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Get creative, Mommy Easter Bunny, and rethink your sugar overloaded Easter Baskets this Easter. Mix it up by packing them with plenty of non-sweet treats that won’t disappoint. From little kids to big kids, I’ve rounded up 6 useful finds for the whole family that aren’t chocolate.

I’m a bit of a scrooge when it comes to gift giving. I use special occasions like Easter, Christmas and Birthdays to give gifts that I know my kids are going to need anyway during the year. I love useful gifts.

And lets face it. A Big basket of Chocolate ain’t that useful.

Ask me all about it.

I’m still working off the extra bit of padding on my hips from finishing the kids chocolate eggs last Easter. There is only so much temptation a Mom can take. And they were just lyin’ there …. all shiny lookin’ ….

But hey, I learn from my mistakes. It’s only taken 15 years. But I learn. Eventually.

This year, I’m going to include mostly non-candy items in our Easter Baskets. I say mostly. Because I am am going to include one chocolate bunny too.

Since Easter falls on April fools Day this year, I did think about tricking the kids and skipping the Easter Basket altogether. But only for a moment. A funny, private moment.

I’m smiling just thinking about about how ‘surprised’ they would be. Hee hee (that’s me giggling).

Fun April Fools Pranks to play on the Kids this Easter

6 Amazing, Fun, Mom Approved & Not Disappointing Non Candy Easter Basket Ideas.

1. Easter Pajamas

What? Stick with me here. Resist the urge to click away.

I said Easter Pajamas.

Easter time falls right on the change of Seasons time. PJ’s need to be got if kids have outgrown last years set. And let’s face it. They keep growing. With a bit of imagination, PJ’s can wriggle their way into the Easter Basket and I have a trick to make the kids happy about it. (You are going to love me for this).

What ever PJ’s you choose, pair it up with some bunny ears from the Dollar Store. You can get cute pink ones for girls or manly blue ones for your boys. Even my Teens love these. 

Yup. Easter PJ’s. Check.

2. Bunny Slippers

What better than Bunny Slippers to go with our Easter PJ’s. How awesome would it be to look down on these?

3. Books

Get the kids off technology. I know it’s hard. I struggle with this all the time. It’s exhausting trying to monitor screen time.

Head to your local book store and find out what the kids are reading right now and get your children a really good book to go in the basket.

I’ve added a list of books I recommend. We have a daily (compulsory) reading time before bed each night. It’s one of the best parenting moves I’ve ever made. All my kids are Readers now and we get through a lot of books. They will kick up a fuss for the first few nights, but then they hooked. The secret is to find a book that will capture their imagination.

Easter Themed Books for Young Kids

Books I recommend for Pre-Teen Boys

My 10 year old is absolutely loving the Dairy of a Wimpy Kid Series and has just finished the Zac Powers Series. Both a great choice for kids aged 7 – 11.

Books I recommend for Pre-Teen Girls

Our 12 year old daughter loves animals so I tend to get books with an animal theme or a little magic – because who doesn’t like a little magic? Nobody.

She recently finished Watership Down, and I could go into recommending a load of other books, but I’m not going to because this would be my first choice for an Easter Book. It is a Classic!!! It is beautifully written and engaging and about bunnies!

Books for Teen Boys

There are some really good books available for teen boys. You just have to get them off technology long enough to get started. I recommend getting them hooked on a series. These have worked well in our home to keep my son reading.

Books for Teen Girls

My daughter loves to read. So this list of some of her favorites comes directly from her.

4. Games and Activities

Give them something that will encourage them to learn a new skill. Something they have to practice to get right. It doesn’t have to be expensive. Just something that requires a little effort to perfect.

Here are a few classics that have worked well with my kids over the years.

Hula hoops: Google Hula Hoops or watch the video below (we are fans of Hoop Smiles). It’s changed A LOT since us Mommy’s were kids. Our family is obsessed with hula hooping. So far we can all hula hoop and we’ve mastered that whole ‘taken it up over your head and dropping it back down’ move. Took us ages. But we did it!

Not all hula hoops are created equal. Don’t get the crappy ones from the Dollar Store. They are not the same. You need a real hoop.

Rubix Cube: My older teen can solve the cube in just under 2 minutes – it just takes going through the tutorials on youtube. His goal is to get it under 1 minute. Forget those stupid figit spinner things and give them something with purpose.

Frisbee: This has bought our family a ton of fun times. Again though. Choose your frisbee wisely. We get these ones because they are easy to throw and don’t hurt your hand when you catch them. This flying ring was used to set a Guinness World Record for the farthest throw, an amazing 1,333 feet (406 meters)! We haven’t done that. :)

5. Easter Themed Craft and Art Supplies

Anything from coloring pages to clay sculpture. There are a huge range of crafts that will keep the kids entertained for hours.

Here are some Free Easter Coloring Pages  to print off for the day and take a look at my Pinterest Board: Easter Activities for Kids to get the creativity flowing.

6. Bunny Towels

This year I will be getting each of children a new towel for Easter instead of a random fluffy toy. I am tired of ‘Mr Nobody’ leaving wet towels on the bathroom floor. Giving each child their own child will seriously reduce my washing. No more wet towels because now I will know whose it is!

Here is a tutorial on how to fold your towel into a bunny.

Final Easter Basket Tip

Take a look at all the things you’ve bought to fill your basket. Then. Get a basket that is a little too small to fit everything in aesthetically.

You want it overflowing.

Kids love overflowing.

Squeeze things in.

It’s not about pretty. You are aiming for the ‘stuffed’ look.