58 Easter Basket Ideas We Love in 2026 | Reviews by Wirecutter
By Michael Green
FYI
We’ve added new picks for Easter 2026, including a and a .
March 2026
Easter is just around the corner, and retailers are offering tons of cheap chocolate, junky toys, and plastic grass — all of it angling for a spot in your kid’s basket.
Most of these gifts seem destined for a quick trip to the landfill. If you want to cut the crap but still have a magical holiday, we’ve rounded up some special children’s books, durable toys, engaging activities, and delicious candy. And we have some high-quality, reusable baskets and bags to present everything in.
Hoppy hunting!
A good egg
These heirloom-quality papier-mâché eggs work for indoor hunts, and they sweetly hold trinkets in a basket.
(price varies by size)
A friend gave my daughter a filled with a handful of tiny presents, and it immediately became a special storage container for some of her most beloved keepsakes. At the time, I assumed the papier-mâché-and-cardboard egg was an heirloom that my friend had found in the depths of some vintage store. But the company, Nestler, still makes these eggs (production peaked in the early 20th century), and they come in a variety of sizes and varying designs. The small ones are best for holding candy and for egg hunts, and they can be used year after year, as an alternative to plastic eggs. And the larger ones (like the one we received) make perfect gifts.
—Rachel Hurn
Seasonal Lego sets
After the Easter Bunny has come and gone, kids can reuse this set’s bricks to build a seal and a llama.
These Lego lotus flowers are easy to build, and they can double as Easter decor for years to come.
Lego’s three-in-one sets are some of . And the adorable kit is the perfect anchor for a fun-filled Easter basket. With three-in-one sets, kids can make different creations — in this case a bunny, a seal, and a llama — from the same batch of Lego bricks. (Though you’ll have to convince your kids to deconstruct the first masterpiece before they can start another one.) This set has 326 pieces and is rated for ages 8 and up, but Lego lovers who are a couple of years younger might also enjoy tackling it, with a little adult help. If the bunny and its brethren sell out, and are two other three-in-one sets with wide appeal.
Botanical Lego sets also make festive springtime builds. The set, also rated for ages 8 and up, can combine with other cut-flower sets — including the and sets we — to make custom bouquets. And the set is festive and eye-catching too. Its blooms are more cartoonish compared with those of other Lego botanical sets, however, and Lego fans with more experience may find this simple set less engaging.
—Kalee Thompson
Follow the leader
This durable pull-toy pal has a delightful personality, and it may just become a childhood keepsake.
When I had my first daughter, we were given a Plan Toys wooden pull-along . The bunny hops delightfully when dragged, and it has proved to be sturdy enough to pass down, perfectly intact. My toddler is thrilled when she looks back and sees that she’s successfully bringing it along for a hop. This toy will make the cut into my bin labeled “for the grandkids.”
—Rachel Hurn
Egg and chicken
Each tasty chocolate egg contains a white chocolate chick.
May be out of stock
Kids are sure to be amused when they crack open one of these milk chocolate and find a white chocolate chick inside. Fittingly, the half-dozen eggs come in a carton that’s similar to the ones at the grocery store. (You could also tuck the eggs into separate gift baskets, since each one is individually wrapped in foil.) During the winter holidays, this company’s seasonal treats are among our favorite . For Easter, See’s also offers sweet, gooey and a variety of and packaged in pastel hues.
—Kalee Thompson
Eggs you can play with
When you place these plastic eggs in their carton, they make a silly chirping sound.
May be out of stock
As a toddler, my daughter was obsessed with a version of (ours didn’t squeak). When she was between the ages of 1 and 3, we bought a lot of Tomy toys because they’re colorful and indestructible. And they remain in great shape, so they can eventually be donated or passed on to the next kid. The eggs, which are recommended for kids ages 6 months and older, were among our daughter’s favorites. And I love any toy that comes with its own storage case because it’s so much easier to keep track of all the pieces!
—Jackie Reeve
Sticky bun
This refillable tape dispenser is sure to charm crafty kids (and grownups too).
Those who’ve read our might already know that my older daughter is obsessed with tape, and this adds a bit of joy to her crafting projects. I love that it’s refillable: Just pop it open and click in another roll. Although it doesn’t fit a standard-size roll of clear tape, it works great with MT Washi Tape, which comes in hundreds of and . Washi tape is better for art projects anyway because it can be stuck and unstuck without leaving any residue.
