We’ve done the research and found the best non candy Easter Basket stuffers and gifts for your kids!
As a parent there are two things we like to avoid at all costs: our kids on a sugar high, and wasting our money on junky toys that end up at the bottom of a toy bin. So when we started pulling together Easter Basket ideas, we decided to take a slightly different approach than the norm: no candy and no junk.
We resisted the temptation of the adorable foil-covered bunnies and cream-filled eggs. We ruled out all the knick-knacks and flimsy plastic toys that won’t see the light of day after the Easter Hunt is over. And instead, we focused on things (over 250!) that your kids will actually use, create, read or play with long after the Easter Bunny has hopped outta town. All of which will leave them just as excited as getting a basket full of chocolate lambs and chirping chicks (really).
We’ve organized our Easter Basket goodies by age so scroll through to the section that best fits your child. But many of the gifts are appropriate for multiple age groups, so take a quick browse at the others to make sure you didn’t miss anything.
Before we hop right in, if you’re not familiar with our gift guides, already hundreds of thousands of parents have trusted them to help with their purchase decisions since we launched our Ultimate Toy Gift Guide and Non-Toy Gift Guide last year. We take all the guess work out of it – we do extensive testing and have detailed descriptions and pictures to make the choice simple.
If you’d like to be alerted to when new gift guides launch (and we’re constantly testing toys and working on more!), simply subscribe to our newsletter below. We’ll also hook you up with exclusive content like our popular report: 10 Screen-Free Toys for Guaranteed Quiet Time That Will Let You Relax, Recharge, Or Put The Laundry Away.
Become an exclusive subscriber
Join over 300,000 subscribers & social media followers and gain access to exclusive content, freebies, discounts and more!
Please note: this post contains affiliate links. See our disclosure policy for full details.
Remember to Bookmark, Print and Pin:
EASTER BASKET IDEAS FOR BABIES + TODDLERS AGE 0-3
COMFORT
Fun Pacifier: If your little one can’t live without a pacifier (and you can’t either!), get a fun specialty one like the cuddly WubbaNub (available in a variety of different animals like the Bunny or Lamb), or go for laughs with this Rabbit Pacifier which will turn your tot into your very own Easter Bunny.
Bunny Teething Ring: If your tot is in the teething stage, these beautiful solid maple teethers from Bird and Bear Boutique will be just the relief you both need. They’re available in a variety of whimsical designs and the soft terry cloth has a crinkle inside for added engagement.
RELATED: The 10 Best Teething Toys Your Baby Needs For Instant Relief
JellyCat Stuffed Animal: You’re sure to find your child’s favorite animal du jour with Jellycat’s super soft 7” collection, including the most aww-worthy Tutu Lulu Bunny (pair with the adorable Dance Bunny Dance board book for even more awws).
Lovey: If your baby has yet to find a special lovey, may we suggest the simple but oh-so-cuddly ones from Angel Dear available in over 30 different animals, including bunnies and lambs! (editor’s note: My kids still cling to their Angel Dear lovies…we gave them several different options and all 3 of them favored these ones…not quite sure what the magic ingredient is, but I highly recommend giving them a try).
Sleep Sheep On The Go: A smaller version of the award-winning original Sleep Sheep, this cuddly travel version has 4 soothing sounds to help your child calm their body and fall asleep easier. The handy Velcro strap attaches to strollers or car seats for total convenience.
Ice Pack Holder: For when boo boos strike – stick your frozen Boo Cube into a Boo Bunny and it’s an instant tear-stopper that is soft on their skin.
Pacifier/Toy Clip:This genius product keeps your baby from dropping (and re‐dropping) their pacifier, favorite toy or snack cup over and over again. Simply loop one side to the item, and clip the other onto their clothing, a bib, stroller or car seat.
PLAYTIME
Egg Shakers: Help your child learn to groove with these simple Nino Percussion Egg Shakers, or opt for the adorable 3-piece animal shakers from Skip Hop.
Hohner 4 Piece Baby Band: This is one of the best starter music sets for babies and includes a mini Rainbow Shaker, Baby Maraca, Baby Rattle, and Cage Bell. Rock on!
B. Fun Keys: You know how your little one is always pining for your keys? Well the B. Fun Keys are the solution. This super fun and realistic set includes fun lights and sounds and are made from safe plastics and stainless steel. And if they lose them, you won’t have to call AAA.
Jellycat Soft Cloth “Tails” Books: Babies simply LOVE these soft and squishy cloth books which feature bright colors, whimsical drawings and lots of fun, textured animal tails. There’s over 10 different variations – from Dinosaurs to Puppies to Farm animals – all of which babies find completely fascinating (we suggest “Fluffy Tails” for Easter as it includes a Bunny and Sheep!) This is a great book to keep them occupied in the car seat, stroller or anywhere on-the-go.
My First Brain Quest: This set of questions and answer cards encourage your toddler to develop learning and conversational skills. The questions come in picture form, and you do the asking – they’re great for helping your child identify everyday objects and animals, and the perfect size to slip in your bag to use as a waiting game at restaurants!
Melissa & Doug Bubble Trumpets: What kid doesn’t get excited for bubbles?! And these Bubble Trumpets from Melissa & Doug make it even more fun. Simply dip the trumpet in the bubble solution and blow to play sound while creating bubbles! Check out the super cute Butterfly and Chameleon designs too.
Plan Toys Lacing Sheep: Take apart the Lacing Sheep’s wooden rings and put it back together using the clever color coding inside as a guide. An engaging and beautiful toy.
Melissa & Doug Slice and Sort Wooden Eggs: These Slice and Sort Wooden Eggs are so simple, but kids love them! Cut them open with the included knife, then match the yolk colors to put them back together. A great addition to any play kitchen.
Tomy Hide ‘n’ Squeak Eggs: Open up the egg shells in this fun and thought-provoking toy to reveal 6 colorful chicks (press them down to hear a sweet cheeping sound). Then match up the shells and the shape on the base of the egg to put them away. This one is egg-sellent for kids aged 6 months +.
Color + Shape Matching Eggs: Teach your toddler matching skills and color and shape recognition with this set of 12 learning eggs in a realistic egg “carton”.
Finger Puppets: We have fallen in love with these hand-stitched felt finger puppets from Cheryl A Smith, and your littles will too. For Easter we love the Pastel Bunnies and Chicks. If you don’t mind breaking the Easter theme, opt for our all-time favorite, the Itsy Bitsy Spider trio featuring a happy sun, grumpy cloud and not-so-scary spider.
cuddle+kind dolls: These stunning hand-knit dolls are some of our all-time favorites (and can also be found in our Best Dolls Gift Guide) and will be well-loved by your child. Lucy, Avery, or Sebastian Lamb, or Chloe or Benedict Bunny would be perfect additions to any Easter basket.
Manhattan Toy Snuggle Pods: Babies and bunnies collide with these super sweet Snuggle Pods. Kids love tucking the soft baby into its silky pod or the doll into its Sleep Sack. These will be big hits with any doll lover.
Me Too Dolls: These soft and sleepy dolls are super sweet and come in a variety of styles.
Fun Crayons: A great introductory crayon for kids (recommended 12+ months) who are just starting to work on their grip are these Palm-Grip Crayons from Crayola – and how perfect for Easter! And just look at these amazing custom made Peeps Crayons from Custom Crayons by Sara They come in assorted colors and are just the right size for little fingers to grasp.
Doodle Pro: Slip this Fisher-Price Doodle Pro in your purse for “waiting moments” like at restaurants or in shopping carts. A total lifesaver!
Melissa & Doug Water Wow Books: The Water Wow books from Melissa and Doug’s “On The Go” line are the perfect beginner “painting” books. Fill up the special pen with water, and reveal beautiful colors underneath each page. Your child feels like they’re really painting, but there’s no mess or clean-up. Once the water dries, the colors magically disappear so they can use them over and over again (editor’s note: we must have done our Water Wow books over a 100 times, my kids love them. Great for travel too!)
Dot A Dot Art Markers: Paint without the mess – yes please! These washable Dot A Dot Markers are universally loved by toddlers (and parents).
LEARNING TOOLS
Puzzles: We get all hippity hoppity over this gorgeous Wooden Rabbit Puzzle from Arks And Animals which will not only develop fine-motor and strategic thinking skills, but will also look pretty darn amazing just hanging out on a shelf.
