200+ Easter Basket Ideas that Aren’t Junk Food
I came up with 200+ awesome ideas for Easter basket ideas that are not only candy-free but also free of sugar and junk.
If you are looking for Easter egg filler ideas or creative Easter egg hunts, check out 20 creative things to fill Easter eggs with.
And, if you are feeling creative, be sure to check out our newest post on creative Easter DIYs for adults!
Also, the Easter basket ideas are organized by theme – because who doesn’t love a candy-free themed basket?!
A Summery Easter Basket
In this candy-free Easter basket, you can include all the things one would need for a summery beach trip. Then, line this summery basket with a beach towel, or instead of an Easter basket, use a beach pail.
- Beach toys
- Flip flops
- Frisbee
- Visor
- Sunglasses
- Pool toys
- Beach towel – hooded towels for little ones
- Kite
- Beach books – board books for the little ones, beach reading for the older ones (Some great kids books – Beach Sticker Book, Pete the Cat, and Llama, Llama)
- Sunscreen
- Sun hats
For Kids Who Love Crafts
Crafty is the theme of this candy-free Easter basket. There are so many craft ideas out there that you can be as creative as you want. As a nice addition, line this crafty candy-free Easter basket with a plastic tablecloth, for easy cleanup after art activities, and an alternative to Easter basket grass.
- Markers
- Colored pencils
- Paints
- Paintbrushes
- Coloring books
- Craft kits from AC Moore – foam kits, suncatcher kits
- Stickers
- Sticker books
- Sidewalk chalk
- Play dough
- Mini canvases
- Crayons
- Dry Erase board
- Cute erasers
- Pencil Box
- Festive pencils
- Plastic Tablecloth – for easy cleanup
For Kids Who Love The Outdoors
Outdoor activities, games, and accessories make for a great candy-free Easter basket. Use a blanket, for picnics or relaxing outside, to line this Easter basket idea.
- Bubbles, bubble maker, bubble toys
- Sidewalk chalk
- Sand toys
- Jump rope
- Bat and ball set
- Mini football
- Soccer ball
- Baseballs or softballs
- Hopscotch Game
- Ball cap or spring hat
- Frisbee
- Sunglasses
- Kite
- Golf balls
- Golf tees
- Tennis Balls
- Badminton Set
- Garden tools
- Garden gloves
- Blanket for picnics or relaxing outside
Rainy Day Basket For Kids
With kids accumulating so many toys these days, why not make a rainy day basket as a candy-free Easter idea? Kids could pick a few toys to play with and the rest get saved for a rainy afternoon. Line these Easter baskets with a picnic blanket or cuddly reading rug.
- Match box cars
- Stuffed animals
- Card games – decks of cards, learning cards, matching games
- Coloring books and crayons
- Craft Kits
- DVDs
- Army men
- Blocks
- Plastic jewelry
- Books – board boards, chapter books, high interest books, etc
- Tea party toys
- Small or travel board games
- Mad Libs (Unicorns & Mermaid one!)
- Bingo cards
- Picnic blanket
Bath And Body Care Easter Basket
These candy-free Easter baskets is one that’s always loved and appreciated. Who doesn’t love a basket filled with these to decompress with – like cozy slippers, a favorite bath soap, and a good book? This basket is also great for teenagers. As an Easter basket grass alternative, use a cozy blanket or bathrobe to line this basket.
- Lotion
- Bath toys
- Books – for toddlers bath books, for adults a good read
- Bath scrub
- Chapstick
- Lip gloss
- Slippers
- Cozy blanket
- Bath soaps
- Socks
- Nail polish
- Nail file
- Hair accessories
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Make-up brushes
- Loofah
- Favorite fragrance
- Cute hand sanitizer
An Entirely Homemade Easter Basket That’s Candy-Free
Whether you are trying to save money or your crafty side is running strong, make an entire Easter basket filled with homemade items. There are so many cool things you can make that guarantee hours of fun. Line these homemade Easter baskets with your knitting, hopscotch mat, or t-shirts, as a fun basket liner.