—Rachel Hurn
Bunny crochet
With this beginner crochet kit, your tween or teen can create an adorable white bunny topped with an appropriately carrot-colored hat.
The Woobles kits are technically some of our favorite , but we think the would make a fun Easter project for an enterprising tween or teen. The kit is intended for beginners, and it comes with all of the necessary supplies, including a crochet hook and pre-started yarn. Instructional videos walk you through the steps, first to make the bunny and then a cute little hat.
—Ellen Lee
Lit lips
This darling lip gloss is a fun Easter-basket treat for teens and kids alike.
If you’re looking for smaller items to stash in your kid’s basket, a lip balm or gloss is always a delightful addition, and this one is shaped like a bunny. Tonymoly’s come in six scents and shades, from Juicy Peach to Strawberry. (And if kids look closely, they’ll see that some of the bunnies look a little happier than others.) I liked the tint and silkiness so much that I started borrowing this lip gloss from my elementary-schooler, who cares more about the cute little character than about what’s inside.
—Rachel Hurn
New PJs
These soft, well-made pajamas come in sweet Easter patterns, and the short-sleeved sets are perfect for warmer spring and summer nights.
These bamboo-derived pajamas are sleek and supple, and the festive print is perfect for Easter and springtime in general.
Hanna Andersson’s PJs rank among our . In the lead-up to spring, the company offers Easter-themed , with adorable prints like eggs and rabbits. These PJs are fun to bring out the night before the Easter Bunny’s visit (and they’re also wonderful to wear year-round). If you want matching PJs for the entire family, the collection is a real treat.
For a bamboo alternative that’s super stretchy, check out Little Sleepies PJs, which are also some of our favorite pajamas for kids. The brand makes PJs in a sweet for Easter as well as in a colorful , and there are options for the . I initially bought a pair of Little Sleepies PJs because my then-5-year-old daughter wanted some that were “purple, with rainbows and unicorns.” And after she put them on, I realized how silky and lightweight these pajamas are — they’re luxurious and not too hot.
—Rachel Hurn
A yummy yo-yo
Playing with a yo-yo can be calming and satisfying. And this charming little toy is a fine place to start.
This adorable could be a nice addition to a school-age kid’s Easter basket. It’s not intended for tricks or advanced moves, but the cute yo-yo travels pretty smoothly up and down the string. And my 10-year-old found it easy to use. (On the company’s site, there’s a simple on how to adjust the string for your kid’s height.) Mudpuppy is best known for its puzzles, and if you have a kitten-loving kid, you could pair this yo-yo with another feline-themed option. A couple of my favorites are the 100-piece and the 500-piece (likely a family project).
—Kalee Thompson
A springtime stuffie
This company’s stuffed animals are especially soft, and the popular bunny comes in an array of colors and sizes.
An Easter basket isn’t complete without a stuffed animal perched inside. , the maker of outrageously soft and endearing stuffies, is a staff favorite. And the company’s iconic is an ideal centerpiece for an Easter basket. This plush friend comes in many colors and six sizes (from a small version to one that’s nearly 4 feet tall). You can opt for a bunny in a or in an Easter-appropriate . Even babies can get in on the action, with a or a . Online stock goes in and out, but you can find a list of stores .
—Jackie Reeve
Spring cling
This sturdy claw clip adds a springtime vibe to pulled-back hair.
May be out of stock
From to , Jenny Lemons hair clips inject a touch of whimsy and playfulness, and the is especially appropriate for spring. It's made from a durable plastic (technically , which is marketed as a more environmentally friendly plastic, though that’s not entirely proven). My daughters and I found that it reliably holds hair in a pretty half-up-half-down look, but it did not quite contain a full updo with long, thick hair. The strawberry design also comes in pink or red in and also as a (without flowers).
—Ellen Lee
Another somebunny special
This soft hand puppet can hop between imaginative play and cuddly hugs.
This company’s tiny finger puppets nestle sweetly among other goodies in an Easter basket.
