need to find non-candy egg fillers

[autumnroser]

Easter is coming an I host an egg hunt for my family- 8 kids (at least) ages 2-6. I cant give too much candy. last year i found a wonderful dea on great egg fillers that were NOT candy releated. with help from this wonderful website and its posters. Help! please, easter is coming quicker than normal

[davephillyj]

Stickers, tatoos, stretchy animals (.88 at walmart for 10 pack frogs, lizards) Most toys that fit in there will not be safe for the smaller ones, keep that in mind. Hope this helps.

 

My kids can't have the candy because of the high fructose corn syrup gives them big blisters on thier faces. So I know how hard it is. We also use $1 bills and quarters.

[autumnroser]

Thanks!

[trbarginhunter]

Shaped erasers, quarters, kid jewelry (the really inexpensive stuff), party necklaces (beaded, Target about $2 for 6).

 

I'd watch for choking with a 2 yr old and things small enought to fit in an egg. When our DD and my nephews where that small, I'd trade the eggs for "tickets" (ie cut up colored paper). At the end of the hunting they would trade the tickets for a prize. The prizes weren't expensive, but it was easier to buy one bigger item and not have to worry about the younger ones. Playground balls, play dough, crayons and coloring books, whatever I had picked up on sale. I still do the egg hunt this way (with the extended family they range in age from 4 to 14). They hunt mutiple times, bigger ones hide the eggs for the little ones, and everyone gets a prize at the end of the day. (money in carrot shaped bags from Micheal's). Makes it easy and it ends up costing less.

[kmbrly]

Rice Krispy treats!

 

After making the mixture, instead of putting in a pan, put inside the plastic eggs. While it is still warm, it will conform to the shape of the egg.

 

I saw that in a recent magazine, I don't remember which one.

[boblabontefan]

Rice Krispie treats sound great! I might try this for this year.

 

I purchase small prizes for goodie bags from www.orientaltrading.com. Since you are buying these items in bulk it is a good deal.

[amyers12345]

Big Lots had bags of egg-fillers. I think there were 50 small toys in each, and they were $2 each.

 

Also, if you are looking to order online, try www.smalltoys.com. It's like Oriental, but more reasonable shipping, and you can order smaller quantities.

[tazolover]

Shaped erasers, quarters, kid jewelry (the really inexpensive stuff), party necklaces (beaded, Target about $2 for 6).

 

I'd watch for choking with a 2 yr old and things small enought to fit in an egg. When our DD and my nephews where that small, I'd trade the eggs for "tickets" (ie cut up colored paper). At the end of the hunting they would trade the tickets for a prize. The prizes weren't expensive, but it was easier to buy one bigger item and not have to worry about the younger ones. Playground balls, play dough, crayons and coloring books, whatever I had picked up on sale. I still do the egg hunt this way (with the extended family they range in age from 4 to 14). They hunt mutiple times, bigger ones hide the eggs for the little ones, and everyone gets a prize at the end of the day. (money in carrot shaped bags from Micheal's). Makes it easy and it ends up costing less.

What a FANTASTIC idea! Thank you for sharing this! If I host Easter this year, I am SO going to do this!

[Marcster]

Read this thread -- along the same lines:

http://forums.gottadeal.com/showthread.php?t=98143

 

http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/Marcster2005/Smileypad/Holidays/thsmilie_oster02.gif

[JackJack]

I also host an egg hunt for alot of kids and I don't fill the eggs with anything. They have so much fun just collecting them all! There is always too much commotion and I am afraid the smaller kids will choke on ANYTHING small. So they collect them, count them and trade them in for their treat bag. Then I can also put my money into "better" items. I hate spending my money on a bunch of little stuff that I know will be going in the garbage. Usually only 1 or 2 treats, a craft of some sort, card games, colouring book and markers (which I get at Target with the back to school stuff usually .88 or so)! I try to make the stuff kind of family oriented....stuff that they can play together when they go home. The bags are a great deal at Hobby Lobby 10 for 2.00, plain kraft bags in yummy colours. Then we, as a family, scrapbook big tags to go on the front with the kids name and some kind of easter sticker or do-dad.

[conj]

if you get the big eggs some little debbie snacks fit inside...

[JackJack]

Target had some mixed bags of little toys yesterday. Can't remember the price but they were pretty inexpensive!

[autumnroser]

thanks for all the great ideas. Rice crispy treat and the colored paper things are stuff i would never have though off. The 3, 2year olds are all very good about not putting things in their mouths. We are very lucky! they all have older siblings who are into the small items now so all of us parents are/were on small item patrol for the longest time :)

 

Thanks for the ideas keep them coming!