In recent years, my family has been trying to downsize for the holidays and for birthdays. We have cut back on our spending, and we have also cut back on “stuff” in general. It’s been quite liberating and fun! Let’s face it, balancing housework and a homestead with chickens, a garden and a few ducks can be overwhelming at times. Having more “stuff” just complicates life in general sometimes, and who needs that?
Easter is coming up, and just like every other holiday, we are trying to keep things simple. When I shop for gifts, I use a couple simple guidelines to help me decide what to get. I look for items that are inexpensive, that have a purpose, and that will last. That’s it! Simple, right?
I wanted to share with you a quality Easter basket idea that I have come up with for my toddler. I didn’t want a bunch of candy or toys that would break the first day, or things that would just clutter our home. I wanted something that would fit him where he is as a toddler. I went to our local Dollar Tree the other day and found some really cute quality items, and I spent less than $9!
The first item on my list was a basket. The basket has always been the tricky part for me because there are so many to choose. For my toddler, I wanted something with purpose, so I kept that in mind as I looked. I found the neatest little basket that will also double as an egg gathering basket for my son. Win! He’s my future farmer, so I’ve got to teach him young. The mesh is soft and springy, so if eggs get bumped around, they have a good chance of making it to the house in one piece.
I am not a fan of the traditional plastic grass, so I was delighted to find a much better alternative. The grass that I found is paper, so it will be great to leave in there to gather the eggs later. It can provide a little more bumping protection while gathering eggs, and if a couple pieces of the grass fall out, it won’t hurt chickens if they snack on it as the typical plastic grass would. (Plastic grass could potentially be fatal if ingested.)
We will be dying eggs, but for toddlers that view a hard-boiled egg as a bouncy ball, an alternative may be better. (Yes, I speak from experience.) I found some chalk in the shape of eggs. My son loves playing outside, so this is perfect sidewalk chalk that his little hands can easily grasp.
While shopping around, I found a duck bath mitt, bubbles, a farm cardboard book and an Easter-themed rubber ducky for fun in the tub or pool, and all of these were found at The Dollar Tree! One-stop shop! I was thrilled!
What do you think about my final product? Are you doing a farm-themed Easter basket for your little ones this year? What creative ideas have you come up with?
The post A Farm-Themed Toddler Easter Basket appeared first on Backyard Poultry Magazine.
