Easter Basket Ideas that Encourage Outdoor Play

Springtime is one of our favorite times of the year! The bright green grass, colorful flowers, mud puddles, moderate temps, and raging waterfalls are enough to make my heart sing. Easter falls right in the middle of this beautiful season, and I’m always extra motivated in spring to provide my kids with opportunities and encouragement to get outside! This list is compiled of things I am putting in my kids Easter baskets and items I have given them in previous years. Here at The Wandering Families, our kids are all under age 6, but there are definitely items on this list that can be enjoyed by much older children.

The majority of these links are from Amazon as we are members of the Amazon Associate program and earn commission from qualifying purchases. Our disclosure about affiliate links is here. We have included a few links to Target, Backcountry, and Homegoods from which we do not receive commission. We just want to share things we love. Additionally, we would love for you to take this list and hit up your local shops. Here in Athens, I know that Toodlebugs, Snapdragon, and Trinity’s gifts all have a great selection of children’s toys.

Sand scooper, Lil Woodzeez, and binoculars for the little adventurer.
  1. Sand Scoopers – This is an item my kids have played with at Irene’s house in the gravel driveway, at the beach in the sand, and most recently at our muddy campsite on Monte Sano. They work so well to grab scoops of sand or gravel and it keeps their little hands clean. My two year olds had no issue clamping on the handle to open the scoop. All around, great item with many uses.
  2. Lil Woodzeez – These fuzzy little characters are perfect for outdoor play. We have the little surprise packs that include a small tree house and character. These are great for travel. These toys are lower priced at target, but they no longer carry these surprise tree houses. Target does have other cute sets, including these smaller surprise sets. I think they look perfectly springy for an Easter Basket, particularly if you snag a bunny.
  3. Binoculars – I gave Reese these binoculars in her Easter basket last year. They are favorite of all the kids. They actually work well and have held up well. I should probably go ahead a buy two more pairs, but I also need to keep my Easter budget in check.
Beach toys, Fishing net, and magnifying glass for your outdoor explorer.
  1. Sand/ Beach Toys – We have this set and love it because it has unique tools you won’t find in most sets and it is made from hardy plastic that will last for years to come. Perfect for any beach loving kids Easter basket.
  2. Fish/Butterfly Nets – I have bought the cheap dollar stores ones in the past and was looking for something more durable. Irene picked up similar nets to these at a Florida Publix while we were camping at Grayton Beach. They worked so well and have held up beautifully. Mine are getting these in their Easter baskets.
  3. Magnifying Glasses – We have used a few different magnifying glasses, the first link is what I am ordering for Easter baskets due to the quality and quantity for the price, but Irene’s kids love their Melissa and Doug magnifying glasses.
  4. Counting Dinosaurs – While I do not believe the two year olds are using these as designed, Kayson is obsessed with these little dinos. They are fun and educational for sorting and counting.
  5. Spot It Game – This game seriously fun for all ages! With some direction from adults, our two year olds even enjoy it! Its great for travel because its very compact. We especially love the camping version. Perfect size to fit in an Easter Basket and truly would work for ANY age.

I feel like I could go on and on with ideas, but these are things we have and love! I feel really good about recommending these items. Other fun basket filler items we love are bubbles, playdough, sidewalk chalk, and I have my eye on these Kinetic Sand eggs for the school Easter egg hunt.

Clothing Ideas for Easter Baskets

Clothing ideas for Easter Baskets for outdoor kids
  1. Sunday Afternoon Hats – All time favorite toddler hats are Sunday Afternoons. So lightweight the kids forget they are wearing them. Wide brim to cover entire face and flap to cover their neck. Its perfect. Lots of colors to choose from. My husband even recently purchased a straw hat from Sunday Afternoons and loves it.
  2. Jan and Jul hats – Irene’s kids have these and also love them!
  3. Sun Shirts – Kayson wears these target rash guards daily! They are affordable and comfy. My kids like these because they are so lightweight and have a hood. Full disclosure, I buy most of my Patagonia gear used. This price on Backcountry is great, though.
  4. Boys flamingo swim trunks – How cute are these? And those target swim prices can’t be beat.
  5. Boys dino swim trunks – Kayson is obsessed with dinos, so these are so perfect for him!
  6. Keen Shoes – We both love these shoes for our kids. They are easy to put on, and they clean up well. Mine have survived multiple children and were often purchased used.
  7. Beach Towel Backpack – So cute and useful! Love that the girls can carry their own towel to the beach and it looks cute too.
  8. Rain Boots– Rain boots are necessity for rainy days and creek splashing. These are the ones in the photo, but we also love Totes and Okibashi brand.
  9. Sunglasses – How cute are these Amazon brand heart-shaped glasses?! We have purchased other styles from this brand and been very pleased with the value for the price.

While for the younger ones you can probably get away with stuffing a few things they already own in their Easter basket, I’m always looking for a reason to buy the toy or book I have been eyeing for my kids. This is list is composed largely of the items I gave mine as babies and toddlers in their Easter basket, some of which we are still playing with years later.

  1. Tomy Eggs – My kids have enjoyed these from 9 months until now at ages 2 and 4. I don’t really understand the appeal, but they like matching the eggs and putting them in the carton. How perfect are eggs for an Easter Basket, also!
  2. Carrot Teether – This was in the very first Easter basket I ever made (*tear*). It’s a great teether and perfectly seasonal.
  3. Shaker Eggs – Another great toy that mine loved as babies and toddlers. We had maracas and shaker eggs, but I like this option because it can also be an art project.
  4. Play Silks – If you have seen many pics of our kids camping, you have seen them in these play silks. Great for babies, but also enjoyed by young kids playing dress up or making forts. I take these on every trip although with crowns and felt masks.
  5. Bunny -This sweet bunny was a gift from our “Pops” in Reese’s second Easter basket. It sings “Do your ear hang low?” and plays Peek-a-boo. This was such a hit with ours as babies and toddler.
  6. Warmies – These little stuffed animals can be warmed in the microwave to keep your little one warm and snug.
  7. Hats – Well, I already told you I love Sunday Afternoon’s hats. Buy this one, then when you size up you can request a coupon through their Trade-Up program that will get you 50% off the next hat.
  8. Sunglasses – I have this brand for the twins. They are polarized, flexible, and fit really well for a great price.
  9. Bunny’s First Spring – This book always make me choke up as it describes the dead of winter coming back to life. A perfect book for Spring that looks beautiful in an Easter basket.
  10. Home for a Bunny – Sweet little book that describes various animal homes. Another fun, seasonal filler item for a baby Easter basket.

The majority of these links are Amazon link as we are members of the Amazon Associate program and may earn a small commission if you purchase an item after using our link. Our disclosure about affiliate links is here. We have included a few links to Target, Backcountry, and Homegoods from which we do not receive commission. We just want to share things we love. Additionally, we would love for you to take this list and hit up your local shops. Here in Athens, I know that Toodlebugs, Snapdragon, and Trinity’s gifts all have a great selection of children’s toys.

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