20 Sugar-Free Easter Basket Fillers...

Peeps, chocolate bunnies and Cadbury Creme Eggs.  There has to be more to an Easter Basket than sugar, right?  With the size of baskets these days (that's another post, for another time) non-sugar goodies are a must for Easter.  While I don't want Easter to turn into another Christmas-like gift giving holiday, I am always searching for gift ideas to pass on to the Easter Bunny.  Here are my 20 ideas for kids of all ages:

For Little Kids (0-8 years or so)

• Bubbles
• Playdoh (we still enjoy that here at 11 years old)
• Coloring Books and Crayons - there are awesome Easter Bunny & Religious coloring books out there this time of year. 
• Legos - I love the 'Friends' line that is out for girls now.  The usual cars and trucks and airplanes are still out there for the boys.
• Small Play Characters - like Little People & Polly Pockets.
• Sidewalk Chalk
• Gardening tools - kid sized shovels, hoes and rakes in cute patterns start showing up in stores like Target just in time for Easter.

For Bigger Kids (9+)

• Magazines - Buy the current issue of a favorite magazine and add a note saying that a year's subscription is on its way.
• Gift Cards - itunes & Amazon are big around here.  Your local bookstore or Barnes & Noble is also fun.
• Movie Gift cards - Going to the theater is always a fun activity on a rainy Saturday.
• Sunglasses
• Journals - There are so many pretty journals on the market these days.  There's still time to order a personalized one from a site like Minted if you want to splurge.
• Note Cards - Target has some really cute ones for not a lot of money.  Or get personalized notes from somewhere like American Stationery - one of my favorite places to order from - good prices and service.

For Everyone

• Books - always a good gift - especially to get the little ones in the habit of reading.
• Puzzles - LM always loved the little 25 piece puzzles when she was younger and now we do bigger ones as a family that can take days to finish.
• School supplies - always need them!
• Paints (watercolors, finger) & paper.
• Socks - fun & useful.
• DVD's 
• Beach towels and toys - it will be summer before you know it. 

Filling Easter baskets can get expensive so I check the dollar store for things like coloring books, school supplies, beach toys, sidewalk chalk & bubbles.  We do a little bit of candy - and fill in with these extra little goodies.  And there's always a toothbrush!

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