Showing posts sorted by relevance for query easter. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query easter. Sort by date Show all posts

Funtastic Easter Basket Fillers

Easter is this weekend you guys! I always seem to wait until the last minute to tackle the baskets because my husband and I want to eat all of the candy otherwise. HA! This year we decided to focus less on the sweets and more on the treats to make Easter a fun yet simple affair that would be kind to our waistlines.

I have a list of ideas to share with you  that will make fun-tastic fillers for your Easter baskets this year. Samples and considerations of some products were received to inspire my list. We love these options because they provide hands on fun and invitations to explore and create.



1) Galaxy Slimy Gloop
This stuff is so much fun to make and play with! I am always a fan of gifts that encourage both learning and fun. This kit is available at Walmart and Michaels for under $7. It makes a fun option for older kids and teens.



2) Galactic Bath Bombs by Youniverse
Bath bombs are fun to make and create, so this kit is perfect for tweens and teens this Easter. It contains everything you will need to make several great bath bombs. The kit retails for under $13 so it is affordable and packs a lot of fizzy fun into the basket.



 3) STMT Signature Scent
This kit is perfect for girls that want to experiment with fragrance. It contains everything you need to make 4 rollerball bottles of perfume. Retailing at under $18 this is a great gift option for Easter. I made a batch of perfume from this kit with my daughter and it smells really nice, and we LOVED making it together!



4) Rock Art Kits
These are my favorite filler for an Easter basket this year because my kids love finding rocks, decorating them and hiding them! This can be so much more than just a art project kind of filler, it can be a totally fun family experience! Retailing at $5 each, these kits are perfect for kids 6 and older.




5) Aqualiens
Maybe it is wishful thinking on my part, but these had to go in the Easter baskets as they will bring my kids so much joy when the pool is ready to go this summer. This dive toy is not just a toss and go kind of toy. It is a transforming diving toy that is really quite impressive! Retailing at under $10, these pods that morph into a creature are awesome for Easter!


6) Squidivers
These are perfect diving toys for my little one who is just mastering swimming. These wiggle and jiggle to the bottom and are easy to see and grab for little hands. Retailing at under $8, Squidivers are a fun filler for any Easter basket that will bring a lot of happiness to the kids as the weather gets warmer.


7) Barbie Water Bottle
The Barbie bottle by Horizon group is a great way to encourage health and creativity this Easter. The bottle comes in a fun barbie style with the pens to color the bottle how you like it! Retailing at under $13 you can find this bottle on Amazon.



8) Welch's Fruit Snacks
I love to add these to Easter baskets not only for the fun design but also because they are a tasty snack that is mostly guilt free. Look for the fun 28 packs with Easter designs at your local grocery store.



9) Board Games
Payday by Hasbro is one of our favorite options right now because my 7 year old needs money management lessons terribly! This is a fun way to learn about money and budgeting in a way that kids can understand.

Jenga Pass also makes a fun way to add family fun into an Easter basket! I love that the classic game of Jenga takes a twist and turn in this new fun version! Retailing at under $20 I love this pick for tweens and teens.



10) Play Doh
As a kid, I got pretty excited for play doh. I love to see that same magic in the eyes of my kids when they open a can of play doh! The Play Doh Kitchen Creations Magic Oven Set is a super fun outlet for creation and hands on fun.
I love that this oven has lights to make the experience super realistic for my 4 year old.



The fun continues with the Play Doh Letters and Language Set and the Play Doh Textures and Tools Sets. These are so much fun for little hands! Each set contains the tools you need for fun like mats, stamps and play doh! At under $20 these are perfect for an Easter basket.



11) Nerf Guns
My son loves to invite his friends over to play. Lately they have been clamouring for Nerf Guns. The Nerf Microshot Series is perfect for Easter baskets. Priced at under $7, these guns pack a whole lot of punch in a small package.



12) Star Wars Force Link Starter Sets
With this new wearable tech you can FEEL the force during playtime! Compatable with more than 30 Star Wars toys, the force link starter set unlocks sound effects, phrases and lights. We love that our starter set came with Kylo Ren for a new twist on play! Retailing at under $35 this option will bring the fun of Easter out in full force!



13) Luke and Leia Muggs Figures
These are so cute that they practically beg to be in an Easter Basket! Retailing at under $10, they are a fun way to bring the force to Easter! We love that the faces change easily to give a new twist on playtime!



14) Disney Princess Little Kingdom Magical Movers
My little Disney princess can't get enough of her favorite girls, so these tiny little play sets are perfect for dramatic play sessions that she can really get into! Adding a favorite like Ariel, Snow White or Rapunzel to her Easter basket makes for a sweet holiday for sure. We loved that these are affordable and adorable for the win!