Folkmanis makes a wide array of puppets, but the cuddly hand puppet has been particularly beloved by a couple of Wirecutter kids. This bunny is exceptionally soft, with velvety ears and sweet little paws. And it’s just the right size for a small hand to help it hop around the house (all but the littlest kids should be able to slot one finger into each foot). Plus, it looks awful cute peeking out of an Easter basket.
A few Wirecutter families are partial to the company’s finger puppets. They’re wonderful for imaginative play, and they have ample stuffing, so they can double as standard stuffies for travel and for tiny hands. Easter-themed options include the 4-inch , the , and the .
—Kalee Thompson
Ear-resistibly cute
This weighted stuffed rabbit can be warmed or chilled, to provide relaxing hugs year-round.
Several Wirecutter kids and adults are big fans of Warmies’ weighted stuffed animals. And Sebastian Compagnucci, deputy director of search, said his 4-year-old loved both the and the . Each one weighs 2 pounds, so it provides a comforting snuggle. (If a 2-pound, 13-inch stuffed animal sounds too heavy, then perhaps a half-pound, 9-inch option from the line might appeal.) For extra soothing power, you can warm the stuffie in the microwave or cool it in the freezer (to use as an ice pack). Although we were initially wary of scented stuffed animals ( in their stuffing), we found the scent to be surprisingly pleasant, subtle, and long-lasting.
—Sarah Gannett
Retro bops
This wooden tape recorder is perfect for adults who want to give kids a taste of their own childhoods — but with a modern aesthetic.
A tape recorder hits the nostalgia button for parents, and it provides a wow factor for kids. This comes with a cute denim shoulder strap and a pretend cassette. When it arrived at our home, my 7-year-old daughter had a friend visiting, and they immediately ran into her bedroom, slammed the door, and started taping and replaying themselves singing songs, quoting silly phrases, and even making loudspeaker-like announcements. (Then they brought it to my desk and told me to press play. And the recording informed me when and where to attend their forthcoming theatrical skit.) Most recently, my daughter used it to record her favorite part of a Taylor Swift song (the recording time is about a minute), so she was able to play it on repeat at her leisure (which is something I did with the radio and Mariah Carey). I see this toy getting years of use.
—Rachel Hurn
Cats with attitude
This 20-page sticker book contains realistic renderings of cats, and each one is paired with a snarky one-liner.
If cats could talk, they’d probably say many of the things you’ll find in the pocket-sized : “Your allergic friend is my favorite.” “The world is my litter box.” “Don’t move. That red dot thing is back.” The realistic stickers include multiple cat breeds, from Siamese to Maine Coon, and we’ll let you decide whether they’ve been appropriately paired with their respective statements. Part of a series of sticker books by Brass Monkey (my teenage daughter was amused by the book), it’s best for tweens, teens, and adults who can appreciate silly and sometimes off-beat cat humor.
—Ellen Lee
Paint a bunny
Mix and match the six included paints to add color to this bunny-shaped stepping stone.
This hefty, 2.3-pound bunny comes with a brush and 12 paints, so your child can turn the gray stone into a colorful masterpiece.
Rabbits are adorable year-round, and with the and the , you can decorate one and enjoy it well beyond Easter. About an inch thick, the Creative Roots stone held up without cracking or fading too much over several days of spring rain. Meanwhile, the MindWare bunny is so heavy that we’ve used it as a darling decorative doorstop. Both have a mosaic pattern, providing a canvas for an easy and fun painting project: The tiles provided a blank space for my kids’ creativity, so they didn’t fret about coming up with the “perfect” design.
—Ellen Lee
All creatures great and small
These 2-inch animal figures are beautifully detailed and wonderful for encouraging imaginary play.
This bunny’s variegated coat, perky ears, and attentive eyes give it a lifelike feel.
A favorite in our guide to the , Schleich’s molded plastic figures are a nice change of pace amid Easter’s usual onslaught of pastel bunnies. With their hand-painted details and varied postures, these toys are remarkably naturalistic and expressive: The features a curious pup raising its paw, an inquisitive donkey tilting its head, and an adorable calf wobbling slightly off-kilter. Some classic Easter options include the caramel-colored , as well as a and a . There are also , and if your discerning kid cares about the distinctions between a and a Swiss , Schleich has got you covered.
