As Champaign-Urbana families make Easter preparations this year with a stay-at-home order in place, we have some ways to be creative with baskets
Avoid the non-stop sugar rush that comes with candy-filled baskets for Easter
Of course, there’s always room for candy in Easter eggs. But who says we can’t dare to be different once in awhile? Plus, with so many kiddos that have food allergies and aversions, staying away from candy and food can benefit us by making more hunts accessible to anyone. For the sake of this article, we are leaving out food suggestions all together. And some of them may be choking hazards, so beware on the ages here.
We’re also digging deep in our creative parent pockets this year due to COVID-19 and a desire to limit our trips running around to different stores. Not all of these fit in eggs, but certainly could fit in a basket. We have more tips on having a happy Easter celebration at home this year coming soon.
Thanks to Prairie Gardens for presenting our list of 50 things to put in Easter eggs that aren’t candy.
Prairie Gardens Greenhouses and Garden Center will be OPEN starting Monday, March 30!
Whether it’s farmers at local markets, landscapers, or gardeners who enjoy home-grown produce from their own sustainable gardens – many depend on local garden centers to supply important agricultural and garden essentials with the sale of fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs, seeds, soils, fertilizers, and more.
Our commitment to the safety of our associates and customers remains strong. We will continue to provide safe distancing, safe handling, enhanced cleaning procedures, monitor traffic, and more to create the safest shopping experience possible.
Plus, to make things easier, cart pickup and curbside pickup will also be available.
For those who prefer to stay home & secure some garden beauty for a future trip: gift cards are available. Buy a Prairie Gardens $50 gift card now and receive a FREE Live Hibiscus Bush (10″ pot • about a $20 value) for a limited time. All the info can be found here: https://prairie-gardens.
For up-to-date information, check out the Prairie Gardens website and Facebook Page.
Things you probably already have in your house, or can put together in your house
- Coins. Kids LOVE coins! Or…
- Dollar bills (!!!)
- Inspirational Quotes or Bible verses on pieces of paper
- Stickers
- Bottles of sprinkles (yes technically we know this is food … can be used for baking later though!)
- Balloons
- Homemade coupons – date night with mom or dad, ice cream trip, Skateland visit, etc.
- Card games – deck of cards, Uno, Go Fish
Things you can grab at your grocery store or pharmacy (links to purchase online and have delivered to your home)
Toy Aisle
- Mini Bubbles (similar to what you get at a wedding) or non-spillable Fubbles
- Bubble bath or bath bombs
- Sidewalk chalk
- Books – coloring, reading, activity (like Mad Libs)
- Shopkins
- Little planes, cars, people
- Bouncy balls
- Take and go packs of Play-doh
- Silly putty
- Mini Slinky
- Puzzles – One parent says, “I always buy a 24-piece puzzle and put 1-2 pieces of the puzzle in each egg!”
- Jump rope
- LEGOs
Office supply/craft aisle
Personal care aisle
- Hair accessories – ties, bows, scrunchies, etc.
- Lip balm
- Fun Band-Aids
- Nail polish
- Jewelry – we love these bunny earrings
Garden section
- Mini flower pots
- Flower Seeds
- Mini gardening items to help plant flowers
Things you can pick up from local businesses
- Game card for Jupiter’s
- Swim passes to use this summer from Champaign Park District or Urbana Park District
More fun things you can order on Amazon and have delivered to your home
- Tiny stamps
- Small plastic animals (from a Toob)
- Little animals (from Little People)
- Temporary tattoos
- Magic Grow Capsules
- String and beads for kids to make their own jewelry
- Pretty rocks for rock collections or the family fairy garden
- Hydro flask and/or stickers
- Fun socks
- Finger puppets
- Earbuds
- Latch hook tool/kit
- Perler beads
- Shrinky dinks
- Keychain Craft
- Mini Sticky hands
- Doll accessories
- Lanyards
- Carabiners
- Bug jar