Back when I was a kid, stuffing my face with a mountain of chocolate at Easter was an annual highlight. These days, parents are more neurotic and less inclined to let their children eat their own bodyweight in sugar and cocoa butter, so here are some suggestions for healthy (and affordable) alternatives to Easter Eggs:
1. Paint-your-own-Easter-Egg kit
There’s something quite basic about this kit, but at just £2.10 it’s the definition of cheap and cheerful, and should provide an hour’s entertainment. There’s also a paint-your-own-Easter-bunny in the range.
2. Stickers
Usborne has produced this Easter-themed sticker book, with more bunnies and chicks than you can shake a daffodil at. If you don’t mind veering off the seasonal theme, French toy company Djeco makes stylish stickers adults will love too, with themes ranging from pirates to princesses to wild beasts.
3. A book
The latest Easter children’s books include religious-themed retellings of the Easter story, Spot’s First Easter and craft books packed with ideas for activities to do over the holidays. Easter Things To Make And Do, again published by Usborne, has five-star customer reviews on Amazon and includes finger painting for small children, along with more complicated craft projects for older kids.
4. Egg-shaped toys
Avoiding chocolate doesn’t mean eggs are out of the question. I love this realistic-looking bouncy egg-shaped rubber ball, which, at 71p, won’t blow the budget. Or what about a Mr Potato Head? Suitable for two- to eight-year-olds, toys such as this one are classic for a reason.
5. Easter Bunny Hello Kitty
Girlie girls will love this Hello Kitty with bunny ears, which is £5.75 (down from its RRP of £6.99) on Amazon. If Hello Kitty isn’t your child’s bag, other Easter-related cuddly toys include a clockwork chick or fluffy baa-lamb.
6. Thomas and the Easter Egg Car
At £12.99, this is pricier than the average chocolate egg, but Thomas fanatics will love this train, which includes an Easter car that chirps when pressed.
7. Lego Easter Kit
This kit includes a buildable basket and four eggs. £6.75.
{Image: Robert S. Donovan}
