Egg-citing Easter Basket Ideas That Don’t Involve Candy & Sugar

It feels like just yesterday we were wishing each other a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, but here we are—already one week into March, with Easter approaching faster than, well, the Easter Bunny.

And it’s coming a little early this year – March 31, to be exact. 

It’s just the sixth time since 1998 that Easter Sunday falls in March – and first time since 2016. It doesn’t happen often, but that’s why parents need to start preparing now – because we’re only three weeks away!

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And you know what that means, right? 

Okay, it could mean a lot of things (including Easter egg hunts, decorating eggs, religious activities, and dinner with loved ones), but we’re not here to talk about any of those traditions – at least not in this post. 

Today, we’re talking about Easter baskets!

Now, I know there’s an old adage that says not to put all your eggs in one basket, but this is the one day of the year that we’ll allow it – after all, your kids deserve it! And, let’s be honest, it’s actually kind of fun!

How to Build the Perfect Easter Basket

Before we can fill an Easter basket, well, we need an Easter basket. While some parents take the easy route and purchase one online or at their local department store, other parents like to get a little creative.

There’s no right or wrong way – it’s up to you!

If you’re a parent who likes to buy one, you’ll find plenty of options at Target, Walmart, and Party City, to name a few. You can also buy them on Amazon, Etsy, Harry & David, and plenty of other online stores. 

For those who want to get a little creative – or those who want to save a little money – there are a wide range of items lying around the house that can be converted into an Easter basket with minimal effort. 

Here are five that we think you and your child will love!

5. Bucket or Pail

Buckets and pails make great Easter baskets because they’re available in various sizes, usually have handles already attached, and most of us have one (if not several) buckets lying around the house.

Beach pails, Homer buckets, cleaning buckets, and even large Tupperware can be utilized. 

All you need is some paint, stickers, glitter, fabric, and ribbons to spice it up and give it a true Easter theme. Don’t forget to put their name on it, make it their favorite color, and use an elegant liner! 

4. Cardboard Box

Amazon makes more than 3.5 billion deliveries to American households every single day – and that’s not including all the other things we buy online. If you’re like me, then those boxes get saved for another day.

Well, that ‘another day’ is coming up quickly, and it’s called Easter!

I know we all have a cardboard box somewhere in the house. It might not look like much, but that’s because you haven’t decorated it yet! You can use rope, string, or even a shoelace for a handle. 

3. Small Hamper or Organizer

No, I’m not talking about those giant hampers that fit your entire family’s laundry in – but hey, I guess it all depends on how many gifts (or how big those gifts) are. Either way, hampers are useful and reusable. 

One day you’re folding laundry out of it, and the next day, you’re using it as an Easter basket!

Collapsable organizer cubes can also be used – I can think of about five not being used in my house right now, and I know I’m not the only one! The fabric ones will be harder to decorate, but safety pins can help!

2. Flowering Pot or Planter

The first day of Spring is March 19, less than two weeks before Easter. That’s why I think flowering pots and planters make for some of the most unique and creative Easter basket ideas – it’s perfect timing!

They come in a variety of sizes and are easy to decorate, but be careful – they break easily!

Wrapping the sides of the pot in rope will give it a more elegant look, but I’ve also had friends knit a cover for the pot, allowing for more customization. Of course, you can also use paint, Sharpie, and stencils.

1. Reusable Tote or Backpack

If you haven’t already, maybe it’s time to get your child a new backpack for school. Or maybe you have an extra reusable tote or grocery bag lying around. Either way, these can be used as an Easter basket too!

Sure, it might not look like a traditional basket, but sometimes we have to do what we can!

If you go this route, give your child a hint that it’s not an actual basket they’re looking for – that way, they aren’t roaming around the house looking for something that looks like a basket. Or not, it’s up to you!

Candy-Free Easter Basket Fillers for Boys & Girls

Alright, now we’re ready to start filling those masterpieces, but what do we fill it with? 

Tradition tells us to fill it with candy and sugar: chocolate bunnies, Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs, Kinder Joys, jelly beans, Peeps, chocolate lollipops – and who could forget about the Cadbury chocolates? 

