With more than 300 custom Easter Baskets under our belts, we have some best practices on how to make a really exciting Easter Basket for the bunny to bring to your kids this spring.
We have come up with the perfect Easter Basket formula to help you stay within your budget and select items that the children, teens and young adults you love will enjoy for a long time.
First, decide what your budget is. We sell custom Easter Baskets in four sizes, from small at $45 to XL at $150. We add at least 10% more in toys and goodies to the baskets we make, which makes the budget go a little further, but we think you can put together a great gift on your own at any budget that works for you using this method.
For many families, an Easter Basket isn’t an Easter Basket without a stuffie- specifically a soft stuffed bunny. Set aside 40% of your budget to get a great stuffed animal. If a plushy isn’t your thing, 40% of your budget should go to one big thing your kid would love, like a Lego set, remote control car, baby doll, etc.
Next, 20% of your budget should go to an independent activity. Things like a craft kit, a bug catcher, a science project are great. Then, because it’s spring, another 20% should go to outdoor activities. Great Easter Basket goodies for this category include bubbles, flyers, kites, and sand tools. For teenagers, Aerobies and Spinballs are fun choices for outdoor activities for older kids and young adults.
The last 10% is the “junk food” budget. Spend this on slime, thinking putty, squishies, candy… all the things they love but you hate.
Okay, now we’ve shared our secret recipe in building the perfect Easter Basket. If you still want help, we have 3 Certified Play Experts on staff and we love to use our play expert certifications to take all of the work out of putting together the perfect Easter Basket for your child- including shipping it or delivering it to your front door.
]]>You don't want more junk, you don't have tons of time, but you want to celebrate the holiday with something special for this kids you love.
We understand and we're here to help! Each Villa Villekulla Easter Basket, is lovingly curtated by a person with extensive knowledge of toys and how they promote childhood development. They are each stuffed with high quality toys, not junky seasonal trinkets or cheap candy.
Order an Easter Basket and pick it up in our Fernandina Beach store, have us deliver it to your front porch in Nassau or Duval counties, or let us ship it to you anywhere in the country!
Our Easter Baskets are selected, created and delivered to your front door by people who genuinely care about your children and who's main goal is to help you create magical memories.
We are looking forward to making Easter magic for your Honey Bunnies!
]]>Visiting Amelia Island for the first time, or looking for recommendations from locals? Here are our pics of the BEST things to see, eat, buy and do on Amelia Island for kids and kids at heart!
EAT
Timotis Seafood Shak - No frills here, but they have tasty fresh food and a playground to keep the little ones busy!
Wicked Bao - Asian street food adored by locals and visitors! A great laid back spot for a family dinner.
Joe’s Bistro - Just across the street from the toy store, everything here is made from scratch and delicious!
Lagniappe - Lagniappe means “a little something extra” in French Creole and this place gives it! Delicious cajun-style food and a swanky atmosphere make this a local’s favorite spot for dinner or Sunday brunch.
SEE
Amelia Museum of History - A small but mighty museum which includes a history garden and a hands-on children’s exhibit.
Fort Clinch - There are miles of nature trails that wind through the maritime forest, beautiful beaches, a playground, a popular fishing pier and, of course, the historic Fort and museum.
The Pippi Longstocking House and Old Town- The 1988 Film, the New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking was filmed all over Amelia Island. While the iconic house on White Street looks much different than it did in the movie, it’s still fun to visit this beautiful original settlement on Amelia Island, which boasts some of the area’s oldest homes and most beautiful river views. Please be mindful that The Captain’s House (Pippi’s House) and all of the other iconic properties here are private homes.
SHOP
The Salty Local - Locally-owned luxe fashion and homegoods.
Amelia Surf Co - Surf’s Up at this locally-owned surf shop filled with apparel, boards and knowledgeable staff. Grab an awesome smoothie or bowl at the attached Go Juice on your way to the beach.
Lindy’s - Sparkles galore, many designed by local artisans. Don’t forget to stop at the butterfly wall for some instagram-worthy snaps!
2nd Story Gallery - Our upstairs neighbor- the perfect place to grab some local art or souvenirs to take home.
DO
Trolley Tour - Catch the trolley and learn all about the storied history of our little island.
Coast One Tours Black Historical Tour - Did you know Amelia Island was home to a popular Black vacation destination during segregation? Learn about American Beach and how Black Americans shaped Amelia Island with this curated tour.
Nature Center at the Omni- visit with rescued critters and chat with a naturalist about the local ecosystems.
Play at Pirate Playground- Our favorite playground because it’s shady, inclusive and walking distance from the beach.
]]>Here are some favorite things for grandparents to do with their grandchildren on Amelia Island:
FUN IN THE SAND AND SURF
Obviously, no trip to Amelia island is complete without a visit to the beach. While you may not get to lounge oceanside with the grandkids in tow, there is plenty of fun to be had together!
