What can you do to make this day fun, engaging and mindful? Here are six tips for a healthier Easter celebration with kids.
1. Start With Designing Their Basket
Let’s get one thing clear from the onset: chocolate is not bad for you. While the processed milk chocolate rabbits filling many baskets may contain less nutritious ingredients, the cacao powder provides a rich source of antioxidants. It has more polyphenols and flavanols than fruit juice.
However, that doesn’t mean chocolate is the only thing to include in your child’s basket. Balance matters in everything. A little is good — too much can spell cavities.
Instead, delight your little one with non-food goodies such as small toys. Why not include some hard-boiled eggs, too? Egg yolks contain phosphorus and vitamin D, which are essential for helping your child’s teeth regain minerals. Include a few to counteract the effect of that one glorious chocolate bunny — who can deprive a little one of the joy that comes from biting off the ears!
2. Plan for Action
Little bodies need movement to grow and thrive. According to the World Health Organization, children between one and five need 180 minutes of varied activity each day. Older kiddos need at least an hour of moderate-to-vigorous exercise daily.
What can you do? There’s always the traditional egg hunt, but mix it up a little. Are you planning a backyard or park bash? Set up a volleyball net — or use a tennis version if you have wee ones too tiny to serve and return. Make an obstacle course with pool noodles or bring frisbees and baskets for a game of disk golf.
3. Ask for Their Input
Do you remember your parents dragging you to relative’s house after relative’s house on Easter, eating the same food and listening to the same adult conversation at each one? If so, you probably don’t have the fondest memories of this holiday.
Your kids are family members, too. While the whole day need not revolve around them, teach fairness by example by asking what they’d like to do. Maybe follow that boring trip to Aunt Tilly’s house with a trip to the playground for a quick game of catch.
4. Pack a Plant-Based Picnic
Eggs and ham traditionally line the Easter table in the US, but there’s no need to cling to tradition, given the climate crisis. Meat and dairy production accounts for roughly 14.5% of global greenhouse emissions and many hogs spend miserable lives in tiny crates.
Instead, why not pack a plant-based picnic? If you live in a southern climate zone, you might have a few of the first fruits of your harvest to include. If not, go wild. Fiddlehead ferns come into season and taste heavenly cooked, chilled and tossed with a bit of light mustard vinaigrette. Add them to your picnic basket with some fresh veggie and hummus wraps and perhaps some potato salad for a healthy lunch.
5. Remember Safety First
The sun and warm weather have returned. Rejoice — then grab your sunscreen. You should apply it to your child’s skin 15 to 30 minutes before your outing and roughly every two hours after that to prevent damage. Ozone depletion means UV rays are stronger than ever.
Warm weather also brings back the bugs. Keep your kiddo's feet and ankles covered and grass trimmed to prevent ticks, which can cause Lyme disease. Inspect them after playing outdoors, removing any offenders by using clean tweezers.
6. Nurture Your Child’s Spirit
Easter is a spiritual holiday. You and your family may not follow the Christian faith, but you can still nurture your child’s soul and introduce them to the glory of renewal.
Even if you’re an atheist, you can connect with the changing seasons. Why not spend some time mindfully gardening with your child, discussing how your food scraps came from the earth and now go back to it as compost, completing the life cycle? Or spend time together in family meditation — it may seem unusual at first, but it can benefit your mental health and bring you closer.
Have a Healthy Easter Celebration With the Kids
Easter doesn’t need to be a celebration of non-stop gluttony. While chocolate is glorious, it shouldn’t be the focal point of this spiritual holiday.
Instead, use the tips above to have a healthy Easter celebration with the kids. You’ll enjoy your day more, soothing your soul regardless of your religious faith.
*Collaborative post
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