We also think the eeBoo Colors Puzzle is basket-worthy (that bunny on the cover!) with 12 pairs of high-quality toddler-sized pieces to match together.
Stacking Cups: These 8 colorful stacking cups from Green Sprouts fit together for easy storage, but can be turned upside down to form a tall tower. They’re also great for the bath and are BPA and PVC free.
Learning Resources Helping Hands Fine Motor Tool Set: This set of 4 fun tools are a wonderful addition to sensory play, and all develop your child’s fine motor skills. Use them with water tables, playdoh, kinetic sand and more.
Mudpuppy My ABCs Ring Flash Cards: Have fun teaching your young’uns their ABCs with these gorgeous whimsical Flash Cards on a reclosable ring.
BATH TIME
Bunny Hooded Towel: Turn your kids into adorable little bunnies or lambs after bath time with any one of these fun hooded towels from Pottery Barn Kids.
Bath Toys: Make bath time a blast with some of our favorite toys including the Plui Rain Cloud, Boon Pipes , Munchkin Letters and Numbers and Munchkin Bath Crayons.
TruKid Bubble Podz: We’re obsessed with these TruKid Bubble Podz which are made with natural ingredients for a chemical-free tub full of bubbles – hurrah!
MEALTIME
Natural Bamboo Bunny Feeding Set: How can your toddler possibly leave any food on their plate with this adorable (and eco-friendly) bunny plate, spoon and fork set?!
Silicone Bunny Placemat: or how about this super functional (it grips onto your counter and catches all their mess!) silicone bunny placemat?
Skip Hop Bunny Lunch Bag: This bunny lunch bag is the perfect size for daycare or preschool, and makes a useful Easter gift. There’s also a matching backpack!
Snack Catcher: Say goodbye to Cheerios at the bottom of your stroller seat with the Munchkin Snack Catcher. Little hands can reach in, but the lid seals up while they munch.
Sippy Cup: We highly recommend the Zoli cup – with a weighted straw, your child can suck up every last drop, it’s easy to clean (no valves) and it’s BPA and Phthalate free.
Squeeze Pouches: These fun squeeze pouches make eating on-the-go a breeze and pack in a ton of fruits and veggies, and how perfect are these Peter Rabbit Organics ones for Easter time?!
Bib with Sleeves: Save yourself a few extra loads of laundry with Kushie’s Waterproof Bib with Sleeves – perfect for art projects or those extra messy meals (yes tomato sauce we mean you).
Wipeable Travel Bib: Alternatively, grab some of our favorite Bibs2GO from Crocodile Creek – not only do they have some super cute designs (these ones even have bunnies on them!), but you get 2 easy-clean, wipeable bibs (with tug-proof Velcro) and a little travel pouch to tuck them in for when you’re on-the-go.
CLOTHING + ACCESSORIES
Drool Bibs: These super cute Bandana bibs feature dancing bunnies and are perfect for keeping a teething baby’s clothes dry (while looking stylish to boot!)
Cute Socks: Keep your tot warm and looking insanely adorable with these non-slip Bunny Bum Socks, or 5 pack Bunny Tube Socks for a bit of Easter flare.
Pair of Awesome Sunglasses: Protect your baby’s or toddler’s eyes with any of our top picks for sunnies with 100% UV protection (like the Babiators shown here).
RELATED: 5 Stylish and Safe Baby & Toddler Sunglasses For Your Burgeoning Hipster
Sun Hat: Shield your littles from the sun’s harmful rays with one of our top picks, like the UPF 50 large brimmed Flap Happy Floppy Hat pictured here.
RELATED: The Best Kids’ Sun Hats To Keep Them Cool This Summer
Freshly Picked Leather Moccasins: We totally adore the soft soles of Freshly Picked moccasins for emerging walkers (and even for babies just to look gosh darned cute). They come in a variety of different colors and patterns, so take your pick.
Zutano Booties: Try one of our favorite go-to gifts for babies, the incredible Zutano booties. These booties never fall off and come in a multitude of colors and fabrics – try the candy stripe cotton ones for Spring!
RELATED: 10 Unique Ideas To Welcome A New Baby (Bronzed Baby Shoes Not Included)
Bunny Shoes: There are so many ridiculously adorable options we couldn’t pick just one! From left to right: Oshkosh B’Gosh Hops Glitter Bunny Sandal, Vans Slip-on Bunny Shoes, Carter’s Teresina Glitter Sneaker, Oshkosh B’Gosh Buffy Ballet Flat, Livie & Luca Molly Flat
BOOKS
Personalized Snuggle Bunny iSeeMe Gift Set: Add your child’s name to this super sweet bedtime story that counts 10 ways their Snuggle Bunny loves them. Kids love seeing their name on the pages, and will feel so special to have their very own Snuggle Bunny to cuddle with at night. Or choose from iSeeMe’s vast selection of books to personalize to find the right one for your child (editor’s note: my kids all have their My Very Own Name book and it is one of the most requested at story time – they love that it was made just for them).
Some of our favorite Easter/Spring themed books include:
Karen Katz Lift-the-flap books: Where Are Baby’s Easter Eggs? and Baby Loves Spring
Little Bunny Finger Puppet Book (also available in Little Lamb and Little Chick versions)
EASTER BASKET IDEAS FOR KIDS AGE 4-7
ARTS + CRAFTS
Mudpuppy Make‐A‐Mask and Color‐In Crowns: These fun Make‐A‐Mask sets come with 8 themed masks with plenty of details to color, and the Color‐In Crowns include 8 crowns (2 designs). We love them so much we featured them in our Best Arts & Crafts Gift Guide.
Sticker Books: Kids in the 3-5 age range are at the perfect age for stickers. For Easter, we love Usborne’s Easter First Sticker Book and 400 Eyelike Stickers Easter.
32 Ways to Dress A Bunny: This may just be the cutest thing your kids will get in their Easter Basket this year – a miniature book full of bunnies just waiting to be “dressed”. Creative juices will flow as they discover 32 Ways to Dress A Bunny.
Sidewalk Chalk: Embrace the Easter theme with this set of 6 Egg Shaped chalks in a resealable carton or opt for the tried-and-true Crayola 48 Count Box which is sure to last them all summer long.
Walkie Chalkie: Add on the Walkie Chalk “Stand Up” Sidewalk Chalk Holder to the chalk above – a super fun adjustable chalk holder that will let your kids draw while standing up. This makes it far easier for kids to create road systems, hop scotch and creative designs on driveways, sidewalks and pathways.
Washable Markers: If your house is anything like ours, you’ve got tons of dried-up markers lying around. Get your kids excited to draw again with a fresh pack of fun (and washable) colors. We love the Pip-Squeaks from Crayola and the Spring-like Tropical colors are perfect for Easter!
Colored Pencils: A beautiful set from Prismacolor will keep them going all through their school years (these ones are even erasable!), or if you can’t handle the sharpening, try the Crayola Twistables which don’t require any!
Smencils: A perfect gift for getting your kids to pick up a pencil and start their homework. Smencils are the gourmet-scented pencils that keep their yummy aroma for 2 years! For Easter, try the 5-pack of Spring Smencils with scents like Jelly Bean, Cotton Candy and Tutti Frutti.
Play Dough: Our kids can’t get enough of the Eco-Dough from eco-kids – it’s super soft and moldable, and comes in great containers where they can actually scoop it out themselves. Plus it’s handmade from all natural ingredients. Split the 5-pack amongst a few baskets and throw-in our favorite small set of dough tools.
The Playdoh Spring Eggs 4-Pack is also a great options for those looking to stick with the Easter theme.
Easter Stamp Set: This colorful stamp set featuring fun eggs and bunnies will add a festive vibe to all of your child’s Spring creations.
Secret Message Pen: These invisible ink pens are super fun for your kids to write secret messages back and forth that can only be read using the UV light on the pen cap!
Melissa & Doug On-the-Go Books: The whole series of these On-The-Go arts and crafts books are high-quality fun. We’re partial to the Scratch Art, Secret Decoder and Foil Art for this age group, but browse through and find the ones that will best resonate with your child…you can’t go wrong!
Wikki Stix: These bendable self-stick wax sticks can be joined together to create fun 3D sculptures or 2D designs, and then taken apart to reuse. Wikki Stix are perfect for using at restaurants while you wait for your food (you’ll find yourself playing with them too!) or pair them with their letter cards for an educational activity.