- Homemade finger puppets (check out my tutorial on how to make felt finger puppets)
- Handcrafted matching game
- Photo puzzle
- Hopscotch mat (check out my DIY hopscotch mat made from felt)
- Dry erase board from a picture frame
- Scavenger hunt clues
- Felt busy boards
- Sticker Scenes – drawing/printing a landscape for kids to put stickers on
- Homemade knit scarf, hat, or blanket
- Iron-on or puffy painted t-shirts
- Homemade games – Bingo, Mad Libs, etc
- Popsicle stick bookmarks
- Painted Mugs
Easter Baskets For College Students
For a candy-free Easter basket for college kids, the possibilities are endless. You can put together office supplies, tech items, healthy snacks, or favorite things from home. A cute spring scarf or a college t-shirt would make a great basket liner, rather than using Easter basket grass.
- Post-Its
- Highlighters
- Handy wipes
- Travel tissues
- Teas
- Notebooks
- Pens/pencils
- USB cord
- USB drives
- Hard drive
- Screen protector
- Cell phone case
- Headphones
- Totes
- Spring scarf
- iTunes gift card (Did you know you can get gift cards from Amazon?)
Healthy Living Easter Basket (With No Candy, Junk, Or Sugar)
For those that have an organic lifestyle or love healthy, healing foods, this Easter idea is perfect! It’s a healthy living basket that is filled with healthy foods – like fruit, nuts, and rice snacks, you could fill it with natural bath and body products, or a mix of the two. A reusable bag would make a great liner for your green friend or family member. I would love to get one of these Easter baskets – it would save me a trip to the grocery store 🙂 It’s amazing to know that in the candy-loving, sugar-centric world we live in that you can fill a huge basket with all healthy foods!
- Mini cutting board
- Seeds – pumpkin, sunflower, etc
- Dried berries
- Apple
- Oranges
- Nuts
- Avocado
- Herbal Tea
- Honey
- Almond butter
- Rice cakes or rice crackers
- Lara bars
- Coconut water
- Reusable glass water bottle
- Organic lotion
- Natural soap
- Organic shampoo (love this one!)
- Organic conditioner
- Gift card to a local juice bar
- Books on juicing or healthy recipes
- Reusable bags
- Plants – aloe plants, spider plants
- Seeds for the garden (non-gmo seeds)
- Garden gloves
Easter Baskets For Adults That Are Crafty
This is another Easter basket I would love to receive (…hint hint Ash). It’s filled with so many fun crafty things – you can be as creative as you would like, and your craft-loving family member or friend will not even miss the candy. Instead of using Easter grass, use felt for a creative liner.
- Ribbon
- Squiggly scissors (I love these so much)
- Card stock
- Markers
- Colored pencils
- Acrylic paints
- Nice set of paintbrushes
- Coloring books for adults
- Stickers or embellishments
- Washi tape
- Journal or notebook
- Stamps
- Inkpads
- Fabric markers
- Sharpies
- Window markers
- Patches
- Embroidery floss
- Hoops
- Yarn
- Needles
- Felt or cute fabric
Easter Ideas For Your Significant Other
Before we had kids, Ash used to make me an Easter basket every year. It was such a sweet thing to do, especially because Easter baskets are usually geared toward children. Whether you have five kids or none, I’m sure your significant other would love a thoughtful basket filled with creative, candy-free items. Use a spring scarf or cozy blanket to line this basket.
- Stuffed animals
- Framed photo
- Books – think about hobbies –trains, crosswords, crafting, eating health, etc. Some people love biographies
- Fresh flowers
- Photo presents – photo puzzle or photo book of recent trip
- Coloring book for adults with colored pencils
- Tickets to the movies or a restaurant
- Spring scarf or cap
- Socks
- Mugs
- Magnets
- Cozy blanket
Easter Ideas For Dads
Having your kids make a basket for their father – or you making an Easter basket for your father is such a thoughtful gesture. You can fill these candy-free Easter baskets with all kinds of dad things – like socks and batteries – and I’m sure they would mind a few fun things too like an iTunes gift card. Use a dad t-shirt to line the basket, as a green alternative to Easter grass.
- Hearty mug
- Batteries
- Honey
- Duct tape
- WD-40
- Lint roller
- Tie
- Watch
- Totes
- Socks
- iTunes gift card
- Wine key
- Flashlight
- Crafts from the kids
- Small tools
- T-shirts – homemade are great!
Easter Baskets For Mamas
When putting together Easter baskets, don’t forget about your mom. There are lots of fun things you can fill the candy-free basket with that she will love. I’m sure she’ll love that you thought of her. A cozy blanket makes for a perfect basket liner.
