Easter is one of the year's coziest holidays for families with young children. Whether you spend the holiday at a vacation cabin, the grandparents', or at home, Easter gifts for children are a tradition many families look forward to. But it doesn't have to be about expensive plastic toys — the best Easter gifts are often those that create shared memories and spark curiosity in little ones.

In this guide you'll find concrete gift ideas for children of all ages, from the very youngest to six-year-olds. We've divided the suggestions by theme and age so you can easily find something that suits your child. You'll also find tips for Easter activities and sustainable alternatives that are good for both children and the environment.

Easter Eggs with Surprises

The classic Easter tradition of filling eggs with candy and small surprises is something most children love. But the contents don't have to be just candy. Here are suggestions for what to put in an Easter egg, adapted to your child's age.

0–1 Year: The Tiniest Ones

For babies, Easter is mostly about sensory experiences. They don't understand the concept of gifts yet, but they love exploring new things with their hands and mouths.

Silicone teether — in Easter colors like yellow and green
Small soft toys — a plush chick or lamb
Baby socks with Easter motif — cute and practical
Board books — thick pages that can withstand chewing
Bath toy — yellow rubber ducks are a classic

Tip for the tiniest ones: Avoid small parts that could be a choking hazard. Everything you give to babies under one year should be large enough that it cannot be swallowed. Check age labeling on toys.

1–3 Years: Little Explorers

Children this age love to open things, sort, stack, and explore. The Easter egg becomes an experience in itself.

Crayons or wax crayons — ideally the thick ones that are easy to hold
Stickers with Easter motif — a hit with most two-year-olds
Small animal figures — lambs, chicks, and bunnies in Easter theme
Bubble solution — perfect for play in the spring sunshine
Modeling clay in Easter colors — flexible and creative play
Small ball — a soft ball in spring colors

3–6 Years: Creative Adventurers

Older children appreciate gifts they can actively use, and they understand the excitement of searching for Easter eggs.

Activity book with stickers — Easter theme with tasks and mazes
Watercolors and brushes — for painting Easter decorations
Puzzle — at the right level of difficulty
Magnifying glass — for exploring nature during the Easter holiday
Seeds to plant — sunflowers or cress are easy to grow
Jump rope or hopping ball — active play in the sunshine

Creative Easter Gifts

Some of the best Easter gifts are those that inspire creativity and imaginative play. These gifts last longer than candy and give children something meaningful to do throughout the Easter holiday.

Drawing and Painting Sets

A set of good crayons, markers, or watercolors is a timeless gift that children of all ages appreciate. For the youngest there are thick wax crayons that are easy to hold and hard to break. Older children might enjoy a sketchbook with blank pages where they can draw Easter motifs.

Ideas for drawing projects at Easter:

Draw Easter chicks and lambs
Make Easter cards for grandparents
Paint Easter eggs on paper to hang in the window
Draw the nature you see on Easter outings

Activity Books

Activity books with Easter themes come in many varieties — from simple coloring books for two-year-olds to books with crosswords, mazes, and tasks for six-year-olds. These are worth their weight in gold on long car rides to a holiday destination or on quiet evenings during the Easter break.

Modeling Clay

Modeling clay is a wonderful gift for children from two years and up. Children can shape Easter figures, make eggs and chicks, and develop fine motor skills while having fun. Choose natural clay or dough without harmful additives.

Homemade Easter dough: Mix 200ml flour, 100ml salt, 100ml water, and a little cooking oil. Add food coloring in Easter colors. Store in an airtight container — it keeps for several weeks.

Outdoor Easter Gifts

Easter often coincides with the first warm spring days, and many families spend a lot of time outdoors. Gifts that encourage outdoor play are both healthy and fun.

Shovel and Bucket Set

A classic sandbox set of good quality is a gift that gets used from Easter all the way through summer. Choose a set in strong colors that's easy to find again at the beach or in the sandbox. For the very youngest, soft silicone shovels are a good alternative.

Balls and Outdoor Toys

A soft ball of the right size is a simple gift that brings lots of joy. For children from two years, a small soccer ball or hopping ball are popular choices. Older children enjoy a frisbee, badminton rackets, or a kite.

Nature Exploration Kit

For curious children, a nature exploration kit is a perfect Easter gift. It can include:

Magnifying glass — for studying insects, moss, and flowers
Bug jar with lid — for observing small creatures up close
Small binoculars — a lightweight version for children
Small backpack — for collecting treasures on walks
Nature bingo cards — easy to make yourself with Easter-related motifs

These gifts are perfect for outdoor Easter activities and help children develop an interest in the nature around them.

