Community egg hunts, gatherings with family and friends, and faith-based services can be a big part of Easter celebrations. Because of continued pandemic restrictions, you may still be celebrating virtually or at home with the immediate members of your household to avoid spreading the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

Easter can still be fun and safe for kids with food allergies with some creativity. Here are some ideas to help you make the holiday memorable for your family.

Allergy-Friendly Easter Basket Treats

Check out our 2021 Easter Candy Guide to find safe candies and chocolates. You can order many allergy-friendly treats, like chocolate eggs and bunnies, online if you want to avoid crowds and stores. Many companies have direct online ordering available. Other options are available through Amazon or other grocers. Be sure to check the shipping information to make sure your order will arrive in time for Easter.

Consider stuffing your child’s basket with non-food treats, such as stickers, small toys, etc. Try online shops like Etsy for unique handmade items. Or check with local vendors and boutique shops in your area to support local businesses. Many of them may be selling items you can choose online and get through no-contact pickup or delivery. Pharmacies usually stock a selection of small toys too.

Make Your Own Safe Easter Treats

Shop your pantry for ingredients you have on hand and add what you need to your next grocery list so you can make yummy treats. Here are some of our favorite delicious treats from our Safe Eats® recipe collection:

• Allergy-friendly Easter cupcakes
• Cookies or brownies
  • Add sprinkles to chocolate chip oatmeal cookies
  • Roll thumbprint cookies, dairy and egg free in different colored sugars
  • Bake and decorate egg-free holiday cookies or soft sugar cookies
  • Triple chocolate vegan brownie wedges
  • Vegan Mexican brownies
• Make your own chocolate treats with safe chocolate chips
  • How to make allergy-friendly chocolate Easter bunnies
  • How to make allergy-friendly chocolate Easter egg candy

Get Creative With Your Holiday Menu

Every family has their favorite holiday dishes. Adapt a favorite to be allergy friendly or add something new to your menu this year! Here are some ideas:

• Substitutions and swaps – If you can't find an ingredient you need for a recipe, look for ways to substitute or swap with something available. For instance, if your recipe calls for eggs, there are many ways to substitute for eggs in a recipe. There are also ways to substitute for allergens like milk, egg, wheat, soy, and nuts that might work for your family.
• Look for a similar recipe – Look for recipes similar to what you usually make but without the ingredient you can't find.
• Try something different – Our Safe Eats® recipe collection has many recipes that have been developed to be free from allergens and use limited ingredients.

These are some of our favorites recipes:

• Bread options – Recipes include options for dairy, egg and wheat free. Butterhorn crescent rolls are made with just six ingredients – (wheat) flour, yeast, water or milk substitute, oil, sugar, and salt. Cut out biscuits with fun cookie cutters.
• Gravy without butter or wheat flour
• Creamy mashed potatoes without milk or soy
• Apple crisp with milk- and wheat-free options – Swap out apples for other fresh or frozen fruit. Serve with aquafaba whipped topping!
  
  

Biscuits free from milk, egg, and gluten cut out into spring shapes

Celebrate With Crafts and Activities

The possibilities are endless when it comes to crafts and activities you can do as a family to celebrate the season.

Decorate paper eggs. Draw egg shapes on paper or cardstock. Grab the craft supplies and let everyone decorate their own special eggs. Display them in your home or use them as place cards for dinner. Tape them to skewers or straws and use them to make a bouquet.

Make your own “Pin the Tail on the Easter Bunny” game. Print or draw a picture of a rabbit and tape to a wall or door. Make tails using cotton balls and tape.

If you have plastic eggs, fill them with small items you have on hand, like pennies or stickers. If you don't have eggs to hide, stage an Easter-themed scavenger hunt around your house or yard instead.