That’s all well and good, but do our kids really need all that sugar? 

I’m not saying remove the candy completely – they deserve a little treat – but don’t make it the focal point of the Easter basket. Instead, fill the basket with other useful, practical, and educational alternatives. 

And if you’re struggling to figure out what your kid wants, don’t worry – you’re not alone. 

“What are good items in an easter basket for an 11 year old boy?? Im clueless. Its like all he likes is Fortnite lately. My girls are easy!! (They got a toy, a shirt, a bracelet and candy. Oh and bubbles lol),” one of our readers wrote in our online community a few days ago – you can join in on the conversation here.

Since we get asked this question every year, here are some ideas to get your creative juices flowing!

15. Video Games

As much as we want to reduce screen time and encourage physical activity, we don’t want to completely rid our children of video games – they serve a good purpose when used properly and in moderation. 

Not only that, but there’s a little something for every kid when it comes to video games. 

If they don’t have a platform, the Nintendo Switch is an excellent choice. If they have the platform, games like Minecraft and Animal Crossing are good for younger kids. Fortnite is popular among teenagers. 

14. In-Game Currency

Speaking of video games, just buying the game isn’t enough anymore. With in-game currency, your child gets access to extra content, new abilities, and new ways to play (or advance in) their favorite games. 

If there’s a game your child plays a lot, helping them stack up on in-game currency is an easy gift!

For example, Fortnite has an in-game currency called V-bucks – which allows your child to buy outfits, pickaxes, wraps, emotes, and more for their character. They can be purchased online or with a gift card.

13. Gift Cards

That’s actually a perfect segway into our next item – gift cards. Maybe you don’t know what your child wants, but you know what stores they like – or maybe your child likes to go shopping and pick things out.

Either way, a gift card is easy and won’t take up a lot of space in your basket!

Plus, many stores offer Easter-themed gift cards to mimic the vibe you’re going for. And you can always pair it with a cute or funny Hallmark card – which doesn’t have to be bought. You can make your own!

12. Clothing & Apparel

The weather’s changing. Your child is growing. Summer is quickly approaching. There’s no better way to ring in the Easter holiday than with a new pair of shoes or a new outfit to show off to their school friends.

This is especially true if the shoes/clothes your child wanted for Christmas were sold out or unavailable.

If you’re religious, find them a new Sunday church outfit. If they like to play outside, find them something to run around in (comfortably). If they play sports or have a favorite sports team, get them a new jersey!

11. Trading Cards

Many people thought the digital age would spell the end of trading cards, but it only made them more popular—and the COVID-19 pandemic heightened their popularity even more. Today, they’re still a hit. 

Pokémon, Magic the Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and sports trading cards make for great gifts. 

And it doesn’t have to be the typical unopened pack or sealed box of cards – you can buy individual cards and even pay for the cost of getting one of your child’s favorite cards graded. Now, that’s the ultimate gift!

10. Custom Coupons

When I say ‘custom coupons,’ I’m talking about those ‘Good for One Hug’ types of coupons – the ones you make (and honor) yourself. It’s one of my favorite gifts because the possibilities are 100% endless. 

It can be as big as ‘One Vacation of Your Choice’ or as small as ‘One Trip to the Museum.’ 

What’s important is that you pick something you know your child would like. You can also have a little fun with it – maybe something like ‘One Day Off From Chores’ or ‘One Pizza Party With Your Friends.’ 

9. Books 

Books might not be the most attractive gift for an Easter basket, but they can be for the right child – and definitely more so for younger children. But hey, there’s nothing wrong with encouraging a little reading!

According to the Pew Research Center, only about half of all kids read for fun on a daily basis. 

If your child is young, consider getting an Easter-themed book that you can read to them at night – or get them a non-Easter-themed bedtime story. Older children have their own preferences, so follow that!

8. Stuffed Animals

Okay, this gift is more for younger children, but that’s not to say older children and teenagers won’t be happy with a plush toy  – especially if it’s of their favorite cartoon character, sports team, or animal. 