Kinetic Sand: Kids can’t help but be mesmerized by this squeezable sand, and this smaller-sized container is great for popping into their Easter Basket.
Fancy Edge Scissors: This 6-pack of Fancy Edge Scissors makes a great addition to your child’s arts and crafts supplies.
Finger Printing Art Set: These adorable little tin cases come packed with everything needed to make incredible fingerprint art…well, except maybe the fingers. You get 10 colored pencils, 3 ink pads, and fun stamps that add elements like legs, arms, ears, wings, spikes and other features to your creations. They come in a variety of themes including Dinosaur, Safari and Monsters.
Sun Art Paper: Set any object on top of this special Sun Art paper in bright sunlight and after you rinse it in water, a film-like image will appear. Kids love experimenting with it using flowers, leaves, and their favorite toys.
Printable Easter Activity Book: OK, time to toot our own horn here as we think our free printable Easter Activity Book would make a pretty darn great addition to any Easter Basket. It comes loaded with fun activities like a Scavenger Hunt, iSpy, coloring pages and even an active movement game. Head here for more photos and details about what’s included, or simply fill out your email in the box below and we’ll send the printable PDF (did we mention it’s free?!) immediately to your inbox.
Where should we send your printable Easter Activity Booklet?
You'll get the link to download instantly.
Kwik Stix: These solid tempura painting sticks are nothing short of genius – now your kids can paint without any set-up or mess involved. Just twist up the Stix and use it as your paintbrush – the colors come out bold and smooth and dry almost instantly. No more brushes to clean, and they can be used on paper, cardboard or even wood (although hopefully not on your furniture!). We tested a few spots on clothing and it washed right out. Check out the Thin version for older kids and the fun Metallic and Neon colors. Kids go crazy for these!
Seedling “Make Your Own” Kits: We can’t get enough of the high-quality and well thought out arts and crafts sets from Seedling. Their fun selection of Easter-themed kits come with everything your child needs to make their own Pom Pom Bunny, Bunny Mask or Sparkle Bunny Ears.
Plush Craft Bunny Kit: A mess-free and sew-free craft project? Sign us up! This innovative DIY stuffed animal kit is pure genius – simply use the included tool to push fabric pieces into the bunny body to create its fur, then attach the eyes, nose, ears and tail. This one has gotten rave reviews from our kid testers and if bunnies aren’t your child’s cup of tea, check out all the other designs they can create.
Plush Craft Bunny Pillow: Or try this adorable bunny pillow craft using the same technique!
Alex Toys Color & Cuddle Washable Bunny: Color in the designs on this soft bunny, then throw it in the washing machine when you’re ready to start from scratch – endless fun!
Perler Beads: We’re big fans of Perler Beads – they’re a super fun way for your kids to practice their fine motor skills, and learn how to follow a pattern. Once the beads are in place, mom or dad can iron them to secure the beads together. For Easter, try the Bunny or Easter Basket kits, or add some fun shaped pegboards to your existing collection.
Ink‐a‐Do Tattoo Pens: These shimmery gel pens are meant to be used to, gulp, draw on skin — but don’t let that scare you away, because they are easily washed away. They come with a few stick‐on stencils to create pretty designs, but even without them, kids just love the freedom to doodle on themselves (editor’s note: I keep these in my bag and let my daughter use them on my hands when we are at her older sibling’s sports game…it keeps her busy and she thinks it’s just the coolest thing that she’s able to draw on mommy!).
Personalized Name Crayons: These custom rainbow crayons from Art 2 the Extreme via Etsy make just the coolest personalized gift and come all wrapped up in a lovely box ready to pop in your child’s Easter basket.
Crayola Scribble Scrubbies: Your kids can decorate these adorable little fuzzy pets to their heart’s content with the included markers, then clean them up with the brush and water. They can be colored over and over again! There are larger sets with a fun bathtub too!
Stained Glass Made Easy: An easy, mess‐free craft…yes please! Simply peel and press the stickers onto the frame to create a pretty Stained Glass window art, to hang or suction to the window.
Unicorn Horn Chalk: How awesome are these unicorn horn chalk sticks?! These come in a pack of 18 and are non-toxic, washable and just plain pretty.
Paint Your Own Porcelain – Flower Pot Set: Once your kids are done painting these cute flower pots, they can use them to create their own spring time garden by planting flowers or fresh herbs.
Travel Spirograph: Your kids can create stunning designs in the palm of their hand with the miniature version of the classic Spirograph. Bring this one with you for car rides, travel and waiting at the Doctor’s office.
Balloon Animal Kit: The easy to follow instructions of this Balloon Animal Kit will have you and your kids creating dogs, fish and monkeys out of balloons in no time. Also comes with a nifty pump that makes blowing them up much easier!
Brickstix: If you have a Lego lover, they’ll go wild for BrickStix – reusable stickers that can add details and fun accents to their Lego creations. They’re easy to take off (no sticky residue) and come in tons of different themes like Home, Fairy Tales, Rescue, Special Forces and more. Grab the Stix Storage book too so they have a place to organize their stickers when not in use.
Airplane Making Kit: The Fold ‘n Fly kit teaches kids how to make 6 different kinds of planes, and includes fun paper, stickers and a folding tool. These fly really far and are great fun for kids to compete against one another once they’re done folding.
Boogie Board Jot 4.5: The smallest of the Boogie Board line-up, the Jot 4.5 is the perfect size for on-the-go fun. Your kids can use the attached stylus to play games, write notes or draw on the LCD screen – and when they hit the erase button, the screen is instantly cleared. Kids love these!
Hands-On Nature Kits: Get your kids to do their own Spring planting with the Grow N’ Glow Terrarium or Wee Enchanted Fairy Garden – we tested them both to rave reviews. Or opt for something your whole brood can enjoy, Insect Lore’s Butterfly Garden – they’ll get a science lesson growing their very own butterflies which they can then release.
Dig It Up! Dinosaur Eggs: In keeping with the egg-theme, your kids will have a blast chiseling away at these clay eggs to uncover the dinosaur hiding inside. Each carton contains 12 eggs with a different dinosaur – simply soak in water, and chisel away the shell to find the treasure. You could even use these as part of your Easter Egg Hunt!
GAMES
Melissa & Doug Family Dinner Box of Questions: Every family should own this box of fun, thought-provoking questions that can be asked around the dinner table. Our kids beg us to bring out the “question box” at meal times – they love answering the questions like “Describe a perfect weekend”, “What do you like most about the person on your right?” or “Would you rather spend the day with Cupid, the Easter Bunny, or the Tooth Fairy?” and bonus…they’re so intrigued by the game, they sit nicely and finish their food without an issue!
Wooden Memory Game: This beautiful hand-crafted game of Memory from Smiling Tree Toys (via Etsy) includes 20 smooth-sanded tiles with engraved images and an organic finish. The tiles come in a drawstring storage bag for quick and easy clean-up.
Nada: This fast-paced dice game is easy to learn and addicting to play. Simply roll the dice and scan them for matching symbols – the first to call one out, grabs all the dice with that symbol. IF there are no matches, be the first to say “nada” and collect them all (but say it by mistake and sit out the next round). It’s high-energy fun and there’s also several game variations to keep things fresh. (recommended 7+; although we had 5 year olds playing without any assistance)
RELATED: The Best Board Games For Kids & Families (That Aren’t Candy Land or Monopoly)
Spot it!: Spot it! is a fun card game for siblings to play together, or with the whole family. There are 5 different ways to play, all centered around the idea of identifying the one picture that is the same on your cards. A fun game for developing visual perception skills and for taking on-the-go.
Micro Simon: The classic game of Simon in a handheld size. Watch, remember and repeat!
Math Dice Jr.: Math Dice Jr. is a fun game for your kids (we recommend 6+) to practice their math skills. Roll all the dice and then try to form equations where the sum equals the number on the target die. Includes a soft game board and carry-all bag for easy storage.
Rory’s Story Cubes: Get ready for lots of giggles and insane creativity with Rory’s Story Cubes. Simply roll the dice and create a story based off of the images – either by yourself, or as a team with each person adding on. Incorporate competition by using time limits, points and more. You will love the stories your kids come up with using these!
Rubik’s Cube 2×2: This 2×2 is the perfect introduction to learning how to solve a classic Rubik’s cube.