Easter Activities with Children

Sometimes the best gift is an experience. Here are Easter activities that create wonderful memories for the whole family.

Egg Hunt

An egg hunt is perhaps the most popular Easter activity for children. Hide Easter eggs (filled with candy or small surprises) in the garden, at a vacation spot, or inside if the weather is poor.

Tips for a successful egg hunt:

Adapt the difficulty to the child's age
Give hints to the youngest — "You're getting warmer!"
Use a map or draw arrows for older children
Let the children count their eggs afterward
Have a spare egg in reserve in case someone doesn't find as many

Painting Easter Eggs

Painting hard-boiled eggs is a traditional Easter activity that children from eighteen months can participate in. The youngest can dip eggs in food coloring, while older children can use brushes, markers, or stickers to decorate their eggs.

What you need:

Hard-boiled eggs (cooled)
Food coloring, watercolors, or markers
Newspaper or tablecloth
Aprons for the children

Easter Baking

Baking is a wonderful activity that combines creativity, cooking, and coziness. Children love helping in the kitchen, and Easter baking gives them the chance to make something they can eat afterward.

Popular recipes for Easter baking with children:

Easter rolls — shape the rolls like chicks or rabbits
Easter cookies — use Easter-shaped cookie cutters
Chocolate muffins — decorate with yellow frosting and Easter decorations
Fruit skewers — thread fruit on sticks in Easter colors (yellow, green, orange)

Easter workshop at home: Set aside a morning for an Easter workshop. Cover the table with newspaper, set out paint, glue, glitter, and paper — and let the children create freely. The results will be guaranteed charming Easter decorations.

Sustainable Easter Gifts

More and more families want to celebrate Easter in a more sustainable way. That doesn't mean children have to miss out on Easter surprises — it just means thinking a little differently.

Second-Hand Finds

Used toys in good condition are often just as exciting as new ones to children. Check second-hand apps, thrift stores, or yard sales for books, puzzles, or toys in good condition. A book the child hasn't read before is just as new and exciting as an unopened book from a shop.

Natural Materials

Nature offers lots of free Easter fun:

Easter wreath from twigs — gather twigs and bind together with string
Stones to paint on — smooth stones from a stream or the beach
Pressed flowers — the first spring flowers can be pressed and glued onto cards
Bird box — build a simple bird box together from scrap materials

Avoid Unnecessary Plastic

Many Easter gifts come in unnecessary plastic packaging. Here are some tips to reduce plastic:

Choose Easter eggs in cardboard instead of plastic
Use cloth bags instead of plastic bags
Choose toys in wood, bamboo, or recycled materials
Give experiences instead of things — an outing, an activity, or a movie together

Give Experiences

The best gifts don't need to be wrapped. An experience can mean more than a thing:

Zoo or museum ticket — many have special Easter activities
Cinema outing — watch an Easter movie together
Trip with overnight stay — a night in a cabin or tent
Baking together — let the child choose what to make
Art workshop — paint a large picture together

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should you spend on an Easter gift for children?

There's no fixed answer. Remember that a child's sense of value rarely correlates with price. An egg hunt in the garden with homemade Easter eggs can bring just as much joy as an expensive toy. What matters most is that the gift is suited to the child's age and interests.

What can you put in Easter eggs for babies under one year?

For babies under one year, choose things that are safe to put in their mouths: silicone teethers, soft fabric toys, baby socks, or small board books. Avoid candy, small items that could be swallowed, and toys with loose parts. Many babies find the Easter egg itself the most exciting thing — they love to open and close it.

When should you start with an egg hunt?

Most children can participate in a simple egg hunt from around one and a half to two years. Hide the eggs in visible spots and help the child find them. From three to four years you can make it harder with better hiding spots and simple clues. Older children enjoy maps and riddles that lead them to the next egg.

How do you make a sustainable Easter gift?

Start with what you already have at home. Make Easter cards from scrap paper, paint stones from the garden, or bake Easter cookies together. Second-hand toys are just as exciting for children as new ones. Choose natural materials over plastic, and give experiences instead of things. A homemade Easter egg in cardboard filled with some stickers and a small figure is more than enough for most children.

Summary

Easter gifts for children don't have to be complicated or expensive. The best gifts are suited to the child's age, spark curiosity, and create shared experiences for the whole family. Whether you fill an Easter egg with small surprises, plan an egg hunt, or bake Easter cookies together, it's the togetherness that matters most.

Happy Easter!

Sources

Consumer product safety guidelines — Safe toys for children
Environmental protection resources — Tips for sustainable consumption
AAP — Recommendations for physical activity for children

Easter Gifts for Kids - Creative and Fun Gift Ideas