—Sarah Gannett
DIY beaded bands
This set includes four make-your-own headbands, which give a crowning touch to kids’ hairstyles.
My daughter loves a little sparkle and glam, and these add some pizzazz to any outfit. The DIY kit includes four thin wire bands; four sets of beads in various sizes, shapes, and colors; and a tray on which to lay out the pattern. Kids can either follow the designs in the included booklet or mix and match the beads to come up with original creations. Early elementary-age crafters will likely need some help (the kit is rated for ages 6 to 10). After trying them myself, I was pleasantly surprised by how comfortable the bands were to wear. And my daughter’s headband came back intact after a full day at school.
—Amy Miller Kravetz
Crack a yolk
Lift the paper flaps to discover the punch lines in this illustrated, Easter-themed joke book.
This slim book should fit nicely in an Easter basket, and it includes plenty of clever jokes to provide hours of entertainment.
There are only so many egg-cellent puns about bunnies and chocolate. Yet the richly illustrated book manages to keep things lively with additional springtime jokes about vegetables, buckets, and insects. I love the bright, colorful illustrations, and the pictures help punctuate the jokes, so they’re even cuter and funnier.
If you’re seeking a larger compendium of jokes, consider the book by the same author. (Rob Elliott has written a whole series of books.) My family loves laughing along with this non-Easter-themed version, which we recommend in our guide to the . The book’s pun-heavy jokes are sharp enough for those attuned to dad humor, and we’ve spent many pleasant car rides analyzing what makes each joke work (or not).
—Marilyn Ong
Felted friends
Kids will love wearing this handmade necklace, which houses a sweet little bunny.
Designed and produced by a doll maker in Sonoma County, California, Fairyshadow’s handmade toys are a favorite of Waldorf teachers and parents. In the lead-up to Easter, the often sells out, but the shop’s include mice, caterpillars, and apple dolls. My daughter loved wearing this sweet item around her neck. And sometimes she’d pop the critter out and tuck it in a coat pocket, so she had a hidden trinket accompanying her to and from school. The necklaces are made with a cotton-blend velour and filled with locally produced wool. If you’d like to add a touch of personalization, several styles can be ordered in light-, medium-, and dark-skin options.
—Rachel Hurn
Clowning around
On Easter morning, older kids may enjoy contorting balloons into bunnies, and with this kit, they’ll learn a fun party skill.
The paperback-sized comes with a small pump and 40 oblong balloons that your kid can fill, twist, and shape into petite animal sculptures. The basic, step-by-step instructions on the box show you how to make six animals, including a rabbit, a bee, or a weiner dog. Schylling also sells a , which will take up a good deal of real estate in a typical Easter basket (arguably a good thing). The bigger box includes a similar pump to the one in the small kit, but its 80-page booklet gives much more detailed instructions and illustrates 10 projects. The balloons are also larger, which makes building a bit easier. But the larger kit includes only 20 balloons (you can always buy refills).
—Kalee Thompson
Easter-themed Mad Libs
The 21 fill-in-the-blank stories add an Easter twist to Mad Libs’ time-tested, laugh-inducing word games.
There’s just something about (the classic, fill-in-the-blank word game) that draws kids in. Even if participants start out rolling their eyes, in mere minutes they’re reduced to absolute giggle fits. That’s what happened when my daughter and I tested the book. She groaned when I asked her to help me try them out, but after two rounds she asked to fill out a third one. And she laughed so hard while reading the finished story back to me that she actually fell off her chair. The stories don’t have a religious tilt; they’re just silly, with titles like “History of the Jelly Bean,” “Rabbits Run Amok,” and “Easter Bunny and Santa Claus: BFFs Pt. 1 and Pt. 2.” It’s helpful if younger participants know the different parts of speech (noun, adjective) to help fill in the puzzles. Older kids would probably enjoy these, too, if they’re playing with a large group.
—Jackie Reeve
Hare accessories
These clip-style barrettes are festive and elegant, and they stay in place better than any others we’ve tried.
LuluLuvs is a Brooklyn-based company, and Lulu, its founder, makes all of the classic, Liberty London–inspired hair bows, clips, headbands, and scrunchies herself. (I also recommend her whimsical hair accessories in our gift guide.) These come in that are just right for spring. They add a touch of elegance to a kid’s holiday outfit, yet they’re still refreshingly practical (the fabric-lined hair clips have a non-slip gripper, so they stay put better than any others we’ve tried).
