Easter is just around the corner so it’s time to hop to it and get into the season!  Guest author Chrissy Jones, founder of BeyondthePark.com, has rounded up some great ideas for Easter baskets, a Peep craft and some fun Easter events for Chicago locals…

Easter Basket Ideas:

I love putting together Easter baskets.   My mom always did such a nice job for my brother and I when we were growing up.  I love being able to personalize a basket for each of my kids. Here are some fun ideas if you’re looking to put your own touches on an Easter basket beyond jellybeans and chocolate eggs.

There are some really cute Easter baskets out there that can be personalized like this adorable one from Lands End.

Or this one from Pottery Barn Kids.  But make sure you place your order in the next couple of days to ensure delivery.

If you’d prefer not to spend the time and money personalizing a basket then we suggest you head to Target.  Right now they have some great Easter baskets that are particularly cheap.  You can choose from Hello Kitty felt baskets, to sports or pirate tin pail types.  For teens, instead of using a cutesy basket, we love the idea of using a canvas desk caddy so that it can be repurposed in their rooms after Easter.

If you’re looking for some fun items to fill your baskets, try these….

• Books:  For young kids there are a ton of cute bunny themed books.  For the older kids we love the idea of giving them a great book to read like Divergent.  Magazine subscriptions are also great ideas and promote reading, which of course we love.
• Activity workbooks, coloring books & crayons:  The kids can bring them to Easter brunch to keep them busy at the table.  For older kids Mad-libs are always fun to play with siblings and cousins at the table.

• Candy:  I’m a huge candy fan especially around Easter (I love Cadbury mini eggs) but I don’t want to load my kids up on sugar.  I typically like to throw in one chocolate bunny or a fun Pez Dispenser.  You can grab these from any CVS, Walgreens or Target.

• Small toys:  Silly Putty, Play dough, Melissa & Doug craft kit, color me Easter cookie tin from Eleni’s Cookies.

• Outdoor toys:  Nice weather should be here any day so encourage outdoor play by including bubbles, sidewalk chalk or sunglasses.
•  Video Game:  Now that we’re past the holiday season a lot of the big name games are now on sale.  Older kids would surely appreciate an iTunes gift card.

For teens, it’s still possible to put together a fun basket that won’t garner eye rolling.

Some great basket stuffer ideas for teens are:  iTunes gift card, customized water bottle (there are great ones on TKEES for girls and Addidas for boys), magazine subscription to a cool magazine like scuba diving, National Geographic etc.…

Easter Treats:  

My kids love marshmallows and they’re always thrilled to see Peeps back in the stores this time of year.  The only thing better than Peeps is chocolate covered Peeps.  This is a fun and easy project that even the littlest of helpers can participate in.  We made bunny Peep pops and Peep ducks in nests.

 Recipe: 

•  1 package of Marshmallow Peeps (bunnies, or ducks depending on which project you want to do)
• 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate (we used choc chips)
• 1 tsp. shortening or butter
• Sprinkles and mini marshmallows for decorating

 Instructions:

• Place a lollipop stick in the Bunny Peep being careful that it does not poke all the way through
• Lay them down on a plate and put them in the freezer for 20 minutes
• Cover a baking sheet with tin foil
• Melt the chocolate & the shortening together in the microwave.
• Hold the Bunny Peeps by the stick; dip into the chocolate, making sure to coat it well.  Lightly shake off the excess.  Lay it down on the covered baking sheet.  Place one mini marshmallow on the backside for the tail.

For the ducks in nests:

• Carefully pick the duck up and dip the bottom fifth in the melted chocolate.  Shake off any excess chocolate.  Carefully dip the Peep into a bowl of sprinkles.
• Place on the covered baking sheet.

• When all the dipping is done, place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for 10 minutes to let the chocolate set.  Enjoy!

Chicago Easter Events

Nobody does Easter quite like Chicago.  There is an abundance of fun egg hunts in this city but many do require advanced registration so make sure to plan ahead.  Here are some of our favorites:

Easter Egg-Stravaganza at The Lincoln Park Zoo:  Saturday April 19^th

This year the zoo is hosting its popular Easter weekend event in a new location with more activities than ever before! Join them for an egg-stravagant celebration at the zoo’s South Lawn and Park Place Café featuring tasty treats with the Easter Bunny, an egg hunt, craft-making activities and visits with our fabulous zoo animals.

Weather permitting; guests will also enjoy free carousel and train rides!  Register today!

8:30 a.m.–10 a.m.

Meet the Easter Bunny, enjoy FREE train and carousel rides, make crafts, enjoy treats and visit with our animals!

9 a.m.–9:20 a.m.
Egg hunt (age groups and order to be determined)

Please note: Tickets must be purchased in advance no later than 5 p.m. on April 16. Tickets will not be available at the zoo on the day of the event.

Breakfast with the Bunny at The Brookfield Zoo: Saturday, April 19th 

Seatings at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

Treat the kids to a visit with the Easter Bunny and his friends during an all-you-can eat buffet. Musical entertainment will make for an uplifting fun time for your entire family to enjoy. Seating is limited and reservations are required. 

Happy Easter!

Chrissy Jones is a Chicago based mom of 3 who is committed to raising her kids in the city. She created WWW.Beyondthepark.com, a curated collection of the coolest things to do around town with your kids–beyond the playground.