For families with young children, or adults young at heart, an Easter egg hunt is a great way to kick off the spring. If filling and hiding plastic eggs is on your mind, and you're concerned that there might be too much sugar in this year's treats, why not think outside the Easter basket?

Add a healthy twist to the holiday with a few of the ideas below. With a little creativity, your little ones won't miss out on the fun. 

Easter Baskets

Who says you need candy to create the perfect Easter basket? Choose an activity like a basketball game, or a trip to the zoo and build your basket around the experience. Along the same lines, if you choose an activity like gardening, swimming or camping you can avoid the sugar and help your child build a new hobby in the process. 

Movie Night Easter Basket

Who doesn't love watching a good movie with the whole family? Channel all the elements of a fun family movie night and fill your child's Easter basket with a new DVD, popcorn and a new pair of PJs to get cozy in. 

Scavenger Hunt Easter Basket

One of the most exciting parts of any Easter celebration is the search for eggs and treats! If you'd like to give a bigger treat this year instead of a few smaller items, consider creating a scavenger hunt with your child's Easter present as the reward at the end. Hide one part of the clue in your little one's basket and enjoy the hunt as they work to find the next clues. 

Easter Basket Extras

School-age kids can get excited over something very small and inexpensive, so take advantage of that and consider some of these low-cost ideas to round out your child's Easter surprise:  

• Outdoor toys. Summer is right around the corner. Kids of all ages enjoy things like sidewalk chalk, jump ropes, bubbles, water guns or a Frisbee. Be creative and use a sand pail or dump truck rather than a traditional Easter basket.
• Indoor toys. Consider purchasing coloring books and crayons, play dough or a new board game that the family can enjoy together.
• Snacks. Include some healthier items in your child’s basket such as peanuts, trail mix, jerky or fruit snacks.
• Accessories. Children (and adults) can always use new lip balm, bracelets, sunglasses or nail polish.

Now that you have your ideas together, hop on down the bunny trail and get s”hopping!”