Celebrate a Safe, Fun Family Easter

Colorful eggs, chocolate rabbits and bright centerpieces are tempting to all and irresistible to kids. From boiling the perfect egg to stuffing toddler-friendly baskets, here are some tips to make Easter festivities safe and fun for children of all ages. Plus, an Easter craft idea that's sure to be a hit -- Confetti Eggs.

April 1, 2004 -- Spring is here and with it comes Easter a great reason to fill homes with fresh colors and whimsical accents in anticipation of a visit from everyones favorite bunny. Colorful eggs, chocolate rabbits, marshmallow chicks and bright centerpieces are tempting to all and irresistible to kids though not always safe! Krista Fabregas, the founder of KidSmartLiving, offers these tips to make family Easter activities fun and worry-free.

Be a Good Egg
Decorating and hunting brightly colored eggs tops every kids Easter to-do list. To create the perfect Easter egg, the American Egg Board recommends preparing eggs by placing them in a single layer in a saucepan and covering with tap water to at least one inch above the eggs. Add a tablespoon of vinegar to the water to help the coloring dye adhere to the shell. Cover pan and bring to just boiling then remove from heat. Let eggs stand covered for 15 minutes, then immediately place in ice water or under cold running water to cool.

Its best to buy eggs for boiling about one week prior to use since fresh eggs can be difficult to peel. Select eggs with clean, uncracked shells, and refrigerate until ready to cook. Boiled eggs should not be left at room temperature more than two hours, so instead of dyed eggs, use plastic or wooden eggs for long-term centerpieces and decorations. And remember, both cooked and uncooked eggs have porous shells that bacteria can penetrate, so always wash hands before and after handling.

Worry-Free Hunting
Because of their porous shells, Easter eggs can absorb germs and lawn chemicals. If an outdoor hunt is planned, consider preparing a second batch of eggs for hunting and later discard, or simply hide plastic eggs filled with goodies. Another egg hunt danger to young kids and pets is shredded plastic grass basket fill. Instead, stuff safer, less-messy Easter baskets with colorful tissue paper.

Remember to bring plenty of insect repellent and sunscreen for outdoor Easter activities. The sun can be very strong even on slightly warm spring days, and in warmer climates many insects are already out in force.

Kid-Smart Easter Treats
Some Easter goodies present choking hazards to children under age three, including jellybeans, small wrapped chocolate eggs and marshmallow shapes. Instead, treat little ones to iced animal crackers, shaped sugar cookies with colorful sprinkles, and large chocolate figures though many chocolate products contain trace amounts of peanuts, so its best to avoid these around children with food allergies.

Welcome the Bunny in Style
Decorate a kid-tough Easter home using charming stuffed toys and durable wooden accents in areas accessible by young children. Fragile items and springtime floral arrangements can be displayed safely out of reach on mantles, high shelves or decorative wall sconces. Let toddlers participate in Easter decorating by sponge painting wooden eggs for display in baskets, or Mom can glue these onto wreath or topiary forms for a durable Easter centerpiece.

Setting a fancy holiday table this year? Quality unbreakable tableware made from polycarbonate plastic and high-impact acrylic blends create kid-tough tables with style. Plus, these long-lasting plastics really are dishwasher-safe, not just for the top-rack, so clean up is a breeze.

Home Safety Never Takes a Holiday
Whether celebrating babys first Easter or maintaining a home full of busy older kids, remember that safety never takes a holiday. But a little caution and creative planning can make an inviting, safe and stylish home easy to achieve any day.

EASTER CRAFT IDEA
Hunting for Easter Fun? Confetti-Filled Easter Eggs are an Unexpected Surprise

For those whove dreamed of cracking an egg over a certain someones head, heres your chance. Real eggshells filled with bright confetti create loads of fun and quite a mess! So if this years Easter plans include outdoor activities, easy-to-make confetti eggs might just be the perfect holiday surprise. Youll need:

Raw Eggs, Large or Jumbo sizes work best
Table Knife
Toothpicks
Straight Pin or Ice Pick
Markers or Easter Egg Dye
Paper confetti (2 cups per dozen eggs)
Tissue paper cut in squares (optional)

Step 1: Empty Egg Shells
Rinse eggs under warm water and dry. Using the knife, break the shell at one end to create a hole about -inch in diameter. Discard the broken shell. Poke a small hole in the opposite end of the egg using the pin or ice pick. From the large hole, break the yolk with the toothpick and let the egg run out. Rinse shells thoroughly under warm water and let dry. Store shells in egg cartons until time to use.

Note: Begin collecting shells a few weeks prior to Easter to have plenty in time for the holiday. If emptying several dozen eggshells at one time, the raw eggs can be frozen in an airtight container.

Step 2: Decorate Eggs
Kids can carefully decorate eggshells using markers, or eggshells can be dyed using any egg dye kit. Kits designed to apply color by shaking the egg in a plastic bag work best for coloring empty shells. Let eggshells dry thoroughly before stuffing with confetti.

Step 3: Stuff Eggs
Place the paper confetti in a large bowl. Hold the eggshell over the bowl and stuff confetti into the eggshell through the large hole. This is where kids small fingers come in handy! Place filled eggshells upright in egg cartons until time to use. Option: Finish the eggs by gluing a small square of colored tissue paper over the hole to secure confetti.

Note: Paper confetti is recommended since it quickly disintegrates for minimal cleanup.

Step 4: Have Fun!
Crunch, smash or toss eggs to release confetti for colorful Easter fun for all ages. While toddlers from two to three years of age will enjoy the confetti-egg activity, do keep the broken shells and confetti out of the reach of smaller children who might place it in their mouths.
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Krista Fabregas founded KidSmartLiving in 1999 to help parents create safe, easy-care family homes with style. Find more family-friendly home decorating and living ideas, projects and products on the KidSmartLiving website at www.kidsmartliving.com.