15) Adora 
With spring comes the need to coo about babies. This year why not bring a new little bundle of joy home for your little girl with a realistic looking doll from Adora. These are so cute and cuddly! Retailing at $15 and up, these are the perfect cure for baby fever this spring! You can find clothes, accessories and more to make the Adora doll the perfect filler for an Easter basket.



16) Strawbees
My kids love to build and create, so we knew Strawbees would be a really fun way to encourage hands on creativity. This set contains the parts and straws you need to create some really cool contraptions, creatures and fun things to play with.  Retailing at under $30, this 400 piece set is perfect for filling an Easter basket with fun!



17) Stomp Rockets
This is a fun toy to encourage active play. Kids won't be able to resist stomping their rockets into space! This is fun for kids of a variety of ages and encourages kids to learn about how the rockets launch while actively playing for the hippity hoppity win this Easter.




What are some of your favorite ways to fill a basket that are not candy? Leave me a comment to inspire me at the last minute please!



Healthier Easter Treats

Spring has sprung, Easter bells are ringing, and the urge to indulge in treats is undeniably strong! But this year, ditch the sugar crash and say hello to healthy Easter delights that satisfy your sweet tooth without compromising your well-being.



Forget the guilt of hollow bunnies and pastel-colored overload. This collection of healthy Easter treats is all about celebrating with vibrant flavors, guilt-free indulgence, and a touch of creativity.

Whether you're hosting a festive brunch, crafting adorable snacks for the little ones, or simply craving a nibble with your morning coffee, we've got you covered. Dive into our collection of recipes and discover a whole new world of Easter treats that are kind to your body and soul. Let's hop on the path to healthier (and infinitely tastier) Easter celebrations!

So grab your apron, gather your fresh ingredients, and get ready to whip up some treats that are as good for you as they are for your taste buds. Happy and healthy Easter baking! 

Be sure to click through the links to view the full recipe, and while you are there, pin the post for future holidays.

Gluten Free Carrot Cake Sugar Cookies by Strength and Sunshine

This sugar cookie recipe is allergy friendly and made with healthier ingredients to make a perfect Easter snack to share.


Prosciutto Wrapped Dates by Jam Jar Kitchen

Give your guests a well rounded easter snack that has the perfect ratio of meat to stuffed dates. These are elegant but so easy.


Gluten Free Cheese Straws by Kit’s Kitchen

This gluten free cheese straw recipe makes for the ultimate spring snack. These are so good that you might want to double the batch so everyone can grab another!


Banana Carrot Muffins by Garlic Salt and Lime

This muffin recipe is perfect for a healthy Easter snack. Not even the infamous bunny will be able to resist grabbing one of these!


Funfetti Protein Bites by Best Served Vegan

This recipe is sweet, tasty and packed with protein! If you love funfetti cake, then this recipe is going to be a favorite easy snack idea.


Bunny Rolls by Amanda’s Cookin’

Skip the sweet candies and cakes and opt for a simple yet so cute bread with these bunny style rolls. I imagine you aren’t going to be able to resist these!


Eggless Carrot Cake by Keep Calm and Eat Ice Cream

This carrot cake has no eggs in it, and is so tasty. You can consider this cake to be health food considering it has carrots, nuts and applesauce in it.


Grapefruit Bars by A Paige of Positivity

These bars are bright, fruity and so tasty. Adding grapefruit to baked goods is such a tasty idea for an Easter snack to share.


Easter Fruit Tray by Recipes from a Pantry

Offer fresh fruits on Easter Sunday for a healthier spread that doesn’t lack sweetness! This fruit tray will appeal to everyone!


Easter Snack Mix by Cincyshopper

This snack mix has candy in it sure, but the cereal has so many vitamins and minerals, and fiber, that this makes for a healthier offering!


Carrot Cake Bunny Tails by xoxo Bella

These bunny tails are perfectly portioned for a light snack. With nuts, carrots and coconut to help fill you up, you can enjoy this easter snack without the guilt.



Homemade Banana Pudding by Maplewood Road

This simple snack is perfect for after Easter dinner. It is fruity, creamy and the entire family will love digging into this goodie!


Hummingbird Muffins by A Grateful Meal

These hummingbird muffins make for such a tasty snack option. Pop these in a lunchbox, or grab one after work for a sweet pick me up that tastes like a spring dream.


Cottage Cheese Cheesecake by Hurry the Food Up

This cheesecake is unique and so much healthier! I know you are going to love the way this turns out for a spring snack.

 

While you are here check out some of my favorite recipes:

Free Easter Coloring Pages


Just in time for Easter I have three free coloring pages for your kids! Print as many of these as you like; there is an easy Easter Egg page for little ones, an Easter basket coloring page for elementary ages and a pattern egg page for older kids. But, really all 3 would work for any age!