Classic Card Games: Introduce your kids to the classic card games you grew up playing like Uno, Skip Bo, Go Fish, Old Maid and Crazy 8s.
New-School Card Games: In addition to the classics listed above, your kids will find these newer card games just as engaging. Give Blink, Sleeping Queens, Rat-a-Tat Cat and Too Many Monkeys a try!
SmartGames Bunny Peek a Boo: This fun single-player game challenges kids to set-up the wooden blocks and bunny to look exactly like the illustration on one of the 60 included cards. A Parents’ Choice Award Winner, Bunny Peek-a-Boo, is great for teaching 3D spatial perception and strategic thinking – and yes, just so happens to include an “Easter” Bunny.
LEARNING
Brain Quest: These neat packs of 300 Questions and Answers challenges kids on age appropriate skills – from alphabet puzzles to mixed-up stories, to counting, matching pairs, and visual games. Simply ask the questions on the picture cards and your child chooses answers – either verbally or by pointing. Each pack is geared towards a specific age/grade level and are super engaging.
Smarty Pants: We also recommend the Smarty Pants Activity Cards from Melissa & Doug which include light‐hearted trivia quizzes, problem‐solving puzzles, word play, fun facts, creating story‐building game and more. Each set is designed for a specific age/grade. Bring them on your next road trip!
Flash Cards: Slip in a little education into your child’s basket with flash cards for practicing letter, number, color and shape recognition or for learning Sight Words and Math Skills.
Super Genius Games: These educational matching card games can be played solo or with up to 6 players, but the basic premise is the same: find the one match between any 2 cards, and then move onto the next pairing. For the 4–7 age range, the Super Genius First Words (5+), Super Genius Reading (6+) and Super Genius Addition (7+) will familiarize your child with developmentally appropriate words and number skills that will help them form a strong foundation for reading and math.
TOYS
Hot Wheels 5-Pack: These classic small cars will be well loved by any vehicle obsessed child.
Road Play Tape: Your kids will go wild for this special tape that can create elaborate road systems on any flat surface. It’s easy for them to tear, durable enough for play, but easy to pull off your floors when it’s time to clean up.
3-Dart Nerf Gun: The 3-Dart is the smallest in Nerf’s vast arsenal, and it doesn’t have quite as much force as the larger guns (great news for your cat).
TOOB: Each TOOB contains 12 small figurines all from a similar theme. For Easter, the Piglets and Bunnies or Farm Babies are bound to be a hit.
Train Car: Toss in a new train for your child’s track. This Thomas with “Happy Easter” banner is pretty darn perfect.
Collector Cards/Stickers: A few packs of your child’s favorite trading cards will be a welcome stuffer — whether it’s a sport like baseball or a craze like Pokémon. Kids also love the sports collector sticker albums from Panini, which come out every year for Football and Basketball.
Beach Toys: If you’ll be spending some time at the beach this summer (or in the sandbox!), beach toys make a great addition to any Easter Basket. We love the innovative selection from Quut (the 3 tiered bucket is simply genius!) and the fun assortment from Melissa and Doug.
Bunch o Balloons: Hard to believe, but these really do work! Just hook up a Bunch o Balloons to your hose and your kids can have 100 filled (and tied!) water balloons in less than 60 seconds. Good luck staying dry!
Outdoor Sports Toys: Tuck in a few toys that will inspire your kids to stay active outdoors. We’re partial to the Nerf Sports Weather Blitz Football which has great grips and can handle being used in the pool or sprinklers, and the easy-to-throw-and-catch Mini Beamo Flying Hoop.
Slip N’ Slide: Pick any of these super fun Slip N’ Slides to keep your kids happy and entertained on those scorching hot summer days.
Magiclip Dolls: We raved about these small Magiclip dolls in our Toy Gift Guide for Princess Lovers. Get the large 8-pack and distribute them amongst several stockings, or this smaller Frozen-themed one with Anna, Elsa and Olaf.
RELATED: The Best Princess-Themed Gifts For Your Little Princess
Magic Baby Bottles: We love these magic baby bottles from Toysmith so much we featured them in our Ultimate Toy Gift Guide: The Best Babies, Dolls and Accessories.
Doll House Furniture/Accessories: Head over to our Ultimate Toy Gift Guide: The Best Dollhouses and Accessories for our top picks for Doll House furniture and accessories, like the Plan Toys Family Pets you see here.
Doll Clothes: Your child will adore a fun outfit for their favorite doll or Barbie. If you’re looking for one that will fit an American Girl Doll, be sure to look at our Dolls Gift Guide for tips on where to find them for cheap!
Fanciful Birds Wings: Watch your kids soar to new heights with a set of vibrant Fanciful Birds Wings. The detailed wings have shoulder straps and finger loops for quick on-and-off for whenever your child feels like spreading their wings to fly.
Little Cosmetics Pretend Makeup: This fun pretend make-up will totally fool you – it looks and feels real, but nothing will come off on your kid’s skin – no sparkles, no nothin’.
Favorite Figures: Choose your child’s favorite figurines and add a few new ones to their basket. Some ideas include: Playskool Star Wars, Calico Critters, My Little Pony, Strawberry Shortcake, Minecraft, Paw Patrol and Peppa Pig.
Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty: Please, oh please, don’t get any of that other Putty for your child’s basket. Instead, pick out a few tins of the incredible Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty. Each one has its own special “power” – whether that be changing colors, glowing in the dark, becoming a magnet, or a “paper” to write on. We can’t keep our own hands off it either!
Jump Rope: Simple, fun and great exercise! We love this adjustable one by Green Toys.
Kid O Free Play Magnatab: Use the magnetic pen of the Magnatab to pull up the beads and create magnificent designs. Simply rub your finger over the surface to press the beads back down and start over again. Kids are fascinated by these (and we kinda are too!).
Lego Tape: Simply cut, peel, stick and bend this amazing tape to turn any surface into a building block base (yes, we’re talking Legos, Mega Blocks, and more!) – opening up a whole new world of building possibilities for Lego-loving kids.
Small Lego: For your Lego lover, an Easter-themed Lego set will have them hopping up and down with joy. Or opt for any other small set like a Lego Mini Figure blind bag, Lego Mixels bag, or small Lego 3-in-1.
Blind Bags: If your kids have ever watched videos via YouTube they surely have stumbled over a few (thousand!) of kids opening blind bags. These small bags usually contain a small figurine or keychain and half the fun is not knowing what you’ll get. Now some may classify these as “junk”, but if your child is a collector or obsessed with a certain theme – these will be much loved. Target always has a great selection of them interspersed throughout their toy aisles, or browse Amazon to find the one just right for your kiddo (the Shopkins Easter Eggs or Hatchimals Basket pictured here are perfect for Easter!).
Glove a Bubble: We tested these Glove a Bubbles to rave reviews — simply slip it on, dip in bubble solution and wave them around. They create SO many bubbles! (editor’s note: we did find that putting the bubble mix into a shallow tupperware container worked better than the included bag, and a simple hair elastic around smaller hands to keep the glove in place did the trick.)
Twisty Petz: We usually shy away from the super trendy “fad” type gifts, but these inventive toys were just too neat to not pass along. With a simple pull, these metallic pets can be turned into fun bracelets, backpack accessories or necklaces. There’s tons of different animals and sets to collect. They are addictingly cute!
USEFUL
Binoculars: Pass on the preschool-type ones which don’t have much magnification, and instead get these Kids Binoculars by Kidwinz, which although designed for kids (shock proof, easy to focus, rubber eye pieces), function far beyond a toy.
RELATED: Non-Toy Gift Guide: Gifts For Learning & Expanding Horizons
Bike Accessories: Choose a fun bell for your kid’s bike or these colorful Bike Wheel Spokies that they can clip onto their wheel spokes to add some extra pizazz!
Flashlight: Don’t underestimate the power of a simple flashlight. It can be a welcome gift that makes fort building and “monster” exploring that much more fun. We love this one that has a rubber grip and assorted bright colors (and is far better made than those geared solely to kids).
Head Lamp: And if you want to really get them excited, try a headlamp for hands-free play! (editor’s note: my son asked for a headlamp for his birthday and has used this one from Totobay in the most creative of ways. A huge hit I would recommend to anyone)
Magnifying Glass: Go for one like this oversized version from iMagniphy which is great for smaller hands and also includes an LED light.
