Spring has sprung, the birds are singing, and the leaves are unfurling. Easter’s around the corner, and as a parent, that means it’s time to start thinking about Easter baskets.
The Easter Bunny has traditionally brought candy - and lots of it. But, while cream-filled eggs and chocolate rabbits are delightfully delicious (we’ve got absolutely nothing against them), the sheer quantity of sugar your kids receive surrounding spring break and the Easter holidays can feel overwhelming - and downright unhealthy.
If you’re looking to reduce the amount of candy in your children’s Easter baskets this year and redefine the flavor of the holiday in your household, you’re not alone. Many parents are looking for creative ways to keep the joy of the Easter Bunny tradition alive while also shifting the focus to quality gifts that will last longer than a sugar rush.
At Refresh Sports, this trend excites us. We’re all about screen-free fun that promotes outdoor play and family connection - especially on special occasions - and we’re glad to be able to play a part in your family’s journey toward a new type of Easter experience. In this post, we’ve shared some outdoor-themed, non-candy Easter basket ideas to help get you started in creating a new Easter reality where sugar isn’t necessarily the star of the show.
Outdoor-Themed Non-Candy Easter Basket Ideas
Outdoor play has countless benefits for children of all ages - including improvements in physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development. It’s the perfect alternative - or complement - to sugary Easter treats that hype kids up and get them bouncing off the walls.
Getting outdoors with the family can be rewarding in any season - but for many people, springtime holds special promise and allure. As the days lengthen and the weather improves around Easter time, it’s easier than ever to embrace getting moving in the fresh air!
Free play is always encouraged, but a few well-selected outdoor toys can also go a long way in promoting fun, engaging experiences in the yard, at the beach, at the park, or on the trail. Take some inspiration for this year’s Easter baskets from the screen-free, backyard-approved ideas below:
Fun In The Sun: Pool Toys
With summer weather fast approaching, pool-friendly toys can be a great addition to any Easter basket. No backyard pool? No problem. These water toys can also boost the fun in kiddie pools, wading pools, community pools, and more:
Colorful Pool Toys For Splash Time
Diving. Splashing. Building foundational swimming skills. All of these are possibilities with versatile pool toys like our Aqua Dive Ball, which can be passed and dribbled underwater, or our GlideRay Underwater Glider, an innovative, self-propelled toy that zooms further the deeper you take it.
For smaller kiddie pool setups, try our Aqua Flyer Water Splash Discs. Simply dunk them and throw them for endless hours of splash-tastic water play that will have the whole family coming back for more!
Compact Gifts That Travel Well (Pool-Friendly)
Looking for compact, pool-friendly toys that travel well and can easily fit in an Easter basket? Reinvent stone skipping with our Soft Stone Skippers - a set of four lightweight, kid-safe toys that never sink and come in a convenient mesh bag. Perfect for all ages.
Fun At The Beach: Sand & Surf Toys
Balancing on driftwood logs, scaling a giant sand dune, walking along the shore while the waves tickle your toes, or simply setting up an umbrella and catching some rest and relaxation in the gentle breeze. Whether you live near a lake, a river, or the ocean itself, the beach is the perfect setting for active play and outdoor recreation as the weather warms up.
Looking for toys that will promote independent exploration, teamwork, and fun for the whole family at your next beach day? Consider the following options:
Beach Toys For Sandcastles & Play
You know what’s sweet - but without any sugar? The feeling of winning a game of Aqua Hockey on a beautiful summer’s day. With our Aqua Hockey Water Game, you can transform the sand or water into a limitless outdoor rink where friends and family come together for some good-natured competition and teamwork. Looking for something a little simpler and more open-ended? Our Soft Flyer Fabric and Foam Disc could be the perfect solution. This toy is easy to throw, soft to catch, comes in six bright colors, and floats on the water.
Compact Gifts That Travel Well (Beach-Friendly)
What’s got a 27-inch diameter, but can easily fit in a compact car trunk or small Easter basket when deflated? Our XL Beach Ball, of course. Simply inflate it when you arrive for hours of classic beach entertainment that never gets old. This toy comes in a rainbow, basketball, or baseball pattern.
Gifts That Get Kids Moving
Gifts that get kids moving on your radar this Easter season? You can’t go wrong with these screen-free favorites:
Boomerangs & Flying Toys
Nothing’s more satisfying than throwing a boomerang and having it successfully return - especially when catching it doesn’t hurt your fingers! Our Soft Boomerang and Soft Traditional Boomerang toys are aerodynamic, safe, and easy for boomerang novices to enjoy (we recommend the Soft Boomerang for younger children).