Share these with a friend, or pin them for later.

These free coloring pages would be great for keeping the kids busy on the rainy days before Easter, or to keep them occupied at the table before Easter dinner.

If your kids color any of these pages, I would love to have you snap a pic and share their artwork with me on facebook. Rolf and Harp will color a dozen of these each in anticipation of coloring easter eggs!










Favorite Easter Recipes

Spring has sprung, and with it comes the joy of Easter celebrations! Whether you're planning a grand family gathering or an intimate brunch, this collection of delightful recipes is sure to add a touch of magic to your Easter table.

From refreshing appetizers to flavorful main courses and light, springtime desserts, these dishes are perfect for creating a memorable feast that celebrates the season. Dive in, explore the flavors, and discover the perfect recipes to make your Easter gathering truly special.



Sweet Potato Easter Biscuits by Vegan Dollhouse

Easter Deviled Eggs by Delicious Table

Asparagus Puff Pastry Tart by Dancing Through the Rain





Mini Stuffed Pepper Carrots by Aleka’s Get Together

Pizza Giana Rustica by Xoxo Bella

Cheesy Zucchini Bake by Cooking With Mammac

Roasted Parm Green Beans by Saving Talents

Roasted Asparagus Cesar Salad by Salads for Lunch





Cheesy Carrot Casserole by Cooked by Julie

Salmon Wellington by Little Ferro Kitchen

Brown Sugar Glazed Spiral Ham by Three Olives Branch

Blancmange Filled Eggs by The Winged Fork





Easter Egg Macarons by Barley and Sage

Mini Egg Brownies by A Grill for All Seasons

I hope this collection of delightful recipes has inspired you to create a delicious and memorable Easter feast. From sweet treats to savory dishes, there's something for everyone to enjoy. So gather your loved ones, embrace the spirit of the season, and let the springtime celebration commence!

You might also like these healthier Easter treats

In The Sky Sensory Bin

Roo loves waking up to find a new sensory bin waiting on him! I love making something fun for him and knowing he will happily play with this new bin for a few hours. I got a great deal on a Toob from Safari LTD and I couldn't wait to make the In the Sky Sensory Bin.

I started with a base of Easter paper grass stuff and a few cotton balls.

Photo Credit: Sara Lehman.

I pulled the cotton balls apart slightly to fluff them up a bit.

Photo Credit: Sara Lehman.


Gently pull your cotton ball apart until it looks like a fluffy cloud.


Photo Credit: Sara Lehman.

Next add a handful of planes and balloons- or a toob (In the Sky).

Photo Credit: Sara Lehman.

And you have a neat sensory bin for kids that incorporates fun with their senses. The paper Easter grass and the cotton ball clouds offer different textures to feel. The paper grass engages the sense of hearing as it crinkles when touched. The colorful blue base engages the sense of sight with a visually appealing color. The planes open the doors to imaginative play.

Photo Credit: Sara Lehman.

Roo liked this sensory bin. He was amazed at the planes inside and he caught on quickly that the bin was the sky. He excitedly showed me all of the clouds, several planes and the paper grass which he thought was pretty neat stuff. After about an hour of playing planes he smiled and picked out a few dudes and told me it was bubble bath time! The In the Sky Sensory Bin can double as a bubble bath sensory bin in the imagination of a child.

Thanks for reading! I would love to hear about your favorite sensory bin ideas.


Sock Roses for Teacher Appreciation Week

If you are looking for a cute way to give an inexpensive token of appreciation to a special teacher this year, this sock rose craft is the perfect way to gift something fun and functional in a unique way.


This project is so easy! It comes together in matter of moments and really adds a lot to the presentation of a simple pair of socks! All you need is:

 a pair of socks
 a rubber band
 a 9" section of ribbon 
 and a wooden dowel rod or maybe a pencil for the stem



Begin by stacking your socks together and folding up the toe section.



Next, begin rolling from the top. Roll tightly! 

As you get to the folded top section, keep rolling in, this will be your outer petal.

As the socks are tightly rolled, secure them with your rubber band. I knotted it, then knotted it again, on the other side for a really snug hold.

Remove the rubberband.

Gently insert the pencil or wooden dowel into the "bottom" of the sock roses.


Make a single sock rose, or a dozen for a fun way to gift a special teacher something different this year as school comes to a close. 



I added some leftover Easter grass to a mason jar to make the presentation even sweeter!



These easy DIY photo puzzles are also a great homemade gift idea.



 

If you love sugar cookies, then this is the place for you! I gathered 15 of my favorite sugar cookie recipes to share with you. Make sure you click thru to the full recipe.



Almond Sugar Cookies by The Taylor House

These are the perfect cookies to make with your kids, they make great cut outs that the kids can decorate and sprinkle!


