I know many parents who are starting to gather together some small treats for Easter baskets.  I wanted to share with you some ideas I have collected over the years for baskets, including ideas for older children.

First of all, if you are looking for organic, fair trade or allergen free candy, you can try some of the suggestions listed here: here

If you are looking for a healthy alternative to those marshmallow Peeps, try this recipe

Ideas for baskets:

• Bubbles/cool bubble wands
• Small balls with different textures
• Seed packets/gardening tools
• Jump ropes
• Pool or sandbox toys
• Wooden animals or gasp, plastic animals if they are going to go live in the sandbox or a pond of water
• Sidewalk chalk
• Kites (older children love these as well!)
• Pinwheels
• Supplies to build a fairy house
• Accessories for bicycles  like a bell for the bike or a bike basket
• Pool goggles, swim shoes, snorkles (older children as well!)
• Play silks
• Clothespins and braided yarn ropes –they can be so many things!
• Stuffed animals – homemade felt or knitted animals – or Waldorf dolls
• Clothing for dolls, yarn “leashes” for stuffed dogs
• Playmats that roll up for small animals, figures or tiny cars.  Many of the playmats are easy to sew.

For older children:

• Books
• Craft kits
• Paper dolls to cut out
• Small model sets that will fit in basket
• Woodworking or leather working tools
• Yarn, knitting needles, crochet hooks or supplies for cross stitching
• For older teen sewers, the book “Sew Fab” might be nice.  (My teen has been eyeing it.  It is geared towards teen girl clothing). 
• Card games
• Watches
• Art supplies
• Gift cards (sorry, but older teens love gift cards)

For religious items, you could think about icons (there are even small laminated print icons), Bibles or other religious books, necklaces or bracelets with crosses.

What are your favorite things to put in an Easter basket?  Please leave the age of your children with your item in the comment box! 

Blessings,
Carrie