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1-Year-Old Easter Basket Ideas: Creative Ways to Make Easter Special!

  • Writer: Stacey Lee
    Stacey Lee
  • Apr 4
  • 8 min read

Easter is a wonderful time for families to come together and create lasting memories, especially for little ones just stepping into the magic of the season.


As you prepare to fill their Easter baskets, it’s essential to focus not just on quantity, but on quality—selecting items that are safe, durable, and truly engaging for 1-year-olds and their older siblings.


This year, let’s shift our focus from excessive sugary treats and random toys to thoughtful choices that inspire joy and creativity. Discover sturdy outdoor play items that encourage exploration and healthier snacks that satisfy sweet cravings.


We’ll guide you in crafting the perfect Easter baskets, plus share delightful traditions and simple recipes to make your Easter Sunday a memorable celebration for your family. Join us in making this Easter special with meaningful gifts, engaging activities, and delicious treats!

Smiling child with a pink flower in hair. Pastel eggs and a bunny in a pink basket. Text: Creative & Quality Easter Basket Ideas for 1 Year Olds.

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Celebrating Easter: A Blend of Joy, Tradition, and Meaning


As a Christian household, we strive to maintain a balanced approach to Easter, focusing less on the Easter Bunny and more on the significance of the holiday. However, I hold cherished memories from my own childhood that I’d love for my children to experience as well.


We aim to bring a sense of magic to the celebration, all while ensuring that the true meaning of Easter—his resurrection and the hope it brings—remains at the forefront of our family traditions.


More Than Just Treats: The Benefits of Choosing Quality Gifts With 1-Year-Old Easter Basket Ideas


If you’ve read my blogs, you know that I embrace a minimalist approach to parenting. I’m not a fan of the influx of low-quality toys, like the trinkets that come with kids meals, which tend to clutter our home and quickly lose their charm.


Instead of purchasing pre-filled eggs stuffed with random stickers, toys, and candy loaded with artificial flavors, I prefer to curate quality Easter baskets.


By focusing on meaningful items, I can create a delightful and lasting experience for my children while minimizing clutter.

Easter theme poster; basket with eggs, kids holding toy-filled baskets, a child playing with bubbles, chalk drawings. Text: Easter Basket Outside toys.

What’s Inside Your Easter Basket? Quality Toys and Treats Worth Celebrating!


When thinking of Easter basket ideas, my primary goal is to select toys that encourage outdoor play as the weather begins to warm up. I believe in choosing items that will inspire my kids to get outside and explore, fostering their love for nature and active play during this special season.


Second, I like to include a few smaller items that continue to prioritize outdoor play. This could be new sidewalk chalk, bubbles, or even a vibrant kite ready to take to the skies.


And finally, when it comes to choosing treats, I prioritize options made with clean ingredients. While I do include a few small surprises, like my child's favorite candy such as Reese's Eggs, the rest of the treats focus on healthier alternatives.


I prefer not to overload on sugary snacks, as we also plan to bake some delicious goodies that will satisfy those sweet cravings. This way, we strike a balance between enjoyable treats and wholesome choices in our Easter celebration.


Easter Joy for Little Ones: Creating the Perfect Basket for Your 1-Year-Old


This Easter basket ideas vision board serves as a guide to help select the best options for your family celebration. While I won’t be purchasing all of these items, they represent the thoughtful choices that we either already own, or that I’m considering this year.

Easter basket ideas image with toys, snacks, a doll, a blanket, and bunny-themed items. Pink and pastel colors dominate the design.

  • Bunny Easter Basket -  a charming woven baby Easter gift that adds a special touch to your child's celebration! This delightful basket features a sturdy handle and a delightful pink and white design. Ideal for holding colorful eggs and treats, this empty bunny basket can be personalized for an extra special touch, creating a memorable keepsake for years to come.


  • Picnic Blanket - a charming addition to your toddler's collection! This delightful blanket features an adorable design with playful llamas and cacti in soft white and blush hues. We personally own one and absolutely love how soft and cozy it is! It’s perfect for picnic days outside, providing comfort during family outings, and ideal for snuggling up during toddler cuddle time at home.


  • Outdoor Baby Swing - This is our top pick for this year’s Easter gift for the baby!

    the perfect blend of fun and safety for your little one! Designed for use both indoors and outdoors, this swing features a secure 3-point harness to keep your baby snug and safe while they enjoy swinging playtime. Made from durable materials, it’s easy to set up and provides a comfortable space for your child to relax and play. Whether you’re in the backyard or inside the house, this swing encourages active play and helps develop motor skills.


  • Hopscotch Lane Floppy Bunny Harley – the perfect companion for your little one! This adorable doll is loved for its cuddly and floppy design, making it easy for tiny hands to hold and snuggle. I wanted to mention this doll because my little one absolutely adores Harley! This soft-bodied doll has been a top favorite in our home and makes an ideal addition to any Easter basket. These dolls can be purchased at Walmart.


  • Carrot Harvest Game- I adore Montessori-style toys, and this Macron Carrot Harvest Game is a beautifully crafted wooden toy that promotes hands-on learning and imaginative play. Designed with vibrant colors and engaging shapes, it encourages toddlers to explore, refine their motor skills, and discover the joy of harvesting carrots!


  • Spill Proof Sippy Cup - perfect for toddlers on the go! I love getting new water bottles for the kids at least once a year, and Easter is the perfect time to refresh their collection as we gear up for outdoor adventures. The adorable air balloon design adds a touch of fun, and these cups fit perfectly in their Easter baskets. Keep your little ones hydrated and excited for spring with this practical and stylish sippy cup!


