Growing up, Easter baskets always included more sweet treats and plastic Easter eggs than I can count. My brother and I would sit around eating Peeps, chocolate eggs, and jelly beans (black for me, please!) all Easter morning. And although I am all for a few treats, Easter is a great time to include a few practical items that help us welcome the warmer weather. This post includes the best Easter basket ideas and Easter gifts for kids in 2024.
What do you put in your Easter basket?
Easter treats, craft supplies, bath bombs, stuffed animals, a new swimsuit, and bubbles are a simple mix of things that satisfy the sweet tooth and prepare everyone for spring. Simple easter baskets include inexpensive items your child will (actually) use throughout the warmer days ahead.
RELATED: Looking for ways to incorporate Easter into your day? Here are low-prep Easter activities for kids.
How to Build an Easter Basket
I know, we like our Easter baskets to look pretty. But the minimalist Easter bunny in me suggests you ditch the Easter basket filler. We all know the paper grass goes back into the recycle bin anyway. Instead, consider your shredded bills (really!) or even a little tissue paper. If you don’t want much to clean up, the lady on the internet says you can keep your easter basket stuffers to a minimum.
Easter doesn’t have to look like a mini Christmas. One unique Easter basket idea is to group all the items into a classic wicker basket. This idea works well if you have children that share most of what you have in the home. This idea worked well when I had toddlers and preschoolers.
Best Easter basket ideas for 2024
Here is my favorite collection of fun toys for kids of all ages. These inexpensive non toy treats excite everyone for the upcoming season. Hide the plastic Easter eggs, set out a few favorite items from this list, and consider your Easter done.
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Minimalist Easter Basket Ideas
If you want to keep things extremely simple, consider including something your child will get a lot of use out of, along with a little bit of sweet treats. A fun pair of sunglasses, nail polish, or stuffed animals are fun finds to include with practical items for a DIY Easter basket.
New Pajamas
Something about a new pair of spring pajamas puts some pep in our sleeping habits step. I found these on Amazon and am smitten!
New Swimsuit
Here is a bright orange one to help contrast against the water. Bright orange, yellow, and green have been proven safest for spotting kids in the water. Many different sizes and adorable styles.
New Swimsuit
We have a few swim shorts and love how they last and look. Choose from a variety of bright colors. Bright orange, yellow, and green have been proven safest for spotting kids in the water.
Chocolate Bunny
We have a food allergy and these chocolate bunnies are the very best! USE CODE: dayswithgrey to save 15%.
Kids’ baskets, non-food treats
Here is a list of non-food treats that will keep things simple and spruce up a traditional Easter basket. This is a list of creative ideas that children can play with on Sunday morning and continue using on road trips, airplane rides, and waiting in a restaurant. Some big kids would be happy with Easter candy and a gift card if you are comfortable with it.
365 Devotionals for Kids
Looking for a devotional to add to your Easter basket? This book is a great way to offer bite-sized meditations for kids.
Activity Book
Children ages 5+ will have a blast with this maze and activity book. My eight-year-old did not put it down until it was complete. Activity books are perfect to take to Easter brunch.
Lego White Rabbit
Have a Lego lover? This white rabbit animal building set is a fun way to spend the day at home.
Bubble Wands
You will want this set as soon as the weather warms up so why not add it in your child’s basket now. Bubbles are a fun way to spend quality time as you enjoy the warm weather.
Easter Theme Play-Doh
Play-Doh carried me throughout the toddler and preschool years. This is a yes and one of my favorite Easter basket ideas.
Water Toys
These reusable water balloons were a hit last year at the pool.
Seek and Find
This sticker pad is also a blast! Great for waiting on Easter brunch and to improve fine motor skills.
Animal Sticker Book
This sticker by letter books makes colorful images of wild animals.
Mini Sketch Pads
I love, love, love this sketch pad! My oldest uses his sketchbook for math problems, and my five-year-old creates the most incredible designs. I love the look and design of these sketchbooks.
Rainbow Pencils
Use these rainbow pencils with the sketch pad. Art supplies are special items you can add to any Easter basket.
Watercolor Paints
Oh boy! These watercolors are FABULOUS. The colors are bright and vibrant and look gorgeous on paper. Since they all have a unique painting technique, each child has their own watercolor kit.
Sidewalk Chalk
Last year, sidewalk chalk sold out – so this year, I am staying a step ahead and adding a fresh pack to our Easter baskets. I am ready to play this giant DIY chalk game and Musical Scavenger Hunt again on the driveway!
Visual Encyclopedia
Are you familiar with these Smithsonian books? There are a few different titles to pick from. My boys look through these books during their reading time, and we connect them to what we see daily. Every Smithsonian book we own captivates us to learn and see more.
Memory Matching Game
This is a beautiful memory-matching game to welcome spring. I gave this as an Easter group gift.
Frequently asked questions
A traditional Easter basket has a chocolate bunny, jelly beans, and peeps. I suggest adding a practical and fun seasonal item your child can use throughout spring and summer. Sidewalk chalk, bubble wands, new spring-themed pajamas, and a devotional book make other great options for 2024.
If you do not want to do individual Easter baskets, add a few treats to a larger basket for kids to share.
Bath toys, bubble wands, sidewalk chalk, chunky crayons, and books about spring make a fun collection of ideas for a toddler’s Easter basket.
