I’ve never been great at planning ahead. Easter is one holiday that always catches me off guard. With the actual easter basket, I never really know what to put in it, and my kids are really too young to enjoy candy (or at least they should be!) After buying new clothes for Easter, I don’t want to spend a ton filling up their Easter basket…especially with just junk they will never use. So, this year, I’ve decided to create an Easter basket that was not only inexpensive but actually useful to our daily lives. I’ve put together several different “themes” that are all great to throw together with one quick walk through the dollar store. Best of all, these items will be well loved and last much longer than candy!
1. Learning Basket
This basket is for the kid who likes a little bit of everything. Look for little math or reading activity books, a dry-erase handwriting board, a new kite, bug catchers, flower growing kits, and bubbles. A little something for every subject and just one quick trip through the dollar section!
2. Art Supplies Basket
Kids always love brand new art supplies! Upcoming road trips or hot afternoons are the perfect time to whip out the arts & crafts, so this basket will have them set. Walk down the school/craft aisle at the dollar store and grab any of the following: coloring books, construction paper, notepads, markers, crayons, pens, stickers, stamps, glitter glue, pom poms, foam shapes, playdoh. Just grab what your kid will love and, voila, you’re done!
3. Pool & Sandbox Basket
Yes, it may still be cold for some crazy reason, but the heat is coming soon! For this basket, hit any dollar store in the summer section! Grab plastic shovels, buckets, or sandcastle molds. Throw in a new pair of sunglasses and a sun hat. Add a net and a few bath toys that are great for water play. You could even add an inexpensive blow-up pool or floatie!
4. Gardening Basket
Here is another basket that will have your kid ready to play outside! Grab packets of seeds, small pots, kid-sized gardening tools, and gloves. Look for a sun hat and a few gnomes or other garden decor. They will be ready to dig in the dirt and learn something new!
5. Dress Up Basket
If your kid is into make-believe and dress up, you can put together an awesome basket that will lead to hours of playtime! Dollar stores usually carry fairy wings, swords, a varitey of hats, silly glasses, stick-on mustaches, crowns, and kiddie jewelry. Be sure to walk down the party aisle as well as the toy aisle to find all of these items.
So, for all you last-minute mommas out there, good luck filling those baskets and happy (very fast) shopping!
Surfing the net to get ideas for baskets for Ethan and Ellis and came across this. Loved the ideas and was writing the list when I realised you wrote that, LOL. Thanks for the advice . I was never a fan of baskets full of sugar and unhealthy treats. Happy Easter habibti to you and your beautiful family. See you soon