If you’re putting together Easter baskets for children, it can start to feel as if every holiday brings candy overload. Most Americans, including children, have too many added sugars in their everyday diet even before indulging in holiday goodies.

Children under age 2 should not have any food or beverages with added sugar. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025 recommend limiting added sugars to less than 10% of calories per day starting at age 2.

For example, a moderately active four-year-old should eat about 1,400 calories per day – and no more than 140 of those calories should be made up of added sugars. A child indulging in an Easter basket full of tempting treats can easily exceed the healthy limit.

Here are some alternatives to candy for Easter baskets that will delight your children without overdoing it on sugar:

• Bubbles.
• Coloring and activity books.
• Art supplies such as crayons, sidewalk chalk and colored pencils.
• Stickers.
• Books.
• Age-appropriate toys such as play dough or miniature cars.
• Puzzles.
• Hair accessories.
• Games the whole family can enjoy.

Include healthier treats in your child’s basket, too, such as nuts, trail mix or no-sugar-added dried fruits.

Theme Baskets

Another fun option is to build an Easter basket around a theme related to your child’s hobbies and interests. A few examples:

• Music: For younger children, select easy-to-play instruments such as a toy xylophone and a recorder, along with toy microphones and other accessories. Whether an older child is a musician or simply enjoys listening to music, they will appreciate a basket of music-related gifts.
• Characters: Fill your child’s basket with toys, games, cards, books and clothing related to their favorite fictional character or superhero.
• Reading: For an avid reader, a basket of books and accessories, such as a blanket, booklight, journal and bookmarks may be the perfect treat.
• Movie night: An Easter basket with a new DVD, popcorn and a new pair of cozy PJs has all the makings of a fun family movie night.
• Summer fun: New pool toys, a beach towel, sunglasses, beach balls, toy shovels and plastic buckets will get your kids excited for the warm days ahead.
• Outdoors: Hats, camping lights or flashlights, nature books, gardening kits and age-appropriate binoculars may be a big hit with kids who love the outdoors.

Potential themes are as unique as each child – and once you settle on a theme, you’ll find it easy to fill your child’s Easter basket with healthy alternatives.