including a school playscene, a Teletubbies playscene, a bedroom playscene and a kitchen playscene.
Idea #3: Homemade coupons
Why not give your child a coupon for a free hug, a free video rental, or an extra hour at the park? You could make them yourself with your computer and color printer. Or stop by my website, where I’ve posted some templates that you can print out and use for free. See the bottom of this article for the URL to my website.
Idea #4: Rubber stamps
Rubber stamping is a fun craft activity that doesn’t necessarily require a lot of patience (which makes it the perfect activity for kids, doesn’t it?) Tuck a few rubber stamps in your child’s Easter basket, along with a stamp pad and some paper. Tie them in with Easter by giving stamps with a spring theme.
Idea #5: Body Paints
Make them yourself in springy pastel colors and put them in small containers that would fit inside the eggs. For a simple body paint recipe, see the link at the bottom of this article.
Idea #6: Easter Troll Paratroopers
I found these adorable rabbit trolls at an online store called The Oriental Trading Company. Each little pastel-colored rabbit has its own parachute for those emergency landings in the sandbox! You can purchase 12 of these paratroopers for only $3.95.
Idea #7: Puzzles
No, I’m not suggesting that you try to fit that 500-piece puzzle into a tiny plastic egg! But you could certainly fit a few pieces inside that egg, and include the rest in your child’s Easter basket. To make this gift especially unique, give your child a puzzle that she can assemble and then decorate herself! Compoz-a-Puzzle sells a “Bunny in a Basket” jigsaw puzzle that can be embellished with rubber stamps, stencils, paints or felt markers.
Idea #8: A miniature letter from the Easter Bunny
Here’s another gift that can easily be made with your computer and printer. I've posted some examples on my website, too.
Idea #9: Tiny Beanie Babies
Some of those minuscule Beanie Babies will fit inside the larger plastic eggs. If you can’t locate them in a gift store near you, you can purchase them from an online company called Shindigz. They sell a tiger, teddy bear, bulldog, alligator, lion, eagle, cardinal or horse for $2.45 each.
Idea #10: Stickers
Another quick and easy gift you can make yourself for pennies. You will find most of the needed supplies (such as sheets of round stickers) at office supply stores. While you’re at it, you could make a sticker book, too, using a small photo album.
Idea #11: Bookmarks
Fabric bookmarks can be folded to fit inside those plastic eggs. Combine a few scraps of felt, some iron-on transfers and fabric paint and voilà—you have created a one-of-a-kind bookmark just for your child!
Idea #12: Temporary tattoos
Temporary tattoos are the latest rage with kids. Try to find some with your child’s favorite cartoon character. For example, ZanyBrainy sells a pack of Pokemon temporary tattoos for $3. Want to remind your child of the religious significance of Easter? Craftopia sells a pack of inspirational tattoos for $4.99. Or check your local craft store to see what they have in stock.
Resources
On my website I’ve posted: 1) resources for free clipart; 2) examples of the coupons and tiny Easter bunny letters; 3) a recipe for body paint; 4) photos of some of the items I’ve mentioned above, along with links to their applicable websites. You can find this information at www.CreativeGiftGiver.com/resources(e).htm Please feel free to visit and use this information!
I hope these ideas have inspired you to do something different with those plastic eggs this year! And now, I’d better go see what my toddler is doing—it’s just a little too quiet right now!
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Epinions.com ID:
CASwrite
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Member: Cheryl Schroeder
Location: near Chicago, IL
Reviews written: 17
Trusted by: 20 members
About Me:
creative gift consultant, writer and mom to a energetic toddler!
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