Easter is right around the corner and if you’re like us, you are on the lookout for Easter Basket Filler Ideas. Of course, you can go with nearly anything you want, but whew, helping out the Easter bunny with filling those baskets can get really pricey.
So, we’ve come up with ideas that are economical options for each age group (yes, even adults) and are sharing them below. Be sure to check out your local dollar stores and thrift stores for some great bargains.
Easter Basket Filler Ideas
When shopping at thrift stores, I am always careful to check the quality of any items I pick up there. You don’t want anything with loose parts that may pose a choking hazard for babies and small children. When it comes to dollar stores, I look for brand name items (brands that I recognize and are reputable) especially when it comes to items for babies and young children.
Some of these ideas overlap several age groups.
Babies
Pacifiers
Bibs
Rattles
Small stuffed animal
Board books
Hair accessories (head bands, etc)
Sun hat
Toddlers and Preschoolers
A new toothbrush
Small stuffed animals
Books
Coloring books/activity books/paint with water books
Crayons/bath tub crayons
Cute character bandaids
Bottle of bubbles
Toy vehicles
Toy musical instruments like bells, shakers, maracas, and so on
Bath toys
Sidewalk chalk
Sunglasses
Playdough
Toddler gardening tools
Sand pail and shovel, sand toys
A new water bottle
Some of their favorite treats – William loves Annie’s Bunny Crackers, Bear Paws, and Earth’s Best Sesame Street snacks
Stickers or temporary tattoos
Flashlight
A ball or beach ball
Glow sticks – only with supervision and you need to decide if this is something your child can handle. They are filled with non-toxic liquid but if ingested it could still cause stomach upset.
Scarves or ribbons for dancing with
Finger puppets
Small dressup items
Nontoxic child safe nail polish
Punch balloons
Hair accessories
Sun hat
Puzzles
Kaleidoscope
Paper dolls – they may not be ready for actual paper ones but you can make or buy ones that are made of felt, wood, magnetic sheets, and other items that make them more durable
Silly straw
Fun socks
Gift certificate for something fun to do or to skip a chore
School Aged Kids
Books
Coloring/activity books
Colored pencils/markers
Sidewalk chalk
Air drying clay
Silly putty
Bubbles (come on, older kids love playing with bubbles too!)
Stickers/temporary tattoos
Paper dolls/punch out and assemble 3D scenes
Silly straw
Glow sticks
Sunglasses
Flashlight
Puzzles
Hair accessories
Magnifying glass
Fun bandaids
Favorite treats
Sunglasses
Fun socks
A ball or beach ball
Yo-yo
Kite
Mad Libs
Stamps and stamp pad
Scarves or ribbons for dancing with
Paper airplane kit/book
Water squirter
Origami paper
Action figures or dolls
A small craft kit or a selection of craft supplies like pompoms, pipe cleaners, construction paper, and so on
Paddle ball
Super bouncy ball
Travel game
Deck of cards and a promise to teach them a card game or two
Sand pail and shovel, sand toys
Gift certificate for something fun to do or to skip a chore
Fun pencils and erasers
Garden tools and seeds
A new water bottle
Tweens and Teens
Yes, I realize that in this section, some of the less expensive items might be a challenge as kids might be wanting more expensive name brands so you’ll have to use your judgement here about what will work for your tweens and teens.
Books
Bookmark
Markers/sketching pencils/highlighters/gel pens
Sketch book/journal
Jigsaw puzzle
Hair accessories
Hacky sack
Puzzle/activity books like crossword puzzles, word searches, Sudoku
Earrings, bracelet, or other small inexpensive jewelry items
Nail polish
Lip gloss/balm
Small craft kit or craft supplies
A fun USB drive or a portable charger
Fun socks
A cute Airpods case
Ear buds
Water bottle
Sample sizes of grooming products
Face masks
Cell phone case or accessories (like dangles)
Favorite treats
Adults
Scented candle
New coffee/tea mug
Sample sizes of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate
Small faux succulent
Water bottle
Puzzle books (crossword, Sudoku etc)
Sample sizes of grooming products
Face masks
Fun socks
Favorite treats
Garden seeds
Garden tools, kneeling pad, gloves, other accessories
Window bird feeder (we have these from time to time at the dollar store here)
Hair accessories
Earrings, bracelet, or other small inexpensive jewelry items