Last-minute, budget-friendly Easter basket ideas you can grab at dollar stores, curbside pickups, or same-day delivery — great for kids of all ages.
I completely dropped the ball on Easter basket prep this year, even though I usually have everything planned ahead. Somehow the holiday snuck up on me. If you’re in the same situation, don’t panic: there are plenty of affordable, thoughtful options you can pick up locally or get via curbside pickup and same-day delivery from big retailers like Target or Walmart.
To help, I put together a long list of inexpensive, non-candy Easter gift ideas — many cost around $3–$5 and are commonly found at dollar stores or available for quick pickup. These items work for toddlers through tweens and teens, encourage creativity and active play, and make great fillers for baskets if you’re trying to avoid sugar or want more variety.
I especially like using Easter baskets to encourage outdoor time during spring break: sidewalk chalk, bubbles, outdoor toys, and small sports gear can help kids stay active and entertained instead of spending the whole week glued to screens.
Cheap Easter Basket Ideas You Can Pick Up Last Minute
- Bubbles
- Sidewalk chalk
- Flip flops
- Storybook
- Coloring book
- Markers
- Play-Doh
- Kinetic sand
- Hot Wheels cars
- Puzzle
- Socks
- Stickers
- Hair clips, bows, or scrunchies
- Sun hat
- Sunglasses
- Glow sticks
- Color bath drops
- Bubble bath
- Stuffed animal
- Sippy cup or water bottle
- Finger paint
- Gardening kit
- Rain boots
- Swimsuit
- Matching game
- Swim goggles
- Beach toys
- Bicycle glow spokes
- Card game
- LEGO set
- Doll
- Animal figures
- Crazy straws
- Kid-friendly camera
- Diving toys
- Pool float
- Mini purse
- Watch
- Bracelets
- Sneakers
- Nail polish
- Lip balm
- Pop It
- Board game
- Super soaker
- Sprinkler
- Dress-up outfit
- Play doctor kit
- Remote control car
- Baking supplies (child-size)
- Apron
- Nightlight
- Jump rope
- Temporary tattoos
- Novelty keychain
- Silly string
- Travel games
- Watercolors
- Water balloons
- Frisbee
- Beach ball or bouncy ball
- Kite
- Sunscreen
- Hairbrush or comb
- Silly putty
- Piggy bank
- Umbrella
- Flashlight
- Doodle board
- Bookmarks
- Photo album
- Gardening seeds
- Paper dolls
- Fun eating utensils or chopsticks
- Slime
- Finger puppets
- Character band-aids
- Scented body spray
- Orbeez
- Stamping sets
- Journal or notebook
- Magazine or activity book
- Headphones
- Glitter pens
- Novelty erasers
- Inflatable kiddie pool
- Refrigerator or locker magnets
- Play makeup
- Yo-yo
- Slinky
- Bath bombs
- Balsa wood plane kit
- Rubik’s Cube
- Comic books
- Scented hand sanitizer
- Character toothbrush
- Movie theater tickets
- Zoo, aquarium, or museum tickets
Easter Gift Ideas You Can Pick Up Curbside or Get Same Day Delivery
If you prefer to shop online but need items quickly, look for curbside pickup or same-day delivery options from big-box retailers and local stores. Many of the items above are commonly stocked and can be reserved for pickup or added to a same-day delivery order. Focus on small, lightweight items that are easy to fit into a basket, or choose one larger item—like a pool float, remote control car, or inflatable kiddie pool—as the centerpiece.
Theme ideas: build a beach-themed basket with swim goggles, sunscreen, flip flops, and a beach ball; put together a creative-play basket with Play-Doh, markers, a sketchbook, and stickers; or go practical with socks, a water bottle, toothbrush, and a nightlight. For older kids, consider tickets to a local attraction or a small tech accessory like headphones.
When assembling baskets, use tissue paper, reusable fabric, or a simple tote as a base. Mixing a few small items with one show-stopper gift gives the basket a balanced, exciting feel without breaking the bank. Most importantly, choose items that match your child’s interests to make even last-minute baskets feel thoughtful and fun.
