I really enjoy a basket filled with colorful Easter eggs, and Easter holds a special place in our family’s heart as one of our favorite times of the year. However, I often get frustrated with how commercialized this religious holiday has become. It bothers me when Easter becomes an excuse for both kids and adults to overindulge in sugary treats full of artificial ingredients and food dyes.
This year, I’m trying to shift our Easter celebration to focus more on its true significance, which has nothing to do with a bunny delivering eggs! Since Easter is a major celebration in the church and a time for feasting, it’s okay to let the kids have some treats. But I’m choosing to give some of our traditions a healthier, more natural twist.
I’ll explain why. I can’t quite grasp the idea of bunnies, which don’t lay eggs, delivering plastic, candy-filled eggs and baskets. Loading kids up with junk food at Easter, and other holidays, seems to set a precedent that links celebrations with unhealthy foods. I believe there are better ways to foster a lifetime of healthy eating habits.
I realize this might sound a bit extreme to some people. Indulging in a treat once in a while is fine, but I think many parents would agree that kids are overindulging too frequently these days. From every classmate’s birthday to holidays like Valentine’s Day, Halloween, and Easter, there are countless chances for kids to think that fun and celebration mean unhealthy sweets.
But enough about that—let’s talk about Easter eggs! We love eggs, so I don’t mind them at all, but I do take issue with the plastic, candy-filled versions. Those color tablets used to dye Easter eggs often contain harmful chemicals, which may affect some children negatively. Though we don’t consume the shells, their permeability means some kids might still be sensitive to the dyes. So, I looked into more natural alternatives.
To naturally dye Easter eggs, you can mix safe, natural food coloring following specific ratios. If you don’t have these on hand, you can achieve similar results using various fruits, veggies, and herbs. We tried this method a few years back and plan to do it again. By adding certain foods to the boiling water when cooking the eggs, you can achieve different colors. You can also juice or boil ingredients, cool them, add vinegar, and use them as a natural dye.
Note that these natural methods produce pastel hues, which I find more beautiful than neon colors. Just be aware you won’t get any fluorescent shades this way!
I’ve never been a big fan of Easter egg hunts and could skip them entirely, but the kids really look forward to them. They often end up with a mountain of candy that somehow disappears while they’re asleep (maybe the Easter Bunny took it!). In the past, we’ve hidden hard-boiled eggs, or had a fun family day with other activities. Last year, we did a treasure hunt with clues leading to prizes like seeds they could plant.
Although I prefer alternatives to traditional egg hunts, this year I’m letting the kids join the Easter egg hunt at church, have a few pieces of the least sugary candy, and then I’ll discard the rest when they’re asleep.
I don’t oppose Easter being a joyful time with small gifts. As I’ve mentioned (perhaps too often!), it’s the plastic and candy-filled aspects of the celebration that I dislike. But I do love baskets, so our kids receive a reusable basket each year filled with non-sugary surprises.
Here are some ideas we’ve tried over the years that have been well-received! Grow grass in a small dish using wheat, alfalfa, or clover seeds to replace plastic Easter grass. It’s fun for kids, and you can even plant it outside after Easter. Alternatively, shred paper for this purpose, which is recyclable later.
In the basket, include a small pair of gloves, a pack of heirloom seeds, and a small shovel, allowing your child to start their own container garden. Herbs are easy and useful in the kitchen, offering more lasting fun than plastic toys and sweets.
Being on a budget, I turn to local thrift stores for great Easter basket gifts, like a movie, book, and shoes, all for under $10.
If you’re adventurous, consider a small pet, reinforcing the “new life” theme of Easter. However, it’s important to only adopt if you can commit to caring for it, as many baby animals are often abandoned after the holiday.
For edible treats, replace some sugary snacks with healthy, fun alternatives like beef jerky, fruit, nuts, or homemade energy bars. Feeling daring? Try making homemade “peeps” using a probiotic marshmallow recipe.
These are just a few of our Easter basket ideas! What’s your favorite way to dye Easter eggs? Do you prefer healthier candy options or allow the kids to indulge for a day? I’d love to hear your tips and ideas!
