These Are the Best Non-Lolly Easter Basket Fillers for Little Kids

I’m not religious, but I’ve always loved celebrating the secular version of Easter with all of its baby chicks, pastel eggs, floral napkins, and grinning bunnies. I’m here for all of it — and this year, that means creating baskets for my toddler-aged niece and nephew.

They are ages three and one, which means I’m trying to steer clear of anything chocolate or jelly bean-related and am, instead, on the hunt for non-lolly treats. I’m rather pleased with the success I’ve had, and it wouldn’t be right for me to keep all these ideas to myself, so I’m here to share them with you today.

Crayons

Sure, crayons are great all year round, but bunny-shaped crayons are extra special this time of year. I first spotted these, which made me gasp a little (I told you, I love the holiday), but I had a hard time justifying spending nearly $25 with shipping for crayons. Instead, I opted for this also adorable and more affordable option, which comes in packs of two, with “Happy Easter” packaging. But you can also search “bunny crayons” on Etsy for a load of results. (There are also lots of egg-shaped crayon options, if you prefer to go that route.)

Footpath chalk

Part of what I love about Easter is that, when we’re lucky, we can spend at least part of it outside. The chill has left the air and kids want to run free — and then they want to decorate some footpaths with some chalk. I have looked at a lot of footpath chalk, and I’m digging this set the most because of its funky patterns. But this little starter kit from Melissa & Doug is great for the littlest artists.

Mess-free art supplies

Sometimes you want to keep little kids occupied with art without having a mess to clean when they’re done, which is why I’ve always been a fan of mess-free art products. My nephew likes animals, so he’s getting this reusable Melissa & Doug “Water Wow! On the Farm” book; they have a variety of other versions, too, including ones with vehicles, dinosaurs, safari animals, and ocean creatures.

[referenced id=”1050337″ url=”https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2021/03/the-ultimate-parents-guide-to-sensory-activities/” thumb=”https://www.gizmodo.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2021/03/11/v5yj4ex0qzidqlly9g2u-300×168.jpg” title=”The Ultimate Parent’s Guide to Sensory Activities” excerpt=”Sensory activities play a critical role in the development of a young child. It’s not just for children who have challenges with sensory integration: It’s good for all kids to explore the world with their senses. In fact, they do this instinctually almost immediately without any help from us. Babies…”]

Sunglasses

They’re about to be spending a lot more time outside, now that things are warming up, so a pair of shades will come in handy. These flower sunglasses from Carter’s are perfect.

Books

I always put at least one book in my son’s basket; they’re the perfect basket-filler when you need a little extra something. I wanted to get an Easter-related book for my one-year-old niece, so I went with The Itsy Bitsy Bunny board book. (For my son, I pre-ordered the new Dog Man book, Mothering Heights.)

Easter bath bomb

After such a fun day, they’re going to want to wind down with a nice, relaxing bath — with an Easter bath bomb that hides a squishy toy inside! Of course, there are a number of other bath-related items that would be great basket fillers, including bubble bath, a new rubber ducky, or a set of bath paints. (None of those have a squishy hidden inside, though.)

The basket itself

You may have a dedicated basket you use for your kids every year, as most of us do, and that’s normal and good. But if you’re looking to switch things up for a child age two and up (or, like me, this is for someone else’s kiddo), I have a suggestion. This Bilibo seat is one of the most wondrous things my son has ever owned, and it would make a nice basket to hold all their treats, too.

I’ve written about the Bilibo before because it’s more than just a funky-looking chair — it’s something kids are able to incorporate into any number of imaginative scenarios. At approximately $40, it’s definitely a splurge; but it’s great for fidgety kids who need to rock and spin about, and they’ll also surprise you by playing with it in a variety of unconventional ways.

[referenced id=”880524″ url=”https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2019/04/how-this-odd-shaped-toy-became-the-greatest-tool-for-my-fidgety-kid/” thumb=”https://www.gizmodo.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2019/04/06/wnoysgudtf1w0mjfagyz.png” title=”How This Odd-Shaped Toy Became The Greatest Tool For My Fidgety Kid” excerpt=”When my son was four, he — like most four-year-olds — needed to move. A lot. In addition, he was the type of kid who did well when he was able to get extra sensory input, even during down time.”]

Other ideas

If you still need a few cheap, easy ideas, there are always stickers, bubbles, Play-Doh, or seasonal window clings for their bedroom windows.

It also never hurts to throw in a couple of favourite non-lolly snacks or treats, such as pastel-coloured Goldfish crackers for the toddler or the baby’s favourite flavored food pouch.

Don’t forget to snag a Best and Less promo code before you head to checkout, so you can fill your Easter basket with a few extra goodies.