Easter with toddlers and babies
Easter is almost upon us and you're probably wondering how to make it as fun-filled and exciting for your children as possible. Here we hope to provide you with some helpful tips for how to make the most of your holiday whilst looking after the smallest members of your family.
Top tip!
The first thing to remember is not to let your child overdo it on the chocolate front. A little goes a long way so try to limit your child's intake, especially if he or she is very young. You can buy relatively small eggs from most shops; as tempting as it may be to buy your child a giant chocolate bunny, bear in mind that the last thing that you want over Easter is a sick toddler or baby (or perhaps both!). Aside from causing a tummy upset, too much chocolate could make your child somewhat hyper and you don't want a riot on your hands, not to mention that it is bad for children's teeth.
There are many activities, of both an outdoor and indoor variety, that you and your child can take part in over Easter. A few ideas are listed below:
Outdoor activities over Easter:
1) Pay a visit or two to the local park or playground. Here your child can play on the swings, have a runabout, a game of football or frisbee and generally get rid of any bad energy (and it hopefully means they'll sleep well when mum and dad need a much needed rest!) Check with your local park or library to see if there are any organised easter egg hunts. Children of all ages love getting involved with an egg hunt, especially if there is a treat at the end.
2) Take your baby/toddler to the local swimming pool. It's a good idea to get your child used to the water from an early age and most children love swimming. It's also a great way for you to bond with your child.
3) Go on a trip to the zoo; this is a great day out and children love to see all the different types of animals. Some zoos even have special petting areas where children can pet or even hold some of the tamer animals (make sure all hands are washed thoroughly afterwards though!) Make enquiries at your local zoo, to see if there are any special events planned for easter.
4) Make the most of the free public transport for under five's and visit a local museum, like the Natural History Museum or the Science Museum. This activity is probably better suited to toddlers, as they will be more interested in what's on offer than younger babies.
5) And for a real treat...Plan an Easter egg hunt! Buy a pack of mini eggs, wrap each one in tin foil and go on a family outing to your local park (or just your garden, if you're lucky enough to have a large space). While your partner keeps the kids entertained, you can hide the eggs in various (fairly accessible) spots, whether it be behind trees or in flower beds. If you want to go the whole hog, either you or your partner can dress up as an Easter bunny and give your kids a real surprise! Make sure that you keep a close eye on your child at all times; read our feature on Taking your child out in public for more advice on this. If you're planning an egg hunt in your garden, watch our video on Babyproofing your garden to ensure that it's child-friendly.
Indoor activities over Easter:
1) Make a collage with your child; kids love getting messy and this can be a great way for your family to bond. Find some glitter, sparkly pens, stickers, paint, dried macaroni and dry sponges and get creative.
2) Get baking. Find or buy some cookie cutter shapes - like bunnies or chickens -and make some Easter cookies. After they're baked, you can ice them. You and your child can also make and decorate cupcakes. Create some healthy snacks to accompany these treats and throw a tea party. You can make mini ham and cheese sandwiches and serve them with cubes of cheese, carrot sticks and grapes (cut these in half to avoid choking hazards). If it's the first time your child is trying a certain food, proceed with caution, as some children are allergic to foods such as eggs or strawberries. Read our feature on allergies and intolerances for more information on this.
3) Throw a mini party! Put on some disco music and get your children to dress up as an Easter related character, like a bunny, chick or perhaps even a daffodil!
4) Have a competition to see who can make the best Easter bonnet. You can make these using colourful card and covering with glitter, stickers and cotton wool.
ReligionDepending on your religion and beliefs, you can explain to your child about the meaning of Easter, although it's worth bearing in mind that very young children might not understand detailed descriptions. This is really a personal matter and it's up to you how much you think your child can understand and absorb.
Remember that the important thing about this holiday, as with any other, is to spend lots of time with your child. This will be what your child values the most and no amount of chocolate can make up for quality time with Mum and Dad.
gurgle's Easter cupcake recipe
This recipe will make about 12 Easter cupcakes and takes about half an our to prepare and 18-20 minutes to cook.
Ingredients:
2 large eggs
125g/4oz Caster sugar
125g/40z Soft Margarine
125g/40z Self-raising flour
1 tsp vanilla essence
You will also need:
Cupcake paper cake cases
- Heat the oven to 180c/350f/Gas mark 4
- Beat the sugar and butter together in a bowl. Add in each egg seperately and whisk until light and fluffy.
- Sieve in the flour and add the tsp of vanilla essence and whisk again until the mixture is smooth.
- Divide equally between your cake cases and place in the oven.
- Cook for 18-20 minutes, until the cakes have risen and are golden. If you touch them they should spring back easily.
- Allow them to cool before decorating.
To decorate:
You can decorate your cupcakes how you want, but this is the part kids love to be involved in. Put lots of decorations in tiny bowls so they can decorate each cupcake themselves. Try Easter themed goodies such as mini eggs, flakes (for birds nest cupcakes) and little chicks to decorate the top. Other toppings can include Smarties, marshmallows, chocolate chips and hundreds and thousands. Putting icing on first will help decorations to stick. You can stick to good olf fashioned melted chocolate!
Healthy options for decorating:
If you are worried about little teeth and hyper toddlers why not slice strawberries, bananas, cherries or grapes onto the top of your cupcakes!
Cooking safety
Avoid letting your children get too close to the oven or touch anything sharp. It might be a good idea to invest in some childrens aprons to that your toddler can make as much mess as she likes! See babyproofing your home or first aid for kids for more help.
The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.
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Last Modified: 18/03/2008