What are
some of the things we remember most about Easter growing up?
For a lot of
us, it’s getting up on Easter Sunday morning and heading out our backyard or a
park, running around collecting little plastic eggs that were filled with prizes
and, if we were lucky, candy.
Easter is a
lot like Halloween in that respect.
In both
holidays, we’re venturing out in the world, interacting with people, and
scouring the neighborhood for what we hope is a big score — candy.
And both
holidays have an expiration date. Eventually, we’re too old to go out
trick-or-treating and Easter Egg Hunting. Instead, we become the chaperones for
our kids as they go trick-or-treating. Or we organize the Easter Egg hunt. Or
we simply become passive participants in a holiday that our sons, daughters,
nieces and nephews absolutely love.
Nothing wrong with that!
And for a
lot of folks, Easter has another growing component: gift-giving. And there’s
the obvious gift, of course — stuffing Easter baskets with loads of candy. But
when you’re trying to keep your family active, or you’re concerned about your
family’s overall health, indulging in yet
another holiday of chocolates and sweets might not be the best thing.
After all,
your kids will likely spend their Easter Sunday outdoors, on an Easter Egg
Hunt. Might as well use this time to kick-start some healthy playing habits for
your young ones, right?
So we scoured the web for the perfect Easter gifts for toddlers and preschoolers, tweens and teens. And we wanted to make sure that each gift encouraged learning, growth and active playtime. Here, you won’t find the same-ol’ candied treats. No Cadbury’s or Peeps here! Instead, you’ll find gift that are sure to get your child, grandchild, niece or nephew exploring their imagination, or the world around them.
And (even
better) all under $100!
So let’s hop
to it!
(Sorry,
couldn’t resist having at least one
Easter pun.)
15 Must-Have Easter Gifts That Aren’t Candy
(And 12 Honorable Mentions)
Easter Gifts for Ages 2 – 5
Demographics: Ages
2-5.
Yes, this is one of ours. But it’s hard not to include it in a list of top Easter gifts that isn’t candy. Especially when it’s basically four gifts in one. The K6 kid scooter and balance bike introduces young kids to the freedom and responsibility of riding. And with its smart 4-in-1 design, the K6 grows with your kids and gives parents more bang for the buck.
Coupon Code: BUNNY5
Save $5 on the K6 4-in-1 Toddler Scooter.
Start your toddler with the three-wheel balance bike. As they gain confidence, skill and improved dexterity, they can move up to the two-wheel balance bike. Then “graduate” to a three-wheel kick scooter. And finally, a standard two-wheel kick scooter.
And the beauty of it? It’s all in one ride-on toy!
Demographics: Ages 2-10.
Music, like
play time, is one of the great joys of childhood. Kids that learn music are
proven to do better in skills like science and math.
We love this
Click n’ Play Gigantic Keyboard Play Mat because, well . . . it reminds us of
this scene from Big:
But also
because your kids are playing while they learn. And that’s something we strive
for with all of our scooters for kids. And the Click N’ Play isn’t just fun for
kids. It’s a blast for the entire family.
Demographics: Ages 2-5.
The Little
Tikes EasyScore game sets introduce kids of all abilities to the game of
basketball and the joys of competitive play. Kids develop hand-eye coordination
while being appropriately challenged in a way that empowers and encourages.
Demographics:
Ages 2-5.
It might
take a few years for your kid to get the lung capacity and breath control to
yell “GOAL!!” But they can be making goals in no time.
Most sports
require that you get out and get moving. But few more so than soccer. That’s reason
enough to love all the Little Tikes EasyScore game sets — and they have plenty!
But another great reason is that they are easy to assemble and even easier to
take down, carry around and store away. And that makes it easy on you too!
Demographics:
Ages 2-5.
LEGO® blocks are a childhood staple. It’s stood the test of time and have entertained children for generations. And we love it when they cross streams with mainstream entertainment, things that today’s kids know and love. Like The LEGO Movie 2!
Little fans
of Emmet and Lucy will love helping them defend against the alien invaders!
Then mix all the bright and chunky DUPLO bricks up so young children can create
more aliens of their own, developing imagination and fine motor skills on their
journey to becoming the next master builder.
Demographics: Ages 2 and up.
Another childhood staple! Play-Doh® is not only beloved and instantly recognizable, it’s also a great Easter basket stuffer, if that’s what you’re looking for. We all know it. And we all loved it.
Colorful.
