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Every year we would get Easter Baskets from the Easter Bunny (just like stockings from Santa). My mom would fill our baskets with special treats and toys along with hiding Easter Eggs. It was almost like waking up on Christmas morning!

This year I only have my toddler-age Godchild to make a basket for, but I have been thinking about lots of other ideas! The following is a list of Easter Basket Filler Ideas that don’t involve candy – some to make and some to buy. Just follow the links for the craft tutorials or instructions!

What to use for baskets:

• The cheap wicker Easter baskets they sell at the store
• Other stores have more fun “baskets” like fabric animals and colorful pails
• Colorful organizational totes at the dollar store (we get these the most – fun and functional for after Easter!)
• Decorative bowls
• Toy containers: baby doll bath tubs, strollers or cradles, Lego containers, etc. (holds the goodies and doubles as a toy)
• Real baskets from a home or craft store
• Instead of using Easter grass, use fabric, a new piece of clothing, a baby blanket, etc.

Easter Basket Ideas (other than candy):

• Sidewalk Chalk (make your own without any toxic ingredients if you have the time)
• Playdough
• Gak  (another homemade ooze recipe)
• Bubbles
• Crayons (melt old or new crayons down and more into molds for personalized crayons)
• Color books (or print coloring pages from online)
• Babydoll or stuffed animal sleeping bags (See how HERE – Sleeping bags are good for boys or girls, just alter the color combinations!)
• Spongeballs (great water toy or baby toy. Cheap and easy!)
• Chipmunk or other animals from a glove
• Teddy bears or a socktopuss  from colorful socks
• Letters, shapes, or number sponges for bath time
• Felt Food for play kitchens (Lots of stuff out there!)
• Dinosaur tails for imagination play
• Superhero capes (I can personally attest that super hero capes are for boys AND girls!)
• Eggs full or small toys (think plastic dinosaurs, army men, Legos, etc)
• Eggs full of colorful goldfish or cheerios (love this idea for my Godchild)
• Stickers or stamps (My basket always had a ton of Lisa Frank stickers! Here’s a link on how to make your own stickers)
• Pencils and stationary (there is so many free printables out there, you could probably print your own out as well)
• Art supplies (one of my favorites as a kid)
• Kites (we always got one of these in our basket!)
• Balls or other sports equipment
• Make your own airplane kits (you can buy these for a dollar or two at craft stores usually)
• Sippy cups or drink cups (I bought a bunny cup with a straw for my Godchild)
• Puzzles and other games
• Flash cards or playing cards
• Hair or jewelry accessories
• Dress-up items
• New clothes or shoes
• Movies or music (Veggie Tales Jonah DVD is $5 at Target, along with some other kids movies)
• Books and comics
• Sand toys
• Bath toys
• Kids gardening supplies
• Bug catching supplies
• Craft kits

Theme Baskets:

• Art supplies – paints, crayons, color books, notebooks, etc.
• Sports/outdoor equipment – Frisbee, balls, 2 person paddle games, etc.
• Baking or food – Aprons, play food, plates and other containers
• Bathtime – foam and sponge shapes, containers, other bath toys
• Beach or toy box– Sand pails, shovels, measuring cups, sifters, funnels, etc, This book would be cool too.
• Gardening/bug catching/exploring – bug containers, nets, child-size shovels, boots, pots, explorer hats and vests
• Superhero: Capes, KIDS comics and movies, action figures
• Dress up – Jewelry, shoes, clothing, etc.
• Game Time: Games and puzzles, snacks for family game night

What are you putting in your Easter Baskets?

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