Easter is almost here and that means it’s time to decide what to put in those Easter baskets! There are so many options available, but most of the time, our first thought is of candy and chocolate. But for kids with food allergies, you have to be careful what candy and chocolate you purchase.
My son has food allergies, and while we do buy some allergy free candy, we also stock his basket with non-food items. In addition, we make sure to only give his brother the same types of candy and chocolate, so that there is no risk of exposure to his allergens, and so that our oldest doesn’t feel left out because he can’t eat the same treats as his brother.
If you’re the parent of a child with food allergies, then you’re no stranger to the research involved in searching for safe foods for your child. Thankfully, Snacksafely.com has complied a Safe Snack Guide with an extensive list of allergy free foods, snacks, and candy, and they recently released their Easter edition. I’ve compiled a list of allergy friendly treats from their list, along with some non-food items, to pack into your little one’s Easter basket this year.
1. Allergy Free Snacks
There are many options when it comes to allergy free snacks. Fruit snacks, dried fruit, pretzels, granola, snack bars, and trail mix are all great options. The following brands of these snacks are free of the top eight allergens:
- Brothers All Natural
- Crispy Green Crispy Fruit
- Gerbs Dried Fruit
- TropicMax
- Zee Zee’s
- 88 Acres Seed’nola
- Gerbs
- Zego
- Made Good
- Enjoy Life
- Fitjoy Pretzels
- Pretzel Pete
2. Easter Specific Candy and Chocolate
While Hershey’s and Cadbury make some delicious Easter candy, their candy is not allergen free, especially for milk and nut allergies. Below is a list of brands of Easter candy that are free of the top eight allergens or are nut free.
- Amanda’s Own Confections Easter chocolates, lollipops, and jelly beans
- No Whey Foods chocolate bunnies, cream eggs, and brownie eggs
- Charms Easter Blow Pops (nut free)
- Junior Mints Pastels (nut free)
- Tootsie Roll Easter Fruit Rolls, Chocolaety Easter Midgees, Easter Pops (nut free)
- Vermont Free Easter chocolates (nut free)
- YumEarth Organic Easter Gummy Fruits, Lollipops, and Jelly Beans
3. Non-Food Items
Snacks, candy, and chocolate are always great, but it’s fun to include non-food items in your children’s basket as well. We always try to put two or three fun items in our boys’ baskets. Here are some items that are sure to be a hit.
- Books
- Bubbles
- Stickers
- Legos
- Small toys
- Sidewalk Chalk
- Fake Tattoos
- Jewelry
- Nail polish
- Activity books
- Craft kits
- Crayons/Markers/Colored Pencils
- Chapstick/lipgloss
- Play-doh
The life of a child with food allergies isn’t an easy one. Sometimes it can be difficult when they can’t enjoy the same treats as their friends and family. But, there are plenty of ways to give them a great Easter! I hope these ideas help make filling your child’s basket a little easier this Easter.
What items would you add to this list?