In the winter, when the water is too cold for swimming, pick up a Surfer Dude and have fun throwing it in the waves and watching it surf back! This low-impact activity for you is still plenty of active fun for the kids as they run and chase the surfer.
Or, look for shark’s teeth! If you aren’t a pro - Amelia Shark Tooth Adventures offers tours with knowledgeable guides who will help you find and identify sharks’ teeth while teaching you about sharks and local ecology.
Bolder children may enjoy donning a wetsuit and taking a lesson or two from Surf Asylum which offers surf lessons year-round, seven days a week. The surf school, owned and operated by local surfers, is known for its kids’ surfing programs, but adventurous grandparents are welcome to join in on a lesson, too! (Or the 60-minute lesson could be a great opportunity to relax on the beach!) Each lesson includes use of a surfboard and rash guard, so no equipment necessary!
GET OUTSIDE
Amelia Island offers plenty of fun nature activities that everyone can enjoy.
For active grandparents and their busy children, Fernandina Beach’s Fort Clinch State Park will keep everyone entertained all day. There are miles of nature trails that wind through the maritime forest, beautiful beaches, a playground, a popular fishing pier and, of course, the historic Fort and museum.
For something less physically challenging but still exciting, Amelia River Cruises offers a number of family-friendly and accessible 1 to 2 hour cruises. Each tour is packed with educational content that allows you to experience the diverse ecosystems of the area while relaxing on a comfortable boat.
The Amelia Island Nature Center at the Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort is a fun stop for kids. There, you can visit with rescued critters and chat with a naturalist about the local ecosystems. You can also rent fishing poles here, so you can enjoy a classic bonding activity with the grandkids - fishing!
EXPLORE HISTORY
Amelia Island has been inhabited by humans for thousands of years, so there is plenty of history to explore! The Amelia Island Museum of History has a fun, interactive kids’ area and is open daily. They also offer docent-led walking tours of downtown Fernandina Beach and for older kids they host spooky Ghost Tours. Just down the street from the Amelia Museum of History is the Maritime Museum of Amelia Island. Here you can see real pirate treasure and all kinds of other amazing things found in shipwrecks uncovered by the Amelia Research crew. On any given day you may be able to meet and talk to a member of the crew who actively hunts shipwrecks.You may even have a chance to spot their unique research vessel off Amelia’s shores.
SHOP AND EAT TIL YOU DROP DOWNTOWN
Downtown Fernandina Beach is a charming Victorian city filled with unique shops and delicious restaurants. You may want to visit the “jewel of Amelia Island” more than once with your grandchildren. Is there anything that grandparents love to do more than spoil their grandkids with sweets and gifts?! For sweets, you’ll definitely need to make a trip to Nana Teresa’s Bake Shop, an old-fashioned style soda fountain that also features decadent homemade desserts. It is also a great spot for cute photo opportunities. If you haven’t visited Fernandina’s Fantastic Fudge, then you haven’t visited Fernandina. If you get lucky, you can watch as they make the fudge- first mixing in huge copper pots, then tossing with a paddle on a marble slab. On busy weekends expect a wait for your ice cream, but the fresh-made waffle cones are worth it.
Make a trip to Amelia Island’s adorable old-fashioned toy store part of your tradition. Stop in to see us at Villa Villekulla Toys at the beginning of your visit to choose a few activities to do together. Completing a puzzle, playing a board game or building a model together will be fun for everyone and create fond memories.
Just two blocks from Villa Villekulla Toys, is the Amelia Island Museum of History. This small museum packs big fun, including an interactive area just for the kids. Check their website for family activities and docent-led tours.
Another neighbor of Villa Villekulla, the Maritime Museum, is a true local experience. Run by the captain and crew of the ship-wreck hunting dredger.. Kids will learn about the maritime history of the area and see real pirate treasures the crew has found unearthing ancient shipwrecks.
Enjoy the outdoors while indoors The Nature Center at the Omni Amelia Island.
For a little nostalgic fun for the whole family, the Fernandina Beach Pinball Museum will keep the kids and adults busy. Learn about the history and mechanism of pinball machines, and play as many games as you want on their fun collection of retro and vintage machines.
Learn about Amelia Island’s deeply rooted African American History at the American Beach Museum.
Relax while getting an entertaining and educational tour of the island on Amelia Island Trolleys.
If you get lucky, the rain will fall during a run of one of the wonderful plays at either of our theaters. Visit Amelia Musical Playhouse or Amelia Community Theater for information on performances and tickets.
Everyone can entertain their inner artists at Paisley Grace Makery. For families with older children, Amelia Island Escape Rooms is a fun bonding experience.
Who doesn’t love watching a fun, family movie? B&B Theatres has reclining seats and state of the art screens to watch new releases.
