Spring is the perfect time to get outdoors and celebrate the change of season! With Spring also comes Easter. A tradition that we started once we had kids was to create an Outdoor Themed Easter Basket. This not only helps us to give gifts that our children will actually use but it allows us to incorporate them in learning and adventure too.
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The Outdoor Easter Basket
Instead of using a traditional basket, I got both of my kids a large pail that can be used in the sandbox, taken to collect produce from the garden, and filled with water or whatever they find to put in it! I reuse the container every year and the kids use the buckets for daily chores and activities. Other outdoor-themed baskets could be boots, hats, and even a backpack! It is okay to get creative with these. For younger children, I find that the pail and backpack work the best because they can be used for the Easter Egg Hunt later.
Outdoor Lanterns, Lights, and Flashlights
Kids love lights! I always like to put in some type of fun gear that the kids can use to explore. I have gifted small camping lanterns, flashlights, head lamps, and even glow sticks. Using these outdoor lights encourages kids to get out and explore and as the weather starts to warm up, it will make nighttime exploration even more enticing. My children even use their lights inside. It is not uncommon for them to pretend to camp inside or go on an exploration expedition where they need their lights.
Nature Themed Books
Books are another great item to put into your Outdoor Themed Easter Basket. These will encourage learning, family bonding, and it will also help them to get outside and apply the knowledge that they absorbed.
We follow the Blossom and Root and Exploring Nature with Children Curriculums and I like to incorporate some of the books listed in the recommended reading material for the kids. If the kids are particularly interested in a specific topic, I try to look for books in that realm as well.
I do not gift an Easter book every year. Typically we read the Story of Easter the month leading up to the holiday so the children know the story of Easter and why we celebrate. It is toddler friendly and has great prompts to talk about with your child.
You can find my favorite outdoor-themed books and easter books below.
Gardening Gifts for Kids
Gardening is a huge deal in our house and the kids are just as excited about it as we are. Spring and Easter both represent new life, so what better way to carry on that message than with a gardening kit? You can buy a kit that comes with everything you need or look into purchasing seeds, small plants, planting and growing materials, and gardening tools.
We typically start our seeds in the Winter, so if I do gift seeds or a growing kit, I make sure that it is flowers. Depending on your zone, you can start your seeds later. My kids love getting new gardening gloves, pots that they can decorate, and tools that they can use the rest of the year in the garden.
Outdoor Spring Gear
As the season changes so does the gear that the kids need for outdoor adventure! By this point too, the gear they wore last spring does not fit them, so they actually need this. I like to add in a rain jacket, rain boots, sunglasses, and sunscreen lotion. It is also fun to add in some daily apparel such as new t-shirts and shoes.
Exploration Gear
There is nothing better than letting your child go out and adventure! There are some awesome tools that they can use to help them grow that outdoor spirit! My kid’s favorites are their bug cages, these fake bugs for indoor exploration, their navigation gear with a compass and magnifying glass, and their fishing gear.
Links provided below!
Outdoor Toys
Outdoor toys get used more than any other toy in our house. While some of the gifts may not fit in your Easter basket, they are the perfect gift to set up and have to discover on your Easter Egg Hunt!
Sandbox
Last year, we invested in a sandbox for the kids. It was one of the best purchases ever. Obviously, it didn’t fit inside but when we did the Easter Egg Hunt, the eggs lead straight to their box which was filled with shovels, buckets, and trucks. The kids spent countless hours outside exploring in their sandbox.
Outdoor Vehicles
One of our favorite outdoor gifts was our John Deere Tractor. It has a little wagon in the back and one of the kids can pull the other or (what usually happens) is that the kids will toy their toys and treasures around the yard. Another huge bonus is that they are learning hand-eye coordination while having a ton of fun!
Outdoor Sports
Kids love things that they can throw and kick. Kids love anything that gets them to move! The first thing that comes to mind for this is sports. You can do small like a T Ball Set, a Basketball Goal, or a small Golf set. If your kids are older, I highly recommend the outdoor obstacle courses, swings, and adventure setups! Don’t feel the need to go overboard though. Kids are kids, and when there is too much stuff, it can be overwhelming, even outside.
Do you have any items that you would add to an outdoor themed Easter Basket? Let me know!
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