Once a year, that bunny comes hopping to your house leaving behind a basket of goodies for your kids. I’m against the chocolate bunnies (I save the mini eggs for me), because who wants to deal with an already crazy toddler on a sugar high? I go pretty low key with baskets because I’m pretty sure they could care less at this age. The excitement lasts about 10 minutes, and then our attention shifts to something else. I like to create Easter baskets for toddlers with fun things I’ll need to buy anyways that make me feel like spring is here!
Easter Baskets for Toddlers Idea #1: Bathing Suits
We have a pool and spend most of the summer in it, and Easter is perfect timing to start counting down the days until the pool opens! Last year we spent most days in our kiddie pool because I was too nervous to take twin 1 year old in our big pool alone. This year I’m feeling confident in my ability to take both kids into the big pool by myself with their puddle jumpers on! My favorite swimsuits are from Costco. They come with a SPF blocking top, bottoms, and a hat for less than $20. Stuffing a bathing suit or 2 into your Easter basket will remind them of all the fun to come later in the year!
Easter Baskets for Toddlers Idea #2: Bath & Pool Towels
When they were small I did a big collection of new bath towels, but as they got older, we switched to fun towels to use at the pool or beach. This year, I went with “pool robes” that are hooded, and should be perfect for running around in after pool time is over. Costco to the rescue again. Hooded towels, towels with their favorite characters or a favorite color will be a fun and practical addition to your Easter baskets.
Easter Baskets for Toddlers Idea #3: Sidewalk Chalk
Cheap art that I don’t have to clean up from! Wooohoo! Okay, maybe their hands get a little chalky, but isn’t that what the outdoor hose or sprinkler is for? I buy a small bucket for each of them at the target dollar spot. That way I’m not too sad if it gets stepped on or left outside in the rain. They love to color the driveway, and I use it to draw out shapes, games, letters, and more. Sidewalk chalk is a fun tool for learning too! You could also pop a drawing book inside to start learning how to draw more detailed chalk art!
Easter Baskets for Toddlers Idea #4: Bubbles
There is nothing on earth like watching a kid be mesmerized by bubbles. Until they want to hold the container themselves and dump them all into a puddle on the ground. Before that happens, its magical. Last year, our bubble machine was a huge hit (and meant less work from me blowing into the wand), but I did buy cute little bunny bubbles this year at the target dollar spot. We also love the giant bubble wands that you can make bubbles bigger than the kids with!
Easter Baskets for Toddlers Idea #5: Books
Obviously as a book lady, my kids are getting books for every holiday! I usually try to pick something a little more fun and interactive to help them get excited. Last year I did book & plush sets, and this year it’s bath books! You could add some fun spring books to the basket, or get an activity book or chapter book to keep them busy on school breaks or when traveling.
Easter Baskets for Toddlers Idea #6: Water Bottles
For some reason water bottles seem to fall into the same black hole as socks in my house. For the holidays, I like to hit up Amazon for spill proof versions since I’ve found I can’t trust them yet with the cheap ones from the dollar spot. We love CamelBak bottles, or anything we can find with Frozen or Paw Patrol!
Easter Baskets for Toddlers Idea #7: Coloring Books
We have plenty of markers and crayons in our craft boxes, but since I usually just rip out a page at a time to color on, we’re starting to run low. The dollar store is a great place to find cheap coloring books with characters they’ll want to color. Our favorite characters tend to be Daniel Tiger, Trolls, Mickey Mouse and any Disney Princess! Skip the dollar store crayons though. The colors aren’t as vibrant & they break even easier than the name brand crayons and markers.
What About Easter Baskets for Babies?
If you have babies at home and need some ideas on how to fill up their baskets to begin the tradition, think practical! I like using a nice basket or bin that I can reuse as storage in their room later on. A big rope basket like the one pictured from Parker Baby not only makes a great Easter Basket, but can be useful after the holiday to store blankets, toys, books and more! A cozy blanket, sleep sacks, swaddles, or spring pajamas are a great addition to your basket. How cute are these bandana bibs? Perfect for catching baby drool and spit up! You know that no basket is complete without some adorable easter board books, perfect for little hands. Decorate with a little jellycat bunny and some teethers and you are good to go!
Nothing crazy in these easter baskets, just a few simple things to inspire some creativity and have a little fun without screen time or chocolate! If you need a little creativity inspiration to make some fun Easter craft projects, check out my touchy feely Easter Chick and some Mosaic Easter Eggs! What are you going to use to build the perfect Easter basket? If you like getting fun ideas for kid friendly activities, reading tips and more, come join my facebook community! See you there!
[…] around crazy and can sit still for 10 minutes playing a game is a win in my book! Add them to an Easter basket or to your Christmas or birthday list and you are good to […]