14 Easter Basket Gift Ideas That Go Beyond Sugar
Easter basket gift ideas have come a long way in recent years, and a lot of Millennial parents are looking beyond the traditional candy fillers to create special baskets that their children will actually use. Truly, I have nothing wrong with sweets, but with parties at school, egg hunts, Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, and goodie bags at every birthday party this time of year, it’s nice to explore options besides sugar.
With that in mind, here are 14 Easter basket gift ideas that go beyond sugar! From educational toys to books and games, these gifts are sure to put a smile on your little one’s face this Easter.
1) Books
Books make great Easter basket gifts and are a wonderful way to encourage learning and growth. If your little one loves to read, consider gifting them a few new titles for their age group. For toddlers, you might include some classic board books or educational books for Easter. Older kids will appreciate a mix of fiction and nonfiction books, like novels, biographies, or activity books. There are also plenty of popular book series perfect for readers of all ages. The possibilities are endless!
Shop: My Kindergarteners’ favorite books
2) Coloring books and crayons
Easter is the perfect time to get your kids some new toys for creative expression. Coloring books and crayons are a classic Easter gift idea that will put a smile on their faces. Whether you go for a classic coloring book or something more unique, like a comic book or activity book, you can be sure they’ll have hours of fun with it. And don’t forget to include plenty of crayons so they can bring their colorful creations to life.
Shop: Dot-Dot Marker Book for Toddlers, Coloring Books for Kids, Crayons
3) Puzzles
Puzzles are great toys for Easter baskets! They are fun and engaging, while also helping to develop problem-solving and cognitive skills. Puzzles come in all shapes and sizes, from simple jigsaw puzzles for young children to more complex 3D puzzles for older kids and adults. Puzzles can also range from traditional wooden ones to exciting 3D brainteasers. For an extra special touch, you can even personalize a puzzle with the recipient’s name or photo. No matter what type of puzzle you choose, it’s sure to be a hit – especially on a rainy Spring day.
Shop: Puzzles for Toddlers, Family Puzzles, 3D Puzzles
4) Games
If you’re looking for toys for Easter that will keep your kids entertained, board games are a great option. Not only are they fun, but they also help to foster problem solving and critical thinking skills. There are many classic games that are under $10, such as Trouble, Chutes and Ladders, and Candy Land. For slightly older children, you can find more complex board games. For younger children, there are puzzles and educational games such as Memory and Alphabet Soup. No matter what their age, you’ll be sure to find the perfect game to put in their Easter basket.
Shop: Classic Boardgames
5) Art supplies
Art is a great way to express yourself and an even better way to encourage creativity in children. For Easter baskets, you can find some great art supplies that are both useful and fun. A craft box for kids is a great option for Easter. It can come with items such as pipe cleaners, glue, googly eyes and pom pom balls. You can also include some nice colored pencils or markers and a sketchbook. If you want to really splurge on the gift, you could even get some quality paints and brushes. Art supplies are a great way to spark imagination in kids and encourage them to explore their creativity.
Shop: Arts & Crafts
6) Jewelry & Accessories
Jewelry is a great option for filling an Easter basket, especially for kids and teens. Not only will it add a bit of sparkle to their basket, but it’s also a thoughtful way to show that you care. You can opt for classic jewelry pieces such as necklaces and bracelets, or you can get creative and look for something more unique like a charm bracelet or monogrammed necklace. If you have a beach lover in the family, consider adding some summer-inspired accessories like swimsuits, goggles, and sunglasses for the warmer months ahead. This will get kids excited about warm weather and also takes something you would be buying them anyway, and makes it into a special moment.
Shop: Custom Kids Name Bracelets, Our Favorite Swim Googles, Classic Swimsuits for Kids We Love
7) Clothing
When the weather starts to warm up, kids outgrow their clothes quickly. So why not add a new shirt or outfit to their Easter basket? Look for clothing items featuring their favorite animals or characters. I also really love the Spring collection from Lake with bunnies on it. My daughter has the footie PJs, and they’re super soft. Target’s Cat & Jack line has a variety of seasonal shirts and other clothing pieces that will be sure to please your little ones. And if you’re feeling extra generous, you could even include a gift card to a favorite store so your little one can pick out something themselves!