Perfect Sugar Cookies by Spend with Pennies

This Sugar Cookie recipe is the perfect year-round holiday cookie! A simple mixture of butter, sugar and flour (with a few additions), these sugar cookies bake up beautifully every time. 


Cut Out Cookies with Marbled Icing by Easy Cookie Recipes

 These Cutout ugar Cookies with Marbled Icing are basically edible art. Each delicious sugar cookie is dipped into homemade swirled icing to create a unique marbled effect.


Peppermint Sugar Cookies by Gimme Some Sugar

If you’re headed to a holiday party or just love baking during the holidays, try this homemade Christmas cookie recipe. If you’re looking for a quick solution for the holidays, this is the best Christmas sugar cookie recipes out there! Seriously, I’ve never seen one easier.


Gluten Free Sugar Cookies by Cooking on Caffeine

This recipe is like the holy grail of “safe” sugar cookie recipes. No eggs. No milk. No wheat. No nuts or peanuts. Easily made soy-free. Use a different flour blend if you have issues with legumes or potatoes. And no chilling the dough, because who has time for that? We just want cookies! 


Soft Lemon Cookies by On My Kids Plate

These sweet and easy soft lemon cookies are the perfect little cookie for a delicious treat. Full of fresh lemon zest, these are bright, yummy cookies you’ll want to make again and again!


Chai Sugar Cookies by Lovely Indeed

These chai spice sugar cookies are the perfect cookie to go with a cup of tea or coffee! The easy recipe makes soft, chewy cookies that will be a hit at any party or cookie swap.


Buttery Almond Sugar Cookies by On Ty’s Plate

Buttery Almond Sugar Cookies — buttery soft almond flavored sugar cookies rolled in almond flakes. It's the perfect cookie!


Crispy Sugar Cookies by Creative Lifestyles

Do you ever just want a little crunch in your cookie? I don’t mean the crunch you get from over cooking the cookie. I mean a little crunch inside the softest yummiest cookie you will ever try. This amazing krispy sugar cookie is so easy to make, but it is hands down one of my favorite cookies of all time.


Swirl Sugar Cookies by Bride on a Budget

This recipe is time consuming, but so worth it for the way these swirl sugar cookies turn out! These are perfect for special occasions!

Vegan Dairy Free Sugar Cookies by Delightful Adventures

Easy homemade cut-out vegan gluten-free sugar cookies you can make for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, Halloween…they’re perfect for ANY occasion! These cookies can be made soft or crispy, it’s up to you. Decorate simply with sanding sugar or buttercream frosting or get fancy with a simple vegan icing that hardens.


Spiced Sugar Cookies by Bean Around the Bowl

These Spiced Sugar Cookies are warm and cozy with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.

Perfect for the holidays and simple to make. These can be topped with additional sugar before baking to add a nice texture. They are not overly sweet to begin, so don’t worry about them being too sweet with added sugar.


Vegan Lofthouse Copycat Cookies by Strength and Sunshine

Sure, you could make classic cut-out sugar cookies for decorating, but no one can pass up one of the soft, cake-like, frosted gems that have been gracing grocery store shelves since 1994 from Lofthouse! Like a cake and a cookie all baked up into one delicious buttery, sweet, colorfully frosted treat! Can you still have this classic cookie even if you're gluten-free, vegan, or have food allergies? Sure you can! With this easy copycat homemade version of the classic soft-baked frosted cookie, you'll never have to miss out again!


Classic Sugar Cookies by Healthy Kitchen 101

This sugar cookies recipe makes fun treats for Christmas and any other occasion. Also, making and decorating cookies is a great activity to get everyone in the kitchen to spend time together.


Super Soft Sugar Cookies by Emily Fabulous

These Super Soft Sugar Cookies are easy to make and taste just like the Lofthouse sugar cookies in the grocery store. This recipe is perfect for making with kids and will work for Valentine’s Day or any occasion because you can choose whatever color and decoration you want to use!






Find more favorite recipes here

Handprint Crafts for Kids

Are you looking for some fun ways to keep the kids busy this winter? Well, why not look down, at your hands, to get a little inspo!

We love hand print art! When the kids were tiny, they liked nothing more than making some homemade monster puppets with their handprints!




Handprint art is so much fun for kids to make, but adults also love handprint art. It makes for the perfect reminder of when their hands were that small. Who doesn't love art that doubles as a keepsake? I gathered some of my favorite cutie pie ideas from some of my favorite bloggers to share with you. Please make sure you click through the links to check out the tutorials. Pin the ideas that appeal to you. You might just want to start a new board because all of these are adorable.



If you make any of these crafts with your kids make sure to hop over to facebook and share a photo with me!


You might also want to check out these cute hand print fish puppets.