Whether you’re deeply religious and cherish the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection or you’re just a sugar addict who loves jellybeans and Peeps, it’s likely your family Easter celebration will include Easter baskets for your kids. Though your children probably wouldn’t complain if you loaded up their baskets with candy, many of us cringe at the thought of their little mouths filled with rotted teeth. As a chocolate fanatic, I would never advocate for a candy-free basket, but since more candy in my kids’ baskets means more candy I have to try to avoid eating myself, I like to balance things out a little and throw in some non-candy treats to round out their baskets.
I scavenged every corner of my brain and the World Wide Web to create as thorough of a list as I could and then organized them by age. Since we have a kindergartener that still believes avidly in the Easter bunny, my older children also have baskets so as not to give up the illusion. For that reason, you will see basket filler suggestions for teenagers here because I like to think I’m not alone in this dilemma.
While some of the items on the list can be pricey, depending on the variety you choose (e.g. wristwatch), most of the items are pretty inexpensive and easy to find. If you’re looking to save money, hit the dollar store first to look for these items. You can also pick up inexpensive Easter baskets or pails to contain all the goodies if you don’t have a stash of baskets at home that you are already planning to use.
Before we get to the list of items, here are a few food fillers that are not candy:
- Goldfish Crackers (if you put these in a clear treat cone bag, it looks like a giant carrot when full, and we all know cute food tastes better)
- Go-Go Squeez Applesauce (again, fun factor makes healthy food taste good to kids!)
- Annie’s Snacks (these are available all year, but the fact that they are shaped like bunnies makes them super great for Easter)
For Toddlers
- Books
- Coloring Books
- Crayons
- Bubbles
- Bubble Bath
- Toy Cars, Planes, or Trains
- Stuffed Animal
- Fun Print Bandages
- Musical Instrument (e.g. maracas, bells)
- Bath Toys
- Stacking Cups
- Toy Blocks
- Small Pre-Filled Photo Album
- Refrigerator Magnets
- Nightlight
- Toothbrush
- Kaleidoscope
- Bath Tub Crayons
- Dress Up Accessories
- Glow Sticks
- Monster Spray (add a little glitter to water in a spray bottle to make this potion that keeps monsters at bay so little ones can sleep safe and sound)
For Preschoolers
- Books
- Coloring/Activity Books
- Crayons
- Sidewalk Chalk
- Stickers
- Punch Balloons
- Play Doh
- Bubbles
- DVD’s
- Bubble Bath
- Piggy Paint (non toxic nail polish, 100% safe)
- Hair Accessories
- Toy Cars, Planes, or Trains
- Stuffed Animal
- Action Figure or Doll
- Paper or Magnetic Dolls
- Dress-Up Jewelry or Accessories
- Puzzle
- Fun Print Bandages
- Finger Puppets
- Kaleidoscope
- Silly Straw
- Grow Capsules
- Sunglasses
- Moon Sand or Moon Dough
- Stampers or Stamps w/ Ink Pads
- Small Craft Kit
- Wind-Up Toys
- Flashlight
- Digital Wristwatch
- Bicycle/Tricycle Accessories
- Toothbrush
- Glow Sticks
For Elementary School Aged Kids
- Books
- Activity Books
- Markers
- Sidewalk Chalk
- Stickers
- Temporary Tattoos
- Punch Balloons
- Paddle Balls
- Silly Putty
- DVD’s
- Paper Airplane Paper
- Fortune Teller Paper
- Hair Accessories
- Action Figure or Doll
- Small Lego Set
- Coin Purse or Wallet
- Crazy Socks
- Crazy Shoelaces
- Silly Straw
- Card or Dice Games (e.g. Story Cubes)
- Travel Games (e.g. Guess Who)
- Flashlight
- Yoyo
- Magnifying Glass
- Kite
- Sunglasses
- Gift Cards (Target, Wal-Mart, Toys R Us)
- Gift Certificate for Favorite Fast Food or Ice Cream Shop
- Squirt Guns
- Homemade Coupons to get out of chores or for extra privileges
- Moon Sand or Moon Dough
- Stampers or Stamps w/ Ink Pads
- Bouncy Balls
- Small Craft Kit
- Wind-Up Toys
- Silly String
- Novelty Erasers
- Mad Libs
- Wristwatch
- Bicycle Accessories
- Toothbrush
- Glow Sticks
- Bookmark
For Tweens and Teens
- Books
- Bookmark
- Puzzle Books (Sudoku or Word Searches)
- Gel Pens
- CD’s
- Gift Cards (iTunes, Bookstore, Claire’s, or GameStop)
- Novelty USB Drive
- Earbuds
- Printed Duct Tape
- Coin Purse or Wallet
- Jewelry
- Locker Decorations
- Puzzle Games (e.g. Rubik’s Cube)
- Slingshot
- Boomerang
- Nail Polish
- Lip Gloss
- Homemade Coupons to get out of chores or for extra privileges
- Hacky Sack
- Perfume or Cologne
- Sample Sized Shampoo, Body Wash, and/or Hand Sanitizer
- Cell Phone Case or Accessory
I hope these lists help you avoid a massive Easter sugar high and subsequent crash, as well as astronomical dentist bills. Please feel free to share your suggestions if you have ideas that aren’t included here.
This is a very good idea–children do not need an entire basket filled with candy!!
I love the idea of no candy easter. I grew up getting fruit and a tiny amount of candy
Such a great list!! Thanks so much for sharing and in time for Easter!! 🙂
Thank You so much for this. My youngest two are still at home and now both tweens so barbies and matchbox cars just aren’t going to do it. I Love this list. going to print it for ideas when I hit the store this week. I Never thought about the gold fish in the cone bags before they are going to love it.