Last week I busted out my March Calendar after complete denial that February was already gone, and realized we have another March Easter this year. I love traditions, but I am a little over the plastic eggs and green plastic grass that ends up in the trash every year. So this year I decided to dig into Etsy and put together some of my favorite alternative easter treats we hope to get this year, and while I was at it, share with all of you!
1. Basket Filler
Like I mentioned above, I hate throwing more plastic in the trash, even after it has been used several times. Carbon footprint, y'all. So, this year we decided that we wanted something safe for our compost bin. Well, I happened upon Wrappily on Etsy, and I am smitten. Not only do they sell the cutest basket filler, but a ton of gorgeous wrapping paper and other products, all printed with soy ink so you can recycle or compost it completely guilt free.
2. Pretend Play Food
All of my kids are big on pretend play, but sometimes pretend play becomes "Jelly all over the kitchen set" play, with the reason being that the plastic food from the store is "just too boring". So, we are actively switching out our pretend play food for felt play food and Melissa and Doug food. The best part about felt food, outside of it being ADORABLE, is that it is soft enough for even the baby to play with, but not so baby that my older kids will turn up their nose. When I was searching through etsy, Ruffle Peach Mint's store stopped me in my tracks and I just had to click it because it's so pretty. Then I saw felt Macarons and it was all over for me. The kiddos are lucky if I don't steal these goodies from them.
3. Easter Crayons
I love all things office supply and coloring, especially unbroken, still sharp crayons. As you can imagine, those rarely last long here. This year I wanted to give them a set of crayons that was special to each of them, and easy for the little kiddos to grip. CustomCrayonsbySara is an answer to that wish for me. I can get the boys dinos and trucks, the girls will get classic Easter shapes, hearts, and Beauty and the Beast. If you can't give up the plastic eggs, she even has an option to get the crayons packaged in eggs, and, best of all? You can get Sparkles. The kids are gonna freak.
4. Family Game Night
Here's the point where I start geeking out over the stuff I'm linking to. Etsy is a freaking amazing platform for creative businesses- I'm seriously overwhelmed by all the awesome. For example, The Idea Box Kids are geniuses. This is a family game night in a box. We are working hard on having a game night at least a few times a month, and it is like Christmas every time we try something new. My kids LOVE games. This is a box of game ideas. They have so many boxes I hardly know where to start. Life skills, big sister, big brother, date night, science- the list goes on and on. Good thing I have a bunch of kids so I can buy a bunch of these boxes. So. Stinking. Cool.
5. Dress Up
My poor kids. They wear things until they die, so right now their dress up collection is a little sad right now. What a perfect opportunity to refresh their collection a little. I love all the options Ann's Craft House has - she even has felt puzzles! That could be a perfect diaper bag activity for Sam and Harper!
6. Custom Stuffies
My sister gifted all of the kiddos with personalized monsters and owls for Christmas last year, and it has been so much fun watching them take a little extra pride in their stuffy, because it is theirs and theirs alone. My 6 year old told me a little over a week ago that her Owl needed some friends, and I immediately thought of getting some more bird or forest friends for her. PitterPattersons even has Unicorns- and they can be made in different sizes. That way I can get something the right size for all the kids. YES.
7. Mess Free Sidewalk Chalk
Easter equals Spring to me, and Spring equals lots more outside time. Bubbles, Hula Hoops, and Sidewalk Chalk are some of our favorites. The thing about sidewalk chalk that bugs me though is that it breaks, makes a mess of hands, and is hard to store. That is until I happened upon Fine Motor Time's etsy site. Chalk the twists up and has a lid? Be still my heart. Chalk for all 5 of my kids, coming right up. There's even glow in the dark! I shouldn't be so excited about chalk, but I totally am.
8. Learning Toys
I need this whole shop. I'm having serious learning toy lust here. The colors, the simplicity, the quality... *swoon* Do you think the kids would noticed if I donated everything plastic and just replaced it with these and other wood toys? I know, I'm that meanie mom who wants to make every opportunity I can educational, but when it's all this pretty, can you blame me?
9. Wood Animals
Yeahhhhhh... They're so getting their toys replaced. Ooh Look It's a Rabbit just filled my etsy favorites folder. I'm putting this elephant in my own basket, and then maybe I'll take a little of everything else in their shop. Look at this dinosaur . I can't even.
10. Personalized Water Bottles
It's dry here in Colorado, and when you add in elevation, you need a lot of water. My kids are okay about drinking water, but the struggle is so real about getting them to use ONE cup through the day and not TEN. Having a cup with their favorite character is bound to keep their attention a little longer. CraftStudioD has every style of cup with a lid that you could ask for, and so many color and theme options I couldn't feature them all in a single photo. Let's just say I don't have to worry about finding something even my 10 year old will love.
I am SO excited about changing up Easter baskets this year. I'll just keep the Reese's Eggs and Black Jelly Beans (Don't hate y'all- I love them) and they can have sugar free awesomeness instead.
Do you have any Etsy shops you adore? How are you shaking up Easter baskets this year?