Easter Basket Ideas for Kids (Fun, Simple, and Faith-filled)

As a little girl, when I thought about Easter, I thought about Easter egg hunts and all the candy inside them. To be honest, I was excited about the Easter egg hunt after church, or shopping for a new Easter dress, instead of focusing on the cross and the resurrection story.

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Now that I’m a mama, I’ve reshaped the way I think about holidays centered around Christ, like Christmas and Easter. I want to point my children to Him every chance I get, especially when we celebrate the wonder of His birth, death, burial, and resurrection. Easter baskets that are both fun and faith-filled (yes both can exist together!) create a meaningful experience/tradition for little ones. And I would argue that books and toys are way more memorable than candy!

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Easter baskets don’t have to be overflowing with candy to feel special. While there’s nothing wrong with a sweet treat or two, many parents are looking for non-candy Easter basket ideas that are still fun, faith centered, and practical. I’ve found that filling Easter baskets with items that are fun and faith-filled have a greater impact (and eternal impact!) on little ones than candy. Whether you’re trying to cut back on sweets, avoid food dyes, or simply want something different this year, there are so many creative ways to build an Easter basket without tons of candy.

Below are some of my favorite Easter basket ideas that are not candy, with ideas for toddlers, older kids, and everything in between.

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Easter Basket Ideas for Girls

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Easter is the perfect time to gently point our kids back to the true meaning of the holiday. Adding faith-based items to their Easter baskets can spark meaningful conversations and help establish Christ-centered traditions.

Here are some fun ideas for girls:

Easter Basket Ideas for Boys

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Here are some fun ideas for boys:

Board books about Jesus and the resurrection
Scripture cards for kids
Easter Baskets
Chalk
Happy Stacking Dinosaurs
Risen scene
The Gospel
Easter bunny
Seek and find activity book

These items make beautiful keepsakes and help reinforce why we celebrate Easter in the first place.

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Easter Basket Ideas for Toddlers (No Candy)

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When it comes to toddlers, simple really is best. They don’t need a lot to be excited, and many everyday items feel brand new when placed inside an Easter basket.

Great non-candy Easter basket ideas for toddlers:

Board books (faith-based or spring-themed)
Jesus ice pack
‍Stacking bears
Soft stuffed animals or plush bunnies‍
The Gospel book‍
Chunky crayons or washable markers‍
Stacking dinosaur toys or shape sorters
Small musical instruments‍
Yoto player with Peter Rabbit stories

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Toddlers love items they can touch, stack, read, and carry around.

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Easter Basket Ideas for Older Kids (Ages 5–9)

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Kids ages 5–9 love baskets that feel fun and “grown-up” but still playful. This is a great age to mix creativity, learning, and faith-based items.

Non-candy Easter basket ideas for older kids:

Chapter books or early readers
Empty tomb Easter scene
Devotionals for kids
Pastel colored pencils
Faith-based journals
Wooden engraved eggs
Craft kits or painting sets
Puzzles or card games
Jump rope

At this age, kids really enjoy baskets that reflect their interests like reading, creating, building, or playing outside.

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Books Make the Perfect Easter Basket Filler

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Book ideas include:

Spring-themed picture books
Bible storybooks
Early readers for beginner readers
Devotionals for kids
Board books for younger children
Yoto player with Bible stories

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Kids love books and especially to be read to. It is a sweet routine whether throughout the day or at bed time to snuggle up with your little one and read a book about the real meaning of Easter.

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Creative & Crafty Easter Basket Ideas

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If your kids love crafting, art supplies make perfect Easter basket fillers (and they’re customizable by age).

Creative ideas include:

Coloring books
Sticker books
Colored pencils
Journal
Play-Doh
Pastel watercolor palettes
DIY craft kits

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These items are great for rainy spring days and encourage creativity without screens.

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Outdoor & Spring-Themed Easter Basket Ideas

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Since Easter often arrives just as the weather warms up, outdoor toys are a natural fit.

Outdoor Easter basket ideas:

Bubbles
Sidewalk chalk
Frisbees or balls
Gardening tools for kids
Seeds to plant together

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These encourage active play and help kids enjoy the season of spring that Easter represents.

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Easter baskets that are not filled to the brim with chocolate and candy can still be exciting, and meaningful for kids of all ages. Whether you’re building baskets for toddlers or older kids, non-candy Easter baskets allow you to focus on Jesus, creativity, and lasting fun.