With Easter just around the corner, it’s high time to start thinking about what to put inside those Easter eggs for the big hunt! If you’re anything like me and would rather avoid anything unhealthful or useless, then this post–featuring healthy and eco-friendly Easter egg fillers–is for you!

Food Ideas

The first and foremost thing that comes to most people’s minds as a filler for Easter eggs is candy. But the vast majority of candy is chock full of refined sugar, corn syrup, artificial dyes and flavors, and other very unhealthful ingredients. So here are some alternative ideas.

• Cheese Crackers. These homemade crackers are pretty easy to make and they don’t have to be fish-shaped. You can use any mini cookie cutters {perhaps these mini Easter themed ones} or you can simply cut them into squares with a knife. However, there are some store-bought semi-healthful cheese crackers available as well.
• Nuts. Almonds, peanuts, cashews…
• Seeds. Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds…
• Fruit. Think little things like grapes, blueberries, and raspberries.
• Dried fruit. Raisins, cherries, pineapple…
• Fruit leather. Can be homemade or store bought.
• Granola bites. Make some homemade granola bars, but instead of cutting them into bars, cut them into little bites.
• Gummy candy. Homemade might be the most healthful, but there are some semi-healthful store bought gummy candies as well.
• Veggies. This might sound odd to give on Easter, but if your kids view veggies as treats like mine do {strange kids} then this is perfect! Some ideas include mini carrots, julienned bell peppers, celery sticks, and peas.
• Popcorn. You could use the upopped kernels or the freshly popped puffs.
• Honey Patties. These are tasty treats made with chocolate and honey {and maybe something else like almond, mint…depends on the variety you choose}.
• Freeze dried yogurt. Technically made for babies, but even I like them!

The Eggs and the Grass

If you want to remain eco-friendly this Easter, then behold Eco Eggs. These are eco-friendly, biodegradable eggs to fill with goodies. They’re not only healthier for the body and the environment, but if you forgot where you hid one and your kids can’t find it, then it will just dissolve away! Eco Eggs also sells shredded paper grass made from recycled paper that can be used to pad the baskets or super stuff the eggs.

Non-food Ideas

Most people think of cheap little plastic trinkets and toys from the dollar store when they think of non-food Easter egg stuffers. But let’s face it, these are lousy things to get for kids. First of all, they’re poorly made so they break easily. Secondly, they’re typically not good for the environment. And third, they’re not good for health {BPA, anyone?}. So here are some inexpensive non-food alternatives for inspiration.

• Money. You can’t go wrong with cold hard cash! Little kids will be thrilled with just pennies {oh how rich they feel when they count to 100 pennies–never mind that’s only a buck!} Older kids might like a variety. You could also throw in unique coins such as a Kennedy half dollar or a Sacagawea dollar coin. You could even put some dollar bills in some of the eggs {maybe a $2 bill in one for something neat}.
  
  Tip: If you don’t want coins clanging together in the egg {the dead giveaway there’s money in it}, put some shredded paper, wadded up newspaper, or even a swatch of cloth in the egg to fill it up and prevent the jingling noise.
• Puzzles. Puzzles can be challenging. Put one or two small puzzle pieces in each egg. Once the hunt is done, the kids can put the puzzles together. If you put the pieces to multiple puzzles in the eggs, it gets even more challenging as the kids must switch pieces to get their puzzle together. To make it all the more difficult, you can require your child to finish their puzzle to receive a hint to the location of their Easter basket gift.
• Clues. Cut out little pieces of paper and write clues on each one that guide your child to the hidden location of their Easter basket treasure.
• Map. This is kind of a combo of the puzzle and clues ideas. Print out a treasure map of your home or property that leads to where the Easter basket prize is then cut it into smaller pieces. Put one or two pieces in each egg.
• Stickers. Little kids especially can’t get enough of stickers!
• Shoelaces. Neat, colorful ones of course. Nothing boring. Maybe these silicone ones.
• Gift certificate. Fold a up a certificate to be used towards a restaurant or store purchase.
• Lip balm. If the eggs are big enough to hold a container of lip balm that is {maybe buy or make some in small tins}.
• Coupons. Buy or print out some fun coupons to be redeemed for things your kids enjoy such as a trip to the park or to play a favorite board game with mom or dad.
• Jewelry. This might please girls more, but there are definitely some jewelry options that boys will enjoy as well. Some items that come to mind for this idea include amber or hazelwood necklaces and essential oil diffuser bracelets.
• Essential oil. Yeah, this is definitely different. But if you have an older kid who loves essential oils, put some into a sample bottle with a label, tightly adjust the lid to prevent leaking, and pop it in the egg. If your eggs are big enough, you might even be able to stuff a full 5 ml bottle into one.
• Marbles. A little old school, but if you have a home where you emphasize unplugged living, marbles are great.
• Jacks. Another old fashioned but super fun game.
• Seeds to plant. Roll up an envelope of garden seeds to put inside the egg.
• Mini nail polish. I like the non-toxic Piggy Paint brand.
• Mini pocket knife. A great idea for trustworthy older kids.
• Finger puppets. Super cute and lots of fun!
• Jokes. Print out some silly jokes on colorful paper. Google to find kid friendly ones!
• Mini wooden cars or trucks. You can get some already painted or buy some the kids can paint themselves {make sure they’ll fit in the eggs}.
• Mini Tegu blocks. These would have to be split among several eggs, but they’re fun!
• Wooden doll family. These are probably made for a dollhouse, but they’re fun with or without one.
• Wood alphabet magnets. Best for smaller kids.

What are some other healthy edible or eco-friendly non-edible Easter egg fillers that you can think of?

The Basket

Rather than plastic buckets or cheap, flimsy wicker baskets, invest in just one high quality, personalized Easter basket per child such as this one. It is cloth lined {choose from several colors and patterns} and they even embroider your child’s name onto it! Or go with this less expensive basket and DIY it with ribbon, paint, and more.