Easter egg hunts are one of the very best things about Easter for kids. Not only is there the appeal of an outdoor game, but, more often than not, the eggs are edible. I'm partial to the school of thought that say Easter eggs should be brightly colored plastic with some sort of goodie inside - not hard boiled. Of course, it can be hard to choose candies to put inside the eggs. There are many factors to consider: where the eggs will be, how long they’ll be there, what the temperature is like. An indoor hunt gives you more options, as does a cool, morning egg hunt, but you'll have to worry about melting on a warm afternoon. Here are 8 of our favorite egg-hunt treats, plus a few tips to keep them in mint condition:

• Jelly Bellys or other jelly beans taste great and won't melt inside the egg. They also supply the additional bonus of making a pleasing rattling sound that gives kids the feeling they're hit the candy jackpot.

• Gummy candies, especially seasonal ones like bunnies, are a good melt-free option, though they might get a bit sticky in the heat. Buying sugar-coated ones will keep them from sticking together as one giant candy.
• Individually sealed chocolates, like Hoppy Treats, will prevent a mess inside your eggs even if you leave them outside all day, since their sealed packets keep the candy together.
• Candy shell-coated chocolates, like Robin Eggs and Cadbury mini eggs, or even M&Ms, might melt on the inside, but the crispy coating will keep them intact. Make sure to take out any broken-shelled chocolates and dispose (eat) of them while filling the eggs.
• Peeps are always a great option - and they will taste just as good if they melt inside the egg. Think of it as a pre-made toasted marshmallow!
• Cadbury Creme Mini Eggs are less likely than their larger incarnations to melt because the chocolate shell seems thicker. Keeping them to indoor or shady hiding places is probably still the best idea, though.
• Chewy candies, like taffy and Tootsie rolls, are available in springtime colors and flavors and get even better when they have warmed up a bit. 
• Money and hard candies are options that won't melt, but every kid I know would rather take a chance on a egg filled with chocolate soup than 25¢, so keep that in mind. As a last resort, just use your favorite chocolate eggs and the kids will be thrilled.

[Photo by Nicole Weston]