What do you put in your child’s Easter basket?  If you’re like most parents it’s filled with jelly beans, chocolate, and marshmallow bunnies.  Why not try something a bit different this year and fill the baskets with foods that are good for you and small gifts that will last a lot longer than that chocolate bunny?

Here are a few suggestions for foods that can be included in your child’s Easter basket:

• Fresh fruit
• Small boxes of raisins
• Cereal bars
• Granola bars
• Small bags of Goldfish crackers, fruit snacks, or animal crackers,
• Peanut butter crackers

Why limit your child’s Easter basket to food items only?  And why do these gifts have to fit inside a basket?  It’s perfectly fine to give your child a present that isn’t inside a basket.  Here are some ideas that can either be included in a basket or given along with a small basket.

• Stuffed bunny rabbit toys
• Coloring book and crayons
• Stickers
• Puzzles
• Craft kits where your child makes things like jewelry, sun catchers, picture frames, etc.
• Scrapbooking kit and disposable camera
• Books

No matter what you decide, your children will love whatever the Easter Bunny leaves for them on Easter morning.  Sometimes it’s not what you give but the fact that you gave them something.  Don’t go crazy on things that will break your budget.  Teach you kids the true meaning of Easter and of giving and they will appreciate whatever you do for them.