—Rachel Hurn
Charming clay
These adorable clay charms are fun to make, and they can be hardened into lasting trinkets.
The kit comes with nine blocks of brightly colored clay, and the step-by-step, picture-based instruction booklet details how to make more than 30 charms. My 6-year-old and 8-year-old were new to the clay-modeling process, but they were both able to do a lot of the steps themselves. (Some adult supervision is needed, since the creations need to be baked in a 250 °F oven for about 20 minutes.) Among our family’s favorites are the bunny, the s’mores, and the french fries. The kit contains a bracelet and charm loops, though I must say I found them difficult to attach. So you might prefer sliding the charms onto a necklace.
For a clay-making alternative that skips the oven, Wirecutter families are fans of . This includes designs for a rabbit, horse, and a pig, and it’s a cute option for Easter.
—Amy Miller Kravetz
Piece be with you
Solving this 60-piece puzzle is a satisfying way to unwind from egg hunts and sugar rushes.
Chocolate eggs last for only so long. For an out-of-the-basket Easter treat with staying power, we recommend a together time and again. I’ve been consistently impressed with for their durability and range of designs. They hold up to multiple rounds of assembling and disassembling (unlike some other puzzles we tested that bent and tore at the edges when separated). The designs go in and out of stock, and some of the popular ones sell out quickly (I scouted the puzzle on eBay for myself at one point because it was so hard to find). The 60-piece puzzle, recommended for ages 4 and up, is readily available; my family has owned it for two years, and it has held up.
—Jackie Reeve
Peace by peace
In this detailed floor puzzle, bunnies plant flowers, have a tea party with a squirrel, and read a book with a bird.
Mudpuppy’s is recommended for toddlers as young as 2, and even though it’s small, the charming scene packs a ton of action. The 25 crisply cut, uniquely shaped pieces are as delightful as the frolicking woodland creatures they depict. Like other , this one features bright colors and sturdy pieces, and the illustrations are full of conversation-starting details. Software engineer Justin Tucker said “the shaped pieces” were what “set this puzzle apart” for his daughters, ages 2 and 4. Both kids delighted in situating the puzzle’s six novelty pieces (cut in the shape of a bunny, the sun, and other critters) into the larger scene.
—Sarah Gannett
Gold coins from the US Mint’s state series
Be sure to remind recipients not to nibble on these gold coins, which display innovations and discoveries from different US states.
People often give chocolate coins at Easter, but swapping those for a few real gold pieces can add even more holiday magic to the basket. Senior staff writer Nancy Redd says she picks up one-dollar gold coins from the bank for her kids. I called a couple of my local banks, and they confirmed that they generally have some circulating gold coins available. But they also suggested grabbing these coins early because lots of like-minded folks clean them out for Easter. If your bank runs out, or you want a mint-condition coin, you can buy proofs straight from the United States Mint in collector’s packaging (for about $12 more than the coins’ $1 value as legal tender). A few years ago, I bought my daughter . We are originally from there, and it was one of the first coins released in the state and territory series. You can also buy larger sets of gold coins from the as well as from other .
—Jackie Reeve
Digging up dino
After kids unearth all of the chocolate eggs in their baskets, they can chisel away at these clay ones to discover a plastic dinosaur within each egg.
If you’re willing to stretch the Easter egg theme by about , MindWare’s introduce some paleontology into the pastel holiday. The excavation set includes 12 individually wrapped clay eggs and 12 chisel tools. These are great for doling out among multiple Easter baskets, or you could even include them in an egg hunt. Kids can soak the clay eggs in water for a few minutes before chiseling the softened clay to reveal plastic dinosaurs. An accompanying booklet explains more about each dinosaur. But, as Kelly Glass writes in our guide to the , “the digging is where it’s at.”
—Sarah Gannett
Hippity hoppity
This jump rope is lightweight, simple to adjust, and perfect for beginner jumpers. And with its pastel hues and wooden handles, the rope looks wonderful in an Easter basket.
