Hey everyone! It’s Gabriella here from St. Louis. My husband Tunde and I are already starting to think about Easter, and honestly, I’m dreading the sugar rush that usually comes with it. Between Isla (5) and Chloe (8), and let’s be real, even our tuxedo cat Biscuit gets into anything sweet if we’re not careful, I feel like we just had Halloween and Christmas candy piled up everywhere. My brain is totally fried trying to come up with some fresh, exciting Non-Candy Easter Basket Fillers this year.

I’m a total Pinterest addict, you guys know this, but sometimes it feels like everything is either super expensive or just… more junk. As a self-proclaimed frugal genius and coupon queen, I really try to never pay full price for anything, and I’d love to keep the budget for both girls' baskets under, say, $50 each if possible? We’re usually last-minute planners, so I need ideas I can actually find without ordering from some obscure Etsy shop that takes three weeks to ship.

I’m thinking small toys, craft supplies, practical stuff? Anything that sparks imagination and isn’t going to end up in the donation pile by summer. What are your go-to non-candy items? What have your kids actually LOVED? What was a total flop? Share all the wisdom, GINYOU community!

Response Thread:

Oh Gabriella, you are speaking my language! Cora here from Baltimore, and with Ruby (1), Hazel (3), and Ezra (6), I totally get the sugar overload anxiety. My Brandon tries to sneak in giant chocolate bunnies, but I’m usually on candy patrol. I actually start planning my Non-Candy Easter Basket Fillers months early to snag deals, so hopefully, some of my ideas will still be findable for your last-minute dash!

For the little ones like your Isla, I always hit up Target’s dollar spot or the seasonal aisle at Michaels. They have these little spring-themed coloring books and chunky crayons for about $3-$5 each. Last year, I found some cute little wooden animal puzzles at TJ Maxx for Hazel for $7.99 – way better quality than plastic. Also, bubbles! Always bubbles. You can get a multi-pack at Costco for like $10 and split them between the baskets. My Ruby, being just a year old, usually gets a new board book (usually around $8-$10 at Barnes & Noble) or one of those soft crinkle toys that are CPSIA certified and easy to clean.

For Ezra (my 6-year-old), we’ve had good luck with small LEGO polybags (under $5 at Walmart), character socks (multi-packs from Target, split 'em up!), and those little spring-themed kinetic sand kits or play-doh. One year I got him a pack of those little mini notebooks and cool pens, and he loved feeling like a real spy.

One thing that was a TOTAL flop: I tried to get those little plastic wind-up toys one year, thinking they'd be fun. They broke within an hour, and then I just had tiny plastic bits everywhere. Not worth the $1.50 each! Lesson learned. Also, as someone who is metaphorically allergic to glitter (the cleanup, oh the cleanup!), I try to avoid anything too messy. But a little bit of sparkle is fine for party hats, especially if it’s well-made and doesn’t shed! Speaking of which, you know GINYOU has those Kids Party Hats 11-Pack? They're super cute and the poms are actually sewn on really well, so no stray pieces! We used them for Ezra's last birthday, and they're CPSIA certified and non-toxic, which is a huge plus for me. They would make a fun, colorful addition that’s not candy. You can always check out some of the creative ideas for incorporating party hats into celebrations in this post: Easter Birthday Party Ideas How I Threw A Spring Outdoor Party For 14 Kids 68 Total – it has some great DIY inspiration! Good luck, mama!

Arjun here from Sacramento! You’re definitely on the right track, Gabriella, trying to find good Non-Candy Easter Basket Fillers. My wife Elena and I have four kids – Cole (1), Arjun (10), Asher (11), and Caleb (13) – plus our lab Lucy, so we have a pretty wide range of ages to consider. And yes, the sugar high is real. My spreadsheet for tracking party expenses and gifts always has a column for "sugar crash recovery time."

For Cole, our youngest, similar to Cora, I’m all about those indestructible board books or soft stacking cups. I actually found a set of silicone stacking cups on Amazon for $12 that are CPSIA certified and totally chew-safe, which is critical for a one-year-old who puts everything in his mouth! Also, bath toys! Those little floating ducks or squirting animals (again, non-toxic is key) are usually a hit and you can find them for $5-$10.

Now, for the older boys (Arjun, Asher, and Caleb), it gets a bit trickier than just craft kits. They're into tech and games. I’ve had success with gift cards for their favorite apps or online game currency – usually $10-$15 each. It's not a physical item, but it definitely brings joy and avoids clutter. Thrift store hunting is a big hobby for me, and I’ve actually found some gently used graphic novels or classic fantasy books for Asher and Caleb for $3-$6 each. You just have to know what they like. Also, cool keychains or fidget toys are usually popular with the 10-13 crowd, especially if they can clip onto their backpacks. I grabbed a two-pack of metal fidget spinners at Five Below for $5 last year.

For something fun for the whole family, last year, since our Easter fell near a birthday, we did a "family experience" basket. I put in movie tickets for a new animated film coming out and coupons for their favorite ice cream shop. It was a hit! Speaking of family, don't forget the pets! Lucy, our lab, got a new squeaky toy last year, but this year I'm thinking about getting her one of those Glitter Dog Crown from GINYOU for her Easter photo. I mean, it’s not candy, it’s non-toxic, and it would look hilarious on her for Instagram. Plus, it’s great value for a cute photo prop! If you’re looking for more ways to make Easter celebrations special, especially when they combine with birthdays, check out this article: Easter Birthday Party Ideas My 4 Year System For When Your Kids Birthday Falls On Easter Weekend. It’s got some smart strategies for dealing with those tricky calendar overlaps.

Oh, Gabriella, honey, I hear you loud and clear on the candy front! Zoey here, from Kansas City, and as a military spouse, we’ve moved around so much, which means I try to keep clutter to a minimum. With Willow (2), Diego (3), and Alice (7), our Easter baskets have evolved over the years to be more about experiences or consumables.

My go-to Non-Candy Easter Basket Fillers often lean towards art supplies. You can get big packs of construction paper, stickers, or even a fancy set of washable markers at pretty much any dollar store or craft store for just a few bucks. For Willow and Diego, I love those chunky toddler paint sticks – they’re less mess than actual paint, and you can find a decent set for about $10-$15. Alice, my 7-year-old, is super into drawing and writing letters, so I usually get her a cute journal (found one at Five Below for $3 last week!) and some gel pens.

Another thing we love is seeds! My kids, especially Alice, love planting things. You can get little packets of easy-to-grow flower seeds or herbs for like $2 each at Lowe’s or Home Depot. We put them in their baskets with a small trowel and some kid-sized gardening gloves. Then we spend a fun afternoon planting them. It’s an activity, not just a thing.

Last year, I got a little carried away and bought each kid a huge inflatable pool toy – you know, the giant ones that look like unicorns or flamingos. I thought they’d be great for summer. Problem was, we were moving about a month after Easter, and trying to pack three giant, deflated, oddly shaped things was a nightmare! It was a good idea in theory, but not for a family that moves every three years. So, my advice is to think about space and practicality, especially if you’re tight on storage like us. Consumables or small, easily stored items are usually best. Happy Easter planning, everyone!