Easter traditions vary worldwide, but most of them involve sweet treats to honor religious beliefs and the arrival of spring. Easter candy goodie bags and baskets are a classic for many in the U.S. and Europe, with a huge assortment of decorations, small gifts, and treats available each year.
If your family has run out of fresh Easter candy ideas to keep the kids happy, you can create a fun and unique basket by focussing on bright and pastel colors that complement your overall springtime theme for the holiday. Make sure to include plenty of chocolate as well. Here are Easter candy ideas for kids and teens that will make the whole family happy.
Jelly Beans
Jelly beans are an Easter staple in many parts of the world because of their similarity to the classic Easter egg shape and vibrant colors. There are many jelly bean brands and flavors available, ranging from gourmet Jelly Belly jelly beans to bulk packages of Starburst jelly beans. You can also find sour and tropical flavors and other varieties from different brands.
For a unique twist, try gummy jelly beans or even sugar-coated gummies that provide the same pop of sweet flavor with a slightly chewier texture. One unusual favorite is the Hawaiian Punch Candy Jellies by Fairtime, which made it onto our list of top snacks from the U.S. to enjoy year-round.
Sour Straws and Tape
Kids and teens who love sour flavors will always appreciate a package of sour straws or candy tape. These brightly-colored treats include Airheads Xtreme Sour Belts and Sour Punch Straws, but you can also find international versions from various countries.
Pay attention to your kids’ favorite flavors since the flavors available vary widely. Perennial favorites like blue raspberry and green apple are usually a safe choice for all sour enthusiasts.
Marshmallow Treats
Marshmallow Peeps in chick and bunny shapes are some of the most famous Easter candies in the world. They’re available in different colors and shapes to perfectly match any kid’s preferences.
If your young ones find full-size Peeps to be too much marshmallow flavor at once, try making your own at home. You can adjust the amount of vanilla or even use lemon instead and customize the Peeps’ size to make bite-sized portions.
Chocolate Easter Eggs
Like jelly beans, chocolate eggs draw upon traditional egg shapes as a symbol of the start of spring. Cadbury Creme Eggs are a classic example of popular chocolate eggs, but you can get eggs with caramel, orange chocolate, peanut butter, and even raspberry fillings from a variety of brands.
Unfortunately, the world-famous Kinder Surprise is technically banned from the U.S. because it poses a choking hazard for young children. However, you can get a Kinder Joy egg, which has a small toy packaged separately from the chocolate and cream.
Chocolate Bark
Of all the homemade Easter candy ideas, this one is the easiest to customize and make as a family. Just as peppermint bark is a popular favorite at Christmas, you can make Easter-themed bark with your choice of mint, chocolate, toffee, or caramel flavors. You can even use crumbled cookies for a unique crunchy texture.
Use white chocolate with a dash of red food coloring to create a beautiful shade of pink or make a multi-colored batch with green, yellow, and pink pieces. It’s easy to make before the Easter holiday, so even busy families can make it and store it in the freezer before sticking it in goodie bags or baskets on Easter morning.
Chocolate-Covered Almonds and Raisins
Although chocolate eggs are the standard go-to option for Easter chocolate candy ideas, chocolate-covered nuts and raisins provide a bite-sized snack option for the entire family. Having a bit of fruit or nut in the middle keeps the chocolate flavor from being overwhelming, making it an excellent choice for teens joining the festivities.
Since these treats are not Easter-specific, they’re easy to find year-round. Sconza makes excellent chocolate-covered almonds and cashews, which are a perfect choice for your family members who don’t have nut allergies.
Fruit Flavored Candies
Spring is a time for flowers and trees to come into bloom, so fruit flavors are an appropriate option for Easter candies. Since some kids are picky eaters, it can be hard to come up with candy that makes all your kids happy.
Strawberry is a much-loved flavor, so it’s a safe choice for Easter candies. Many strawberry-flavored candies are a cute shade of pink or red that looks charming in colorful easter baskets.
For more adventurous little ones and older kids, lemon-flavored candies add a bright pop of sunshine yellow to any Easter basket. Morinaga Hi-Chew Lemon Lime candies are a unique alternative to Starburst and other chewy confections. This beloved Japanese candy has the perfect balance of sweet and sour that the whole family is sure to love.
Pastel Candy Corn
Although there are plenty of unique Easter candy ideas, treats like candy corn have migrated over from Halloween as well. Pastel Candy Corn, also known as Bunny Corn, is a new favorite among candy corn fans. Cheerful pastel colors like green, pink, and purple match each piece’s white tip for a festive addition to any Easter basket.
Trying New Snacks from Around the World
Using traditional shapes and flavors in your Easter goodie bags is always fun, but you can also try something new this year. A monthly box with candy and snacks from around the world gives you a new stash of treats to share with your family for Easter and during special occasions throughout the year.
MunchPak curates international snack boxes every month to share the joy of exploring new flavors from a variety of countries. We source sweet, savory, salty, and sour snacks that introduce you to new culinary ideas. Sign up for one of our three monthly box sizes today.