Ah Easter! Spring has sprung! Time to fill your cart with hydrogenated-oil filled chocolate bunnies, fake grass made from plastic and dyes, bpa-filled plastic eggs, etc. Just kidding- read below for eco-friendly and plastic free Easter ideas!
1. Skip the Plastic Eggs
Yes, they are everywhere. Grocery stores, toy stores, even CVS- you can grab an entire bag for less than $10 and woohoo, you're done shopping. There's nothing that makes me cringe more than plastic eggs filled with GMO-candy. Did you know plastic eggs most likely contain paint with lead in them, because many of them are made in China, along with BPA?! Vow never to use plastic eggs again, and instead choose a healthier option listed below. These are just three out of MANY ideas! Hide them in the yard, and let the non-toxic egg hunting begin!
These wonderful white wooden eggs are perfect for decorating as a fun art project, and their white appearance will make non-toxic marker or paint designs truly pop!
Another alternative is knitted eggs.
If you have older children that enjoy crafts, you can choose to make felt Easter eggs!
2. Choose Organic
Put down that processed candy and those chocolate bunnies! Make a choice to go candy free this year. Opt for more natural, organic treats such as homemade trail mix filled in mason jars, or Yum Earth organic candy or make your own Easter breakfast popsicles with yogurt, granola, blueberries, and raspberries! This coconut oil based rice-krispy recipe is the best replacement for candy or chocolate, with or without the sprinkles- better yet, you can cut them into the shapes of bunnies, carrots, and eggs with these cookie cutters!
3. Eco-friendly Toys & Goodies
Did you know that dollar store toys contain harmful dyes, toxic heavy metals, and phthalates, just to name a few? Green America and Woman's Day both found that at least 81% of these toys are toxic and harmful to your child's developing endocrine system. If that doesn't have you running far away from the dollar store, and steering clear of purchasing cheap toys made from chemicals filled materials, I don't know what will! Choose to purchasing sustainable toys, like the ones listed below. There are so many brands people stick to, like Melissa and Doug, and never venture outside of that brand, when there are plenty of other amazing brands with better toys. Melissa and Doug is also made in China, and does contain formaldehyde.
Play Silks from Rose and Rex
Eco-Dough made from natural and organic fruit, plant and vegetable extracts from annatto seed, blue gardenia, curcumin, purple sweet potato, flour, salt, cream of tartar, organic rosemary oil, vitamin e oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, potassium sorbate, citric acid.
Katelyn’s Collective Zodiac Eggs - These are beautiful hand painted eggs with your child’s zodiac sign. Katelyn even makes beautiful Easter themed peg dolls!
Honeysticks Beeswax Crayons are handmade using 100% pure New Zealand beeswax and Food Grade Pigments for Color. These are some of my favorite crayons because they smell amazing and can even be used in the bath! They are safe for infants, kids and children of all ages. Contains no paraffin wax or cheap fillers.
Make your Own Animal Bath Bombs from Kiwi Co. is a great craft kit for the science loving kid!
Prism Pocket Building Set from Rose and Rex is made from sustainably sourced Central American hardwoods, and finished with a non-toxic, water-based paint.
Nova Natural Rainbow Streamer made from wood and 100% silk
Birch Wood Bowling Set from Nova Natural
4. Make it about the Experience!
Starting Easter traditions and presenting your child Easter Day crafts will have your them looking forward to the experience of Easter each year. They will look to building memories rather than focusing on what's filling their Easter basket. Our family philosophy is that having a handful of sustainable toys is better than filling your home with endless, cheap ones. Less is more. A few of my favorite eco-friendly crafts are listed below.
Egg Coloring with Non-toxic Dyes (Just purchased this today!)