Walkie Talkies: A ton of fun for siblings or play dates, these KidzLane Walkie Talkies are super simple to use (only one button to press) and can spark tons of imaginative play. Over and out.
Kids Gardening Accessories: These kid-sized tools and Gardening Gloves will mean another pair of helping hands this planting season!
Swim Goggles: We highly recommend any of the goggles from Aqua Sphere for their unique mask-like designs and super easy adjustment system (with simple release button!).
A Wallet: Another grown-up item kids love to have is a wallet. Whether they’re toting around their own money or simply using it for play, we suggest checking out the selection of high-quality, fun designs from Loungefly. Or for something a little more Easter-y, this insanely sweet Rabbit Ear wallet with room for cards, cash and coins – grown-up indeed!
A Watch: Kid’s love the grown-up feeling of wearing a watch, and as they get older and learn to read time, it’s a useful tool for them to have. We recommended the kid’s line from Swatch, Flik Flak, in our Non-Toy Gift Guide: Gift That Are Practical, which has a plethora of designs (from kiddy to girlie to sporty), and shows numbers for both the hours and the minutes – perfect for those learning how to tell time. We also think the watches from the Lego collection are pretty nifty and come in a variety of colors and themes.
Cool Eating Utensils: Your child will think this is such a fun stocking stuffer, but pssst – it’s really a gift for you. Pick any of our recommendations in our popular post and they’ll be devouring broccoli with their Dinosaur Chopsticks, scarfing down Chili with their Lickety Spoon and finishing every last vegetable with their Dinner Winner plate.
And you can’t miss these Bunny and Carrot nesting utensils which have soft, ergonomic handles and “hug” when not in use (cue the awwwws).
RELATED: 26 Products To Make Eating Fun. Great For Getting Your Picky Eater To Well, Eat.
Water Bottle: Opt for a non-toxic water bottle like one of our all-time favorites, the Contigo Stainless Steel Maddie, which we featured in our post 5 Safe, No-Leak, Easy-To-Clean Water Bottles For Big Kids (Yes, They Do Exist!) ($12.99).
Fun Cookie Cutters: Pick your child’s favorite theme (think Star Wars, Super Heroes, Trucks or Princesses) or think Spring with this set of 4 Grippy Cutters (which can double as sandwich cutters!). They’ll make cookies that look almost too good to eat. Almost.
Apron: A great accompaniment to the Cookie Cutter idea above, roll up an apron with the promise of an epic cookie baking session. We suggested these fun character ones and the classic selection from Williams Sonoma in our Non-Toy Gift Guide: Gifts That Inspire Creativity & Imagination, but it may be hard to resist this cute little lamb.
Fun Bandaids: Pick up your kids’ favorite characters or fun designs at your local drugstore.
Spinning Toothbrush: …and while you’re there, choose a new spinning toothbrush. Kids get strangely excited about these.
Hairbrush: If you have a girl with long hair, you’ve got to get a Wet Brush. We went from tears every day, to no-fuss brushing with this magic gem. Grab the combo pack which comes with a mini travel brush.
Mermaid Pillow: These high-quality flip-sequin pillows will be a much-loved gift. Your kids can “write” messages using the special sequins, or cuddle-up to the soft fabric on the other side, complete with an adorable Bunny!
Tooth Fairy Pillow: Get your child excited about losing their first tooth (or 10th) by gifting a super cute Tooth Pillow that they can use to safely tuck away their tooth under their pillow (and safely receive the money in return!). We adore this Knit one from Mud Pie and this Monster Missing Tooth pillow from Alma Designs. Pair it with a fun book like Peppa Pig and the Tooth Fairy or The Night Before The Tooth Fairy so you’ll be ready when that wiggly one finally falls out!
Hair Accessories: These stunning Bunny Ear Flower Crowns from Sadie Bug Styles have “photo opp” written all over them!
Fingernail Friends Easter Nail Stickers: These child-sized nail stickers were a big hit with the little ladies who tested them for us. We got best results placing the stickers over the top of semi-dry nail polish, or by placing a clear coat over top. Check out their whole selection including adorable Ladybugs, Butterflies and Zoo animals.
Samantha Faye TWO x TWO Bunny Necklace: If you’re looking for an extra special Easter gift, look no further than these precious Mommy and Me necklaces from Samantha Faye. Any little girl (or mom for that matter), will treasure it for a lifetime. Choose the sweet bunny to fit the Easter theme, or one of the other trendy charms like the wishbone, feather, pineapple or horseshoe. These also make a great gift for siblings! Made with your choice of 14k Gold Plate, Rose Gold, or Sterling Silver ($68 for the set: 1 large, 1 small).
Umbrella: Prepare your kids for those inevitable Spring rain showers with a fun umbrella. We love the bright colors and patterns of these Hatley ones – and they’re the perfect size for small kids with an easy up/down they can do all by themselves.
Sun Hat: Protect your kids’ sensitive skin with one of the awesome protective sun hats from Sunday Afternoons.
Sunglasses: And don’t forget to protect their eyes as well. Check out our post on the top protective eyewear for kids.
Scrub Bugs: Want to never nag your child to wash their hands ever again? The solution: get a Scrub Bug. The surgeon-inspired hand-washing tool that kids actually want to use (and are 3x as effective!)
RELATED: Introducing Scrub Bugs: The One Simple Tool You Need To Keep Your Kids Healthy
Pastel Bunny Soaps: Pair these adorable Peep-like bunny soaps from Snows Cut Soaps with the Scrub Bugs mentioned above, and the dirt that lives under your kid’s fingernails won’t stand a chance.
Pajamas: Don’t let Christmas be the only holiday with themed PJs…Easter can be just as fun! Especially when you get these darling organic cotton bunny jammies from Hanna Andersson.
Emily & Meritt Bunny Critter Backpack: Swap out the Easter Basket for this stylish bunny backpack to display all your kids’ Easter treats.
crewcuts Glitter Bunny Pouchette: This super sweet bunny purse has all the glitter, shine and whimsy that will make this age group squeal with excitement.
BOOKS
Cat’s Craddle Kit: This illustrated book teaches kids how to make classic string figures, including the Cat’s Cradle. We remember making these as a little girl and can think of nothing better than passing it down so our kids can make fond memories of their own.
Laugh Out Loud Jokes For Kids: These joke books will have your kids giggling up a storm (and you’ll find yourself letting out a few chuckles too) with good-natured, clean jokes. Take your pick from a variety of versions, including the Original Laugh Out Loud, Knock Knock Jokes or this Doodles For Kids which lets them add-in their own artistic flair to the cartoons on each page (and yes, the bunny on the cover has Easter doodled all over it!).
Mad Libs Junior Activity Book: Now kids as young as 3 can join in on the Mad Libs fun, by filling in the blanks with stickers featuring pictures with corresponding words and coloring pages. This Have A Silly Easter one is a _______ addition to any Easter Basket.
Book Light: This awesome mini LED light can clip onto their favorite book and is great for encouraging reading before bedtime.
Bookmark: We can’t get over these incredible bookmarks from My Bookmark. They are so unique and kids think they are super cool. We can’t resist the Bunny Butt for Easter, but they have a huge selection including legs from the Wicked Witch, elf shoes, a mermaid’s tail, C3PO and Pokemon.
Magazine: Include the first issue of their new Magazine subscription in their basket with a note explaining that there’s more to come in the mail each month. Take a peek at our full guide for our top recommendations.
RELATED: Non-Toy Gift Guide: Gifts To Receive In Your Mailbox
Chapter Book: If you have a child in the 4-6 range, it’s the perfect time to introduce them to the world of chapter books. The ones we selected in 7 Chapter Book Series That Will Successfully Introduce Your Child To Chapters (And Have Them Begging For “Just One More…”) all feature lots of illustrations, short chapters and engaging storylines. (editor’s note: my kids’ favorite you can’t miss: Three Tales Of My Father’s Dragon)
100 Kids’ Books — Bucket List Scratch Off Poster: We are positively obsessed with this incredible “Bucket List” scratch‐off poster which features 100 book titles, from early‐year favorites (think “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” and “Where the Wild Things Are”) to children’s classics (“Charlotte’s Web” and “James and the Giant Peach”) and even more contemporary novels like “The Hunger Games” and “Percy Jackson”.
