11 Easter Basket Ideas for Kids (That Aren't Candy)
With each passing holiday, I find myself more and more frustrated with all the junk products that seem to pile up. (And we get a lot of that from our trips to the arcade, anyway.) I'm tired of stuffing class Valentine’s, Easter baskets, birthday goody bags, and stockings with trinkets I know will be tossed within days. Over the past few years I’ve started focusing on giving the girls things they actually need and are seasonally appropriate—like new rain boots and books from the Easter Bunny! So if you're looking for Easter basket ideas for kids that go beyond the usual candy, I've got you covered. Here are some of my favorite goodies that are both fun and practical, and hopefully, won't be thrown away anytime soon!
1. EASTER BUNNY COINS
Reusable easter bunny tokens
These tokens are so fun and reusable! They're eco-friendly, sustainable, reusable and it comes with 3 customizable tokens as well. I love that these can replace a ton of easter egg “junk” and have fun experience rewards as well. In addition to the easter bunny coins, there are bunny shaped tokens, Christmas, Halloween, and movie ticket shaped options as well.
“Sticker by Letter” Easter book
2. BOOKS
Books are always a hit with my girls! Easter-themed storybooks or springtime books are great non-candy additions to a basket. My mom sent the girls tons of these “sticker by letter” books for Halloween and Christmas. They’re similar to paint by numbers and kept the girls entertained for hours on the cruise and airplane ride.
Beads for making morse code jewelry
3. CRAFT KITS
Easter-themed craft kits - like decorate eggs, make bunny ears, or create their own Easter cards - can keep kids entertained and help them tap into their creative side. But you don’t have to stick to Easter theme! This morse code kit was a hit this past Christmas.
4. BUBBLES
Bubbles are always a fun treat for kids and they’re also fairly inexpensive. From bubble wands to bubble machines, you can find them anywhere from Wal-Mart, Target, and Amazon to your local grocery store or dollar store. It’s also a great way to get kids outside this time of year! Bubbles are also one of the few party favors that I do not mind bringing home.
The Ultimate Princess Coloring Book
5. ART SUPPLIES
Is there ever a time when art supplies aren’t on the list? Millie got this coloring book for Christmas. Princess-themed items are always a hit in our house but coloring book with Easter or springtime themes and a set of crayons or markers will keep kids busy and creative.
6. RAIN BOOTS AND FUN SOCKS
You can almost guarantee that last year’s rain boots no longer fit and it’s time for a new pair! Pair a cute pair of rain boots with some cute, Easter-themed socks with bunnies, eggs, or flowers and my kids will want to wear them right away, no matter the weather! I’ve also seen people use the rain boots AS the easter basket and I think that is so unique!
Pink bunnies with the girls names stitched on the ears
7. PERSONALIZED ITEMS
Personalized gifts are always a hit and make for memorable Easter basket goodies. The year Millie was born I bought both the girls pink stuffed bunnies with their names monogrammed on the ear. Five years later and they still love those bunnies!
London’s wildflower plant
8. SMALL PLANTS AND/OR SEEDS
Encourage a love of nature by including packets of flower seeds or small potted plants that kids can take care of and watch grow. Plant something that’s easy to grow, like wildflowers, and something they can eat to watch their love of gardening grow. I always had a backyard garden when we lived in the states and London loved picking the peppers and tomatoes as they grew. It’s more complicated to grow things in an apartment but London has been doing a great job with this one from her Girl Scouts troop!
9. NEW TOOTHBRUSH
If Santa was the last person to bring a new toothbrush, it’s time to replace it!
10. SPRING CLOTHES
With the changing of seasons, now is the time to find the holes in their wardrobes and replace them. New pajamas, rain jackets, and spring themed t-shirts are great ideas!
11. REPLENISH THEIR FAVORITE / MOST USED THINGS
One thing that London will find in her easter basket this year is more film for her Instax camera. Millie also loved these stick-on earrings for Christmas so I’ll throw another pack in her easter basket this year. Easter baskets are a great way to gift money for their favorite online games, too!
This Easter, you don’t have to rely on sugary treats to make your basket special. Instead, try these creative and thoughtful alternatives that will delight your child without the sugar overload. Whether it’s a new book, fun outdoor toys, or something educational, these non-candy goodies will make the holiday even more memorable. Plus, they’ll last a lot longer than those chocolate eggs!
Easter 2020 with our 3 day old Easter present
Of course there will still be some candy in my kids’ easter baskets! London and I both love Reese’s Eggs. Let me know in the comments - which non-candy item will be in your kids easter basket AND which candy can you not resist this time of year?!
