Kid’s Easter Basket Ideas (that are practical and intentional)

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Mar 29

I don’t know about your household, but at my home it feels like I’m constantly navigating a minefield of trinket toys and jewel stickers. Whether it be birthday party favours or handouts from classmates, restaurant treasures or holiday themed goodies, the overwhelm that these small items bring for me as a parent is very real. I remember being a kid and feeling excited over these simple types of gifts, but at the same time, as a parent, I always aim to limit the amount of useless stuff that walks through our doors too. I’m constantly aiming to find the balance between these.

Easter baskets are fun and always will be. I definitely acknowledge that. But at the same time, I just can’t bring myself to contribute to my kids’ growing trinket collection. In my opinion, hyper-specific themed items are some of the worst offenders (what is it about seeing a pastel Easter egg in the heat of the summer that just feels so wrong?). While I don’t ever want the focus of the Easter season to be on the gift baskets, I do like to put them together for our girls, so this year I have been brainstorming how I can create a little basket of goodies that will also have some longevity. My solution? Thinking through some current needs and interests of my kids that can still fit within the theme of this season, without being hyper-specific and niche.

In brainstorming for my own girls, I decided to pull together a little list of ideas that may be an inspiration for you. Again, one or two items from this list is more than enough, but for the purpose of sharing some ideas, I have a good handful of suggestion to offer.

Intentional Easter Basket Ideas for Girls

Strawberry T-Shirt // Stuffies (frog, bunny, hedgehog) // Sunhat // Bunny Pajamas // Sunglasses // Chalk // Hair Clips // YOTO Cards (Fancy Nancy, Winnie-the-Pooh, The Wind in the Willows) // Rainboots // White Dress // Daisy Denim Jacket // Kitty Mug // Denim Romper // Smart Sweets // Jumprope

This time of year, I’m starting to think through what clothes my kids may need for the upcoming warmer season. I often take inventory of their closet and the extra bins of hand-me-downs we have stored to see what gaps need to be filled. A great place to start for practical Easter basket goodies could be filling in some of these needed items. Personally, I prefer to stay away from anything overtly Easter-specific, but a cute t-shirt with a seasonal graphic on it (ie. florals for girls or an outdoorsy print for boys) is usually pretty affordable. Even an accessory like a floral sunhat, white sunglasses, or pastel-coloured socks can fit the bill. I also like to consider if their body has grown over the winter season that may indicate the need for an item that requires a little more of an investment, like a new pair of rainboots, summer sandals, or a waterproof jacket. Giving these already needed items as a gift can hit two birds with one stone.

As a kid, Easter Sunday was a time to always wear something special to church. My girls love wearing dresses, so I do like to buy them a special outfit for Easter. However, I always try to choose something that can be re-worn over and over throughout the upcoming season. This year, I purchased them very inexpensive matching white sundresses that will also wear casually well into the summer. To make them feel a little extra special for Easter, I also purchased a daisy denim jacket to pair with the simple dress. Again, it works well for Easter, but is not limited to this time of year alone. For boys, you could choose a short-sleeved button up shirt in a classic pattern like a stripe.

In terms of goodies, I also like to take the approach of considering a need and interest. My girls love sidewalk chalk and we’re always using it, so adding a new box of chalk at this time of year seems like a no-brainer. Other outdoor play ideas that also connect to the seasonal component of Easter could be a little garden shovel, a pastel coloured frisbee, or a cute jumprope. If your kids like to read, choosing a classic and time-tested book that speaks to the season would also be a great idea. I like to stay away from any that are hyper-specific to Easter, unless it’s a faith-based book that explains the actual reason we celebrate. This could be a great opportunity to add to your YOTO card collection.

Now, I understand that gifts don’t always have to be practical and some of the fun is the joy of receiving something you may not otherwise have. If you want to get your kid something like a stuffed animal, my advice is to skip the Easter section at the store and look for a cute stuffed animal that highlights the season, but isn’t plastered in Easter motifs. There are always stuffed animal bunnies, but even a cute duck, frog, or hedgehog could fit the bill too. In terms of other toys, choosing something that can be enjoyed over and over again (like a board game) would be less overwhelming to have around than something that can only be enjoyed once.

Carrot T-Shirt // Stuffies (frog, bunny, duck) // Sandals // Chalk // Garden Shovel // Frog and Toad Storybook Collection // YOTO Cards (The Tale of Peter Rabbit, The Gruffalo) // Button-Up Shirt // Rainboots // Frisbee // Smart Sweets // Count Your Chickens! Boardgame // Socks

I hope this list has been helpful for your own brainstorming as you navigate this exciting time of year with young kids. As a parent, it’s always a challenge to balance the fun and excitement that can come with special holidays with the true meaning and intention behind the occasion. If you are looking for more meaningful ways to engage with Easter in your family, I’d also like to suggest a few books that may be enjoyable to read together too. A few of our favourites include: The Donkey Who Carried a King, God Gave Us Easter, and The Garden, the Curtain, and the Cross Storybook. I wish you all a blessed Easter!