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Do you want Easter basket ideas for kids that won’t add more plastic to the landfill? We’ve got over 50 ideas for zero-waste, creative and practical gifts. Includes homemade, budget-friendly, and organic items. This is an Easter basket you can feel good about giving to your children
I know the feeling. You’re trying to cut down on plastic, but you really want to create a fabulous Easter basket for your kids. You look at what’s available in the stores but can’t quite bring yourself to buy more cheap plastic novelty toys and Easter candy with a ton of packaging.
Wouldn’t it be great to create an awesome Easter basket with NO waste!? I know the stores are filled Easter stuff that is anything but waste free. So, you may wonder if it is possible to find sustainable gifts that you kids will love?
You bet it is! I did it for years and I have some excellent tips to help you do just that. It’s going to take some creativity. It may mean changing the way you find the stuff to fill it, but your kids are worth it. and you can feel good about ditching the waste. Are you ready to begin?
FIRST OFF- LET’S SET OUT THE GUIDELINES
Let’s jump right in and set out some simple guidelines to help you keep waste to a minimum this Easter. I’m sure these are things you already do, but it is worth reminding ourselves before we buy anything.
Our goal is to reduce waste, and do something more sustainable, right?
We will do this by
- Reusing what we can (this means “shopping our house” or finding things second hand.)
- Recycle or upcycle wherever possible.
- When we buy something, choose eco-friendly products with as little waste as possible.
FIND A BASKET
First of we are going to need a basket. What do you have in your house that you could use?
- A toy pail
- Used gift basket
- Toy container
- A small book bag
Can you upcycle something to make a basket? I love this list of Upcycled DIY Easter Baskets at Rhythms of Play
Thrift stores are a good source of baskets. Brighten them up with soap and water and add some paint if needed.
If you need to buy something, try to find a basket/bag that can be reused year after year. Here are some options.
ZERO WASTE EASTER GRASS
Easter grass is not necessary, but I’ll admit it looks great lining the basket. Here are some waste free options. The play silks come in all colors and can be used as a toy once Easter is finished.
The other thing that is fun to do is to grow your own grass. It is great project to do with kids. You can find instructions here.
EASTER EGGS
This is where it gets tricky. You can always reuse refillable plastic eggs that you have at home. If you are looking for something new try eggs made from plant-based plastic, decorated tin eggs or wooden ones. All of these can be used year after year.
EGG DECORATING
My boys always love decorating eggs and some of those eggs ended up in their Easter baskets. We tended to use natural dyes whenever possible. This video shows you how to make beautiful eggs using onion skins. (You can also try red cabbage leaves. It turns the eggs blue.)
EASTER CANDY
The bulk food store is your best bet. Candy can be presented in small cloth bags, in wooden eggs, or fill up small mason jars. I love this Mason Jar Easter Basket from Hello little Home. Here are some more ideas from Pinterest
SKIP THE EASTER EGGS
I discovered very early on that my boys didn’t care what form their chocolate came in. They didn’t get upset at the lack of eggs and were just as happy with their favorite chocolate bar. Most Easter eggs come with loads of packaging and very little chocolate. The everyday chocolate bars taste just as good, have far less waste, and are about a third of the price.
You could also try your hand at making sweet treats. Hello Jello and Nutella Cream Eggs!
NON-CANDY EASTER BASKET IDEAS
It is nice to put some non-candy gifts into our basket. How can we do this in a sustainable way? First let’s shop the house
- Has your child been given a gift for Christmas they didn’t get around to using? Can it be put in the basket?
- Do your older kids have gently used Easter basket gifts they don’t use? Ask for permission to use them for a younger sibling.
- Gather random art and craft supplies and use them to make mini art kits.
SIMPLE HOMEMADE GIFTS
You can also make some small gifts if you have time. I love these pocket felt rabbits. You could also mix up a batch of
Garden Gifts: One of the themes of Easter is new life and renewal, so seeds to plant are perfect. Planting a garden is a great family activity, so it is a gift that keeps giving. Here’s some ideas
Soft toys: My boys could never get enough small soft toys. I have mixed feelings. On the one hand they are very cute, but they aren’t always environmentally friendly. If you have Easter plush toys from previous years, why not re-use them? If not here are some made from organic materials.
GIFTS TO STIMULATE THE IMAGINATION
Creative Toys: Anything that encourages creativity is always welcome and provides the perfect indoor activity for rainy spring days. Here are some eco-friendly ideas.
Books: Books will always be on my list. Though I really cut down on the number of toys, books were something we never skimped on. I wanted my boys to have access to plenty of good books.
YOUR TURN
Do you plan to make an eco-friendly Easter basket this year? What kinds of things will you put in it?
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