- Candles
- Teas
- Cute mug
- Crafts made by the kids
- Photos of the kids
- Lara bars
- Almonds
- Sunglasses
- Cute post-it notes
- Fresh flowers
- Sharpies
- Jewelry
- Totes
- To-go wipes
- Favorite magazine or book
- Gift card for a night out
- Cozy blanket
Practical Easter Basket Ideas
If you are stuck on ideas for a candy-free basket for a friend or family member (who probably has everything), why not make them a basket with one of these practical Easter basket ideas. Fill it with practical things that you always need – like scissors, batteries, and sharpies. My sister filled our stockings one year with practical items, and they were a big hit! Line the basket with bubble wrap or packing paper, something practical that will be reused.
- Sharpies
- AA batteries
- Rubber band ball
- Pencil sharpener
- Thumb tacks
- USB wall plug-in
- Scotch tape
- Magic eraser
- Scissors
- Lint roller
- Handy wipes
- Ziplock bags
- Travel sewing kit
- Extension cord
Easter Gifts For Dogs Or Cats
With all these Easter baskets, don’t forget about your beloved pets. Pets are easy to shop for, and they don’t eat candy – so anything goes! Use a basket that you can reuse as your dog or cat’s toy bin.
- Chew toys
- Biscuits or treats
- New collar
- Bandana
- Brush or comb
- Frisbee
- Tennis balls
- Pick-up bags
- Dog or cat bed
- New dish
- Collapsable dog dish (pictured above)
- Treats or pieces of pet food in Easter eggs
- Homemade biscuits
- Homemade toys for cats – bell on a ribbon
Easter Ideas For Filling Eggs
Just as I was stressing out about filling candy-free Easter baskets, I was also wondering what I was going to fill Easter eggs with. I came up with two lists – a small toy list and a toy-free list. I LOVE the toy-free list – it has so many creative, fun ideas.
- Matchbox cars (fits in the big eggs)
- Stickers
- Finger puppets
- Small figures
- Rings or bracelets
- Keychains
- Legos
- Bouncy balls
Creative Easter Egg Ideas For Hunts
- Legos – Fill all the eggs with legos. After the eggs are found, have kids each build something with the legos from their eggs.
- Alphabet magnetic letters – After collecting all of the eggs, see if you can spell any words from your collected letters. Use cookie trays for a magnetic surface for word building.
- Jokes – Everyone loves a good laugh 🙂
- Silly actions – Fill each egg with a little piece of paper that has silly actions or tasks – i.e. hop around the yard like a bunny, give your little sister a kiss, do 5 jumping jacks, etc
- Scavenger hunt clues – Start by giving every participant an egg. Participants will open the given egg for the clue to the next egg.
From crafty baskets to summery baskets to outdoorsy baskets, kids will love these creative items and not even notice that they don’t include candy or junk. And, adults will love the time and thought you put into creating these candy-free Easter baskets.
Additionally, the creative Easter egg hunt ideas are perfect for friendly competition or a good laugh.
With hundreds of ideas for Easter baskets and egg hunts, you can totally pull off a candy-free, junk-food-free Easter without any stress.
What a great collection you have here !
This is a fantastic list! I never realized how much junk and sugary foods were pushed throughout the year until I had kids. It’s ridiculous! Love how you included lists for mamas, college kids, and pets, too. Thanks so much for sharing at the #happyhnowlinkup!
I know – it is ridiculous! I’m pretty sure my whole family knows we have opted out and our son is still little, so no sugary or junk food for us this Easter 🙂 Have a great week 🙂
Excellent ideas!
Thanks, Gem! 🙂 We love that there so many great ideas out there that aren’t sugar or junk 🙂
Love the basket idea for dads! My husband is always in need of a lint roller. We keep them in every vehicle and in the house!
Hahaha that’s too funny, Donella 🙂 I recently found a sweater comb that’s like a lint brush for sweaters – it gets rid of all the fuzzies from sweaters that are a little worn. It’s amazing 🙂
I love coming to your blog, great information for giving a perfect gift to near ones, such a useful ideas. Thanks for sharing it.
Thanks so much 🙂
What a great collection, Eileen! I love that you are opting for a healthier basket inspiration – and those seem so fun! Thank you for sharing at the Friday Favorites linky party 🙂 Hope to see you at the next party!