Your child can hang it in their room and with each novel you read, they can scratch off the corresponding square. As they grow older they can work towards completing the entire list, which will most definitely serve as a constant motivation to read some pretty incredible stories.
Letters to Me, When I Grow Up: Write Now. Read Later. Treasure Forever: For us, this is a must-have gift for any child 6 years and older who can express themselves through drawing and writing. Letters To Me, When I Grow Up is a beautifully crafted book that includes 12 letters that they can write to their grown-up self using prompts such as: “If I become a world leader…”, “My friends and I love to…”, and “When I imagine myself all grown-up…”. They can seal up the letters with the included stickers, and store the book away for safe keeping. Years in the future they can open up their time capsule and marvel at how far they’ve come (and have a good laugh in the process!).
Easter-Themed Books: These books are bursting with delightful stories about Spring time and Easter:
Pete the Cat: Big Easter Adventure
There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Chick
Pinkalicious: Eggstraordinary Easter
The Biggest Easter Basket Ever
EASTER BASKET IDEAS FOR TWEENS + TEENS
CREATIVE
Coloring Washi Tape: Your kids will love decorating their school supplies with this awesome washi tape featuring detailed designs that they can color-in. This one was really popular with the 8-14 year olds we shared it with, making it a top gift recommendation for this age group.
Gel Pens: Pair this awesome set of gel pens with the Washi Tape above, or as a stand-alone gift perfect for doodling and writing notes to friends.
On-The-Go “Adult” Coloring Book: These 8”x5” mandala-style coloring books are perfect to slip into a stocking, and are available in a variety of fun themes including Animals and “Fun”.
Personalized Notebook/Stationary: A beautiful set of personalized note cards and note paper makes a lovely gift for an older child who can use them to write thank-yous, or sweet notes to their friends. We adore the modern and whimsical selection from Minted. And with hundreds of designs, you’ll find the one best suited to your child’s interests.
Journal/Diary: Pick out a special journal or diary where your child can confess their inner-most thoughts and feelings. The high-quality ones from Peaceable Kingdom have fun designs that include a real working lock and key – so their secrets stay safe from sneaky siblings.
MindWare Paint Your Own Stone: Mosaic Bunny: Your budding artist will love painting this faux rock Mosaic Bunny – once the colors have been added, bake it in your oven and then it’s ready to display in the garden.
My Studio Girl Travel Buddies Bunny: Everything needed to create 2 adorable bunnies is included in this fun set: pre-cut felt pieces (with holes for sewing guidance), a child-safe needle, stuffing, thread and even a tiny blanket and pillow. And it comes with a super sweet little tin suitcase that can become the bunnies home.
MEMORIES
Custom Scratch Off Tickets: This incredible customizable scratch‐off Golden Ticket allows you to write in any reward (from “stay up 30 minutes past your bedtime” to “breakfast in bed” to “date night with mom”) and then cover it up with the provided sticker. Pop it into their basket with a penny and they can scratch it off to reveal their surprise. Super fun!
Alternatively, if you’re gifting concert tickets – try this creative scratch‐off ticket as a fun way to announce who they get to go and see.
Scratch Travel Journal: For older kids who may be off to college or beyond, this Scratch Travel Journal includes everything they need to plan and record their adventures. Our favorite part: the scratch-off-where-you’ve-been maps of every continent.
Scratch Map Poster: Alternatively, how about a large‐scale Scratch‐Off Map Poster that serves as a wonderful visual reminder of where they’ve been, and where they still have to explore.
100 Places Scratch Off Poster: And we love this scratch off bucket list of must‐see destinations, including landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Statue of Liberty, and The Colosseum, to places like Machu Picchu and The Galapagos.
Postcards From Camp: If your kids go to sleep‐away camp, these 12 brightly‐colored Postcards From Camp will make it easy for them to keep in touch with their friends and family the “old‐fashioned” way.
Summer Camp Journal: Or give this engaging Summer Camp Journal a try – it has camper tips, games, stickers, pop‐out postcards, daily diary entry pages, an autograph section and a place to record all their new friends’ addresses so they can keep in touch. It also comes as a girl‐specific version.
97 Things To Do Before You Finish High School: This book provides a stellar list of fun and character building tasks to accomplish before your child graduates, all with accompanying “how to” tips. From “Make a Public Speech”, “Try a New Hairstyle”, and “Understand the Stock Market” to our favorite “Give Technology a Break”, this book will have your child learning and trying new things that will ultimately help them when they fly the coup.
Manual to Manhood: A must‐have for teenage boys! Manual to Manhood includes a variety of “how tos” in different categories like Women & Dating, Social Skills/Manners, Wealth & Money Management, Cars & Driving, Food & Cooking, Tools & Fix‐it and more. It teaches important life skills – from how to change a flat tire, to how to scramble eggs and grill steak, to how to unclog a toilet! A brilliant read for any high school guy – especially those who will soon be going off to college.
There’s also a fabulous Manual to Middleschool version which includes “do this, not that” tips and stories about everything from lockers, homework and gossip, to test taking and bullies.
Wreck This Journal: Perfectionists might cringe at the concept of this book, which is to quite literally destroy it. Each page includes instructions on how to do just that: stain in, tear out pages, scratch and poke holes. In a society where kids are instructed to always stay in the lines, many find it a serious stress reliever and breath of fresh air to have a place to do just the opposite.
Strong is the New Pretty: A Guided Journal for Girls: This journal should be a must‐have for every girl age 8–12. It’s a powerful tool for them to explore their inner‐most thoughts and feelings, and includes interactive prompts that encourage creativity, self‐expression and kindness.
GAMES
Tenzi: Tenzi is touted as the “world’s fastest dice game” and that’s really what makes it so gosh dang fun. The basic game is simple: everyone gets 10 dice and tries to get them all on the same number by continuously rolling and putting aside those that match. The first one to yell “Tenzi!” wins. There are many additional ways to play (stack your dice, add them up, take from others) but whatever variation you decide upon, your kids will be hooked (and so will you!). (recommended 7+, although we think slightly younger kids can easily join in the fun with this one)
QWIXX: Another fast-paced dice game that is great fun for a group, QWIXX has the added benefit of sharpening your child’s math and strategic thinking skills. Kids love having their own scoresheet and it takes only 10–20 minutes per game. But with everyone involved on every turn, we can pretty much assure you that they’ll be asking for another. (recommended 8+)
Iota: With a 2”x2” teeny-weeny tin, iota packs a big punch in such a small package. Use the cards to form a grid making sure that their color, shape and number are all the same (or, all different!) – it’s strategic thinking at its best, and ultra-portable! (recommended 8+)
Quiddler Mini Rounds: This mini version of the popular full-sized Quiddler comes in a cute 2” tin and rounds can be played in about 10–15 minutes. The premise is similar to Scrabble, but without the board. Each card has letters with point values – try to arrange your entire hand into words, or get points for the longest word, most words, etc. Addicting fun! (recommended 8+)
Scrabble Twist: Scrabble Twist features a video-game-like controller that displays 5 letters on the screen. You try and make the most 3-letter words you can using just these letters, tapping and twisting to bank each one. Play solo or against others, it’s lots of fun for kids and grown-ups alike.
Melissa & Doug Truth or Dare Box of Questions: Don’t worry mama, this version of Truth or Dare is completely G-rated and is perfect for any tween sleepover party. Examples of the cards include: “Do your wackiest dance with no music for one minute” or “what song are you embarrassed to admit you like?” – pure clean fun.
Table Topics Teen: This cube fits in 125 funny or thought-provoking questions teens can use with their friends, or gasp, even with you! Questions like: “Who’s the funniest person you know?”, “What five foods do you wish were banished from the earth?” and “If you could shop for free at one store which would you choose?” Perhaps not earth-shattering insight, but pure simple fun that gets the conversation started.
We also highly recommend the Table Topics Family Edition which is great to use on road trips, or at the dinner table.
RELATED: For more top game recommendations head to: The Best Board Games For Kids & Families (That Aren’t Candy Land or Monopoly
Diving Game: If you have a pool or your kids spend a lot of time in the water, you’ll want these Swim Ways Toypedo Bandits dive toys in your life. Throw them in and watch them glide to the bottom, then dive down for the rescue. Each one has a number on it so you can play with points to determine a winner.
