Seasonal Update:
This guide to enjoying Easter as a family with a treat-wise mindset is updated for relevance each year. Scroll down for tips that apply every Easter season.
Health officials are urging parents to cut the amount of sugar in their child’s diet after finding that kids are consuming an unhealthy average of three sugary snacks or drinks per day.
How to Make This Easter Break Treat-Wise (Every Year)
Being treat-wise at Easter isn’t about restriction or saying no to fun — it’s about creating balance so everyone can enjoy the holidays without the sugar crashes, overwhelm, or guilt that can sometimes follow.
Here’s how to approach Easter in a way that works year after year.
Plan treat moments ahead
Instead of treats being constant or spontaneous, decide when and how they’ll be enjoyed. This might mean:
- Chocolate eggs after lunch rather than all day grazing
- A planned Easter movie night with snacks
- One main Easter egg hunt instead of multiple daily treats
When children know treats are coming, it often reduces constant asking and makes those moments feel more special.
Balance treats with active play
Easter break usually brings a mix of excitement and excess energy, so pairing treats with movement helps keep things balanced. Try:
- A walk or bike ride after an Easter egg hunt
- Outdoor games in the garden
- Family days out that naturally include lots of steps
It’s not about “burning off” treats — it’s about supporting children’s energy levels and wellbeing during a busy holiday period.
Involve kids in mindful choices
Getting children involved helps them feel empowered rather than restricted. You could:
- Let them choose which treat they want most
- Talk openly about how different foods make our bodies feel
- Encourage saving some chocolate for later rather than eating it all at once
These small conversations help build a healthy relationship with food that lasts well beyond Easter.
Being treat-wise is about enjoying Easter fully — creating happy memories, feeling good in our bodies, and finding a rhythm that works for your family, every Easter season.
Treat Guidelines for Children
We’re probably already well-versed in the impact that a high-sugar diet can have on those of us with children. That’s why health experts have set dietary guidelines. So, if your little ones are between 4 and 6 years old, you should aim to give them no more than 19g of sugar per day. For 7-10-year-olds, this increases slightly to 24g and for those over the age of 11 to 30g. This may seem like a lot, but with Easter just around the corner, we’re asking the question: Do you know how much sugar is in the treats you’ll be giving your kids?
Most Loved Easter Treats
Luckily, Simply Education has done the research for us and analysed the sugar content of the most loved Easter treats. The biggest offender was Cadbury Mini Eggs, which, at 1 serving of 35g, contain a staggering 24.6g of sugar. That’s 68.5% of the recommended daily amount. Similar figures were found in 50g Lindt Bunnies and the Easter classic – Cadbury Creme Eggs.
Of the treats tested, the 25g Malteaser Bunnies had the lowest sugar content at 53% and only 15g of sugar. Similarly, a handful of Milky Bar Eggs came in at 56.6% and the same amount of Galaxy Golden Eggs at 53.8%.
Being Mindful this Easter Break
These figures prove that it’s important to be mindful. While we know that it can be difficult to curb sugar altogether, especially at this time of year, healthier snack suggestions include fruit salads, chopped vegetables, rice cakes or crackers and low-fat hummus.
