If you want to celebrate Easter with your little one but they’re too young for chocolate, we’ve got you covered. It’s advised that babies younger than 18 months shouldn’t have chocolate due to the extra calories, caffeine and risk of tooth decay. But don’t worry, there are plenty of other fun things that you can do to celebrate their very first Easter!
Play dress up
We know babies are already the cutest things in the world, but have you ever seen a baby in bunny ears?! As long as they’re comfortable and happy, playing dress up can be heaps of fun. Etsy has plenty of beautiful, handmade bunny ears. Or why not go for a full baby grow? We found a simplistic but effective one from Just Add Milk, this cosy romper from Tilly and Reuben, and this fluffy pink number from PatPat. And this is the perfect time for a little photo shoot – capture memories of baby’s first Easter. This could even become a yearly tradition!
Replace chocolate with some nutritious Easter food
If your little one is younger than six months, they’ll have to stick to the classic: breast milk or formula. You should start weaning your baby from around six months. So, alongside breast milk or formula, they can start having strained fruits and vegetables, and soft foods that are easy to digest. This will introduce new nutrients needed for their growth from this point.
Some ideas for Easter weaning foods:
- Get them a special Easter bowl and fill it with some of their weaning favourites. Try carrot and swede puree, poached pears with Greek yoghurt or some easy omelette fingers – yum!
- As long as they’re used to eggs and have had no allergic reactions, a boiled egg in a little egg cup is both cute and tasty. You may need to mash or cut it up depending on their age.
- For babies that are a little bit older, why not introduce them to baking? These Easter chick cupcakes use mango puree, coconut milk and dried fruit. This can give them a little sweet treat for the holidays.
Create a baby Easter basket
Easter baskets aren’t only for older kids. There are lots of fun things that can be included in baby’s first Easter basket – just make sure they’re safe for their age.
- A bunny lovey can be soft, comfortable and soothing for your little one.
- It’s so important to read to baby, so some Easter books would be perfect. And touchy feely books can really help with their development.
- If their little teeth have started coming through, this bunny teething ring from Kidly could be a great idea.
- For something sweet that could last a lifetime, this personalised bunny from My 1st Years may see many more Easters as your baby grows.
- Continue to help with their development with some Easter themed toys. Try these nesting eggs from Mothercare, or some Peter Rabbit maracas from Jojo Maman Bébé.
- And these Easter bibs and towel from John Lewis are just adorable!
- Avoid lining the basket with fake grass as this can be dangerous if baby tries to put it in their mouth. Instead, you could use a blanket or some Easter fabric.
Get crafty
- Dip your little one’s foot in some baby safe orange paint then press it onto paper. Paint on some little green leaves and you’ve got some delightful carrot footprints to treasure forever.
- Or do a similar thing with yellow paint, and draw on feet, beaks and eyes to make some cute little chicks – that’s one for the fridge door!
- Fill some plastic eggs with Easter themed objects for some (possibly noisy) sensory play.
- Or for something super simple, create some bunny cups to fill with their favourite weaning foods.
Take them out and about with the rest of the family
Over the Easter bank holiday, there are plenty of events up and down the country for the whole family to enjoy. Keep your fingers crossed for sunshine! And make sure to take a rain cover or sun shade for the pram, just in case.
- If you’re in London, you could try the Horniman Easter Fair, go exploring at Kew Gardens or keep older kids entertained at the Fulham Palace Easter trail.
- The Easter funfair in Manchester could make a great family day out. Or, for something different, head to the 10th annual Manchester duck race!
- Birmingham’s Botanical Gardens is hosting an Easter egg hunt and fun day, there’s a whole host of free Easter activities going on at Waterstones Birmingham, as well as plenty of things happening in libraries around the city.
- If you’re Bristol based, there’s an Easter trail at Wapping Wharf, you can learn all about eggs at Bristol Zoo, or for something a bit more unique: go on a bear trail at Wild Place Project.
- If you’re not up for a busy event, just a walk out in the Spring sunshine might be lovely. Some fresh air, vitamin D and smells of nature can be pleasant for both you and your little one.
Wherever you live, there are plenty of events that you can get the family involved in. But if you’ve got a new baby to look after, you might just want to stay indoors – completely understandable!
However you’re spending the Easter holidays, we hope you have a wonderful time with your loved ones! Let us know how you’re planning on celebrating baby’s first Easter.
