Easter DIYs & Basket Alternatives

Growing up Easter was just a fun thing our family did. I know it is technically a holiday recognized by religious individuals and I know what the true meaning behind Easter is. However my only church going family members passed away when I was young and I never attended after that. I have kept it the same for my kids however we don't go overboard.

This isn't another Christmas and it's not a birthday celebration though I don't judge parents who make holidays that big if they so choose too. However for us this holiday is just a fun day that we celebrate with our own traditions and we remember to remain thankful and full of gratitude for the things that we have in our lives including one another.

I very much remember trying to make cute footprint crafts when my kids were babies. Let me tell you there were tears a lot of them. From me and from the kids. I didn't know it at the time but my youngest has a sensory processing disorder and he HATED the feeling of paint. I just thought he was a stubborn baby and didn't understand why I couldn't just get ONE cute footprint of his tiny foot. So to save you the paint stained clothes,floor and tears I'm not going to include any of those crafts in this article. Hopefully what you do find is funner and brings giggles and joy and not crying and scrubbing . LOL.

Eggs Eggs and More Eggs.

Lets face it every year it seems someone somewhere comes out with a new way to dye Easter eggs. I personally love this part of the holiday and will try to hold onto it as long as my kids and husband let me. That said one of my absolute favorite ways to dye eggs is the shaving creme method. I love marble patterns and dying eggs this way is fun not only for kids but for you and dad or aunts and uncles as well. It makes a beautiful marble pattern and is fun to experiment with different colors. The best dyes are neon and gel !

Find information on how to pull off shaving creme eggs here.

Fun in the Sun ?! I think Yes !

Easter doesn't just have to be egg hunts and candy ! You can make it a little different and a little more fun with this great idea from Hike N Dip blog

Make A Egg toss game in the backyard. Fill golden eggs with coupons for the kids as prizes. Stuff like 15 minute bedtime extension , Picks Dinner Coupon, No chores for a day , and more ! Get creative and have fun . You can also do small prizes and or candy!

Make Your Own Baskets

Make your own baskets to leave out for the Easter Bunny . This is something kids really can get into and teens can do it too if they'd like.

Make your own basket with glue , yarn and a ballon. No I'm not crazy check out these beautiful baskets !

Dip your string in glue mod podge is best then wrap your balloon. Leave to dry in a bowl covered in saran wrap then pop the ballon and cut your opening! Decorate how you like.

Or

let kids and teens get creative and pick a animal, or character and let them get the supplies to build their basket. This adorable unicorn is a cool example but also remind them that they could pick something like the hat below it and that gives you the opportunity to be creative and find them a new hat Mr. Or Mrs Easter Bunny.

Basket Alternatives

Here's A Fun List Of Basket Alternatives

For Adults

Mini alcohol bottles

Beer Hunt

Lottery Scratcher's

Coupons

Gift Certificates

Cologne or Perfume

For Teens

Headphones

Granola Bars

Phone Case

Art Supplies

Skating Supplies (Skateboard or skates )

Planner

Nail Polish

Cologne or Perfume

Pens

Favorite snacks or gift cards for coffee etc.

For The Little's

Snack Mixes (See below for bunny mix )

Sticker's

Putty or Slime

Toy cars or figurines

Bubble's

Fruit Snack's

Granola Bars or Cereal Bars

Craft Kits

Bubbles

Chalk

Books

These cute free coupons!

Family Easter Painting

Grab a canvas and some masking tape + two dozen eggs !

Youre going to crack the eggs on the upper half of the egg the best you can . Save the egg ! You can use them for baking later ! Fill the shells with paint and set aside.

Take your masking tape and make a large letter of your last name . Make it as pretty as possible.

Now everyone grab eggs and throw! They'll explode into beautiful puffs of paint and when your canvas is absolutely covered you can peel off your tape revealing your monogram and let it dry flat in the sun . Then flake off any remaining eggshells carefully . Seal it with some spray paint sealant and then display it as a fun family memory and art piece!

Make A Door Carrot From Tulips

Pinterest caught my eye with this! Make a door decoration carrot . Out of TULIPS !

I've seen a few other creative things to decorate your door as well. My favorite is to contact your local newspaper and see if they sell rolls of paper that are almost out. It's blank and if you have young kids or a talented teen artist you can cover your door in it then let them color your decoration for the holiday! Works great any holiday and they are sure to remember being allowed to color on the front door!

Change It Up

Take the awesome idea from here and check out how to make a fun night time easter egg hunt.

Bake A Cake Together

Before Easter rather a week ,the weekend or a couple days before make a cake together. It doesn't have to be chopped worthy and it doesn't have to look beautiful. Just make a cake together. Soak up the fun and joy in spending time together in the kitchen and then eat the yumminess that results from that time. I love this carrot cake recipe but you can make anything !

CARROT CAKE

2 cups (400g) granulated sugar

1 1/4 cup (250g) vegetable oil

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

3 large eggs, at room temperature

2 3/4 cup (352g) all-purpose flour

2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

2 tsp. baking soda

1 1/2 tsp. salt

2 1/4 cups finely grated carrots

1/2 cup pineapple, can be from a can or freshly diced

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup (1 stick or 113g) salted butter

1 tsp. vanilla extract

4 cups (512g) confectioners sugar

INSTRUCTIONS

CARROT CAKE

Heat the oven to 350°F.

Prepare two 8-inch round baking pans. (Can also do three 7-inch round cake pans) Butter pans generously or spray with baking spray.

Beat the sugar, oil, vanilla, and eggs in mixer until it is a light yellow, about 3 minutes.

In a separate bowl sift together flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt. (Double sifting is recommended)

With the mixer on low speed, slowly and gently add in the dry ingredients. Mix until JUST combined. (Can also mix by hand!)

Remove bowl from mixer and fold in carrots, and pineapple.

Divide the batter equally between the pans. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out mostly clean. A few crumbs are what you want for a MOIST cake!

Allow the cakes to cool completely on a wire rack.

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Place room temperature butter, cream cheese, and vanilla into mixer and blend for 1-2 minutes on medium until fully incorporated.

Add powder sugar, one cup at a time, until frosting is light and creamy. Whip cream cheese frosting for 3-5 minutes or until light and fluffy.

Cover cake in frosting.

Rather its the traditional church and potluck or Easter eggs and bbq , I hope your family enjoys this time together and has a couple new ideas to weave into your family traditions and fun! Thanks for reading and sharing is always welcome !