With a colorful jump rope, your kid can literally skip into springtime. One of our favorite , the 8.2-foot, adjustable provides a fun reason to go outside and enjoy the warmer weather and longer daylight hours. Our kid testers said they liked that this jump rope was very lightweight (it has wooden handles and is made with bright woven cotton). They also liked that when the rope accidentally smacked a body part, it didn’t hurt. It comes in a two-pack.
—Sarah Gannett
Colorful chalk
This jumbo set includes 48 pieces of easy-to-grip, washable sidewalk chalk.
Depending on where you live, Easter is often accompanied by weather that’s perfect for making art outside with colored chalk. My family always has lying around the house somewhere. The pieces are big and square (great for small hands) and pointed like pencils (for more-precise drawing), and the colors are vibrant. And when your kids make a giant mess on the driveway, it all washes away with a spray of the hose or a rainstorm.
—Jackie Reeve
Soft and squishy
These cute miniature versions of the popular squishy stuffies can be clipped onto a backpack.
(pack of five)
(pack of one)
When we invited 100 kids to The New York Times offices to test , in summer 2026, these mini keychains were among the most coveted items. You can buy them individually, or you can get them in a pack of five to give to multiple children or to line a basket (they’re a bit larger and rounder than most eggs but still suitably sized for a basket). The company also makes an and a , both of which are especially adorable for the occasion.
—Ellen Lee
Facial expressions
With this kit, you and your kid can create freehand masterpieces or some of the many designs outlined in the accompanying booklet.
My daughter and I loved trying out the kit (which comes with six paint colors, 46 rhinestones, and a pot of glitter). I have extra-sensitive skin that’s easily irritated, and I let my daughter test the paint on my (clean, makeup-free) face. Happily, I had no reaction to the formulas, and my daughter was able to use me as a canvas. She drew freestyle and also followed the well-illustrated instructions in the included booklet to create ornate designs, complete with sticky rhinestone embellishments. Be warned that this kit comes with a pot of glitter, which could get messy. (Alternatively, if you want to lean into glitter, we recommend , which is subtle and not messy.) Also note that the longer you leave the paint on, the harder it is to get off: After 10 minutes, the paint rinses clean with just water, but after several hours, it takes two or three washes to eliminate all traces. To take body decor beyond the face, we like the crayon-esque for drawing designs.
—Jackie Reeve
A big bottle of bubbles
This bottle of bubbles (which includes a wand) makes big, bright, enchanting orbs.
(1 liter)
(2 liters)
I’ve never met a kid who doesn’t love bubbles, and provides a full liter of liquid and a seven-hole wand for tons of bubble fun. In Wirecutter’s , supervising editor Ingrid Skjong points out that this solution doesn’t stain most clothes. And it produces stable spheres, so kids can watch them float for longer. It fits best in a larger Easter basket.
—Jackie Reeve
Seasonal picture books
This picture book follows the single “good egg” in an otherwise-rowdy, hilariously misbehaving dozen.
When a child’s block tower topples over, a gentle rabbit friend listens as they process their disappointment.
If you want to avoid giving too much sugar or too many toys, there’s no reason the Easter Bunny can’t bring books. When I was an elementary-school librarian, my youngest students loved funny picture books with a seasonal connection, such as by Jory John and Pete Oswald. , by Cori Doerrfeld, is a sweet, quieter picture book, and it features a rabbit demonstrating the power of friendship and empathy.
—Jackie Reeve
Sweet reads
This classic collection features the lovable (if sometimes insufferable) Toad and his best friend, the level-headed, even-keeled Frog.
As this pastoral chapter book follows a band of kids on summertime adventures, it achieves a rare blend of tender charm and engrossing fun.
Gentle, timeless books make special gifts. The friendship between the irascible Toad and the implacable Frog has endeared the pair to generations of early readers. Recommended for ages 4 to 8, the collection contains all four of Arnold Lobel’s original, expressively illustrated Frog and Toad stories.
For middle-school readers, writer Sarah Gannett recommends , the first in Jeanne Birdsall’s five-book series (which is also available as a ). This Alcott-like novel is “somehow both gently idyllic and impossible to put down. And both middle-schoolers I’ve given it to have reread it several times,” Sarah said. Its pastel cover features silhouettes of bunnies and romping children, so it also makes a lovely Easter treat.
