Thanks in advance.

Ideas for Easter:

From the Easter bunny:
• sidewalk chalk
• bubbles
• crayons/coloring book
• sand toys
• small pot with a baggie of soil and some marigold seeds
• small sized book
• balloons-blow up and fill the floor
• new swimsuits and swim shoes
• swim float for the baby, water wings, anything in that theme
• snorkle and goggles for the older child
• Sunscreen - colored kinda that fades so you cover every part
• kites
• headbands, barretts
• small beach chair
• NEW toothbrush and a new thing of toothpaste
• character pillowcases
• small flashlight
• chapstick
• a new kite
• fishing stuff
• t-shirt, socks
• waterpaints and paper to paint on
• kid-sized gardening tools and a watering can
• sunglasses
• travel game (i.e., with magnets)
• personalized pencils or pens
• movie theater or blockbuster gift certificate
• bottle of fancy lotion
• new spiffy shoelaces
• harmonica for toddlers and preschoolers
• garden seeds
• sunblock lip balm
• stickers, stamps, stuffed animals, etc.
• glycerine soap with toys inside
• animal crackers
• plastic tub toys
• bibs

To Do:
• Put change - nickels, dimes, quarters - in plastic eggs. Hide the eggs before they come to the house in the afternoon - each child is allowed a predetermined amount of eggs - so it is equal.
• Make rice krispies treats and instead of spreading them out in a pan form little nests out of them on wax paper on a cookie sheet. Put a few jelly beans in the middle, and a marshmallow peep on top of the beans.
• Make a stencil of bunny feet. Use a paper plate as a cut out. Then using some baby powder or carpet fresh create a bunny trail through the house to their baskets...little kids love that.
• But to make Easter FUN...Get the tiny fillable eggs and place notes in them sending them on a wild goose chase(if you plan it right-it could take up a lot of time so you can sit and enjoy your coffee) At the end of the chase buy a six pack of soda, sugary cereal, or just anything that they normally would never have. And that’s their treat. Planning the wild goose chase is easier if you start from the end, then backtrack. Write the clues in poem form if you can.

Roses are red.
Violets are blue.
Open your closet.
And look in a shoe.

Place a few tiny treats along the way...maybe a keychain or crazy bone (remember those?)
Also do this at Valentines day. It takes about 30-50 eggs to make a good chase so start planning places to hide them. Use every room in the house. Hide some in the washer and dryer, in the
pantry, in coat pockets and under pillows. Even plan one for the kids to call grandmom for the
next clue. Send them to the neighbors yards or houses (get permission first)

When we were little my parents would buy us a stuffed animal, a little bit of candy (because we were weird and wouldn't eat chocolate that much then :) ) and we'd usually get a spring outfit and windbreaker. Could you buy them something like that for summer? Or maybe like a bathing suit? Or a hat? A pair of sunglasses? Oh, and I remember my dad's old girlfriend always bought her boys some type of crafty kit for their age group and they'd all do them some day when it was yucky out. Even water colors and paper work great. Coloring books? Anything simple will make them happy.

~Leslie~

sounds like the kids have enough "materialistic" items

ANother idea, goes back to the book idea, but record yourself reading the book. Then they can "read with you" whenever they want.

Vickey

But as it seems to be a tradition elsewhere, why not start a collection of Easter type ceramic figures or music boxes. Little Bunnies, etc. They may or may not play with them, but they are usually nice to put on a dresser or chest to look at. The 4 year old children should be old enough to appreciate them.

Diane