9 Candy-Free Easter Activities For Families
SO. MUCH. CANDY.
We love Easter around here! But, after the bingeing of the holidays and the boxes of candy at Valentine’s Day, I’m always looking for playful, non-sweet alternatives by Easter.
So, these 9 simple Easter activities for families focus more on time spent together, and less on the candy marketers push us to buy. It’s important that our kids know we can have fun without the junk too. So, try a few this year!
No desserts, candy, or knick-knack toys required!
*For non-junk basket ideas, check out these Boys Easter basket ideas and Easter basket ideas for girls!
1. Easter Bingo
First, Play bingo as a family or with a group of kids. Bring this out to keep kids busy while you’re waiting on church or family celebrations! Create simple rewards such as “Winner gets to stay up late!” or “Winner is first in line at the egg hunt!”
(or see this list of reward ideas for kids)
2. Celebrate With Flowers
Easter is all about new life.
So why not celebrate the holiday by planting a few flowers every year! I’ve been meaning to get the kids involved with planting and gardening, so this is a tradition we will be trying. It gets you outside during the holiday too!
3. Eat An Easter Brunch
This is an Easter activity that is a staple of many, and a great way to get family together every year.
These bunny pancakes from This Little Pig Stayed Home are perfect for a healthy and easy breakfast whether with extended family or not! We use our favorite whole wheat banana pancake recipe found HERE and swap out the chocolate chips for blueberries!
Find make-ahead holiday breakfast ideas HERE >>
4. Roll Eggs Down A Hill
If the kids need something to do Easter morning after the hunts, this is perfect. It gets the competitive spirit going!
Find a hill and a few eggs you don’t mind parting with. Then, have family members stand at the top of the hill and have an egg rolling race! First egg down the hill wins!
*Once you are done, learn about other fun egg traditions with these Easter trivia questions and answers >>
5. Make An Easter Tree
This is such a cute craft and decoration that everyone can participate in from Rhythms of Play. All it takes are branches, a vase, rocks/pebbles, and little Easter egg ornaments. I bought egg ornaments HERE to do it.
My kids love scrounging up the perfect sticks for this!
6. Go On An Easter Picnic
If breakfast is too much work early in the morning, a simple Easter picnic could do the trick! Take some simple fare, even just snacks or a pb&j, and go to the park. Or sit outside on a blanket in your own backyard!
Enjoy the fresh air, sunlight, and use these fun would you rather Easter questions if you need extra entertainment.
Related Post: An Epic Spring Bucket List for Kids (and one for mom too!)
7. Have Your Own Sunrise Service
Sunrise is around 6:45 here this time of year. If you like getting up early, or are already up due to little kids, sit outside on the deck to watch the sunrise together. Bring blankets, wrap yourselves up, and cuddle. You could always prep some simple breakfast food the night before too.
What a sweet and reflective way to start the Easter holiday!
*Don’t want to wake up the kids? Make this a sweet holiday date with your partner instead!
8. Have The Kids Write A Letter
Have the kids write a letter about what they love to do and the things they enjoy. (Or have them answer some of these great questions.) Then, save them from year to year to revisit.
When they are all grown up it’s a cool way to look back on their childhood and get a glimpse of what they were like every spring.
9. Take An Easter Photo
This is what it looks like in our home after we’ve been celebrating all day. We’re spent.
It is my goal every year to take a nice Easter photo in the same spot. And, this is what happens instead!
However, ANY picture is a wonderful way to document the growth of your family. Sometimes pictures like these are a great reminder that not everything has to be picture perfect! This is life, and reality is messy!
Something to Think About with Easter
These Easter activities for families don’t have to be done on the actual day or weekend either. Do them any time during the month! No matter what traditions you choose, have fun and just focus on making memories this Easter!
Find non-candy Easter egg filler ideas here too >>
Want more incredible traditions to try with your family? Check out my ebook guide: 260+ of the BEST Traditions to Start With Your Family
What are your favorite Easter activities? Share below!
We love to make the Easter trees but we hot glue jelly beans on the sticks and call them Jelly Bean Trees. It’s a great way to get the kids to pick up sticks in the yard! Last year we started having the kids do a scavenger hunt to find their Easter baskets Sunday morning which they loved. Sneaky Easter Bunny ????
What a cute idea with the jelly bean trees! A scavenger hunt is such a cool idea too! Did you leave clues around the house? I’ve also read that you can put letters in the eggs that spell out the location of the Easter basket. Maybe this year I’ll have to be more proactive! Thanks so much for sharing! Love it!
We left clues around the house such as:
Follow the clues to a gift for you. The first one is easy it’s in your shoe.
You have to keep going I’m told. Look in the place that keeps milk cold.
Rub-A-Dub-Dub I’m in the Tub
I like the letters in the egg idea too.
Oh man, I love this! Makes finding the Easter basket so much more fun!