Foam Airplanes & Gliders
Simple, classic, and totally awesome! That’s our foam gliders in a nutshell. Our Mini Glider Foam Airplane comes in a range of vibrant colors and is perfect for small hands, while our Soaring Commander Plane Glider covers a distance of up to 160 feet with a single launch. Make Easter morning memorable this year with flying toys that truly take the holiday to new heights!
Classic Outdoor Slingshots
Classic outdoor slingshots may seem like a great idea - until someone or something gets hurt. But with our legendary Rocket Howler Slingshot toy, you won’t have to worry about that. With this gift, kids can experience all the joy of slinging a rocket up to 250 feet in the air with the confidence that its EVA foam shell will ensure a safe and gentle landing. Do not aim at people or animals.
Multiplayer Games & Group Toys
Like most holidays, the true joy of Easter lies in quality time spent with loved ones. What better way to draw the family together than with multiplayer games and group toys that can be learned in 30 seconds and played for hours?
Multiplayer Outdoor Games
At Refresh Sports, we're big fans of multiplayer games like our Bouncy Paddle and Stringy Ball Game, Sticky Baseball Paddle Toss & Catch Game, and Mini-Toss Lacrosse. While these products naturally build athletic skills like balance, coordination, and aim, they're also fun and silly enough to ensure all participants enjoy themselves from start to finish!
Quick-Setup Backyard Activities
Toys like our Soft Flyer Fabric and Foam Disc or our Aqua Flyer Water Splash Discs can be placed at the end of an Easter egg hunt as an invitation for less structured outdoor fun that will keep the momentum going all afternoon. Take these toys out again anytime to quickly rekindle enthusiasm for screen-free playtime!
Team-Friendly Toy Sets
Hosting an Easter event with kids of different ages? We offer budget-friendly bundles that include a variety of enticing multiplayer games - such as our Ultimate Sport Toss Bundle, our Ultimate Summer Fun Bundle, and our Paddle Games Bundle.
Small But Mighty Basket Stuffers
Last but not least: Some great options for small but mighty basket stuffers. These toys don't take up much space, but pack a punch in terms of promoting hands-on play and outdoor fun.
Fidget Toys For Hands-On Fun
Fidget toys can improve focus and self-regulation while also reducing stress and anxiety. Tuck a spinner, putty egg, or squishy ball into your child's Easter basket to provide a fun way to keep fingers busy and minds engaged - indoors and out.
Mini Puzzles & Sensory Toys
For children who appreciate sensory play, mini puzzles, and toys like our Stringy Balls can provide natural opportunities for sensory stimulation.
Budget-Friendly Surprise Add-Ins
Easter basket add-ins don't have to be expensive to be a big hit. Consider non-candy options like bubbles, sidewalk chalk, art supplies, or favorite homemade snacks.
Where To Find Non-Candy Easter Gifts For Kids
Finding non-candy Easter gifts for kids isn’t hard - but discovering exceptional deals on quality products can be. At Refresh Sports, we’re thrilled to offer exclusive pricing that helps our customers make the most of their Easter basket budget. Check back often for spring-themed sales and offers on our website!
Fun Extras To Pair With Your Non-Candy Easter Gifts For Kids
Whether you're looking to decrease the amount of sugar in your kids' Easter baskets or eliminate candy altogether, there are many ways to achieve your goals while enhancing, rather than detracting from, the joy and delight of Easter morning.
How To Make Non-Candy Gifts Feel Extra Special
In our experience, worries about kids being disappointed with the lack of sugar and chocolate in their Easter baskets are usually unfounded. That being said, here are a few final tips on sweetening the deal with non-candy Easter gifts:
More Non-Candy Easter Basket Ideas Kids Will Love
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Stuffed animals
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Bath toys
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Finger puppets
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Stickers
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Playdough
Screen-Free Outdoor Play Gift Ideas
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Jump rope
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Kite
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Magnifying glass
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Gardening tools and seeds
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Fun hats or sunglasses
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Reusable water bottle
Meaningful Non-Candy Gifts For Quality Family Time
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Card games or travel games
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Ingredients for cooking or baking together
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Coupon for a family activity or experience
With the inspiration in this post, you're ready to get started putting together fantastic Easter baskets that pack more punch and promote active, outdoor play with much less sugar. Browse our toys to order the perfect choices for each kid in time for Easter!