Playful. Irresistible. Every tin of Play-Doh is an adventure, a giggle-fest
waiting to happen, an invitation for kids to explore, to shape their own
creativity as easily as they shape the Doh!
Honorable Mention Easter Gifts for Toddlers
Demographics:
Ages 2 and up.
Want to give kids a reason to play
outside during the warmer weather while also keeping them cool? All you’ll need
is a garden hose and the Intex Rainbow Ring Play Center, and your kids will get
hours of water-filled fun. Waterslide, wading pool, water sprayer, ring toss
game, ball roller game and toss ball game.
Demographics: Ages 2-5.
This drum
set for kids comes with a pair of drumsticks that can be used to tap the four
different electronic drums. Your child can drum freestyle or play along to nine
pre-set melodies in a variety of musical styles.
Or for more
structured play, they can follow the lights on the drums as they hear about
letters and numbers. With four ways to play and a variety of fun sounds, your
child will love learning to the music.
Demographics: Age 1-3.
We added this inflatable ride-on horsey because sometimes the simplest things are the best. And we’re confident that your toddlers will absolutely adore it. And it’s easy to use. Just inflate, grab onto the long, easy-to-grasp ears, and off you go!
But like all of our Easter gift
ideas, the Inflatable Cow Ride-On Toy isn’t just fun for fun’s sake. It’s also
great for helping your child develop balancing skills and improve
dexterity.
Demographic: Age 2+ with 250 lb weight limit.
Pogo jumping is a long-time
childhood favorite. It’s a fun way to expend that bottomless well of energy
kids always seem to have. And this might be the squeakiest, easiest pogo ever.
So that, of course, makes it the best pogo . . . also ever!
Every bounce is accented with a “squeak!” that encourages your little ones to keep on going with every “boing!” Save to be used indoors or out. Pogo jumping exercises a child’s endurance, coordination, strength and balance, and can help keep kids fit and active. as well as keep physically active.
Demographics:
Age 2-5.
This award winning Step2 water table lets kiddos and their
friends gather around and explore together while they splash and play in their
own backyard. A large bucket lets little ones scoop up of water to pour into
the top tray to create a showering splash below. And as the water falls,
a maze of ramps and spinners gets activated.
Basically, this teaches toddlers about cause and effect. So
the Step2 Water Table Playset is an Easter present that gets kids active, helps
them connect with friends, and teaches a bit about the world around us.
Who knows? This could spark the inner Isaac Newton in your
li’l one.
Easter Gifts for Ages 6 – 14
Demographics:
Age 5 and up.
How great
would it be? Your kid was out on a backyard Easter Egg Hunt. And instead of
finding more plastic eggs with candy in them, they found a L.O.L. Surprise!
Talk about a
surprise!
The L.O.L Surprise! packs have been growing
in popularity for the past couple years. And this pack provides the ultimate
unboxing experience with over 50 surprises in each, including bath fizz charms
that are sure to make bath-time a fun time.
Check out the video:
Demographics: Ages 6 and up.
A great gift
for creative boys or girls. The Crayola light-up tracing pad features
everything your kids would need for creative play. Sports-themed tracing sheets;
hundreds of downloadable online images; a graphite pencil and colored pencils
for drawing, illustrating, and coloring.
The
ultra-thin tablet design and bright LED drawing surface make tracing easy. Kids
ages six and older can create infinite scenes and draw like a pro.
Demographics:
Ages 6 and up.
Fun lights.
Sound effects. This all combines to make Ultra Dash a super-fun, super-active
game. It’s like a relay race game, only much brighter, louder — cooler!
And because
the players set up the game, it’s a different game each time they play. Kids
love this game and you will too. Because it delivers hours of engaging,
interactive play. So basically, for the cost of a basket of candy and sweets,
you can gift your kids something that will get them out and about and moving.
Check out this video from Play Monster, makers of Ultra Dash:
Demographics:
Ages 7 and up.
What Is This? Exploding Kittens is a highly-strategic, kitty-powered version of Russian roulette. It was the most-funded game in the history of Kickstarter and features cards illustrated by The Oatmeal. You draw cards until you explode. Not literally, of course. This is a great gift for kids that’s far more wholesome than the name would suggest — but it’s still explosively hilarious.
Demographics:
Ages 7-15.
Yes, it’s
another one of ours. But it really is the perfect riding gift for kids between
7 and 15 years old. It’s lightweight, durable and, best of all, foldable, so
kids can take it with them almost anywhere.
