Easter is just three short weeks away, making it high time for me to figure out what’s going in the kids’ baskets this year. Aside from the chocolate bunnies of course …
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| The Little Explorer’s 1st Easter |
As you might expect, I always include at least a few items in our Easter baskets to encourage outdoor play and nature exploration. I was thrilled to see that many of you fans on Facebook have the same idea.
Here are some items to consider adding to your budding explorer’s Easter basket this year. (And if you don’t celebrate Easter, this makes a handy list for birthday present ideas.)
Explorer Gear & Cool Tools
- Gardening tools and/or gloves
- Seed packets & planting pots
- Sunglasses
- Sun hat
- Water bottle
- Flip flops, river sandals or rain boots
- Umbrella
- Compass
- Magnifying glass
- Bug box
- Fishing pole & lures (thanks to Kim C. for the idea)
Outdoor Play Accessories
- Kite
- Bubbles
- Sidewalk chalk
- Pail, shovel & sand toys
- Flower press (thanks to Kristal W. for this fun idea)
Nature Learning
- Books about nature or with a nature-theme (which could include a field guide if it’s of interest to your child)
- Live insect kits (such as ant farms, caterpillar adoption kits & ladybug lands)
PLUS! A Few Bigger-Ticket Possibilities
- Kid-Sized Backpack
- Camera
- Microscope
- Binoculars
Need a few more ideas?
- 10 Easter Gift Ideas for Little Nature Explorers
- The 2010 Holiday Gift Guide for Nature Explorers
- 10 Holiday Gift Ideas for Little Nature Explorers
What will you be adding to your kids’ baskets this year to encourage outdoor play and exploring?
Thanks so much, Valerie!
Nice ideas you've put together! Will pass them along to my friends!
We can all do without the added clutter for sure, Terri! 🙂 Hope your girls enjoy exploring with their new magnifying glasses!
Great ideas! My girls received sunglasses in their Easter baskets last year & that was a huge hit. I like to think "outside the box" and find stuff that will be actually be well used (or read) for a long time after Easter, as opposed to adding clutter to our house. I love the idea of magnifying glasses that you suggested… I think that may end up in our Easter baskets this year!
What a creative idea, Princessliak. Thanks for sharing! That reminds me that a bike helmet or bike basket would also be good ideas.
One Easter, I received a basket that was a new climbing helmet with a few carabiners inside! Great gift for a kiddo as well!
Yay! Thanks for sharing more ideas! BTW: It's doubtful I will actually have any baskets ready until the 11th hour …
What a wonderful idea – thanks so much for sharing your link!
Wow, you are on top of it! I usually don’t start thinking about this stuff until it is almost too late. If I may be so bold as to link to myself, here’s what I did last year: homemade, knit bunnies, earth balls, nature-themed books, colored pencils and socks. (http://travelingmel.com/and-now-you-know-the-rest-of-the-story/)
AWESOME ideas. Would love to suggest adding this Spring Coupon book – free download that includes coupons for activities such as tag, hide and seek, trip to the park and more. Great Easter basket filler that encourages kids to get moving, explore the outdoors and make memories. You can view it and download it here – http://www.growingplay.com/freecoupon.html
I hear ya, Karin. I hope these ideas were a little more inspiring.
Love the ideas! I can't stand buying stuff that will just get thrown away or forgotten!
What lucky kiddos! 🙂
Great lists! We will definitely be stocking our baskets with bug boxes, magnifying glasses, binoculars and gardening tools.