Looking for some good Christian-themed Easter basket items? Here are 35+ gift ideas for Easter baskets that celebrate Resurrection Sunday and point to Christ!
By Will Odom, Contributing Writer (and Erin’s hubby!)
I grew up with Easter baskets and the Easter bunny.
I don’t recall ever really believing that a giant bunny actually delivered baskets to our house, but my parents did fill a basket full of small toys and treats for my sister and me each year.
We had family Easter egg hunts, and some of my best memories with my cousins involve scrambling to find eggs and the queen’s nest (aka the “golden egg”). We still laugh and tell those stories when we are together.
However, more importantly, my parents always focused on the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ during this time.
At an early age I learned about Passover and the blood shed by the lamb. I learned that Christ was the fulfillment of that Passover lamb.
I know for some that the term “Easter” can be questionable, but whether you use the term Easter or Resurrection Sunday, it is a time for Christians to focus on the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.
Whether or not you fill a basket, there are some items that can help your child understand the Resurrection story. If you do fill a basket, then these may be some good suggestions to put inside that focus on the sacrifice of Christ.
Many of the items from our spiritual Christmas list could fit into a basket as well and foster spiritual growth, including DVDs, devotional books, music CDs, and Bibles. Erin also created a post last year on 7 Ideas for a Resurrection-Focused Easter Basket.
Books
There are several books that speak of the resurrection or other aspects of Easter. There are many others than those listed here, but these are some that our children have enjoyed.
- Bible Belles
- When God Made You
- When God Made Light
- Legend of the Easter Egg
- Beginner’s Bible: Come Celebrate Easter
- The Easter Story
- The Parable of the Lily
- The Tale of Three Trees
- God Gave Us Easter
- The Berenstain Bears and the Easter Story or The Real Easter Eggs
- The Easter Story
- The Legend of the Easter Robin
- One Spring Lamb
- A Royal Easter Story
DVDs
At times, seeing the stories animated can help children understand the stories. There are other DVDs in these series that may not deal with Easter, but they are excellent as well.
- A Very Veggie Easter
- An Easter Carol (Veggie Tales)
- Read and Share Bible DVD
- What’s in the Bible: Volume 10-Jesus is the Good News
- Life of Jesus and other Bible Stories
- Theo: God’s Love
- Superbook The Last Supper or He is Risen
Crafts
Hands-on activities and crafts are a great way to let your child discover the resurrection story.
- Watercolor Workbooks (Flowers and Animals)
- Simplified Watercolor for Kids class (Use code THH15 for 15% off)
- Magic Color Scratch Cross
- Foam Cross
- Necklace Kit
- Jesus Loves Me Stickers or Faith Stickers
Eggs
This carton of eggs tells the resurrection story from beginning to end. Kids love opening each egg to find the small token inside that connects to the story.
Treats
We try to stay away from candy as much as possible, but a few little treats are a welcome addition to any basket.
- Chocolate Lambs
- DIY chocolate lamb mold
- Plastic eggs (we fill with coordinating candy with the colors of the salvation bracelet.)
Also check out our post on 10 allergen-free treats for Easter!
Toys
If your kids are like ours, they don’t really need more toys. However, there are few things I would put in a basket to remind them of the purpose of Easter for us as Christians.
Miscellaneous
Although not technically spiritual, one of my favorites is the plantable seed shapes. My kids love planting these and watching them grow, and it is also a great way to talk about spring and rebirth and new life.
Of course there are many other items without a spiritual significance that would go in a basket as well: play-doh, art supplies, sidewalk chalk, small lego sets, bubbles, and the list could go on and on.
Need even more inspiration? Check out Erin’s friend Rebekah’s post on 10 Religious Easter Basket Ideas.
Does your family give Easter baskets? What are you putting in your child’s basket this year?
You can find more ideas with some of our previous gift guides HERE!
Claire
This is the first I’ve heard about “Easter” being a controversial term. Interesting.
Anyway, thank you for these idea. We do Easter baskets, but we don’t do the Easter bunny (or Santa, or the tooth fairy). I’m always on the lookout for ideas to focus on the true meaning of the holiday.
Will Odom
Claire,
I think for some that fact that Easter comes from a word not associated with Christianity is a problem. This site may give a little for information.
http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/history-of-easter
We do a little something, but my kids know that there is no bunny.
Heather @ My Overflowing Cup
Thanks so much for sharing these wonderful ideas. I think it is so important to keep the focus of this holiday where it should rightfully be.
We did the same thing when my boys were younger. I’m so glad to see you sharing the Good News!
Blessings to you and yours, Erin and Will.
Erin
Thank you, Heather! Such an encouraging comment!
Teressa
We have big family and our children love Easter. Jesus is alive rang out every Easter morning. Lol. We did do some sort of treat, no baskets and always an egg hunt. Which didn’t need candy. The competition on who found the most and then the boys hid for the girls and they’d cheer and laugh and do it all again was tons of fun. We always had a big dinner and dressed up for church. They are grown now, I do believe God got the glory.
Erin
It sounds like you made awesome memories, Teressa!! While hubby (who wrote this) grew up with Easter baskets and the bunny, I didn’t. I grew up with my mom taking us to the grocery store the day AFTER Easter to get all the Easter candy on clearance! LOL My fondest memories of Easter are of visiting my great-grandparents in Missouri and attending church with them.
Teressa
Memories are so vivid. I did buy easter candy the day after. Usually those hollow chocolate eggs and put them in the freezer for next year! Haha. Did it for Christmas too. Your mom was a smart one!
Erin
That’s awesome! It’s fun to see we weren’t the only family who did this!
Lisa @ This Pilgrim Life
I have great memories of Easter baskets when I was a child. The two things that stand out are the chocolate bunnies and the books we got every year. I like the idea of carrying on the tradition with our kids but still being able to focus on why we celebrate Easter. I’m pinning this list and sharing it for future reference. Thank you!
Will Odom
So glad you found it helpful!
Erin
Thanks for sharing your memories and for sharing, Lisa!