In our house, the Easter Bunny is a really cool Dude!  He doesn't just bring jelly beans and chocolate bunnies but also some great fun & educational items that the kids just LOVE! 

Really - they spend more time with these items than they do asking me if they can eat just one more jelly bean.

I'll let you in on a little secret - kids love almost anything that comes tucked into a fun-filled basket! 

So why not take the opportunity to include a few items that won't be played with once and tossed aside. 

Art & Creativity:

Spring is a great time to replenish the art cabinet!  And kids can learn so much by having fun art supplies on hand - coloring and using playdough enhances fine motor skills, paper crafts and art kits encourage creative thinking and having a variety of items increases the liklihood that your child will experiment with different art mediums.

 
Paint a design on this fun pinwheel -

Alex Paint Pinwheel Flower

Add in a seasonal coloring book with some of these cool crayons -

Crayon Rocks Eight Colors Spring Bag

Let the kids try their hand at origami -

Creativity for Kids Awesome Origami

Go retro and enjoy making shrinky dinks with the kids -

Alex Toys Shrinky Dinks Kit, Jewelry

More Crafty Items:

• Markers
• Colored pencils
• Playdough
• String art
• Stencils
• Paper dolls
• Ceramic eggs that can be painted

Science & Nature Fun:

Keep those kids thinking and experimenting by providing some fun ways to explore science.  Outdoor toys such as kites and planes let kids experiement with the laws of physics and learn more about the weather.  Mini science kits allow kids to test theories and learn science principles.

Explore electric circuits with the fun mini-set -

Snap Circuits Flying Saucer

Head out to test the wind strength -

Kite - Large Easy Flyer - Panda Bear (46" X 90") with 300 Ft 30lb Test Kite String and Winder

Explore gravity and the science of light with this fun Slinky -

3" Glow In Dark Coil Spring

Encourage them to explore the back yard -

Adventure Kids Bug Catcher Box Set

Toss in a few packets of flowers seeds with this fun gardening kit -

Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Tootle Turtle Tote Set

Additional Science Items:

• Magnets
• Test tube sets
• 'Grow your own' flower or herb set
• Binoculars
• Nature journal

Reading Ideas:

Of course, any holiday or occasion is a great time to give a book as a gift!  And the Easter Bunny loves to encourage kids to read too.  There are so many fun holiday-themed books and seasonal items that will fit nicely into those baskets.

Small books

Where Are Baby's Easter Eggs?: A Lift-the-Flap Book (Karen Katz Lift-the-Flap Books)

Duck & Goose, Here Comes the Easter Bunny!

Happy Easter, Mouse! (If You Give...)

Mad Libs

Easter Eggstravaganza Mad Libs

Quiz Cards - kids really love these!

Brain Quest: Preschool (Ages 4-5)

More Book Ideas:

• Puzzle books
• Joke books
• Activity books

Fun Ways to Improve Life Skills:

Why not give the kids a fun self-care item that you wouldn't normally buy them -- my kids often see these types of things while we're shopping.  A toothbrush with a favorite TV character is much more fun to use than a plain one, right?!  Here are a few ideas:

Match these with the blue bubblegum flavored toothpaste and the kids will WANT to brush off those jellybeans!

Dr Fresh Kids Strawberry Shortcake Suction Cup Toothbrush - 4/Pack

How about this adorable Bunny comb/brush set -

Skip Hop Hare Brush and Comb Set, White/Orange

Give the kids some extra shoe-tying practice -

Alex Toys Little Hands, One, Two, Tie My Shoe!

Try some Fun bath soaps or bath toys -

Toysmith Bath Time Crayon Tub Toy

Additional Items for Life Skills:

• Cooking apron/measuring cups with cookie mix
• Fun Stationary (for thank you notes)
• Fork, spoon, knife set
• Educational Placemats

Outdoor Play:

Include something that will encourage the kids to get outside and play.  I'm talking about a non-battery, no plug needed type of toy!  Many of these items encourage large motor skills, balance and coordination.  In addition, a new toy and some fresh air does wonders for creative thinking :)

Try some cool sidewalk chalk - we have this and it really does look 3D!

Crayola 3-D Chalk

Practice those jump rope skills -

Disney Minnie Mouse Bow-tique Deluxe Jump Rope with Shaped Handles

Do you remember Klip-Klops?  Now they're called -

Monster Feet

More Outdoor Fun:

• Gliders or Planes
• Punching balls
• Spinning ball on ankle
• Family games like bocce, badminton
• Sandbox or beach toys
• Bubbles

Learn about the World:

Remember, the Easter Bunny visits kids all around the world - so he might just leave a cool item that teaches the kids about another country or a fun toy that's popular with kids of a different culture.

Kids will enjoy these fun Easter nesting dolls -

5 pcs/ 5" Bunny Easter Nesting Dolls

Learn a fun game from another country -

Mancala For Kids

Egg-shaped maracas would be a big hit -

NINO Plastic Egg Shaker Assortment of 4 Pieces Blue, Green, Red & Yellow

Enjoy a fun game about the Wonders of the World -

Prof. Noggin's Wonders of the World

Older kids will appreciate the pun of this 'Easter' Island building set -

Ohio Art Nano Blocks Easter Island

What fun items will the Bunny leave in your baskets?

You might also like:

Vintage Easter Books for Kids                  Fun Ways to Use Plastic Eggs

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