The Easter Bunny is finally remembering his health and wellness.
In a sea of fluffy, sugar-coated marshmallows, chocolate bunnies, filled candy eggs, and other oozy, gooey teeth-killing treats, a handful of creative American moms have managed to find exciting better-for-kids Easter basket alternatives everyone can feel good about.
@natalia_usa on Instagram
The concept for these Lone Cone rain boot Easter baskets came from Annalisa DeMarta, the founder of Lone Cone and a Boise, Idaho mom of three. "I love that our rain boot Easter baskets start with something useful and encourage kids to get outside and play," she told News Break. "In my experience, my kids barely remember the candy, but always remember our egg hunts, Easter crafts, and pop up kickball or baseball games."
How Annalisa makes her Insta-worthy boot baskets:
Making these incredibly useful rain boot Easter baskets is pretty easy, too. "I like to fill our baskets with bubble wands, sidewalk chalk, Play-doh or foam, flash lights, and play silks, but you can also customize your basket with things based on your kid's specific interests!"
Lone Cone rain boots, $29.99 on Amazon here
DeMarta also suggests stuffing the rain boots with little seed packets, tiny shovels and spades, gardening gloves, and other fun outdoors-worthy spring activities that give children a sense of hands-on excitement and learning.
"Another fun idea is to pick out a pair of Lone Cone rain boots with a pattern your kids love like dinosaurs, and fill them with dinosaur-themed goodies," she says. "This can be anything from dinosaur books, play figures, and even fossilized eggs kids can crack open."
If you're looking for yet another fun, healthier twist on the classic Easter basket, this yoga-themed collection of goodies is the brainchild of Bobbi Hamilton, a certified yoga teacher and founder of Chi Universe.
Chi Yoga Bunny Basket, Chi Yoga Mat $37.97 on Amazon here
"By diverting the main attraction of the bunny basket toward wellness, it begins to shape the child by teaching them how to feel well through increased energy and endorphins that are released during exercise, and an active body naturally chooses healthier foods and water making the candy less appealing," Bobbi explains. "Since the holidays promote sugary treats and kids don't want to miss out, feel better knowing at least they will burn off the calories with physical movement."
Chi Yoga Mat, Amazon
Here's how Bobbi suggests making your own:
- Start with the main focus of the basket on a fitness or wellness product like the Chi Yoga Mat & Card Game - an Amazon best seller. Kids (and adults) will burn off the holiday sugar with focused play and movement.
- Add more nutritious candy replacements like dried mango, apricots, or cherries, and delicious health food bars like KIND bars that only have 5 grams of sugar.
- Top it off with adorable stuffed animals, bunny ears, pens, books and stickers.
Starting with a colorful, bright basket and filling it with other colorful, happiness-inducing treats is the key to a visually-appealing and exciting package for kids of all ages and stages. Even dried fruit can be fun when it's presented as part of a larger rainbow of gifts.
"This Easter basket can really be ideal for any one three to 12 years old, but even teenagers and parents would love to receive this 'self care' wellness basket," she adds. "The whole family can participate in a fun yoga game together," highlighting the importance of stress-relieving fitness activities in a year when entire families have felt immense pressure.
Will you be putting a healthy twist on your family's Easter baskets this year? We'd love to hear your thoughts and input in the comments section below.