Here are some good thrifty Easter basket ideas that are healthy and fun. Post your own ideas here!
Usable Containers Instead Of Baskets
Instead of using regular baskets, we like to use things the kids can play with later. For younger children, we have used plastic pail and shovel sets, grocery carts, wagons, etc. For the older kids, we have used hats, bandanas tied to sticks to make "hobo" baskets, purses, teapots found at yard sales or flea markets for a daughter who collects them, the possibilities are endless.
The contents vary from year to year, but they always include bubbles (yes, even the grown-ups get them and probably have more fun than the kids do lol), toothbrushes and toothpaste and some type of religious symbol so that they remember why we are celebrating. The dollar stores have several to choose from, including guardian angel pins, crosses, statues, bookmarks, bibles, nightlights, magnets, etc. We will round this out with freebies that I have gotten mostly from the net and have been saving up.
When we lived near the beach, we got a wading pool and filled it up with floaties and beach toys and had each childs "basket" wrapped in a beach towel. This year, since we own our first home, we are going with a gardening theme, we found seeds 10 for $1 at the dollar store, straw hats $1 each, and little trowel and spade sets also $1 each. Use your imagination, the possibilities are endless. Hope this helps.
Non-Candy Ideas For Baskets
Here are a few things I am planning on putting in Easter baskets, or have included in the past:
- flashlights
- yo-yos
- seed packets
- McDonald's gift certificates
- gel pens
- construction paper
- glitter
- birdfeeder kits ($3 each at local farm supply store); I am including a bird sticker book to go with the birdfeeder kit.
- Dover thrift books - all kinds, from stickers/coloring books to children's literature, each only $1
- dollar store beaded jewelry
- nail polish
- dollar store perfume
- homemade trail mix
- frisbees
- peat pots with seeds
- film
- card decks
- stickers (I've printed some from the internet)
- mini photo albums
- pocket calendars
- change purse
- fancy-edged scissors
- sunglasses
- book of magic tricks
- plastic dinos
- travel games
We only include a piece or two of candy, maybe a small bag of Easter M&M's, but do include healthy snacks, like granola, nuts, sunflower seeds, etc.
Last year, I made gardening baskets for each child, packaged in containers for growing their seeds; another year, I used yard sale backpacks (in unused condition!) and filled with inexpensive camping-type items, like a flashlight, bug jar (from the dollar store), inexpensive field guides, notebook, magnifying glass, bandanna, etc., and included a note explaining that we would be going on a camping vacation. You could do the same thing with beach gear, and include a coupon good for a day at the beach; sunscreen, visor, sunglasses, beach pail with shovel, notebook with pen, roll of quarters for the boardwalk games, etc., or even get a cheap suitcase from the thrift store and fill with small travel items for a planned vacation later in the summer.
I LOVE themed gifts, partly because they are so much fun to put together, they can be done relatively inexpensively but look like they cost more, and the kids really seem to get a kick out of them!
By one_ramp
Start Shopping Early
It wouldn't be Easter without some of the typical Easter candy so our kids get some jelly beans, chocolate, eggs and such; but then I put some toys and perhaps even a new summer shorts outfit or bathing suit. I start shopping for the Easter baskets right after Christmas, when everything is on sale!
By Debbie52
Little Cook Basket
My children always want to help me cook, so I found a bright colorful apron (child sized) and wrote their name on the front and my kids loved them!
By Julie
Make Baskets For Year After Year
I had made a basket for a niece one year and someone at work saw it. Now I get orders every year. I make baskets that can be used year after year. I do not like to put a lot of candy so I go for things like bubbles, crayons, coloring books, play dough, jacks, jump ropes, action figures, things for the girls' hair, etc. Maybe a stuffed bunny or a chick, I try to get an idea of the child's age, favorite colors, etc.
By Missy
Carrot Candy Idea
A quick and easy Easter basket idea. Take the Wilton icing bags and fill them with orange candy or any candy, twist tie the top and glue green raffia strips to the top. An instant giant carrot!
Color Coordinate Baskets
I have four girls so I bought everyone the same thing but different colors. I went to a local store and got them little things for their hair, body glitter, playdoh, playdoh cutters. In target, they have a $1 section as well that has stickers, notebooks, pencils and pens. I might add a little stuffed animal and some candy.
By Vaden
Get Toys On Ebay
I've found Beanie Babies that are really cheap on ebay that are great for a cute Easter Basket.
