2021 Intentional Easter Baskets

This post shares how I create intentional/practical/fun Easter baskets for my boys, including how I plan, what is included and what types of “baskets” we use! Scroll down for unique ideas for both babies and toddlers!

I want to first start off by saying that no matter how you choose to celebrate Easter (or any holiday) you are a good parent! Whether you choose to have an elaborate Easter basket, or don’t celebrate at all, there is no right or wrong way to do it.

With that being said- the two holidays that we celebrate the most in our home are Christmas and Easter. The rest we do maybe something small- or maybe nothing at all!

We budget for our Easter baskets throughout the year because they defintley cost more than if I were just to fill them up with Dollar Tree items (though that’s totally okay too!) However, I still like to be really intentional with how we fill them up. I’ve been on a journey to become more minimal-ish– so the last thing I want to be adding is more useless clutter to our house.

To avoid impulse buys and make the baskets really intentional I….make a list 😉 If you know me, that’s probably not a surprise to you at all! I think about things that the boys will need in the upcoming months and write it all down. Then as I purchase the item, it gets checked off.

General items that they receive include: summer items, arts and craft restock, practical items (cups, utensils, plates, etc), consumables (snacks, bubble bath, etc) and a few small toys.

Here is what is going in each of their baskets this year:

6 Month Old Easter Basket Ideas

Hudson will be just under six months old at Easter and so the majority of his basket will be items that he will need to start solids! Not very exciting, but practical, and he won’t know a difference 😉 We have lots of hand-me-down toys from Henry that Hudson can play with, so I’m not including as much as I might if it was my first baby. He might even be receiving several hand-me-downs in his basket…shhh! You can check out this post for more “fun” ideas for baby’s first Easter.

Teethers: There are so many options for teethers. This bunny is festive and cute! I also got him this carrot one and Henry loved this vibrating teether as a baby!

Long sleeve bibs: A MUST have for baby led weaning! We usually just take off clothes at home, but these are great for on the go!

Silicone plate: This style plate was our favorite because they easily stuck to the high chair & the little duck is festive for springtime! (This bunny plate is cute too!)

Utensils: These are the best for babies learning to self feed because they can scoop and eat in any direction!

Teething tubes: Hudson loves chewing on silicone straws–these are essentially the same thing, but with added texture to massage teething gums!

Egg shaker toy: These little animals shakers are a good sensory toy that can be used year round. These wood shaker eggs are a good option too!

Magic reflection ball toy: This mirrored ball has a suction cup and is so mesmerizing to babies!

Sensory bottles: I purchased these clear bottles to make sensory bottles. I love that they are 8 oz size which will be better for his little hands! (Pinterest has tons of ideas for what to fill them with!)

Sunglasses: 6 months is a good age for sunglasses because they typically leave them on 😉 These are cute and inexpensive.

Peter Rabbit Organics pouches: A high quality, on the go option that is also Easter themed 😉

Stuffed animal/lovey: We personally have TOO many stuffed animals, but I love this lamb lovey! This pink bunny lovey is precious as well as this sweet neutral colored one.

Rattle: There are lots of cute bunny rattles out there. I love these ring shaped rattles because they are so easy for babies to hold. But I also love this one that has tags, a rattle and teether all in one!

3 Year Old Easter Basket Ideas

Here are some of the goodies that Henry will be receiving. He will also be getting a few coloring books and puzzles from the Dollar Tree. His birthday is just a few days after Easter this year, so I put some of his smaller gifts in his basket to help spread out the fun a little 😉 If you are looking for more toddler Easter basket ideas, make sure to check out this post that has a TON!

Go Find It Scavenger Hunt Game: This game looks fun for playing outside this spring and summer and I love that it will help expand his vocabulary too!

Green Toys Watering Can and Garden Tools: Practical and fun for helping outside with the garden this summer! We love Green Toys for their durability and that they are made from recycled materials.

Mini Monster Trucks: Because anything with wheels is always a hit around here 😉 I’m going to split these between the boys baskets.

“Lego” vehicle blocks: My hope with these is to use the pieces to fill plastic eggs for the Easter egg hunt! If that doesn’t end up working out, I will include them in the basket.

Spot It Jr. game: I’ve heard nothing but great things about this game and think that Henry will love the concept!

Spring loaded scissors: Henry has been super interested in learning to use scissors. These spring loaded ones are perfect for toddlers just learning (with adult supervision of course 😉

Drawing paper: Henry has loved drawing lately, so I am getting him these sketch pads as well as these jumbo post it notes because he has been obsessed with them lately (yes, I’m very happy about this 😉 )

Baseball Cap: I’m a fan of little boys dressing their age and this cap was too cute to pass up! Also love these polka dot caps for little girls.

Sunglasses: Cutest little boy aviators!! If I had a girl, she’d totally be rocking these flower glasses.

Book ideas for Easter baskets:

There are TONS of Easter books out there. These four are the ones that we are including this year. 3/4 can be read year round (but are still bunny themed!), which I always appreciate!

Every Bunny Count: A cute book that incorporates counting and hide-and-seek…two of Henry’s faves!

We’re Going on an Egg Hunt: This is the only Easter specific book out of the bunch, but so fun if your little one likes “Going on a Bear Hunt”. It also has flaps to lift which is always fun!

If You Plant a Seed: A sweet book about the ripple effect of being kind.

A Little Bit Brave: A cute story about being brave and stepping outside of your comfort zone.

What we use as “baskets”:

Ever since Henry was born, I’ve used nontraditional “baskets”. I’d personally rather spend the same amount of money on something that he will use more than one time a year!

For his first Easter his “basket” was a Green Toys wagon:

For his second Easter his “basket” was a big dump truck toy:

And for this year, each boy will be receiving one of these metal wire baskets. Not as exciting, but they will be used to store books in their rooms after Easter- something the both needed anyway.