Obviously, you’ll never be bored on a rainy day if you stop by Villa Villekulla Toys and let us help you pick out some games and puzzles!
]]>I KNOW I have to tame this monster. I know that toys are essential to a child’s development (and an adult’s lifelong health) and the right toys and right types of play are crucial to physical, mental, and emotional intelligence.
If you have kids around, I’m betting the toy clutter creeps up in your house, too. Here are some facts I’m reminding myself of, and may help you, too:
The kids in your life probably do have too many toys
Where do these toys even come from? One minute the play room is Pinterest-worthy, and the next minute an avalanche of toys has fallen, and - oh no!! Where is the dog?!? Maybe that’s a little extreme, but if children cannot get to their toys easily, or are unable to find all the parts they need to enjoy a toy, they really are just taking up space and making it harder to have fun. It is easy to get sentimental about toys and quickly they will overrun our lives if not kept under control.
You’re going to buy them toys anyway
Many of the best childhood memories center around toys. Plus, don’t we have children around as an excuse to play with their toys? Less new toys for them means less new toys for you, too! Children are learning new skills and growing every day, and really do need a steady supply of new stuff. And when there’s too much clutter, you won’t want to bring home awesome new things.
Here are 5 easy things you can do to cut down on toy clutter, without denying your kids (or yourself):
1.Get rid of some toys- Let’s start with the obvious. There are toys they begged for and never played with, kids’ meal trinkets, school prizes- go through them (we should really be doing this regularly). Different children require different approaches to this task. A quick Google search will give you lots of ideas to help get children on board with making room- everything from learning to “share” by donating them, to slowly sneaking them out of the house. At our house, we sneak toys to a bin in the garage, then if nothing is missed over the next few months, we know they are safe to give away. You know your child best, so only you know the most painless way to do this - but it has to be done. When toys are organized and easy to find, children don’t feel overstimulated or overwhelmed, and have an easier time playing independently.
2. Pay Attention - With media (and commercials) now being everywhere, what your child asks for and what your child will actually love are likely two very different things. Remember that toy they begged for and never played with? Marketers are very savvy, and spend a lot of time and money to influence children. Instead, notice the toys that your child goes to over and over (you know, the ones you step on every day) and take note of what those toys have in common. Different developmental stages also call for different types of toys. Meet your child where they are- your three-year-old might be begging for magnetic Thinking Putty, but developmentally they are not ready to play with it responsibly and the ensuing mess would frustrate both the caregiver and the child. Always look for toys that a child can easily play with with little adult interference- this will foster independence and confidence.
3. Go for open-ended toys- We have a saying at Villa Villekulla, “The less it does, the more a child can do with it.” The more ways in which a child can play with a toy, the longer it will keep their attention. Toys that do everything for the child are only fun until the novelty wears off. There’s a reason that kids love cardboard boxes so much - they can be anything! Timeless toys like blocks, puppets and art supplies will always surpass trendy gadgets when it comes to their ability to last - both in durability and in holding a child’s interest. Additionally, beware of toys that give your children little to do other than collect more… these tend to be the most heavily marketed toys because they can be the most lucrative for corporations.
4. Look for add-ons - Take stock of the child’s favorite toys - are there things you can buy that will enhance that toy’s play value? Adding on to toys you already own is economical and also saves you space. Think clothes for a favorite doll, more figures for a favorite set, or additional parts for a favorite construction toy.
5. Embrace the wishlist - Gifts are often the biggest culprit of toy clutter. Most major retailers, and even a lot of family-owned businesses, offer a wishlist option on their websites. Don’t be afraid to make and share a list- wishlists can help friends and family accomplish their ultimate gift-giving mission: to get them something they absolutely love!
]]>If your child starts to seem too old for toys, it isn’t time to get rid of playthings altogether. This is a new developmental stage, and just like when they progressed from a tricycle to a bike, it is time to transition to a different types of play. This is when kids get really good at applying information they already know to new situations.
Here are our top five picks for toys for ‘tweens and teens that will keep them healthy, engaged and happy!
Mozi - Mozi is like a slinky for your arm. It is calming and mesmerizing, but you can learn some pretty cool tricks with it too.
Rock & Roll It Drums - This Flexible completely portable Roll up Drum Kit can have your kids channeling their inner rockstar without driving your neighbors crazy. Through the included set of headphones, this sounds like a live drum set, but luckily there is no external speaker!
For the Lego-loving kid who might be edging towards “too old for toys” CDX Coasters are a perfect gift. These Lego-compatible, functional roller coasters are designed by actual roller coaster engineers and teach important physics and engineering concepts while still being fun.
For those who love escape rooms, Exit Games are like having an escape room in your own home. They meet a teen's developmental need for complex decision making, but the best part is they are perfect for a party!
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