Need help with Easter basket ideas? This post is full of Easter basket fillers that kids will actually use. This Easter basket gift guide is perfect for kids as they start spring and summer activities and need a refresh in outdoor activity supplies.
What are the best Easter basket ideas?
Easter baskets do not need to be daunting, they do not need to cost you an arm and a leg, and they do not need to be filled with more “junk.”
I have so many Easter basket ideas for toddlers (and preschoolers and big kids) that are actually usable.
Get ready for outdoor activities with these Easter basket fillers.
RELATED: Looking for some Easter themed activities? Check out my list of Easter ideas!
Outdoor Easter basket ideas
I love Easter baskets BUT I also love things that are usable, realistic and not going to add to the toy-palooza that already engulfs my kids.
We don’t need more tiny toys or candy in this house.
That’s why every year I make them a simple outdoor themed Easter basket to set my kids up for spring and summer fun.
Since Easter falls at the start of springtime for us in the Northern Hemisphere, what a perfect chance to get kids the items they will need for a bang up spring and summer.
And since it’s outdoor themed items, there’s nothing to add to the toy boxes inside our house…
What age are these gifts for?
This post really isn’t meant to just be for toddlers (I know I’m “Busy Toddler”). My ten-year-old will be getting most all of these items yet again this year.
The thing about good toys and good items is they are “ageless.” We get really hung up in adult world about what age a product is for and forget that most of the best toys/items for childhood have no developmental limit (I’m looking at you chalk and bubbles).
Don’t get hung up on ages for an Easter basket. Find things that work well for your child and your family. Focus your energy there.
How to create an Easter basket kids will actually use
It’s become a sort of tradition for the “Easter Bunny” to gift my kids all the outdoor supplies they need and I’m perfectly fine with it.
This is what my parents did when I was a kid and I’ve kept the tradition.
It also makes these baskets more cost effective when it’s full of things I was already going to buy.
Note: This list is not what I put into my kids’ Easter baskets every year. This is a cumulative list from the past decade of building baskets.
RELATED: Looking for other toy ideas? Check out The Best Toys for Kids list!
The best Easter basket ideas
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Kid Garden Tools
A brilliant set that we have loved for many, many years. This also is a great option to split apart between sibling Easter baskets. I have this exact set, from this link, and they’re wonderful!
Reusable Water Balloons
These are so much fun and so different – but just as awesome as traditional water balloons. They don’t leave you with a bunch of little balloon bits all over the yard, they don’t hurt when they hit you, and they’re seriously cool to play with. I have tried many brands of reusable balloons. This version by Bunch O Balloons (which is new to the market, but from a respected brand) is the best I’ve found.
Flying Helicopter Discs
The hottest outdoor toy in my neighborhood! We love these so much, I’ve bought 4 sets just to make sure enough kids are able to play at once. They’re perfect and come in a two-pack.
Magnifying Glass
This 3 pack: yes, please (they also sell it as a set of 2). Magnifying glasses breed curiosity and I love having this as an outdoor set. Kids gravitate to them.
Pull-along Wagon
This is a treasure and the perfect “basket” for their Easter gear. We got this when my youngest was a preschooler. It’s still being drug around by my 10 year old.
Small Watering Can
Each of my kids has their own watering can – it’s how it has to be. They love using them for watering plants and being helpful.
Bathing Suit
I always put a new swim suit in the Easter basket – it’s an item they need and they get so excited opening it because it really makes the upcoming summer seem real.
Bathing Suit
One more swimsuit option – we have had great luck with this brand and own several pairs. They’ve handed each swim season well.
Kid Tool Set
One of the best sets we own – we’ve had these in our yard since Easter 2018. They’re great for play and for supporting kids helping in the yard.
Seed Packets
My parents always put a seed pack or two in my Easter basket as a kid and it’s a tradition I’ve kept. It’s simple and sweet.
Kid Gardening Gloves
These gardening gloves are the cutest and make kids feel like they’re really doing it! With all the mud in our yard, these gloves see a surprising amount of action.
Sunglasses
Another fun item and one that after a long Seattle winter, we never can find last year’s set. It’s the curse of the PNW.
Summer Shoes
Every year, I spring for this same pair of name-brand shoes and I never regret it. I add a pair to my kids’ Easter basket. It’s both adorable and practical.
Giant Box of Chalk
Yes, this is a tad big for an Easter basket… separate it into smaller groups for each kids basket (save the rest for later). This is my preferred brand of chalk – I refuse to offer another suggestion. This brand is the best.
Popsicle Mold
Who doesn’t love a homemade Popsicle? Adding a set of these to the Easter basket is such a great nod to the fun summer around the corner.
Spray Bottles
I finally found spray bottles that don’t break after one use. This set has been awesome. Doesn’t matter their age: kids love spray bottles.
Fabric Strap Goggles
You will forget all about traditional goggles after you try these. I will never go back! Fabric strap goggles are so easy to take on and off wet kid hair, and without any fuss. These are the best.
Pool Toys
Pool toys make a great Easter basket addition if you have little swimmers in your midst. This treasure chest set was a hit all summer for us.
Water Toy
One of my kids’ favorite toys: they saw me working on a list with outdoor toys on it and demanded this be added to the list. They aren’t wrong.
Critter Cage
We’ve had this one for years – just one to share with all the kids and it’s been perfect for catching and releasing bugs safely. This single toy sparks a lot of play and adventure.
Small Nets
I would guess we have at least 10 of these small nets in our outdoor toy collection. Why? Because kids love them so we need just about enough for each kid in the neighborhood to have their own. Kids love having nets.
Bubbles
Long live the bubble wand! I tuck one of these into my kids’ Easter baskets and use the rest for present toppers and random gifts throughout the spring/summer as needed.
Kite
Another staple from my childhood Easter baskets: a simple kite. They’re just magical!
Frequently Asked Questions
That’s person to each family that celebrates Easter. This list was created from my decade of building Easter baskets – these are items that have worked for us in various years (but never all at once!).
I’m 40 years old and I still love an Easter basket. My MIL brings me one. Actually between the basket my MIL brings me and the incredibly hilarious adult Easter egg hunt my Mom still hosts, I’m rolling in the childhood Easter lifestyle still.
I personally don’t but my friend who is a librarian has a fantastic list of Spring books.
Susie Allison, M. Ed
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Susie Allison is the creator of Busy Toddler and has more than 2.3 million followers on Instagram. A former teacher and early childhood education advocate, Susie’s parenting book “Busy Toddler’s Guide to Actual Parenting” is available on Amazon.
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Chelsea @ Life With My Littles says
I love this idea so much! We are going to have a yard soon, and since we’ve never had one before, we are lacking in fun outdoor toys! This is a great idea! Thanks!
Randi says
I would add a ball either their favorite color or character from their favorite TV show. They’re usually just a dollar or two
Lindsey says
Great ideas! Thank you!