There's a candy and kite frenzy taking place right now in Hamilton as people are readying themselves for the Easter holiday. Stores are packed with people trying to get their hands on some last-minute kite paper and Easter baskets.

But there is one thing to remember: When your buying all those milk chocolate eggs and jelly beans, don't over do it! Nutritionist Betsy Baillie said parents need to remember that they always tell their children that lots of candy is not good for them but then for Easter they ply them with sugary goodies. She added one of two candies are all right with baskets filled with lots of good stuff like fruit, games and egg painting kits. "Parents and relatives can fill baskets with sun glasses for the summer, pencils, pens, stickers, Easter stuffed toys and a great, fun idea would be to give kids a throw-a-way camera so they can take pictures of Easter dinner,'' Mrs. Baillie said. She also said autograph books, which you don't see too much today, are also a good idea. "Instead of a lot of chocolate give kids old fashion Easter games like marbles, and a spinning top or pick up sticks and jacks.'' Mrs.

Baillie added in years gone by the days before Easter were candy and sweet free as these things were given up for Lent and so the Easter basket was sort of a special treat. "If you get a variety of other things it is all right to get an egg or some jelly beans but if you are putting a mound of sweets in a basket for kids you are not making a positive impact on your young person's health. "Parents have an opportunity to make a positive difference by offering these things in moderation.'' Mrs. Baillie added: "It goes back to practising what you preach. We say these things are not good for your health but then we turn around and give these things as a reward. It sends mixed messages so we need to give clean consistent, constant messages that these are fun foods to be eaten on an occasional basis.'' She also said some good edible treats include popcorn, pretzels, fruit, nuts, fruit-filled cookies and sugarless gum. Registered dietitian Janet Burull from Nutrition Consultant Services said Easter is a special time of the year therefore a little candy is allowed but "the problem in Bermuda is excessiveness. Sometimes there is the basket from extended family so kids end up with several Easter baskets and lots of candy. "Families need to coordinate to see what else they can get so there are other gifts aside from baskets,'' Mrs. Burull said. She added: "If families are not coordinating then the kids are eating chocolate for a month that is where it becomes a problem -- when they are 10 eggs for one child.

"It is also important to have candy after meals so teeth can be brushed and kids are not having chocolate instead of lunch.'' Mrs. Burull also said never take sweets or candies and exchange them for a healthy food. "Have healthy food first and candy for dessert. If candies are eaten with meals they are less likely to cause dental problems.'' After nibbling from your Easter basket play some Easter games with your kids.

Here are a few ideas.

Egg hunt: Use plastic or real painted eggs and put numbers on them. Each number should correspond to a gift for the children. Hide the eggs in various places and send them hunting.

Spoon walk: Put an egg on a spoon and walking across an area (make an obstacle course). Kids can also pass the egg to a partner. If the egg is dropped you have to start over. Grown-ups have to do this with the spoon in their mouths.

Animal relay: The players form two lines with equal numbers on each team. The first animal on each team is an animal, the second a different animal. On the word "go'', the first person acts like the animal they represent, run, hop, or crawl to a given place and back. The next person then acts like their animal and so on until one team is finished and sitting down.

Duck races: Players line up on a start line. At the signal, they must all bend over and grasp their ankles. The first one to waddle to the finish line without letting go of their ankles wins.

HEALTHY BASKET -- Government Nutritionist Betsy Baillie said parents should not fill their children's Easter baskets with candy but instead an assortment of Easter games and books. One or two candies should be allowed.