Enjoy a More Eco-Friendly Easter!
Springtime is here and nature is beginning to bloom with new beginnings and fresh opportunities of life. What a wonderful reminder of how important it is to protect and preserve these delicate processes of rebirth and regeneration.
Start (or continue!) new traditions this Easter by incorporating sustainable and eco-friendly crafts and activities in your celebrations! We’ve put together a few ideas to help you and your family enjoy the holiday for generations to come!
1. Eco-friendly Easter basket filler
Did you know: Plastic Easter grass does not degrade and cannot be recycled. It can cause harmful intestinal blockages and ultimately death if consumed by animals.
Alternative options to plastic Easter grass:
Line the bottom of the basket with old newspapers or magazines and grow a small patch of wheatgrass
Buy eco-friendly Easter grass
Shred colorful recycled paper
Line the basket with green fabric
Repurpose tissue paper
2. Eco-friendly Easter egg hunt
Did you know: We produce more than 380 million tons of plastic waste a year. Included in the staggering figure are the ever-popular plastic Easter eggs.
Wooden eggs have become more popular over the years and cost-effective options are now available at many craft stores and online with major retailers. Include kids in painting, dazzling, and stamping eggs to keep and share for years to come. Or choose to repaint each year! They come in a variety of sizes and some are fillable!
Side note: This author recently purchased a variety of wooden eggs from Michael’s arts and crafts store, including some large fillable wooden eggs. The eggs are big enough for a little one’s handprints, perfect to commemorate a first Easter!
3. Eco-friendly dyed Easter eggs
There is a lot of information out there about the dangers of food dyes. While we won’t dive into that hornet nest here, we’ve provided some alternative options to artificial egg dyes.
Create natural dyes made from vegetables, spices, and fruits.
Boil a quart of water with two tablespoons of white vinegar.
Simmer with the ingredients for 30 minutes.
Cool and strain the dye and let it soak for 30 minutes. **Use gloves and avoid clothing as dyes may stain skin and clothing.
Red cabbage = vibrant blue
Red onions = jade green
Grape juice = lavender
Paprika = pink-red
Turmeric powder = bright yellow
Beet juice = bright pink
If you're unable to create your own dyes, you can purchase vegetable-based dyes from a variety of online retailers.
4. Minimalist Easter Baskets
Did you know: Consumers expect to spend an average of $192.01 per person on Easter this year, after factoring in purchases for items like new outfits, meals, candy, gifts and decorations.
It’s hard to pass up the soft and cuddly stuffed bunnies, quirky wind-up chicks, sticker books, and all things Easter-oriented that the stores line their shelves with to entice consumers. But if you’re looking to create a more minimalist basket, and not one filled with items that will quickly be broken or discarded, we’ve put together a few ideas.
Summer is just around the corner and for many that means fun in the sun and water. Add items to your Easter basket such as sidewalk chalk, bubbles, pool toys, or even a new swimsuit.
Toiletries may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think “Easter basket” but these items are obviously practical but can also be fun. For the littles, include a new toothbrush in a fun shape or with a favorite character on it. For the bigs, add in some bath bombs, nail polish, or body wash.
Books are an easy go-to! For the littles you can also do activity or coloring books. For the bigs, encourage screen-free time with word searches, crosswords, or sudoku books.
Playing cards and games create fun for everyone. This Easter basket addition is another great way to encourage screen-free time with family and friends.
Snacks! Toss in a few favorites and maybe a special treat (or three!).