Shop: My Favorite Shorts for Kids, Play Dresses, Bunny PJs
8) Bath and Body Products
Bath and body products make great additions to Easter baskets and are a way to pamper your loved ones this Easter. Popular bath and body products to include are soaps, hand sanitizers, bath bombs and lotions. Soaps can come in the form of bars or liquid, and can range from mild formulas to luxury scented soaps. Hand sanitizers are an essential item, especially during the times we’re living in. There are plenty of travel-friendly sizes that you can fit into an Easter basket. Bath bombs have been all the rage lately as they provide a spa-like experience in the comfort of your own home. Lastly, lotions are great for moisturizing the skin and also come in a variety of scents.
Shop: Our Special Occassion Bath Bomb My Kids Love
8) Collectibles
As a child, I used to collect a number of things, including bells. Not sure what got me into that, but whenever we’d travel, I’d always look for a bell. Now, my kids have their own collections – sea shells and miniature cars. Easter can be a great time to soft-launch the collection idea with kids, as summer ahead will have them outside more. Consider: Pressed flowers, seashells, coins, trading cards, and perhaps even bells 😛
10) Gardening supplies
Gardening is a fun and creative way to get your children involved in the outdoors. It’s also a great way to connect them to nature and teach them about responsibility. To give them the tools to explore their green thumb, add some gardening supplies to their Easter baskets this year.
Start by selecting a seed packet or two of something that is easy to grow. Cut flowers such as zinnias, daisies, and sunflowers are a great choice. You can even buy packets of wildflower seeds to introduce more variety into the garden. If you have a vegetable garden, consider giving your children some of their own vegetable seeds, such as lettuce, tomatoes, and carrots.
You can also add items such as gardening gloves, shovels, trowels, rakes, and hoes. To make it more fun, include decorative items like garden stakes and flags, bird houses, bird feeders, and wind chimes. With these tools, your children will be able to create their own unique garden that they can care for throughout the year.
Shop: Gardening Tools, My Favorite Wildflower Seeds
11) Stationery
When it comes to stationery, you can really go all out with a personalized gift for your child. Look for monogrammed stationary sets that they can use year round for thank you cards, letters, or even just jotting down ideas. Depending on their age, you may want to include pens and pencils in the basket as well. If they’re more into drawing and doodling, colored markers and gel pens are a great addition. No matter what you choose, your child will be sure to appreciate the thoughtful gesture.
Shop: My Son’s Stationery
12) Tech Accessories
Tech accessories are a great gift for any kid, especially ones who love gadgets. An Amazon Fire Tablet or Kindle can be a great way to entertain kids during car trips or visits to the grandparents. They also provide access to educational materials, books, games, and movies. For younger children, consider purchasing kid-friendly headphones. These come in all shapes, sizes, and colors and can protect their ears from loud sounds. To capture the memories of the day, a digital camera for kids is perfect for aspiring photographers. There are also plenty of tech accessories available that make learning fun, like robotic toys and coding kits. Whatever you choose, there’s sure to be something special they’ll love to unwrap!
Shop: My Kids’ Tablets, Our Favorite Headphones for Kids
13) Baking Supplies
Cooking supplies make for a great addition to Easter baskets for kids of all ages. Kid-friendly kitchen utensils such as plastic spatulas, whisks and measuring cups can be used to help children bake delicious Easter treats. For the younger kids, consider colorful cupcake liners with their favorite characters or shapes. Older kids can get more serious with tools like cookie cutters and rolling pins that will inspire them to create some truly unique Easter treats. Baking with your children can be a fun way to bond during the holiday season.
Shop: Easter Baking
14) Outdoor & Sports Equipment
Sports equipment is a great way to keep the fun going during the Easter season. Whether your kid is an aspiring athlete or just loves playing outdoors, some new sports equipment could be just the thing they need to have a blast during their free time. You can choose from items such as small balls, frisbees, kites, or even remote-controlled cars. If you know what sport your child is interested in, you can find specific equipment for them to help them improve their skills. My kids love sidewalk chalk, which makes a great basket filler.
Shop: Bug Bungalow, Balls for the Pool, Frisbees, Sidewalk Chalk
