15 Unique Easter Basket Ideas for Kids

Last year, a Virginia-based lifestyle blogger I follow shared that she and her husband have a pretty unique Easter tradition. To celebrate the arrival of spring and prepare their children for the warm weather ahead, they fill each of their kids' baskets with a new swimsuit and a pair of flip-flops. The gifts are simple but give their family an excuse to set up a sprinkler in the backyard and spend some quality time together.

Because I prefer activities and experiences over things, too, that idea really resonated with me. So, I've decided to do something similar with my own family this year and gift items that they'll actually use. Here are 15 fun non-candy Easter gifts that you and your crew can enjoy at home together.

Peter Rabbit-Themed Easter Basket

Make your baby's first Easter one for the books, and build their basket around The Tale of Peter Rabbit. You can gift them a set of cozy, organic cotton pajamas, a bunny-themed play mat and a new stuffed plush to cuddle with. Be sure to include an heirloom picture frame, too, so your little one can look back on this special milestone.

April Showers-Themed Easter Basket

Remind your kiddos that "April showers bring May flowers," and fill their Easter baskets with rainy-day essentials. You can start with classic yellow raincoats, then add in an umbrella or rainboots, rainbow chalk, blooming lollipops and a copy of Hello, Rain! to illustrate what's coming. They'll be well-prepared for the stormy season ahead and eager to play outside no matter what the weather's like.

Spa Day-Themed Easter Basket

Consider this the perfect Easter basket idea for toddlers and teenagers alike. Make everyone feel oh-so pampered with matching themed pajamas, bubble bath bombs, floral hair clips and special nail polish (in the shade "Funny Bunny," of course). You could also toss in some facial rollers and fluffy bath towels.

Baking-Themed Easter Basket

Why decorate Easter eggs when you could decorate Easter cookies? Satisfy their sweet tooths and make lasting memories after brunch by gifting everyone a baking-themed Easter basket. Clear off the kitchen island or dining room table, then create individual place settings with seasonal cookie cutters or stamps, spatulas, icing, sprinkles, etc.

Beach-Themed Easter Basket

Break out the bathing suits! If you live in the South or somewhere else that receives plenty of sun, then treat your family to an inflatable pool and Easter baskets brimming with sunscreen, sandals, water toys and hooded bath towels. (This is also a great gift for kids who are starting swimming lessons this season.) This Minnidip pool is so easy to set up and will keep everyone cool come summer.

Dinosaur-Themed Easter Basket

Instead of a traditional Easter egg hunt, surprise your little ones with an Easter eggs-cavation. Cover the kitchen table in newspaper to designate the official dig site. Then pack their baskets with clay dinosaur eggs, toy chisels, notebooks and stickers, so they can document all of the different species they encounter. You could also include a plush dinosaur buddy to keep your young paleontologists company.

Garden-Themed Easter Basket

What better way to welcome spring than by planting a garden? Invite the whole family to roll up their sleeves, and swap their usual Easter baskets with these new cotton canvas tote bags. Each set includes a hand spade, a hand rake, a hand shovel and a watering can, plus five wooden stakes and peat pots to start their own plants. If it were up to us, we'd fill the pockets with pollinator-friendly seed packets and a themed book as well.

Bike-Themed Easter Basket

Look for bunnies, ducklings and other signs of spring by taking the little ones on an Easter bike ride. You can build up to the big gift (a new bike trailer!) by filling their baskets with cute, customizable helmets and other fun accessories, like bells and seat bags. If they're old enough to ride on their own, really lean into the latter options.

Movie-Themed Easter Basket

If your family is full of movie buffs, then surprise them with an exclusive screening of It's The Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown. Fill their baskets with fun snacks (like juice boxes, bags of popcorn and gummy worms), or opt for one big family gift that includes a new popcorn maker, an interactive poster and a game to play after the credits roll.

Photography-Themed Easter Basket

Easter is the perfect eggs-cuse to take family photos. Treat an Instax Mini 12 camera as a group gift, then fill everyone's basket with film packs and accessories. Encourage the kids to take turns capturing images and compiling their favorites into a photo album.

Birding-Themed Easter Basket

Bird-watching season is in full swing! Get your family in on the fun by gifting everyone a pair of binoculars, some birding flashcards and a book about identifying eggs. Be sure to include some wooden birdhouses and paint kits, so you can craft and chat about what you saw after the nature walk.

Sports-Themed Easter Basket

The Easter Bunny called and said it's time to play outside! Celebrate the longer days and warm weather by gifting everyone new sports gear. You can set up a soccer goal or basketball hoop in the backyard, then fill their baskets with reusable water bottles, activity trackers, fruit snacks, protein bars, etc. (Do the kids need shoes? Throw in a pair of sneakers or cleats.) You can even roll up these cute Little Tikes x Young Days outfits for all the active play your little one will be doing. Come Sunday, you'll have the perfect way to burn off some Easter candy energy and bond as a family.

Road Trip-Themed Easter Basket

If you're heading somewhere special for Spring Break, then load their Easter baskets with supplies for the journey. Start with this USA coloring cloth (so they can visualize the route ahead of time), then include activity books, games and snacks for the car. If you really want to go all out, stick everything inside a new backpack or suitcase.

Camping-Themed Easter Basket

If you're the camping kind, then gift the whole family a portable fire pit and other essentials for your next trip. Think an outdoor adventure kit, a book about rabbits or other wildlife, a bucket hat to shield their eyes from the sun, etc. If your kiddos have particularly adventurous taste, then toss in some Peeps to roast for s'mores.

Stargazing-Themed Easter Basket

Take countless tours of the universe together by investing in a telescope for the backyard or patio. You can fill the kids' baskets with astronaut ice cream (yum!) and pocket-sized guides to the night sky. And if you live in a city or somewhere else that's too bright to see the stars? Simply swap the telescope for the laser projector.