When I was a librarian, other crowd-pleasing titles included breezy chapter books, like (a favorite among first-, second-, and third-graders). And character-rich series, like and , were popular among my older students (fourth- and fifth-graders). For students in middle school and high school, a gift card to the local bookstore is also a safe bet.
—Jackie Reeve
Go-to goo
This stuff is a classic for a reason: Little hands love snapping, smushing, and bouncing the stretchy goo.
When I asked colleagues for Easter basket ideas, senior staff writer Rachel Cericola said, “Silly Putty. Never gets old!” The supersize weighs almost a quarter-pound, and it looks impressive in an Easter basket. And the reviews on Amazon are overwhelmingly enthusiastic. (You could also purchase a of smaller eggs to hide around the house or yard.) Senior editor Marilyn Ong also recommends . This silicone-based goo is similar to Silly Putty, but it comes in many more colors and interesting formulations, like options and the clear .
—Jackie Reeve
An easy card game
In this fast-paced card game, mischievous rodents and their feline foes keep families on their toes.
In this zany card game, the person who wakes the most queens wins.
On Easter, a card game that everyone in the family can play is a nice distraction between the morning sugar rush and the dinnertime feast. We’re big fans of and ; both card games have amusing illustrations and can be adapted to delight players of different ages. Our kids also love Uno, and we also recommend it as a . This keeps the cards collected for years to come. And you can also find many designs that your kids might love: There's a , and we’ve seen , , and editions, among several others.
—Jackie Reeve
A make-your-own-stuffies kit
With this craft kit, kids can create more than 20 adorable pom-pom critters, from Easter-friendly chicks to arctic walruses.
If you don’t feel like giving your kids another stuffed animal, let them make their own instead. We recommend the kit in our , and it includes everything kids need to craft a whole host of adorable, miniature poof-ball critters. (Instructions for 20 endearing designs are included, or kids can make up their own hybrids.) For a few steps, younger kids might need some help from a grownup, but they should be able to finish these creations on their own.
—Kalee Thompson
Festive, easy-to-spot Easter eggs
These colorful eggs are roomy enough to hold a variety of candy or small toys, and they’re durable enough to withstand multiple egg hunts.
May be out of stock
I bought assortment a few years ago, and the prints have filled my daughter’s Easter basket with personality ever since. They stand out just enough for a family egg hunt in the backyard. And anytime they’ve spent a night out in the damp Pacific Northwest, they’ve stayed sealed and dry inside. Since there are 72 eggs in a box, I have plenty left over to replace missing or broken pieces for years to come. We fill our eggs with coins and candy, but senior staff writer Lauren Dragan suggests tucking in Matchbox cars or clues to bigger gifts. And senior editor Erica Ogg likes filling the eggs with pom-poms for very young children. If you’re not convinced about the prints, Joyin also makes disco-tastic .
—Jackie Reeve
Wearable bunny ears
These fuzzy bunny ears are as well made as they are cute.
Few things are more adorable than kids in animal ears, and the rise above the rest. I’ve bought a lot of toys and holiday decorations from Pottery Barn Kids because the quality is high, the stuff lasts, and it’s all adorable. These ears come in white, pink, and light brown. And the headband is covered in faux fur for extra comfort; we bought my daughter a similar pair of bunny ears in 2026, and they stayed perky for years.
—Jackie Reeve
Recyclable paper grass
This paper grass comes in many vivid colors, and the bags are available in five sizes.
Like its cousin Christmas tinsel, old-school plastic Easter grass is an environmentally unfriendly mess that you can’t ever truly get rid of. Strands of the stuff seem to live on forever. It to local birds building their spring nests, and even though our family doesn’t use it, I’ve still found wayward strings outside my house. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) also warns that . Paper grass, such as , is a better option for local wildlife. And it comes in that will delight kids. I’ve even saved and reused it for birthday and Christmas gifts. (Be sure to check whether your local recycling center accepts shredded paper products; many do not.) You can buy this paper in 2-ounce, 4-ounce, half-pound, 1-pound, or 2-pound bags.
—Jackie Reeve
A timeless Easter basket, in two sizes
These woven Easter baskets have an elegant, traditional look.
