Want to help animals this Easter? Here are some cruelty-free ways to celebrate the holiday:

Make Vegan Cadbury Creme Eggs

Cadbury Creme Eggs contain ingredients that come from animals, but you can make your own vegan version with this copycat recipe.

Vegan Cadbury Creme Eggs

1 lb. vegan dark chocolate chips

Creme Filling (see recipe below)

Caramel Filling (see recipe below)

Ask an adult to help you with these steps:

• Put the vegan dark chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 1 minute, then stir. Repeat until completely melted.
• Fill half of an Easter egg candy mold 3/4 full with the melted chocolate. Attach the other half of the mold and use binder clips to keep in place. Rotate a few times until each of the egg-shaped molds is entirely coated with chocolate.
• Place in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the chocolate begins to set, then rotate the mold again.
• Place back in the refrigerator until totally set, about 10 minutes. (The chocolate should pop out of the molds easily. If it sticks, place back in the refrigerator for a few more minutes.)
• Fill one pastry bag with the Creme Filling and another with the Caramel Filling.
• Poke a hole in the top of each egg with a wooden skewer, then pipe in the fillings.
• Place a drop of melted chocolate on each hole to seal the eggs.

Creme Filling

1 lb. powdered sugar

2 Tbsp. coconut cream (or 1/4 cup raspberry purée or 1 Tbsp. lime juice and 1 Tbsp. lime rind)

1/2 cup vegan butter, softened

Ask an adult to mix all the ingredients together using a hand mixer.

Caramel Filling

2 cups sugar

1 tsp. lemon juice

2 Tbsp. corn syrup

1/2 cup water

1 cup coconut cream

1 cup vegan butter

Ask an adult to help you with these steps:

• Mix together the sugar, lemon juice, corn syrup, and water in a heavy metal saucepan and place over medium heat.
• Do not stir. Brush the sides of the pot with the water to prevent sugar crystals from forming until the sugar has completely melted and the mixture is clear.
• Stir slowly. The color will begin to darken. Once it is a dark amber color, add the coconut cream and mix well. (It will bubble, so be careful.)
• Stir in the vegan butter and cook until thickened. Remove from the heat and cool completely before using.

Take a look at the video!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kiFimXEgSM

Help Bunnies and Chicks

Sometimes, kids get a baby bunny or chick along with candy and toys in their Easter baskets. That sounds adorable, but parents don’t always realize how much work is involved with raising and taking care of these small animals. After Easter, animal shelters are flooded with bunnies and chicks, because people suddenly found out that caring for an animal—even a small one—is a big responsibility.

Ask your parents not to put living bunnies or chicks in your basket.

If you and your family would like to give a bunny a permanent home, after Easter is the perfect time to adopt one from your local animal shelter, since so many of them will be given up after the holiday.

Decorate Eggs the Vegan Way

The egg industry is cruel to chickens, so it makes sense not to eat eggs—but decorating them for Easter should also be avoided. That doesn‘t mean that you have to give up the fun tradition, though. There are tons of options that don‘t involve real eggs, like paper, wooden, or ceramic eggs that can be found online or in craft stores. The best part is that no chickens were harmed to make them! Plus, egg-free options don‘t have to be hardboiled and will last a long time, not just a few days. 

Boycott Companies That Would Test on the Easter Bunny

Even though non-animal tests exist, some companies still test their products on animals—including rabbits. These deadly experiments are painful and cruel, but luckily, there are more than 2,400 companies that refuse to harm animals. Check out PETA Kid’s information on cruelty-free products and companies. Be kind to the Easter Bunny’s friends by buying only products that weren’t tested on animals.