Hey everyone! Savannah here from Portland. Hope you’re all doing well. With Easter right around the corner, I’m deep in party planning mode for my daycare kiddos and of course, for my own little Lily, who’s 5 now and absolutely obsessed with bunnies. Her tuxedo cat, Waffles, is usually less enthusiastic about my crafting, but he tolerates it.

This year, I’m really trying to stick to a tight budget, especially with everything being so expensive. My goal is to create the Best Easter Baskets Under $10 for each of the five kids in my daycare group, plus one for Lily. That’s six baskets, and I really want them to feel special without breaking the bank. I pride myself on being pretty crafty and reusing old decorations, so I started digging through my stash from last year. I found some cute pastel ribbons and a few small plastic eggs that totally still work.

My first stop was the Target Dollar Spot. Seriously, that place is a goldmine if you hit it early! I managed to snag some mini coloring books for $1 each, little packs of crayons for another $1, and some plastic toy shovels and pails, two for $3. I also found these adorable little foam animal stickers, a pack of 10 for $1.50. So far, so good. For the actual baskets, I found some really simple wicker ones at a local craft store for $2 each when they had a 50% off sale. Not bad, right? I already had plenty of green paper shred from another project, so that saved me a few bucks on filler.

The candy part is always tricky. I usually buy a big bag of assorted mini chocolates and lollipops. This year, I found a huge bag of mixed candy at Costco for $12, which divided among six baskets works out to about $2 per basket. That’s pretty good, and it means each kid gets a decent little haul without going overboard. I also got some bubble wands, a pack of 8 for $5 at Dollar Tree. Each kid gets one, so that’s less than a dollar per wand.

I’m feeling pretty good about hitting my "under $10" goal, but I did have one little mishap last week. I thought I was so clever, buying these cute little chocolate bunnies early when they were on sale. Well, I left the bag in the car for "just a minute" while I ran into the house with Lily, and the Oregon sun decided to make an appearance. Result? Six very sad, very melted chocolate puddles. Lesson learned: always bring the chocolate in FIRST! I ended up having to buy new ones, which almost pushed me over budget on a couple of baskets. Live and learn, right?

I’m also trying to get creative with some non-candy fillers. I’ve been looking at ideas for party favors that double as basket stuffers, kinda like how I brainstormed for Lily’s Curious George Party Under 50 last year. Any other crafty daycare owners or parents out there got tips for finding the Best Easter Baskets Under $10? What are your go-to budget-friendly items or places to shop?

Responses:

Hey Savannah! Carter here from Columbus. Youth leader at my church, so I’m always looking at cost-effective ways to do things for our group of three – Ethan (7), Noah (11), and Alice (12), plus a few other kids who come regularly. I usually make a spreadsheet for everything, from snack rotations to party supplies, because if I don’t plan it out, it just gets chaotic. It’s definitely a different ballgame making a few baskets versus doing a big group. My approach to the Best Easter Baskets Under $10 usually involves a lot of online research and comparing unit prices. I try to find things that are fun but also practical, or at least last longer than five minutes.

I found that buying in bulk for some items, even small ones, saves a ton. For example, last year, I found a 24-pack of mini slinkies on Amazon for about $8. That works out to less than 35 cents each! Great for spreading across a bunch of baskets. I also hit up discount stores like Big Lots or Ollie’s Bargain Outlet. They often have seasonal items, like small puzzles or sticker books, for really cheap. You just have to dig a bit. I’m always comparing different options, looking at reviews to make sure stuff isn’t going to fall apart instantly. Nobody wants a disappointed kid, even if it was cheap.

One thing I’ve started doing for our church’s annual Easter egg hunt, which ties into the basket idea, is using small toys instead of just candy for some of the eggs. It makes the hunt more exciting for the older kids, too. I actually picked up a couple of packs of these GINYOU Party Blowers 12-Pack for prizes last year. They were a huge hit, honestly. The kids loved them, and they’re really durable. Plus, knowing they’re CPSIA safety certified and made with non-toxic materials is a big plus for me when I’m getting stuff for the younger ones. Great value for what you get, and a fun little addition that isn't just sugar. We also sometimes look for themed party items, kinda like when I was planning our superhero day, I checked out ideas for Best Party Decorations For Transformers Party for inspiration on what kind of little trinkets to include. It helps keep the kids engaged beyond the initial sugar rush.

I usually save a bit by making sure each basket has a nice mix. A main item, a few smaller toys, some candy, and maybe a practical thing like a themed eraser or a pencil. It really helps make it feel full without being overloaded with expensive stuff.

Hey Savannah and Carter! Yuki here, currently in Sacramento, CA, but who knows for how long! Being a military spouse means I’m a pro at moving, and an even bigger pro at finding a deal, because let’s be real, every dollar counts. Especially now with our little Liam just turning one, I’m all about being a frugal genius. "Never pays full price" is my motto, for sure. For the Best Easter Baskets Under $10, I feel like I've earned my stripes.

My strategy starts super early. Like, I’m talking about hitting up the clearance aisles right after holiday seasons. I’ve found Christmas-themed craft kits for 75% off in January that can be easily repurposed for Easter. Just swap out a red ribbon for a pastel one, and boom, instant Easter craft. I also collect coupons like it’s my job. I’m always checking those Sunday papers and the store apps. You’d be surprised what you can find for candy and small toys if you stack a coupon with a sale. Aldi and Dollar Tree are my absolute best friends for basket fillers. I’m talking character socks for $1, small board books for $1.25, and those little foam gliders that keep kids entertained for at least ten minutes, all for less than a dollar.

For Liam’s first Easter last year, I really focused on non-candy items, mostly because he couldn’t really have candy anyway. I bought a pack of those chunky crayons for toddlers and a small paper pad, both from Dollar Tree. Also found a little rubber ducky and a soft stacking cup toy for just a couple of bucks each. His basket came out to about $7, and he loved pulling everything out. My husband Julian thought I was crazy couponing for a baby, but hey, it’s about the principle!

I’m also a big fan of Costco, not just for the bulk paper towels, but for those seasonal multi-packs of toys or books that can be broken up. You get better quality for the price than you would buying individual cheap items elsewhere. And if I don’t use everything for Easter, it goes into my "backup plan" drawer for birthday party favors or rainy day activities. You always need a backup plan, especially with a little one! So yeah, my trick is early bird shopping, coupon stacking, and hitting up the discount stores for those hidden gems. No need to spend a fortune to make a kid's holiday special.