*Maisy
Thanks so much, Maisy! I’m hoping Ash makes that healthy living basket for me 🙂 Have a great week!
Hi Ash and Eileen, this post made the most-clicked list on The Blogger’s Pit Stop. Congratulations, be looking for a feature on Friday. Well done.
Kathleen
Blogger’s Pit Stop
Thanks so much Kathleen! So excited to be your feature :)) Have a great week!
Eileen that was one huge and comprehensive list. I laughed when I saw the WD-40 on the list, but in fact, it is very practical. I could definitely go for some crafty items in my basket. Pinning.
Hahaha thanks Mary! I could go for the craft one too 🙂
I like your list. My kids get rainboots for Easter that I’ll fill with spring activities (bubbles, chalk, etc).
Pinning!
I love that idea!!
What great ideas and we love the craft basket! My mummy would be happier if I got this instead of chocolate! #BigPinkLink z
These are awesome ideas! I love them! (But I love chocolate too…) Thanks!
Some great ideas here! I’ve just started thinking about Easter, so I’ve written a few of these down. Thanks for sharing!
#mommymoments
Katelynn, hampersandhiccups.com
Hi, what a fantastic list that will suit everyone. I think the rainy days one would be the best one for us #TriumphantTales
You’re a life saver! And it’s not just these occasions filled with junk food but at kids parties too, party bags and thank you favours filled with all sorts! Thanks for sharing x #DreamTeam
Soffy // themumaffairs.blogspot.com
Definitely pinning for later! My little girl is only 1 and I don’t want her to start being hooked on the idea of candy! Thanks for these great ideas! #TriumphantTales
Those are great ideas. I’m going to hide some empty eggs this year because April Fools Day lands on Easter this year.
Hahaa that’s a great idea!
I love this, and so will my mum! She doesn’t like buying my two chocolate, and they already get sooo much from other relatives.
Glad you liked the ideas! Happy Easter!
What a wonderful collection you have here. Having 12 grandbabies… I make a lot of baskets…
Thanks Marie!!
Great ideas. I love the healthy living basket. Thank you for sharing at The Really Crafty Link Party this week. Pinned.
Thanks Teresa! I like that one too:)
Love the creative easter egg hunt ideas. If we didn’t have easter eggs, we’d not have anything because it’s all about the fun of the hunt and that does include chocolate for us. Having said that when we were children we didn’t have easter eggs, or maybe just one small basic chocolate one, and grandparents would buy us a small gift instead. #thelistlinky
Thanks Emma! Have a happy Easter!
This is such a great list, perfect for those who will get inundated with chocolate from relatives!! Making a basket personalised to the child is a brilliantly unique idea!
Thank you for sharing this with us at #TriumphantTales. I hope to see you back next week!
Thanks so much for your kind words!
These are some great ideas! I’m always looking for good Easter basket ideas, so I will be using some of these!
Thanks Cherryl! Glad you enjoyed them!
Like you I’ve decided to give junk food a miss this Easter #bigpinklink
Yess! Such a good decision:)
Great ideas there. I’ve never heard of Irish potatoes before. They sound horrendous. 😀 Thanks for linking up with the #bigpinklink this week.
Hahaha Louise! They are!!
Great list! Thanks for sharing at the To Grandma’s House We Go DIY, Crafts, Recipes and more Wednesday link party!
Thanks Sheri!
Love these ideas. I always like to do my girls a little Easter basket and so many new ideas for me to explore. Thank you for joining us at #SharingtheBlogLove
Thanks Laura! So happy you liked them:)
These are such cute ideas. My son can’t have milk, so something like this would be perfect for next year. And I love the idea of the body care kit for teenagers – perfect! Thanks for joining us at #SharingtheBlogLove
Thanks Katy! So happy you liked them. Happy Easter!
What a fantastic list. I love the lego easter egg hunt idea. #sharingthebloglove
This Is a great list! Thanks for sharing with us at the Homestead Blog hop!
Thanks Ann! Happy Easter!
Great list! i like food as gifts for Christ’s resurrection for whatever reason. Homemade bread. Compound butters. Fruit. Jams. Nut mixes. Tea. Chocolate and candies are fine with me especially since we really only eat them around holidays anyway. Books are good too. Need, Read, Want, Wear at the very most. Less plastic and junk that will just end up in a landfill or the ocean…. stewardship of the planet ya know?
I agree:) Have a happy Easter!