Not Parent Approved: Inspired by Cards Against Humanity, but 100% family friendly, Not Parent Approved is one of the best card games for kids in years. They call it “Mad Libs gone Bad Libs” for the fill‐in‐the‐blank fun that’s just edgy enough for tweens and teens to get hooked, yet not get into any real trouble! The game is meant for 4–10 players so it’s perfect for sleepovers, parties and family game night. You’ll find yourselves belly laughing all the way through!
USEFUL
Paracord Survival Bracelet: This Paracord Survival Bracelet is a must-have for any older teen who loves to hike, fish or camp. It includes a flint fire starter, a whistle, compass and a scraper that can be used as a knife.
Personalized Key Chain: If your kids have their own set of keys, they’ll love these preppy monogrammed key chains from Simply The Best Vinyl (choose from a selection of fonts and colors), or go for a trendy leather tassel with engraved initial from CY Design Studio. These are a big hit with teen girls!
Locker Mirror: Perfect for tween/teen girls that have their own locker at school. This one features a shatter-proof mirror and integrated pin-board (great for displaying photos and reminder notes) that sticks via heavy-duty magnets.
Luggage Tags: These bright and happy custom luggage tags from Emily Cromwell via Etsy can easily attach to your child’s luggage, and are a fun gift for any child going on Spring Break or summer vacation. Kids will love seeing their name (although we do suggest just using their initials for safety reasons), and moms will love easily spotting their luggage on the airport carousel.
Bunny Zip Pouch: How stinking cute is this Bunny Zip Pouch from Yoobi?! It will hold all your tween’s favorite pens, pencils or special treasures (and even has a fluffy pink pompom tail on the back side!)
Guitar Picks + Pick Punch: If your child plays the guitar, you’ll know that they’re constantly searching for a pick. Pop a stash of them into their stocking, or give a Pick Punch which lets them create their own unique picks out of old credit cards, hotel room keys, IDs, and more!
Roll of Coins: Perfect for the arcade, or plopping in a piggy bank.
Money! Fold it into an origami Bunny using these instructions from Crafty Journal.
Gift Card To Their Favorite Hang-Out: Whether that’s Starbucks, Panera or your local coffee chop, this will be a gift loved by all.
Amazon Gift Card: Because what can’t you buy on Amazon?!
Movie Tickets or Movie Theatre Gift Card
BEAUTY + FASHION
Lip Balm: Keep your lips moisturized with fun, tasty flavors from Lip Smacker…and how perfect is this Bunny Hoppy Carrot Cake one?!
Nail Polish: Pick an assortment of fun colors and go chemical free with our favorite brands, Ella+Mila and Piggy Paint (this set includes 4 colors + fun nail stickers!)
Tweexy: …and to make it even more fun, throw in a Tweexy nail polish holder than slips onto their fingers and securely holds any bottle of polish to make application super easy and fun.
Manicure Set: Pair the nail polish with a cute manicure set like this Keiby Citom one.
Alex Sketch It Nail Pens: Add on even more excitement and let your kids get creative with these cool 2-tip nail polish pens – one side has a brush for painting, the other has a pen-like tip for drawing designs or writing. Awesome for play dates and sleepovers!
Bath Latte Fizzie & Loofah: drop these bath fizzies into the tub for extra bubbles and sweet scents.
Dry Shampoo: For those days when they just don’t want to shower, a quick spray of Dry Shampoo will keep their hair looking fresh and full.
Hair Chalk: This fun hair chalk kit ($4.79) can be “drawn” onto dry hair and easily washed out. Perfect for pre-teen girls to experiment without the drama!
Invisibobble: If your daughter can’t stand having her ponytail elastics removed, or that dreaded hair dent, the invisibobble is the perfect solution. Use it for all their updos, buns and ponies. It also makes a pretty bracelet when not in use.
Turbie Twist Hair Towel: Great for girls of any age with long hair to use after a shower or bath. The Turbie Twist stays in place and doesn’t damage hair. Comes in a pack of 2 so we suggest you keep the other (we love ours!) ($14.95)
Hair Tie Bracelet: If your girls are constantly wearing a tight elastic hair band around their wrist, they’ll love these Metallic Hair Tie Bracelets, which features a special groove to hold their elastic. They come in 2 sizes (kids and Teen) and fun bright colors too.
Bunny Ear Hair Scrunchies: the scrunchy is making a comeback, and these velvet ones with “bunny ears” are just too good to pass. The “ears” have wire inside so you can style them up or flat. This 12-pack comes in a fun array of colors to match any Easter outfit.
Ribbon Hair Ties: These ribbon hair elastics come in all sorts of colors and fabrics and are well-loved by this age group.
Personalized Name Ring: Your girl will go crazy for these beautiful personalized name rings from Grace Personalized. Choose the font and from Sterling Silver, 18k gold plated or trendy rose gold.
Charm Bracelet Charm: If your child has a special charm bracelet, buy a new charm and pop it into an Easter Egg for a special surprise!
Bunny Stud Earrings: These teeny tiny Sterling Silver bunny earnings from The Little Lili have just the right amount of sweetness for any little lady with pierced ears.
Umbra Bunny Ring Holder: This Bunny Ring Holder is a must for any jewelry-loving tween or teen: simply slip their rings on the bunny ears to keep them safe and organized.
Jewelry Roll: A fun way to store all of their jewelry, and easy to pop into a bag for getting ready at a friend’s house. We adore the handmade selection from Punto Belle with gorgeous colorful fabrics and tons of pockets on the inside.
Sunglasses: Pick a pair from our post Seriously Cool Sunglasses For Tweens & Teens (That They’ll Actually Want To Wear), including these from Roshambo.
Baseball Cap: Simply pick their favorite sports team and voila, instant success.
Belt: A fun belt can be a welcome gift, especially when it’s this cool Under Armour boys’ Webbed Belt.
Flip Flops: Grab a colorful and trendy pair of flip flops that your kids can live in all summer. Try Havaianas for girls and Reef or Under Armour for boys.
Drawstring Bag: A light-weight no-frills drawstring bag can offer so many uses for this age group, from gym class to camp to sleepovers. Boys in particular will love these ones from Under Armour. You could even fill it up with your selected goodies and use it as the Easter “basket” itself!
TECH
Headphone Splitter: This 5‐way splitter can plug into their phone, tablet or computer’s headphone jack and allow them to share their movies or music with friends. Also comes in mighty handy for siblings on road trips and airplanes.
Cord Taco: Who teen or tween wouldn’t be excited about something called a cord taco?! Totally neat little invention that keeps headphone and charger cords neat and tangle free.
Braided Charging Cables: These braided cables are much stronger than your average cord and can withstand plenty of wear ‘n tear. They come in lots of different colors and fun metallics that appeal to this age range.
Portable USB Charger: For kids with cell phones, and tablets, this mini USB charger from Anker is perfect for keeping in their backpack to provide extra juice to their devices if they’ve forgotten to give them a charge.
USB Flash Drive: Older kids will appreciate having an extra USB for saving their homework and other files. We love this amazing unicorn one, these cute creatures, and this game controller!
itunes Gift Card: Older kids like to download their music digitally, so an itunes gift card will allow them to easily select their favorite artists and songs themselves.
Screen Protector for Tablet or Phone: Protect their precious devices from accidental drops (because it happens to the best of ‘em) with a tempered glass screen protector.
ProCase Screen Cleaning Pad: This neat little reusable pad is safe to use on any electronic device to remove fingerprints, smudges and residue from the screen. Simply wipe (there are no chemicals involved, just a suede like material) for a crystal clear view of their texts, pics and emails.
iDecoz Phone Mirror: This reusable, unbreakable mini mirror adheres to your child’s phone or phone case giving them an always-there option to check their teeth, makeup or hair before it’s time to take a #selfie.
Camera Phone Lens Kit: This set of 3 Clip-On Camera Phone Lens allow your child to experiment with a macro (close-up), micro (wide angle) and fish-eye lens – they’ll have tons of fun testing them out!
LoopyCases: These smart phone cases are a teen’s dream – not only do they come in a variety of fun colors (including metallic, marble and brights), but there’s a genius loop on the back for slipping your fingers in for extra support while texting, taking selfies, or for general everyday carrying. The loop also acts as a stand for propping up the phone, but is soft and flexible so it doesn’t interfere with being slipped into a pocket. We tested them out ourselves, and found that it’s also a great product for moms who are often juggling multiple things in our never-free hands!
