I used to not care how much candy my boys received for a holiday or special occasion. That was when they 
were babies. I realize now that I probably didn’t care because they didn’t eat much candy, never asked for candy, and they didn’t receive that much candy.
Oh, what a difference a few years can make! Now I feel like a year can be a never-ending parade of candy. It starts at Halloween. At Christmas, they’re receiving more, even though they still have Halloween candy. Then it’s Valentine’s Day, class treats for school testing and then Easter. Throw in a few fundraisers and birthday parties, and my kids are basically given candy from September through May. It’s crazy!
So now, yes, I look for non-candy treats for Easter baskets and other occasions.
But it’s also not so easy to find non-candy items for kids who are 10 and 12 either.
Easter Basket Ideas for Older Kids
- Gift Cards: Gift cards are always a great idea. They don’t have to be a high value.
- Coloring Books: You can find coloring books for all age levels and abilities. And for an older child or teenagers, you can find nice markers, colored pencils or pastels.
- Cash: Stop at the bank and get some clean bills or a roll of clean coins. My boys love receiving coins in their eggs from my dad. It’s a tradition. And, when the holiday fun is over, we work on learning how to manage money.
- Coupon Book: You know how kids often make coupon books to give to us for holidays? How about doing it in reverse? My 10-year-old loves getting Homework Passes from his teacher. I think he’d equally enjoy a Chore Pass or something like that. You can also make it for some 1:1 time with one child or an experience like a park or other outing.
- Sports/Activities: If your child plays a sport or has a hobby, there is likely some piece of equipment or novelty item you can find related to that activity. It could be a fishing lure, a new baseball glove or a piano book. Surely you can find something!
- Accessories: Fancy socks or a hat that they’ve had their eye on will likely be a big hit! And this idea is appropriate for both boys and girls.
- Ask: If you want it to be a surprise, you don’t have to ask. Maybe just listening will give you some clues. But what is an item that your child has mentioned recently that they are interested in?
Lisa Lightner is a Chester County, PA mom of two. This post is adapted from the blog A Day in Our Shoes, which she co-authors. It provides support, resources and advocacy services for parents of children with special needs.