By Kendra
Continuing Easter Traditions
When I was younger, my mom always made Easter baskets for my brother and I. They were usually filled with the things mentioned above. Last year was the first year I didn't get a basket and I was pretty bummed. So this year, my boyfriend and I are exchanging baskets and I am making baskets for my goddaughters. I have found some amazingly cute picture frames, fake tatoos and stickers at the dollar store, and some fun bouncy balls, handheld games, and plastic cups at Wal*Mart.
My mom always bought that fizzly grape juice stuff from Welches that looks like champagne but isn't and a special cup each year to drink it in, so I plan on continuing that tradition. I got adorable rainbow cups for the little girls. For my boyfriend, I got a mug that goes in the freezer and gets extra cold so you don't need to put ice in it ever. I also made home made cards with Easter stickers so they can tell their baskets apart.
By Melissa
Fill Easter baskets With Needed Things
I have 4 children and have always made my own baskets for them with things they need. For my 3 older boys, I have used a backpack instead of a basket and filled it with sports things (shin pads, baseballs, baseball gloves, hats, socks, soccer balls, footballs, water bottles, even cleats!) Hey, it is baseball and soccer season and football is right around the corner. You will have to scramble and buy the things anyhow, the kids love it more. And you aren't just running out before the first practice to get cleats that are unappreciated, etc.
I do a similar idea for my two year old. Last year, I used a dump truck and filled it with little things. Also summer is coming, Summer camp is pricey. Last year, I registered them for Patriot "Matt Light" camp and put a computer certificate in their basket. Face it, you pay for it all anyhow so gather up as much as you can and wrap it up. :)
By Kathy
Use Same Basket Every Year
We use the same basket every year, I like to wrap them with netting and place a big bow on them. Items I have included have been movies, CD's, socks, makeup, doll clothes, barbies, backyard toys, books, videos, computer games and cell phone accesories. I always include a chocolate bunny as that was a family tradition for me. The big one for this year is scrapbook supplies. Arts and craft items, picture frames, throw away cameras and tiny photo albums. Oh this is so fun! Happy Easter!
By Grbll
Hide Baskets For Easter Hunt In Morning
My mom always hides our baskets. In the morning, we always have to hunt for them around the house. She tells us if we are hot or cold if it takes too long to find them.
By Kelsie
Paper Mache Eggs
I am planning on making paper mache eggs and then using decoupage on them. I will be making them for young and old alike. I may even fill a few with treats. I reuse wicker baskets that I have collected over the course of the year, most I get back for refills. Use shredded tissue paper or comics for grass. I add little things like buttons (the kind that say something) and jewelry (like beaded chains or earrings that I make).
If the children are young, small toys can go in the baskets; like jacks, jumpropes, marbles and balls. My favorite thing in my baskets when I was a child was a stuffed bunny. I kept one of them until I was in my late 20's, lost Mr Bunny in a move, he was ratty but deeply loved. Have fun!
By kcohenvt
Paper Mache Eggs Project
Ingredients:
- Flour
- water
- paper cut or torn into strips (newspaper, fancy linen paper, tissue paper)
- Form for egg (plastic egg, styrofoam egg, balled up newspaper, small balloon that is shaped like an egg.
Optional:
Directions:
Paste: Use 3 parts water to one part flour. Stir until smooth and creamy.
Dip each piece of paper in the paste. Apply the paper, on layer at a time.
Let dry thoroughly. Paint if you want to and seal.
To make eggs or ornaments, get a plastic egg and apply paper mache to each side of the egg, leaving the lip where the two sides connect clean. Don't apply the paper mache or paste to this part so you can connect the two sides together.
Finish both sides with paint and sealer. Once that is dry you can put the two sides together.
The possibilities are endless. You can also ball up newspaper in the shape of an egg and paper mache the ball, use a styrofoam egg or a balloon that is egg shaped.
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RE: Easter Basket Ideas
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Post By Donna (Guest Post)
(03/22/2008)
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The Easter Bunny leaves hints for my kids that take them on a short scavenger hunt to find their baskets. It's a lot of fun and wonderful to see how they work together to find the next clue. Some clues may be easy, like "you keep videos here" or "you bake cakes here" and some might be more challenging. Typically he leaves about 5 notes/clues. The hunt takes about 10 minutes and culminates with the kids locating the baskets (sometimes in a closet, storage room, play tunnel, front porch, etc.)!