  • Honest Juice Pouches – a refreshing blend of delicious berries crafted to delight your taste buds! Made from high-quality, organic fruit, this juice is packed with the sweet flavors of strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries, providing a tasty and nutritious option for kids and adults alike.


  • Pumpkin Tree's Peter Rabbit Organics – a delightful blend of wholesome goodness designed for little ones! Filled with the delicious flavors of ripe strawberries and creamy bananas, this organic puree is a tasty and nutritious choice for babies and toddlers. Made from high-quality, all-natural ingredients with no added sugars or preservatives, it's perfect for introducing your child to the joys of healthy eating.


  • Yoggies - yogurt covered berries- a delightful and nutritious snack made just for your little ones! These creamy yogurt bites are bursting with the refreshing flavors of real fruit, making them a treat kids absolutely love. Crafted from wholesome ingredients with no artificial additives, Nature’s Garden Yoggies offer a healthy option that parents can trust.


  • Yogis - freeze dried yogurt - These freeze-dried yogurt and fruit snacks combine the creamy goodness of Greek yogurt with the sweetness of strawberries, creating a tasty treat that babies will adore. Gluten-free and made with wholesome ingredients, these snacks are perfect for little hands to explore while providing essential nutrients.


Easter Excitement for Big Kids: Crafting the Ultimate Basket for Older Siblings!


For my older boys, I also plan to include an outdoor toy or item that encourages active play. Since they are close in age, I want to inspire them to play together, so I’m considering options like baseball Velcro gloves for a fun game of catch. Other playful ideas include:


  • Soccer ball and goals

  • Bubbles

  • Sidewalk Chalk

  • Card Games

  • Yogurt Covered Pretzles

  • Honest Juice Pouch

  • Jelly Beans - Yum Earth

  • Water Bottle

  • Favorite Candy such as Reece's Eggs or Gummy Nerds


Easter basket ideas; includes key lime pretzels, crayons, games, a bubble kit, carrot art, a soccer ball, and bunny-ear baskets.

One exciting find is the giant bubble wands. Last year at a pumpkin patch we enjoyed an unforgettable hour of fun with these bubble wands and solution in a giant paint bucket. It was a hit with the boys, so I’ve decided to add some to their Easter baskets.



Girl making large bubble outdoors with easy-grip wands, surrounded by trees. Text: Super easy to use, Just Add Water!

Discover the Art of Eco-Friendly Easter: Vibrant Dyes Made from Everyday Natural Ingredients


The traditions begin the night before Easter, when we gather to dye eggs with the children. This is a cherished activity for us, as we love using the decorated eggs to hide during our family Easter Egg Hunt.


In previous years, we’ve opted for dye kits, but this year we’re excited to try a dye-free approach. We’ll be exploring ways to color our eggs using natural ingredients, creating a fun and eco-friendly twist on this beloved tradition.

Colorful Easter eggs in pastel shades sit in a carton, labeled "Dye-Free Easter Eggs" with a cheerful, natural vibe.

How to Dye Eggs with a Natural Approach


  1. Gather Your Ingredients: Some great options for natural dyes include:

    • Red cabbage for blue shades

    • Turmeric for vibrant yellow

    • Beets for a beautiful pink

    • Paprika for orange

    • Spinach for green


  2. Prepare the Dye:

    • For each dye, chop the fruits or vegetables or use powdered spices, then boil them in water.

    • Use about 1 cup of chopped produce or 1 tablespoon of spice for every 2 cups of water.

    • Let it simmer for about 30 minutes, then strain the liquid to remove the solids.


  3. Add Vinegar: For each cup of dye, add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar. This helps the color adhere to the eggs.


  4. Dye the Eggs:

    • Hard-boil the eggs and let them cool.

    • Submerge the eggs in the dye and let them sit for at least 30 minutes for deeper colors. For more intense results, leave the eggs in the dye overnight in the refrigerator.


  5. Dry and Display: Once your eggs reach the desired color, remove them from the dye and let them dry on a cooling rack or paper towels. Decorate them further with stickers or natural patterns if desired!


This natural method not only creates beautiful, unique colors but also provides a wonderful opportunity to teach the kids about nature and creativity during our Easter celebration.


Along with coloring Easter eggs, we enjoy using these colorful, reusable cartons to store our vibrant eggs. They make it fun for the kids to showcase their creations and easily transport them to the egg hunt. You can check them out on Amazon through my affiliate link!



Pastel-colored eggs in an open blue carton and a closed green carton on a wooden table. Two eggs lie outside the cartons.

Final Thoughts


As we embrace the spirit of Easter, let’s remember that the true essence of the holiday lies in the moments we share with our loved ones. By opting for thoughtful gifts and engaging experiences, we create not just Easter baskets, but a foundation for lasting memories that our children will cherish for years to come.


Encouraging creativity, exploration, and family bonding through meaningful activities can transform this festive occasion into a beautiful celebration of love and togetherness. Let’s make this Easter a time to embrace joy, foster connections, and enjoy the simple pleasures of life—whether it’s through laughter during an egg hunt, the sweetness of homemade treats, or the delight in watching our little ones discover the wonders of the season.


We'd love to hear from you! What special items do you like to include in your Easter baskets for your kids? Share your ideas with us and inspire others!


Also, don’t forget to subscribe for free access to our online resource section, where you’ll find delightful printables and easy recipes to help make your Easter celebration even more special. Wishing you and your family a joyful and memorable Easter filled with love, laughter, and lasting moments!








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