Selfie Ring Light: This cute kitty Selfie Light clips on to any device and creates a variety of professional‐looking lighting effects. The angle of the light can be adjusted, it’s easily recharged via USB and small enough to be popped into a pocket or purse. Teens just love using it for daytime and nighttime selfies!
Selfie Stick: Get one that extends, has an adjustable screen holder and Bluetooth remote (like this one) #selfie.
My Audio Pet: These adorable little critters are Bluetooth speakers in disguise and are just a little larger than a golf ball. But don’t let the size fool you – the sound quality and power on My Audio Pet will blow you away. It easily rivals the sound of a regular‐sized speaker, and you can even pair 2 of them for an even bigger sound boost! They’re easy for kids to carry with them…and did we mention ridiculously cute?
Instax Wallet Album: We think the Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 is such a great gift for this age group, if your teen is being gifted one (or already owns one), this fun album comes in a variety of cool colors and can hold over 100 Instax Mini photos.
Film: …and don’t forget to grab some extra film (include fun ones with designs and colors) and toss it in their basket.
USB Charger Stickers: If your tech‐saavy teen is swimming in an array of different chargers, these fun Whooz? Charger Stickers will help them distinguish what’s theirs (vs. what’s yours!) while adding a fun dose of personality.
Key/Phone/Wallet Finder: Have a child that’s always losing their tablet, phone, keys, video game controllers, remote control or wallet? Hook them up with this Click ‘n Dig 4-pack which comes with 2 receivers to hook onto things like keys, and 2 flat receivers that can be mounted to other devices like phones. Simply press the color-coded button on the transmitter to signal an alert and the corresponding receiver will sound a loud beep so you can easily locate it – goodbye frustration and frantic searches! (editor’s note: these come in mighty handy for parents too!)
Amazon Echo Dot Kids Edition: If your kids are constantly playing with your Alexa (or like ours, moving it to their room!) then they will be positivity chuffed to get their very own. The Echo Dot Kids Edition has all the same Alexa capabilities – she’ll play music, answer questions, tell stories and jokes, but all with kids in mind. But what we love best, is that you can use the parent controls to pause it when it’s time for homework or bedtime, and also lets you review their activity. It also comes with 1‐year of FreeTime Unlimited that includes over 1000 Audible books, ad‐free radio stations and kid‐friendly games.
HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer: You’ll get the Parent of the Year Award if you splurge on one of the hottest gifts for tweens/teens, the HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer. This compact printer easily connects to any device using Bluetooth and can print 2×3” stickable snapshots. The photos can also be customized before printing using the HPSprocket app with text, borders, emojis and more. The quality of the photos is the best we’ve seen from such a small printer, and your kids will love having a fun way to keep all their memories close at hand. (PS — we suggest grabbing one of these colorful storage cases to protect it when not in use).
Okay friends, that’s over 250 awesome gift recommendations! We hope you found a few gems to add to your kids’ Easter Baskets this year.
If you found this guide helpful, make sure you check out all of our popular Gift Guides:
- The Best Vehicle Toys For Car, Truck and Construction Junkies
- The Best Building Toys For Kids (From Blocks To Robots)
- The Best Gross Motor Indoor Toys For Active Kids (To Get That Energy Out!)
- The Very Best Babies, Dolls & Doll Accessories For All Ages & Stages
- The Best Doll Houses & Accessories For Your Doll-Obsessed Girl (or Boy!)
- The Best Princess-Themed Gifts For Your Little Princess
- The Best Board Games For Kids & Families (That Aren’t Candy Land or Monopoly)
- The Best Gift Ideas For Super Hero & Star Wars Lovers
- The Best Arts & Crafts Supplies & Gift Ideas For Kids — From Toddlers to Teens
And we’re in the midst of testing products for new guides that will be released later this year:
- The Best STEM Toys
- The Best Personalized Gifts For Kids
Make sure you don’t miss them by subscribing to our newsletter and we’ll let you know the moment they launch. We’ll also let you know of any exclusive discounts or special deals on any of the toys included on our list:
Become an exclusive subscriber
Join over 300,000 subscribers & social media followers and gain access to exclusive content, freebies, discounts and more!
And if that’s not enough, if you’d prefer to gift something that isn’t a toy but rather an experience that will stay with them for a lifetime, an educational present that can expand their horizons, a fun practical item that can be used every day, or a sentimental treasure with deeper meaning, head over to our Unrivaled Guide To Non-Toy Gifts. 200+ Presents For Kids Of All Ages (That Aren’t Toys!)
This ultimate guide includes 5 parts:
- Non-Toy Gifts For Learning & Expanding Horizons
- Non-Toy Gifts To Spark Creativity, Imagination & Special Interests
- Non-Toy Gifts That Are Practical (But Far From Boring)
- Non-Toy Gifts For Making Memories
- Non-Toy Gifts To Receive In The Mailbox
Many of the gifts in our guides would also make fabulous additions to your Easter Hunt (perhaps in exchange for that Golden Egg!) or Easter Basket.
From all of us at What Moms Love, we wish you and your family a Happy Easter!
MORE EASTER FUN!
Make the Easter Bunny’s arrival extra special with any of these incredible kid-friendly Easter food ideas: A Day’s Worth of Creative Easter Eats (Breakfast, Lunch, Snack & Treats – Oh My!)
If you’re looking for a show-stopper for Easter day, our Easy Lamb Cake will do just the trick: Easy DIY Easter Lamb Cake Tutorial — A Simple Yet Stunning Dessert You Can Actually Make!
In case you missed it, our Free Printable Easter Activity Book makes a great Easter basket stuffer, that will entertain your kids long after the chocolate eggs are gone.
Easter crafts and activities are made easy with these clever Easter Printables for Kids.
Clever Easter Egg Decorating Ideas including many less-mess, dye-free options.
5
Love all the different ideas for a non candy easter basket and you have given a ton of ideas.
These are such thoughtful and cute ideas. I love everything with little bunny ears so this guid is perfect. Thank’s for sharing.
For me it’s important to not give the kids just some junk to eat.. instead I give my little niece something she can enjoy for longer than 5sec. haha xxx
Great ideas. I love being able to have great gift ideas that we can use all the time.
WOW! Amazing amount of them!
This is a heck of a list! I am all about the non candy items- considering I have FOUR kids and eat most of the candy from each basket!
Yes to Do a Dot and Eco Dough! – You have put together a fabulous assortment of nonfood items! This list is incredible.
I really like that there are so many practical things on here that are also fun — like sunglasses! I also love to see all of the books!
A very comprehensive list. Great job! I got some good ideas looking through this.
There are so many great suggestions here! I like the finger puppets and the card game ideas. Thank you for helping me figure out what to add!
whoa this is a seriously awesome list!
5
You have definitely done some research! There are so many great suggestions…some I’ve never seen before. Now, I want an Easter Basket!
What great ideas! Fabulous list…
Annnd I want everything on this list. Bookmarking and coming back later to shop 🙂
What great ideas here! Thanks for posting. I have some good ideas for Easter now. 🙂
I think I need to get some of those paint pens for my daughter. Genius!
Wow! This is an amazing resource for parents! Thanks for sharing. Putting together Easter baskets every year is something I look forward too.
Ahhh! These are so awesome! I’m so happy that we already use some (many) of these products! I’m pinning this for later!! SO excited for these ideas!
Loved this! I host an annual Easter Egg Hunt for my business and ask parents to donate non-candy fillers for the eggs. Your post will give the parents no excuse this year. Thanks so much for such a comprehensive post!
Wow so many good ideas! Easter baskets should not be filled with so much candy, toys and games are better anyway!
I didn’t know that Laura Numeroff had an Easter Book! We love her books 🙂 Thanks for sharing! Some of our Easter Basket fillers include the helicopter spinners from the dollar store, and punching balloons! Boy those bring back childhood memories for me.
Wow, this post is amazing and filled with a ton a great ideas!
Thanks for sharing.
This list is AMAZING! Thank you so much!
Thank you so much for including us (Walkie Chalk) on your list! As a husband and wife start up, we appreciate the support!
You’re so welcome. We think it’s such an inventive and fun product that can really let kids’ imaginations soar!
Holy moly. Only wish I’d read this sooner. GREAT LIST! Thanks for doing the hard part for the rest of us parents.
4
This was such a wonderful round up of great ideas!