Easter Sunday is always a fun time of year for the whole family. From Sunday roast to egg hunts, there are plenty of activities that you can still enjoy whilst keeping it eco-friendly! We thought we’d share some great sustainable alternatives and ideas to every Easter tradition you can think of.

Vegan, Fair trade, ethical Easter eggs

It wouldn’t be Easter without Easter eggs! Chocolate is known for unethical practices, but there are plenty of ethical alternatives available so nobody has to miss out on this traditional treat! Here are a few great Easter eggs from some good brands that we love:

Vegan Creme Easter Egg - Fab Fudge

Milk Chocolate Orange Egg - Divine

Red and Gold Easter Egg - Harry Specters

Milk Chocolate Easter Egg - Grace Chocolates

Marbled Easter Egg - Cocoa Loco

Egg-stra Special Chocolate Eggs - Tony’s Chocolonely

There are also plenty of Easter eggs available at Ethical Superstore and Traidcraft, or for Easter egg alternatives, check out PLAYinChoc’s organic, vegan, nut-free Easter chocolate and gifts.

Sustainable Sunday roast

Like many, Sunday roast is one of my favourite things about Easter! For a meal that’s more friendly to the environment, try switching some things out for vegan options, and make sure your portions are as small as possible to reduce the amount of food that ends up in the bin. It’ll also help if you choose cuts of meat that take less time to cook - you’ll use less energy and your meal will be ready much quicker.

You can find plenty of ingredients from some good brands such as Roots and Hoots, Meatless Farm, and Good Club.

Plastic-free egg hunt

This was always a tradition when I was growing up but looking back, those plastic eggs were a bad idea! They can easily be forgotten and left to release harmful chemicals into the environment. Instead, opt for eggs made from sustainable materials such as wood, or go for paper treat bags or sustainably made toys instead.

Eco-friendly family activities

There’s no reason to compromise on sustainability when planning family activities this Easter! Painting eggs can lead to food wastage and toxic chemicals in the environment, so green it up by trying eggs made from sustainable materials such as wood and using eco-friendly paints. Alternatively you can make your own natural paint pigments – here’s how.

The sun will be out, so why not plan an eco-friendly day out? A picnic in the park or a trip to your local botanical gardens are just a couple of trips you can enjoy with the family. We have plenty of things to do listed on our website, so be sure to check them out. There are even eco-friendly accommodation options if you fancy a weekend away!

Make your own Easter treats

This one might get messy, but it’s worth the fun – plus you’ll have the satisfaction of a delicious homemade sweet treat at the end! Here are some great Easter themed recipes, so you and your family can get hands-on and cut out cardboard and plastic waste from shop-bought chocolates and treats (plus, the smell of freshly cooked hot cross is always a bonus). This doubles up as a fun activity for the whole family to enjoy.

It’s always important to keep the planet in mind whilst planning activities - but it’s also important to enjoy ourselves! Can you think of any other eco-friendly alternatives? Let us know!

Words by Emily Weedon