(price varies by size)
For a classic Easter basket, we love the because it gives off big Beatrix Potter energy, and it comes in two roomy sizes, so you can fill it with a lot or a little. The larger basket (15 inches in diameter) can hold a big stuffie and plenty of treats. The smaller size (almost 12 inches in diameter) is great if you want something that’s easy for young kids to carry. Pottery Barn Kids also sells in various patterns, including ginghams, plaids, and florals. And it offers a similar in slightly different sizes.
—Jackie Reeve
A more-modest basket alternative
This adorable small tote is easy to carry, and it packs away nicely.
For families that are short on storage space, or for those seeking something low-key and less traditional, is a modest alternative to a basket. After all, what’s easier to store or pack than a tote bag? The design is cute and unfussy, and the bag is a fraction of the price of woven baskets (including our favorites from Pottery Barn). This canvas tote measures about 8 by 11 inches, so it should be big enough to hold a couple of smaller books, some candy, and a few other Easter goodies. We the , which comes in carrot and bunny prints and holds up to 50 pounds.
—Jackie Reeve
The best chocolate Easter eggs
The US version of a UK favorite, these milk chocolate eggs come in a mix of pastel hues.
(16-ounce)
May be out of stock
These malted chocolate eggs are coated in speckled yellow, blue, white, and pink candy.
Chocolate eggs are an Easter staple, and while there are many varieties, we have some tried-and-true favorites. My English husband grew up eating at Easter. They have a candy coating, so kids’ hands stay clean while they scarf down chocolate in their Sunday best. And when the tiny pastel eggs are sprinkled in a basket, they look classier than any brightly colored candy wrapper. The US version tastes a little different than the UK version, but these bite-size milk chocolates are still delicious.
For another candy-coated-egg option, my family did a taste test of versus . And we were split almost evenly between the two options: I preferred the Robin Eggs for that familiar Whoppers texture, but my husband thought the Malted Milk Eggs had less of an aftertaste. The Robin Eggs came out slightly ahead because they’re smaller and easier to eat (my daughter struggled with the gum-ball-sized Malted Milk Eggs). If you’re looking for individually wrapped candy eggs, you can’t go wrong with a gooey (which I’ve always loved) or a (a favorite among some of our colleagues).
—Jackie Reeve
Really good jelly beans
Compared with other jelly beans we’ve tested, these are brighter and tastier, and they come in a wider array of flavors.
These zany flavors can be truly gross — turning this figurative gag gift into a literal one.
(pack of six)
If Easter chocolates should come in understated, pastel packaging, then Easter jelly beans should be a riot of colors and flavors. deliver on both counts. A 1-pound bag packs 49 flavors, including Toasted Marshmallow, Chocolate Pudding, and A&W Root Beer. There’s also a , filled with Tangerine Jelly Belly beans. The beans in the pint-size are delicious (we’ve tested them!), and this package looks adorable in an Easter basket.
For Harry Potter fans — or for kids who just like being grossed out — Jelly Belly also makes , including flavors like Rotten Egg, Earthworm, and Earwax. Online reviews suggest this assortment may have more yucky flavors than good ones, but some folks have been known to mix in regular flavors to improve the odds of getting a winner.
—Jackie Reeve
These vegan gummy candies are bigger than regular jelly beans, and they come in yummy fruit flavors.
For a vegan Easter basket option, we tried Jelly Belly’s Assorted Gummies. Despite how they look on the bag, they aren’t classic jelly beans; they’re actually larger-size gummy candies. And they are yummy, with fruit flavors like Apple, Orange, and Cherry. As my husband noted, “I wouldn’t know they were vegan.”
—Jackie Reeve
This article was edited by Sarah Gannett, Amy Miller Kravetz, and Kalee Thompson.
Meet your guides
Jackie Reeve
What I Cover
I’ve been Wirecutter’s bedding reporter for nearly a decade. In addition, I cover other home textiles, including towels and rugs. Sometimes I also write about chickens.
Wirecutter Staff
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Further reading
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A step-by-step guide full of clever tricks and hacks to get perfectly dyed, vibrantly colored Easter eggs every single time.
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Once used as decoys to teach chickens where to lay, fake eggs are now a must-add to your Easter craft arsenal—especially if you don’t want to shell out for the real deal.
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