The Best Non Candy Easter Baskets for Teens and Tweens (2023)

Say goodbye to the sugar overload this Easter with these non-candy Easter basket ideas. Think outside the basket this season and give Easter gifts older kids actually want.

Easter isn’t like Christmas or birthdays, but it’s still a great holiday to give gift baskets filled with smaller trinkets that your kids will love. And these Easter basket ideas for tweens and teens take sugar out of the equation.

Non-Candy Easter Baskets for Tweens and Teens

When it comes to creating the ultimate Easter basket for teens, ditch the sugar. Sure, candy is great, but there are plenty of non-candy Easter basket ideas that provide twice the fun.

These vessels should be bursting at the seams, just like a Christmas stocking. Finding the best non-candy Easter basket fillers, you want to think about little gifts that bring joy.

Give gifts that encourage sharing or community. Gift cards are great because they provide a means to have an experience and create memories.

About this Guide to the Best Non-Candy Easter Baskets Kids Actually Want

In this guide to Easter basket filler ideas, I’ll give you an array of amazing Easter gift ideas for teens and tweens that your kid will actually want. Before you fill up your non-candy Easter basket, think about what your teen or tween likes. 

Are they into music? Sports? Beauty? Games? Fashion? Theme your basket to one of your teen’s favorite hobbies.

FUN FACT: According to the National Retail Federation, over 2.6 BILLION dollars will be spent on Easter candy! Mind blowing, isn’t it?!

We all know that teens and tweens put social interactions above all else. Fill their Easter baskets with items that involve their friends such as movie theater gift cards, or a fun card game. 

Avoid silly trinkets that will clutter the house or items that encourage phone time. Instead, come up with Easter basket filler ideas that are either useful or entice your teen and tween to get out of the house and have fun.

These gifts are approved by my Teens, so you can shop with confidence. And you’ll come up with some great filler ideas that your kiddos will actually love.

Whether you’re shopping early or waiting for the last minute, you’re sure to find something your older kids will love.

Who Would Enjoy These Easter Basket Ideas? 

Non-Candy Easter Basket Ideas for Tweens, Teens & College Students

These Easter basket stuffers are for most older children. You know your kid best – select items that are appropriate to their age.

• Kids Against Maturity card game
• body spray
• photo clip string lights
• movie theater gift card
• Kids Create Absurdity game
• reuseable water bottle
• beach towel
• temporary tattoo markers
• lip balm
• drawstring sackpack
• notecards
• Left Center Right dice game
• make-up bag
• Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza game
• beach (or pool) towel
• sugar-free gum
• The Unofficial TikTok Cookbook
• fuzzy socks
• ear buds
• bath & shower gel with a scrubbie
• mini donut maker
• microwave popcorn
• hair ties
• water flavoring packets
• manicure/pedicure products
• The One Minute Gratitude Journal for Teens
• breath mints
• adult coloring books
• nail polish
• beef jerky
• stress relief squishy toys
• Redbox gift cards
• card games – UNO, Would You Rather, On a Scale of One to T-Rex
• books
• Popsockets
• markers or colored pencils
• decorative coiled notebooks & planners
• toothbrush (an ARM family tradition) 
• Life Skills for Teens

Easter Baskets for College Students & Driving Teens

These Easter basket stuffers are geared towards older teens. Don’t forget to make an Easter basket for your college student. I guarantee he or she will appreciate receiving a package of goodies from home.

• gas station gift cards
• lanyard key chain
• flash drive
• card games – Cards Against Humanity, Karma
• travel coffee mug
• cell phone wallet 
• scented candle
• coffee shop gift cards
• USB car charger
• car air freshener
• restaurant gift cards
• academic planner
• money 

Tips for Creating an Awesome Easter Basket for Older Kids 

Do yourself a favor – set a budget. Like all fun things in life, it’s easy to overspend if you don’t set a budget. You can put together an impressive basket for your Tween or Teen without spending a fortune.

Decide if you want to purchase 1-2 larger/expensive items or a bunch of smaller gifts. I’ve found that older kids appreciate quality over quantity, so don’t rule out a high value item if your budget allows. 

If you don’t have Easter baskets, get creative – use a pretty basket or bucket. I’ve also seen some colorful plastic storage bins at Target that would work well.

Select a couple special treats to tuck into the Easter baskets. Package a batch of homemade Bunny Bait snack mix in decorative cello bags or order decorated cookies from your local bakery for a fun touch.

If you are creating an Easter basket for a college student, skip the basket. Fill a shipping box with Easter grass and all the goodies. USPS Flat-rate Priority boxes can be an affordable way to send the package, and it usually arrives in 2-3 days.

What are your go-to Easter basket stuffers? Do you pack them full of candy or do you lean towards non-candy Easter basket ideas?

This post was originally published on 4/18/19 and updated on 2/21/20, 3/9/21, 3/4/22 and 2/18/23.

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