Frugal No-Candy Easter Basket Ideas. Hmm…by the title I am not saying “Frugal No-Fun Easter Baskets,” either. And I’m not saying there isn’t a place for candy. I just know that my kids will be surrounded by sweets, treats, and desserts from family, friends, and church. Anyone else in the same boat? In fact we have an old Easter basket bucket that we dump candy in from all of the holidays, and my kids still have candy in it from Christmas…2013. Oops! But they are just candy canes. Oh, they work their way through the basket, but there is no shortage of things to celebrate, and people often use candy as a go-to celebration tool.
So I am providing some alternatives here for no-candy Easter baskets. Plus they are frugal. This is what I just got my three kids for Easter. And I only spent $13.97 for all three containers AND treats total. Did I say that it was for all three kids?
I love giving gifts that are consumable or that are considered needs. But I like to make them fun needs. People need to eat. Food is always a great choice. Plus (hopefully) you won’t find food like nuts or cookies a year later. We are trying to cut down on the stuff we have around our house. Simply buying stuff for stuff’s sake isn’t good. Yes, it’s fun to give kids what they want at times, but that’s not what defines us. We give because Christ gave His life. That’s why we celebrate Easter, or Resurrection Day, as we like to call it.
And you don’t have to spend a lot for your giving to be meaningful. So with Ellie (who just turned a decade this week!), I know she just rearranged her blue room and could use a basket to organize, hence a blue basket for her room. Same with Abbie (age 8)…but she gets red. I got Joshua a pail so he could play out in the dirt and rocks. I also love giving gifts that promote being outdoors like balls and jump ropes. So Abbie got a jump rope. Ellie and Abbie could use more hair holders, and they enjoy them. Joshua loves Spiderman, so I got him the body wash and a Spiderman washcloth that’s in that tiny square package. It’s nice to have something to munch on, and they all like peanuts. What looks like candy is actually gum. Gum goes SUPER fast in our house. They are sharing that bag. Joshua’s learning about money in Kindergarten (oh yeah!) and is getting that big ol’ play money. And for fun’s sake, Ellie is getting a little kitchen set for her American Girl Doll.
So here are some frugal no-candy Easter Basket ideas sure to excite those kiddos!
Frugal No-Candy Easter Basket Ideas (many of these can be purchased at the Dollar Tree or your local dollar store):
- puzzles
- coloring books
- Sudoku, crossword, word find, or other puzzle books
- deck of cards
- dice
- Scriptures on paper strips as reminders of God’s love, the Resurrection, obeying your parents 😉
- sidewalk chalk
- wiffle balls
- baseball with bat
- jump ropes
- inflatable beach toys
- buckets and pails
- gum like Glee Gum – I love that it’s natural, and it’s my favorite to get them
- packages of peanuts or other nuts
- lip gloss – our favorite is EOS – organic and works nicely
- barretts
- colorful bobby pins
- scrunchies or use a tutorial to make your own here
- nail polish – our favorite is Jenna Hipp because it is more natural
- fun Klennex with patterns (or should I say facial tissues)
- fun socks
- fun wash cloths or doll up your own wash cloths with this tutorial
- soap and shampoo with characters
- manly or girly Bandaids
- mini packs of Legos
- homemade cookies – speaks to their hearts…and their tummies:)
- homemade granola bars – always a fave
- money – okay…this is a fave too
- special coins – my Ellie girl LOVES foreign coins!
- a Bible – saving the best for last!
The list goes on and on and the options are pretty much limitless. Hopefully this gives you some last-minute ideas.
A quick note about the Dollar Tree. Not all items there are what you might call, high quality, if you get my drift. Just be a wise steward and weigh the costs. Ask yourself if it’s worth it.
Best dollar tree deal for us? The small blank construction paper pads. The kids can color, marker glue and glitter all in their own contained book. It costs a dollar, but it’s priceless.
I love all the things $1 can buy!
Gotta love those deals at the Dollar Tree! Thanks for letting me post!
The honor is mine.
Great ideas! I just visited the Dollar Tree last week for Easter basket goodies! I found some awesome bug catcher sets, binoculars, a journal & fashion click pencils for my 10 yr. old, also some “Olivia” readers for my little girl who loves pigs! I found some cute fashion shorty socks & handheld pinball games, mini art kits and Russell Stover milk choc. bunnies to add to their baskets. I love the Dollar Tree for gift items to fill baskets. Happy Easter 🙂
It’s a gold mine!
This is such a great idea. My kiddo’s are all grown and have kids of their own, so giving a basket with things they can use is a wonderful idea and you can always get little things through out the year! My dad is in a home, so thinking I can get him a little something as well (this will take a little more creativity …)
Thank you for sharing the idea. I’ve never liked the whole candy thing. A little should go a long way!
So glad you enjoyed it, Lori!