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Easter is such a special time for families to come together, celebrate and create lasting memories. As a registered dietitian and a mom, I understand how much joy a colorful Easter basket can bring to children (and grown-ups too!). It's a beloved tradition that adds a bit of sweetness and excitement to the holiday. Of course, we all want to indulge a little and share in the fun of candy-filled surprises. It's part of what makes Easter so magical.
But we all know what happens when we overdo it with the treats. One moment it's sugar-coated smiles, and the next it's a full-on candy-fueled chaos with kids bouncing off the walls. While stuffing Easter baskets with Peeps and those slightly questionable jelly beans might feel like the easiest and most classic option, more families are hopping onboard the idea of crafting a "better for you" basket. Don't worry, it's not about taking away the fun or the magic; it's about finding that sweet spot (pun intended) where the joy of the season meets a little balance.
How to build a 'healthier' Easter basket
Creating a "better for you" Easter basket is a fun way to combine festivity and healthfulness for your family. And no, it doesn't mean creating a basket filled with kale chips and toothbrushes.
Alexandria Hardy, dietitian at Pennsylvania Nutrition Services, suggests focusing on nutrient-dense treats that bring a balance of sweet, savory and crunchy. "Instead of the usual candy like jelly beans or marshmallow Peeps, opt for dark chocolate [with a high cocoa percentage] and fruit-based snacks like dried or freeze-dried fruits. You can also include gourmet nut butters for added protein and snackable options like puffed legume-based snacks or trail mix," Hardy suggests. "Encouraging kids to 'eat like a bunny' with these wholesome snacks not only adds variety but also makes the experience fun and playful," Hardy says.
For a sweet-yet-nutritious option, Brannon Blount, a dietitian based in Virginia, recommends dried fruits, which can satisfy cravings without added sugars. Dates are one option that are naturally sweet but are also rich in nutrients that support digestion. Carrie Gabriel, a California-based dietitian, highlights the importance of creativity over candy — or striking a balance by filling half the basket with nonedible gifts. "Fun activities such as mini jigsaw puzzles, pastel-colored sidewalk chalk eggs and Easter-themed Lego sets are perfect for younger children," Gabriel explains. "For older kids, consider hair accessories, spring-inspired nail polish or bath bombs tucked into plastic eggs for a festive surprise. By blending healthy snacks and creative alternatives, you can craft an Easter basket that brings joy without overloading on sugar," she says.
What to add to a healthier Easter basket
Easter baskets don't have to be a complete sugar bomb that leaves everyone bouncing off the walls. Instead of loading up on just Peeps and Cadbury Eggs (we see you, marshmallow fanatics), why not balance things out? You can still keep some of the classic favorites, but mix in a few options that won't make the chocolate bunny look concerned for your health.
If you are interested in making a healthier Easter basket (or a healthy-ish basket), here are some items to consider.
Candy-filled eggs are a must in many homes during Easter. Instead of packing plastic eggs with candies made with high fructose corn syrup, food dyes and other questionable ingredients, why not lean on eggs filled with allergy-friendly and artificial dye-free candy? This kit contains 12 eco-friendly reusable eggs, 12 jelly beans and bunny-shaped gummy fruits snacks that are made with organic ingredients, which are non-GMO and gluten-free.
Sweet treats meet a creativity outlet with this painting kit. Kids can decorate chocolate eggs with cocoa butter-based edible paint for a fun hands-on experience featuring high-quality chocolate that is ethically sourced and free from artificial flavors.
The chocolate eggs are filled with chef-crafted flavors like caramelized macadamias, cookie dough and creamy caramel. And the dark chocolate eggs are 65% cacao, suggesting a high antioxidant content. While other chocolates have an even higher cacao percentage, these can also be more bitter and therefore less appealing to young palates.
If no Easter basket is complete without a chocolate bunny tucked inside, upgrade your standard milk chocolate option for this organic dark chocolate version from Whole Foods Market. It's made from 72% cacao that's been Fair Trade certified, and a whole bunny (which is three servings worth) delivers 10 grams of fiber too.
A plushie is always a cute basket stuffer, especially when it's perfectly on-theme. This mini plush is safe for littles (no buttons!), but is still stylish and fun for slightly older kids. Adding it to an Easter basket brings a charming chick-inspired vibe, all while being the perfect size to complement the basket without taking over.
Non-GMO Project Verified and Certified Gluten-Free, Good Health's White Cheddar ABC Bunny Bites are free from the top nine major allergens, made with wholesome ingredients and come in a package of 10 snack-sized bags. Younger kids can try and spell out Easter-focused words (like "hop") while enjoying these crunchy treats with bunny-themed packaging.
A precious hand-crafted bow adorned with tiny carrots can double as festive decoration for a sweet basket and something cute for little ones to wear in their hair. Holy City Bows allows for customization, letting you pick which side the clip on the bow goes, which size bow (regular or mini) and even if you prefer a headband instead of a clip!
If reading is a daily ritual in your household, your child is sure to be excited for a new, Easter-themed book tucked inside their basket. We like this dinosaur book for all babies, toddlers and preschoolers.
You can still weave Peeps into your Easter basket, sans the copious amounts of sugar. Brickcraft Peeps Building Kit is a fun addition to an Easter basket that encourages creativity and hands-on play. With vibrant colors and an Easter-themed design, it provides a festive activity for kiddos — and adds some color to the basket too!
Kids will love how sweet these fruity crisps are. Grown-ups will love that they are made with real fruit and no added sugar. Really — they are made with only one ingredient (grapes). The sheep on the package gives an Easter vibe, and the single-serve package makes it easy to add to any sized basket.
If your kid loves hunting for eggs, they will love this cute addition to their basket. The Egg-cellent Hide & Seek Game is a light-up interactive toy that sings clues to help players find it, allowing kids to extend the egg hunting beyond when the final plastic egg is found. This candy-free egg hunt is cute and engaging.
For makeup-obsessed tweens, this lip crayon offers a fruity scent, a boost of vitamin E (to keep lips soft) and the cutest bunny-themed packaging that isn't too "little-kid" looking that some tweens would deem cringy. Made with ingredients like cranberry extract and strawberry extract, these sticks are rich in antioxidants, vitamins and fruit acids that help nourish, soften and moisturize lips.
Rather than relying on candy to fill your plastic eggs, you can also fill them with mini toys that align with your kids' favorite interests or hobbies. You can buy the toys and fill your own eggs, or you can make your life even easier and opt for prefilled options. There are versions for every age, and you can choose themes like brain teasers, finger puppets, rubber ducks, dinosaurs or even gemstones.
Berries and cream just scream springtime. Adding these bars to a basket adds a sweet snack, but with far less sugar than the leading chewy granola bars. These bars are free from anything artificial — they are 100% whole grain and are non-GMO. Plus, they are free from hydrogenated oil or trans fats.
Meet the experts
Alexandria Hardy, RDN, LDN, registered dietitian at Pennsylvania Nutrition Services
Brannon Blount, MS, RDN, registered dietitian
Carrie Gabriel, MS, RDN, a California-based dietitian
Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.
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