A few years ago, for Nicholas’s first Easter, I decided to invest in some good quality Easter baskets for the kids. Rather than buying a junky little one each year, I ordered the kids beautiful matching baskets from Pottery Barn. It was a splurge for sure, but I knew it was something they’d have for years.

I had a choice between the small size and the large size and because I was sick of stuffing goodies into a tiny basket I went for the big ones. The only problem? I now felt like I had to fill those very large baskets!

Like I mentioned at Chrismas time, this year I’m on a mission to be really thoughtful about the gifts I buy for everyone. When it comes to my kids and toys, we’ve been choosing things they will actually play with for a while–not just junk to fill up the house. And ya know what? Easter is NOT the new Christmas. It’s a a deeply religious holiday and while it’s fun to get baskets for the kids, I don’t want them to think Easter is about chocolate and presents.

So, I try to fill the baskets with things they need and with things they want. In the weeks leading up to Easter I buy things the kids need and save it for the Easter basket. And I always look for some fun and unique toys to stick in there too and I’ve careful to avoid the junk that will end up in the trash within a week. Here are some of my favorite useful Easter basket ideas for kids!

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Here are 101 Useful Easter basket ideas for kids of all ages! (Gifts for older kids are at the end of the list.)

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1. chocolate
2. unique candy
3. unique fruit (like a starfruit or dragon fruit!)
4. old school Jiffy Pop
5. fruit snacks
6. fruit pouches
7. pudding pouches
8. mini boxes of cereal
9. magic milk straws
10. juice boxes
11. gum
12. astronaut ice cream
13. play doh
14. bath crayons
15. stickers
16. frisbee
17. jump rope
18. magic grow capsules
19. sidewalk chalk
20. scented markers
21. Mad Libs
22. set of watercolor paints
23. paint palette
24. puzzles
25. Rubick’s cube
26. pipe cleaners
27. wiki stix
28. disposable camera
29. fun shoelaces
30. glow sticks
31. paper airplane kit
32. socks
33. sun hat
34. sunglasses
35. flip flops
36. beach towel
37. beach pail
38. shovel
39. sun screen
40. squirt bottle (for beach/pool/outdoor fun)
41. seeds to grow a garden
42. watering can
43. kite
44. fishing pole
45. umbrella
46. fun band aids (bacon band aids, mustache band aids)
47. gummy vitamins
48. Jelly Belly Bean Boozled Game
49. tooth brush
50. toothpaste
51. kids mouthwash
52. dental floss
53. fun soap
54. bubble bath
55. colored bath drops
56. bath toys
57. bath crayons
58. nightlight
59. body pouf/loofah
60. pajamas
61. slippers
62. new underwear
63. reusable water bottle
64. new sippy cup/bottle
65. magnifying glass
66. hand sanitizer
67. bubbles
68. DVDs
69. nail polish
70. nail polish remover pads
71. hair ties
72. hair bows
73. books
74. bookmark
75. pens/pencils
76. pencil case
77. dollar coins
78. lip gloss
79. solid perfume/travel perfume
80. chap stick
81. mini shampoo
82. mini conditioner
83. ear buds/earphones
84. face cleansing/makeup remover cloths
85. pore cleansing strips
86. oil absorbing sheets (for freshening up makeup)
87. hand lotion
88. post it notes
89. adult coloring book
90. Sudoku/word search/crossword puzzle book
91. favorite magazine
92. scratch off lottery tickets
93. portable cell phone charger
94. selfie stick
95. rubber twisty ties
96. solar powered flash light
97. waterproof cell phone bag
98. laptop light
99. binoculars
100. gift cards
101. travel mug/cup

What else do you put in your kids’ Easter baskets?