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Fifty "Non-Candy" Easter Basket Ideas

By Kyrie Collins, Highlands Ranch-Parker-Castle Rock-Lone Tree Publisher April 19, 2014
Think you can't have an Easter basket without candy? Think again!

The basket pictured above is one our Easter Bunny will be delivering this year. The only piece of candy in it is the chocolate bunny. Filling a basket is more expensive when you use mostly non-candy items, but the trick is to fill it with items you were planning to buy anyway ... movies you want to own, toys for summer, more rainbow loom bands …

Here are over four dozen ideas to get you started!

For the Plastic Eggs
  • Coins
  • Mini bubbles
  • Rainbow loom bands
  • Perler® beads
  • Erasers in fun shapes
  • Flavored lip balm
  • LEGO® pieces (buy a small set and separate them into individual eggs)
  • Tattoos
  • Stickers
Summer Items
  • Sidewalk Chalk
  • Sunglasses
  • Flip flops or Crocs
  • Swimsuit
  • Squirt guns
  • Jump rope
  • Bug catcher kits
  • Kite
Boy-Themed
  • Trading cards: Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, football, baseball, basketball, etc.
  • Action figures: TMNT, superheroes, GI Joe, Star Wars, etc.
  • Matchbox or Hot Wheels cars
Girl-Themed
  • Nail polish, art pens, stickers, jewels, or other nail accessories
  • Hair bows, ribbons, barrettes, headbands, and other accessories
  • Makeup (play or real, depending on the age)
  • Jewelry (play or real, depending on the age)
Crafty Kid
  • Duck® Brand Duct Tape or Washi Tapi
  • Mini play dough tubs
  • Pompoms
  • Googly eyes
  • Glitter glue
  • Chenille stems
  • Foam stickers
  • Stamper Set
  • Paint-by-numbers set
Any Kid
  • Custom coupons for extra video game time or a "stay up late" night
  • iTunes gift card
  • Stuffed animals
  • Plant growing starter kits 
  • Mini puzzles 
  • Silly string
  • Flash cards
  • Card games like Uno, Phase 10, Skip Bo, Old Maid, Spoons 
  • Fun socks
  • Yo-yo
  • Noise putty (makes sounds like bodily functions ... my kids love them!)
  • Silly, twisty straws
  • Grow capsules or creatures
  • Hidden pics and word find books
  • Glow bracelets
  • Mini flashlights
  • Bath accessories like body sponges, bombs, bubbles, body paint
  • Books 
  • Movies or video games (a total splurge item but if you're planning to buy them anyway, the Easter Basket is the perfect way to make it a special treat)
Need more ideas? Head to the Party Favor section or dollar bins at Target, or simply stroll the aisles at your favorite craft store, drugstore, or dollar store.