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    9 Awesome Alternatives to Easter Candy

    If you'd prefer not to give your kids sugary Easter treats this year, fill your little ones' baskets these adorable, fun--and sugar-free!--alternatives to the traditional candy gifts.


    Robotic Chick
    Robotic ChickRobotic Chick
    Fuzzy baby chicks are nearly as synonymous with Easter as fluffy bunnies. This adorable robotic chick ($27 from Brando) will flap its wings while held and will chirp with joy as its head is patted. It's even packaged in a cute egg that turns into a nest.


    Bunny Earrings

    Bunny EarringsBunny Earrings
    If your daughter has pierced ears, what could be cuter than a pair of white bunny-shaped stud earrings? This handmade pair ($8) from Etsy seller Plushable feature hypoallergenic posts, which are great for sensitive young skin.

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    Cookie Decorating Kit
    Williams-Sonoma Easter Cookie Decorating KitWilliams-Sonoma Easter Cookie Decorating Kit
    Studies, like one conducted last year by City University in London, show cooking with your kids is a great way to teach them about nutrition, teamwork, and cooperation. Give them this fun decoration kit ($20 from Williams-Sonoma) and spend the afternoon whipping up a batch of treats for Easter dessert. You'll love the time spent together and they'll be able to enjoy a cookie or two without overindulging like they might on a basket full of chocolate.


    Peter Rabbit Books
    Peter Rabbit Books and PlushPeter Rabbit Books and Plush
    Whether they'll need you to read to them or are old enough to enjoy them on their own, books are one of the best gifts you can ever give a child. For Easter, nothing could be more appropriate than Beatrix Potter's complete Peter Rabbit tales ($12 from Overstock). Pair it with a plush Peter toy ($30 from drugstore.com) and your little one's basket is one that will provide years of fun and memories.

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    Butterfly Habitat
    Discovery Butterfly HabitatDiscovery Butterfly Habitat
    Discovery is known for toys that are both educational and fun--a killer combination to satisfy kids and parents alike. This collapsible butterfly habitat ($25 from discovery.com) allows young ones to observe the change from larva to caterpillar to butterfly. So cool! (The larvae ship separately, so you'll probably want to order now so you can send away for them as well.)


    Retro Games
    Retro GamesRetro Games
    In the age of iPads and video game consoles, kids are becoming accustomed to playtime being associated with a screen. Remind your little ones how much fun (and stimulating for the brain!) offline games can be. A barrel full of monkeys ($7 from Amazon), a set of jacks ($4 from FAO Schwartz), or a tube of pick-up sticks ($8 from Amazon) are supercheap and can be played for years.

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    Musical Instruments
    Kids Percussion KitKids Percussion Kit
    Studies show children who learn to play musical instruments score higher on tests, do better in school, and have higher IQs than kids who don't. Inspire your kids' musicality with this cool percussion kit ($29 from Amazon), which features cymbals, a tambourine, a triangle, jingle bells, rhythm sticks, and a wood sounder.


    Jewelry-Making Kit

    Crayola Model Magic Jewelry BoutiqueCrayola Model Magic Jewelry Boutique
    A basket-stuffer that allows kids to express their creativity is a great idea--and, in our experience--kids love making beaded jewelry. We love the Crayola Jewelry Boutique kit in particular ($20 from Toys R Us) because not only does it allow kids to string together awesome necklaces and bracelets, but it also allows them to make the beads from scratch!

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    Gardening Kit
    Pottery Barn Kids Gardening SetPottery Barn Kids Gardening Set
    Easter and the spring season are all about rebirth and growth in nature, so what better time to give kids a fun and educational gardening set. This kit ($24 from Pottery Barn Kids) comes with eco-friendly pots, organic sunflower seeds, and compact soil disks to help keep things from getting too messy.

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