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RE: Easter Basket Ideas
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Post By Kelley (Guest Post)
(03/21/2008)
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A dvd, easter pencils, a watch, croc shoe, charms, a plastic bunny, and bowling set.
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RE: Easter Basket Ideas
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Post By Carrie (Guest Post)
(03/18/2008)
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I am definitely putting some of the little teen magazines in my daughter's basket this year! I love the idea of flip flops, too, so I think I'll make it a day by the pool themed basket!
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RE: Easter Basket Ideas
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Post By (Guest Post)
(03/18/2008)
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Little "100 calorie" packs of snacks, flower seeds or even a small plant, favorite Knudsen spritzer cans, tiny items from Pearl River (a Chinese emporium online), stickers, Larabars, chocolate globes (earthballs) from the health food store, mini packs of goldfish (essential!), board shorts for sailing, flip flops. This year I'm thinking of using Bento Boxes instead of baskets. Then we've got cute lunch boxes for the summer. Fresh markers, playdoh and crayons often make it into our baskets. I also like to use silk (real silk) scarves from the thrift shop for inside the baskets. They're great for dress up.
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Basket Ideas
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Post By Kristy (Guest Post)
(03/17/2008)
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Sunglasses sidewalk chalk, bubbles, jump rope, nail polish, make up, books
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RE: Easter Basket Ideas
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Post By Vera (Guest Post)
(03/17/2008)
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This site was a fantastic find. With both my kids just back from a dental checkup and mouths full of cavities, I needed some "non candy" ideas. Thanks soooo much.
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RE: Easter Basket Ideas
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Post By (Guest Post)
(03/17/2008)
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This was my best idea yet. I bought both my children new bike helmets filled them with goodies and wrapped them in clear basket wrap. Spring could'nt come soon enough.
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RE: Easter Basket Ideas
I am sure this isn't new to most of you clever friends out there but I ALWAYS include a new, cute (even fancy if it gets them to BRUSH longer!!)toothbrush and perhaps even a flavored toothpaste/flavored floos in the kids easter baskets! When they got older I included fun toiletries like deorderants, shavers, etc.
:)
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RE: Easter Basket Ideas
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Post By priscilla (Guest Post)
(03/11/2008)
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My teen is not a normal teen. She is an athlete who is very involved in sports and working out. So I made her a basket with protein, fiber, and granola bars last year. Along with some random sentimental things. This was an easter basket she will always remember.
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RE: Easter Basket Ideas
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Post By (Guest Post)
(03/01/2008)
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I used sand buckets one year and filled them with grass and put little beach toys like rakes, shovels. My kids are younger so I fill them with animal crackers, gold fish and fruit snacks instead of candy. You could even add a swimsuit and sunglasses to the easter bucket :)
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RE: Easter Basket Ideas
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Post By Deirdre (Guest Post)
(03/01/2008)
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My mom used to slide a message and a $5 bill beneath the wrapper of a Crunch bar. When we got older, she put a check in there. I have continued that tradition with gift certificates.
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RE: Easter Basket Ideas
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Post By Bethany (Guest Post)
(02/23/2008)
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A great Easter idea is an I See Me! personalized children's book.
You can get free shipping by using discount code FSD13225 (never expires and can be used over and over again). You can use this code at www.iseeme.com, or by calling 1-877-281-0536. Enjoy!
Order by midnight February 29th to receive in time for Easter, with standard 3-week domestic shipping.
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RE: Easter Basket Ideas
In Easter baskets for my nieces (one is a teen, one is a pre-teen & love the same things) I put things like nail polish, Cutex nail polish remover pads (they are pads soaked in nail polish remover, individually wrapped & each pad can do all 10 fingers.), sugar-free candy & gums, freebie samples I get off the Internet (the more the better they like them so I can't go wrong!), toe rings, girly baseball caps, necklaces &/or bracelets, or something with their names on it, cosmetic bags, nail files. The list is endless & all these things can be used in Easter baskets, Halloween goodie bags, Birthday goodie bags or a 'I care about you" bag.
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SUGAR!!
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Post By Heather (Guest Post)
(04/08/2007)
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Another idea that I used this year was to throw in some fun sized Pringle packs. It helps to balance all the sweets. HAPPY EASTER ^_^
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RE: Easter Basket Ideas
One of my favorite baskets I got as an adult, was from my secret sister at church. She got me a purple wire basket, it had purple grass in it, and purple nail polish, polish remover, cotton balls, files and of course candy.
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