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!
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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- chocolate
- unique candy
- unique fruit (like a starfruit or dragon fruit!)
- old school Jiffy Pop
- fruit snacks
- fruit pouches
- pudding pouches
- mini boxes of cereal
- magic milk straws
- juice boxes
- gum
- astronaut ice cream
- play doh
- bath crayons
- stickers
- frisbee
- jump rope
- magic grow capsules
- sidewalk chalk
- scented markers
- Mad Libs
- set of watercolor paints
- paint palette
- puzzles
- Rubick’s cube
- pipe cleaners
- wiki stix
- disposable camera
- fun shoelaces
- glow sticks
- paper airplane kit
- socks
- sun hat
- sunglasses
- flip flops
- beach towel
- beach pail
- shovel
- sun screen
- squirt bottle (for beach/pool/outdoor fun)
- seeds to grow a garden
- watering can
- kite
- fishing pole
- umbrella
- fun band aids (bacon band aids, mustache band aids)
- gummy vitamins
- Jelly Belly Bean Boozled Game
- tooth brush
- toothpaste
- kids mouthwash
- dental floss
- fun soap
- bubble bath
- colored bath drops
- bath toys
- bath crayons
- nightlight
- body pouf/loofah
- pajamas
- slippers
- new underwear
- reusable water bottle
- new sippy cup/bottle
- magnifying glass
- hand sanitizer
- bubbles
- DVDs
- nail polish
- nail polish remover pads
- hair ties
- hair bows
- books
- bookmark
- pens/pencils
- pencil case
- dollar coins
- lip gloss
- solid perfume/travel perfume
- chap stick
- mini shampoo
- mini conditioner
- ear buds/earphones
- face cleansing/makeup remover cloths
- pore cleansing strips
- oil absorbing sheets (for freshening up makeup)
- hand lotion
- post it notes
- adult coloring book
- Sudoku/word search/crossword puzzle book
- favorite magazine
- scratch off lottery tickets
- portable cell phone charger
- selfie stick
- rubber twisty ties
- solar powered flash light
- waterproof cell phone bag
- laptop light
- binoculars
- gift cards
- travel mug/cup
9 Comments
Wonderful list. My kids are big (14, 20, and 22), but we still do baskets. I’m always looking for new ideas. Thank you!
3-16-16 at 8:20 amThis is a fantastic list. I will save this:-)
3-16-16 at 9:02 amWow! That’s a lot! Great ideas. Thanks for sharing it.
3-16-16 at 9:29 amSo many great ideas!
Mine would love gum — why didn’t I think of that one before? And hand sanitizer We go through that fast here.
3-16-16 at 9:51 amus too and my kindergartener LOVES having her own bottle of it!
3-16-16 at 3:29 pmMine both LOVE gum too!
3-16-16 at 4:36 pmThis is a GREAT idea! I err on the side of underboard than overboard but looove all of these ideas that are not candies! I will definitely be referring to this list!
3-16-16 at 7:35 pmTons of great ideas! I definitely am cutting back on the candy this year, so it’s great to have all of these alternatives. Thanks for the list!
3-16-16 at 10:36 pmWow! Great list. I will totally have to use some of these.
3-17-16 at 12:42 pm