Easter Basket Ideas for Toddlers and Babies That Don’t Involve Candy
Spring has sprung and Easter is right around the corner—time to celebrate! Perhaps you have plans for your little bunny to take part in an egg hunt and craft activities, or maybe they’re still too tiny. Either way, you can still dress them in an adorable outfit, and present them with a basket of goodies—from the Easter Bunny, of course.
So what do you put in Easter baskets for babies and toddlers? Our advice is to avoid sweet treats in favor of fun gifts your kiddo can enjoy long after the holiday’s over. While it may be tempting to stuff a basket full of tiny trinkets, remember that many small toys are unsafe for children under 3 years old. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) warns against giving children items with small or loose parts as well as toys that can fit entirely in an infant’s mouth, as they can pose a choking hazard.
With that said, many Easter basket fillers are perfectly safe for young children. Need a little shopping inspiration for your baby chick or bunny-believing toddler? You’ve come to the right place. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite non-candy Easter basket ideas for toddlers and babies, with the goal of skipping the candy (and the inevitable sugar crash). Keep reading to discover toys and gifts that are small, adorable and safe.
In this article:
Easter basket ideas for toddlers
Easter basket Ideas for babies
Now that they’ve got a couple of years under their belt, tots will be far more excited about Easter celebrations. This can make it that much harder to steer your honey-bunny away from the traditional deluge of chocolate and candy. Fortunately, we’re here to help with a supply of super-cool toddler Easter basket ideas. From wooden toys to craft kits and more, here are a few of our favorite fillers to keep them busy on Easter Sunday and beyond.
Plush toy
Jellycat is a go-to brand for stuffed animals—and we adore their funny collection of food-themed toys. This egg-cellent pick is touchably soft and comes complete with a cheeky smile. Looking for something a little different? Jellycat also makes an adorable trio of bunnies or chicks that sit in a cozy nest.
Ages: 0 +
Alphabet flash cards
Designed for ages one and up, Poke-a-Dot learning cards are the ultimate Easter basket fillers for toddlers and preschoolers. The cards offer a hands-on way to learn early language skills. Each flashcard features a letter along with a corresponding object and poppable dots to keep little hands busy.
Ages: 12 months +
Sidewalk chalk
Take the fun outside this spring with this egg-shaped sidewalk chalk. Letting your toddler use their imagination to draw shapes and play simple games like hopscotch will keep them entertained and help improve fine motor skills. The chalks are non-toxic and come in a pack of dozen, making them the perfect non-candy Easter basket filler.
Ages: 3 years +
Bunny bowling game
A pull-back bunny plows into carrots standing on their tops in this fun toddler Easter basket toy. It’s easy for little hands to master and is a fun activity for the entire family. Plus, Jack Rabbit Creations takes a “no batteries” approach to toys, which makes this wooden game perfect for parents looking for eco-conscious alternatives to plastic goodies.
Ages: 18 months +
Bubble wand and bubbles
What better time than Easter to replenish your bubble supply? This cute set is perfectly sized for an Easter basket and includes everything your toddler will need to make some seriously huge bubbles.
Ages: 3 years +
Craft kit
Looking for Easter basket ideas for toddlers who love arts and crafts? Check out Crayola Scribble Scrubbie Pets. The mess-free set includes two cute animal characters (in this case a bunny and a guinea pig) that kids can color-in, clean and decorate all over again.
Ages: 3 years +
Wooden counting toys
Teach your child to count with this adorable set by Tender Leaf Toys. Little kids love repetition, so they’ll happily pass time stacking the numbered carrot rings on accompanying pegs. If you’re looking for educational Easter basket ideas for toddlers, this is the best of the bunch.
Age: 18 months +
Play jewelry set
Looking for Easter basket ideas for toddlers who love to dress up? Check out this adorable accessory set by the Great Pretenders. Totally in season for spring, this bundle includes necklaces, stick-on earrings and three Easter-ready rings.
Ages: 3 years +
Easter-themed shirt
Trying to get a dinosaur-obsessed tot excited for Easter? This T-shirt might just do the trick. It features a ferocious (yet funny) T-Rex toting an Easter basket and wearing sweet bunny ears.
Ages: 2 years +
Musical egg shakers
Crafted from brightly colored beech wood, these egg-shaped shakers are perfect for an impromptu dance party. Each shaker has a different sound: One jingles, one chirps and the others rattle for a fun auditory experience. Talk about egg-cellent Easter basket ideas for toddlers!
Ages: 2 to 4 years
Stacking dolls
Head to Meri Meri to find tons of inspiring Easter gifts for toddlers. Our top pick? These adorable stackable bunny dolls. Crafted from wood with soft felt ears and gold foil details, this set will delight kids and adults alike.
Ages: 3 years +
Play-Doh
Looking for non-candy Easter basket ideas? Play-Doh is a tried-and-true pick that’s perfect for rainy spring days. This set includes four cans of modeling clay in bright, candy colors. Affordable and fun, tots love to mold, shape and create with Play-Doh.
Ages: 2 years +
Coloring book
The perfect accessory to tuck into the back of an Easter basket, a holiday-themed coloring book is one of our favorite toddler Easter basket ideas. We love this one from Amazon; with a suggested age range from one to four and simple color-in illustrations, it’s just right for little hands.