If you know how to knit or sew, you can even make them a homemade one!

It’ll have to be small if you want it to fit in your basket, but you could always surprise them with a giant stuffed animal separate from their basket – one that’s big enough to cuddle with throughout the day.

7. Bubbles

If you’re trying to encourage your child to get outside and enjoy the nice weather, there’s no better way than giving them some bubbles and letting them run wild. They’re cheap, easy to use, and enjoyable.  

Trust me when I say this – bubbles will have your child entertained for hours!

And, to be honest, the bubbles kids have access to today are nothing like the ones we had access to decades ago. To make bubble time a little more extravagant, go with an automatic bubble gun!

6. Sidewalk Chalk

Speaking of fun outdoor activities for children, some of my best memories growing up involved sidewalk chalk – and I know I’m not alone in saying that. If it was a nice day outside, chalk was always a hit.

I personally love how it merges the simplicity of drawing with the boundless canvas of the outdoors.

One thing I didn’t have growing up that would’ve made sidewalk chalk more enjoyable was stencils. If you already have the chalk or if you need something to pair the chalk with, stencils are the perfect gift!

5. Art Supplies

Sidewalk chalk is perfect for a sunny day, but what about those rainy days? Without an extensive art supply collection, your child might get bored indoors – and when that happens, they turn to video games. 

But it’s more than just keeping them occupied – it’s about testing their creativity. 

Some of the most important art supplies to have on hand include crayons, colored pencils, markers, coloring books, watercolor paints, construction paper, glue, safety scissors, and modeling clay. 

4. Puzzles & Board Games

Speaking of boredom, I can’t think of a better way to spend quality time with loved ones than a good board game or puzzle. It helps you kill some time, it gets everyone involved, and it gets competitive. 

Of course, they also act as an educational tool as your children grow and develop. 

Some of our favorite board games for children include Kids On Stage (charades for children), The Game of Life, Monopoly, Chess, Uno Clue, Wordle, Guess Who?, Game of the States, and Operation. 

3. Legos

If your child likes to build things, you’ll have no trouble filling an Easter basket – Legos are cheap, they keep your child entertained for a while, and they encourage your child to use their creativity to build. 

You can also buy build-and-display models that replicate some of their favorite characters and TV shows.

For example, you can buy a Star Wars Millennium Falcon LEGO model that comes complete with all the pieces and directions on how to build it. If they’re too young to do it themselves, you can help them!

2. Bath Crayons & Bath Bombs

Most people know what bath bombs are, but what about bath crayons? If you’re new to this, bath crayons are washable, non-permanent markers intended for tiles and bathtubs. Don’t worry—they come off easily!

In other words, they’re markers your child uses while in the bathtub. 

It helps keep them occupied and engaged when taking a bath – combining fun, creativity, and sensory experiences into something they used to find boring. Have them draw you a picture, or spell their name!

1. Healthy Snacks

Easter baskets should contain a little candy, but they should also include healthy snacks. After all, we want your child to grow to be strong, healthy, happy, and active, and nutrition is the best way to get there.

Eating right not only improves our physical health, but also our social, emotional, and mental health!

Some of our favorite snacks to include in an Easter basket include granola bars, fruit, nuts and seeds, trail mix, cheese sticks, carrots and celery, muffins, dried fruit, baked chips, and whatever else your kid likes!

We Hope You Have an Eggs-tremely Happy Easter!

Easter is one of my favorite times of the year. The weather is starting to clear up, everyone’s in a good mood, and the family is in town for all the festivities. There isn’t much that could make this holiday better. 

It’s a time for creating and cherishing beautiful memories that last a lifetime – long after the final Easter egg has been found (or eaten, depending on the type of Easter egg we’re talking about). 

No matter how you celebrate Easter, we hope you and your family have an incredible holiday weekend – and we hope our Easter basket ideas help make this day extra special for you and your children. 

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Remember, it’s the shared experiences, the spontaneous moments of fun, and the traditions, both old and new, that make holidays like Easter so special.