Ages: 1 to 4 years
Fidget toys
Especially if they have older siblings, your toddler is likely obsessed with “pop it” toys. These sensory toys have exploded in popularity in recent years and are endlessly fascinating to little kids. This Easter-themed four-pack is totally apropos, featuring a bunny, a carrot, an egg and a chick.
Ages: 3 years +
Bunny costume
How about this sweet bonnet and bunny tail set? Crafted from cotton, the hat has an under-chin strap to keep it securely in place during egg hunts and general festivities. Meanwhile, the fluffy tail is attached to a comfy, elasticated belt. Talk about hoppy-go-lucky Easter basket ideas for babies and toddlers!
Ages: 0 to 5 years
Shape sorting toy
This funky chicken is actually a shape sorting toy. Each half of the six eggs contains a shape and a color for toddlers to match. It’s a brilliant way to encourage color and shape recognition, which makes it one of our favorite toddler Easter basket ideas.
Ages: 3 years +
Chances are, baby won’t remember their first (or second) Easter, but that’s no reason to skip the celebration. From bunny-themed apparel to loveys and books, these Easter basket fillers for baby are hard to beat.
Veggie teether
What’s up, doc? This chewy carrot teether will keep baby’s gums happy as they cut their first teeth—plus, it’s pretty darn cute to boot. It’s also BPA-free, and the grippy handles make it easy for little hands to grasp.
Ages: 0 +
Board book
Easter basket ideas for babies that are fun and educational? Yes, please! Featuring characters from the classic tale Pat the Bunny, this board book invites little ones to count down from five as Bunny hides each Easter egg. The colorful eggs are raised pieces that can be seen through holes on each page, inviting kids to touch them as they count for an extra-special storytime experience.
Ages: 2 to 5 years
Lamb lovey
This beautiful lovey totally deserves a spot in baby’s Easter basket. The sweet springtime lamb has a soft cloth body and a rubber head, which is safe for baby to gum on when they enter the teething stage.
Ages: 0 +
Rubber ducky
Aside from bunny rabbits, chicks and ducklings are the unofficial mascots of spring—so a rubber duck is an awesome choice if you’re looking for baby Easter basket ideas. This clever bath toy is suitable from birth and reveals the word “hot” when the water temperature is too high. Genius!
Ages: 0 +
Easter pajamas
Looking for Easter gifts for babies? Treat them to a new outfit, perfect for a family photo opportunity or a snuggly day at home. Little Sleepies has tons of pajamas, dresses and rompers adorned with sweet Easter prints, like this super-cute zippy. Bonus: The jammies come in adult sizes too.
Ages: 0 to 3 years
Booties
Keep little toes cozy with a pair of bunny booties. Crafted from knitted organic cotton, these boots have a pastel peach lining, adorable ears and stitched features. The best part? They’re small enough to fit inside baby’s Easter basket.
Ages: 0 to 6 months
Bath toys
Need Easter basket ideas for young babies? These bath toys are suitable for use from 3 months of age onwards. The set features four balls that float in baby’s bath water, each of which contains a different colorful character. Better yet, these bath toys are sealed to prevent water from entering the inside so there’s no need to worry about mold.
Ages: 4 months +
Finger puppet book
The classic tale Guess How Much I Love You has been given a revamp with this cute finger puppet edition. Kids will be delighted to see the story come to life as the fluffy bunny pokes through each page in a fun game of hide-and-seek.
Ages: 0 to 3 years
Rattle
Celebrate April showers with this fun rattle toy. Easy for little hands to hold and shake, this toy makes a soothing pitter-patter rain sound and is topped off with a plush cloud. It’s suitable for the youngest infants making it a great Easter basket idea for babies.
Ages: 0 +
Easter bib
Searching for practical Easter basket ideas for babies? Look no further than this super-absorbent bib from Carter’s. It comes in a subtle shade of sage green and reads “my first Easter.” How cute is that?
Ages: 0 +
Baby bowtie
Dress up any outfit with this dapper baby bowtie. It’s decorated with a whimsical rabbit character, complete with hipster glasses! And thanks to a pre-tied bow and a touch-strap fastening, this tie is super easy to put on.
Ages: 0 to 6 years
Nesting toys
Remember those ornate nesting dolls we were all fascinated by as kids? The OombeeBall is a modern (baby-friendly) twist on this classic toy. The toy features four textured balls that are tethered to one another. The best part? With a little finagling on your child’s part, each ball opens up and fits snugly inside the next. Unbox the OombeeBall and add it to your baby’s Easter basket and watch on in wonder as they get stuck into tactile play.
Ages: 10 months +
Plush bunny
Want to add a traditional element to baby’s Easter basket? Hidden inside this keepsake egg lies an adorable fluffy bunny. Available in a range of soft, pastel colors, this special gift is the perfect addition to any Easter basket. Plus, the egg can be reused year after year, so it’s a sustainable choice to boot.
Ages: 0 +
Play food
Spring is in full swing and it’s time to take a trip to the farmer’s market. Can’t make it in person? This playset by Melissa & Doug is the next best thing. Perfect for pretend-play, the mini-grocery tote bag is filled with a squeaking carrot, chiming milk bottle, rattling tomato, and crinkling lettuce, all featuring sweet embroidered faces.
Ages: 6 months +
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