Kids will
enjoy the smooth ride that comes from combining 120mm front wheels, 100mm rear
wheels and industry-leading ABEC-9 chrome steel bearings. Parents will enjoy
the ASTM F2264 certification for toy safety.
Coupon Code: BUNNY10 Save $10 on the K1 Kick Scooters, as well as the K8 Kick Scooter and the Twist Hoverboard.
Demographics:
Ages 6 & up.
All the fun of darts. None of the pointy bits.
We think Doinkit Darts are a great way for kids to learn the game of darts in a way that’s safe for them — and your house! We’re all for active outdoor play, but sometimes you just want to stay home. For those days, there’s good ol’ fashioned game of darts.
Demographics:
Ages 6-10.
Minecraft is
still one of the most popular games out there. So when you’re looking to get
your kids to play outside, why not send them off with something familiar?
The
Minecraft Light-Up Adventure Sword lights up and makes sounds that are
authentic to the Minecraft game and fully controlled by the wielder – your kid!
It’s interactive, large-scale, feels substantial to hold and makes a fantastic
gift for Minecraft fans.
Honorable Mention Easter Gifts for Pre-Teens & Tweens
Demographics:
Ages 8 and up.
When you
think about It’s the classic game that people have played for over 90 years, adapted
for today’s generation. Glow-in-the-dark LED lights transform playing fields
and players into glowing teams of blue and green. Complete with lit jail
markers, territory lights, light-up wristbands and glowing crystals that serve
as each team’s flag, this is truly a modern twist on a classic game.
Rest assured
that you’ll never hear, I’m bored with this outdoor adventure game that
inspires teamwork and gets kids off the couch and outside having fun.
Demographics: Ages 10 and up.
The game
might sound easy. Name three of
something — anything — as dictated by the cards. Yeah, it sounds easy. But can
be a bit tricky! Especially with all eyes on you and time winding down. Just
say what comes to mind. It might not be a correct answer. But it certainly
could be a funny one.
This is a
solid Easter basket stuffing gift, perfect for the whole family really.
Demographics: Ages 10 and
up.
Okay, so are we cheating here by listing a bunny-shaped LEGO® as one of our must-have Easter gifts for 2019?
Maybe.
But we love
what LEGO represents — creativity and imagination. And the LEGO BrickHeadz
Easter Bunny is no exception. Decorated eyes, movable ears and a detachable
carrot and bucket. This perfect Easter gift also comes with a detachable carrot
and bucket, plus 2 Easter eggs and flowers, and stands on a buildable
collector’s baseplate with a seasonal calendar and BrickHeadz logo for easy
display in the home, office or anywhere they like.
You could
say that this gift, like all LEGO gifts, is for the young and young-at-heart.
(So don’t be ashamed to put this up in your office, Todd!)
Demographics:
Ages 6-15.
This is one
of those gifts that are . . . well, let’s be honest, more for you than for
them. Kids are notoriously bad with keeping track of time. Most people use
their smartphones to mitigate this fact, but you might not be ready to give
your kid a smartphone. And you certainly might not want to indulge in a fancy
smartwatch.
Fortunately,
now you won’t have to.
The SOKY
Digital Sport Watch has a kid-friendly design with a large dial, easy access
crown, and more. It’s waterproof (up to 50 meters) and impact-resistant. So
your kid can be a kid and not worry about breaking their watch. And most
importantly, it looks cool.
Getting your
kid a watch will help them develop solid habits. And with SOKY’s multi-function
settings, they’ll have no more excuses for being late for dinner or missing band
practice.
Now you
understand what we mean when we say this recommendation is just as much for you
as it is for them.
Demographics:
Ages 8 and up.
What do you
get when you take the ever-popular Cards
Against Humanity and take out all the NSFW bits? You get a card game that
is, despite the name, actually parent approved.
“It’s an appropriately inappropriate game for budding mischief-makers.”
Funnier than
Mad Libs. Edgier than Apples to Apples. Easier to learn than Exploding Kittens (also on our list). Games
like Not Parent Approved helps kids
develop social skills and teaches kids to how to interact with one other.
After all, when
looking for a gift for your pre-teen, you can’t go wrong with anything called
“Not Parent Approved” that starts with a “burp-off” to determine who goes
first. And it’s another great
Easter basket stuffing gift.
Roller Derby Skates
Girls | Boys
Age: 10 and
up.
Roller
skating has been around for a long time. Although it’s been eclipsed by
skateboards and, yes, even kick scooters in recent years, the roller skates
have started to make a comeback.
(And we all
love a great comeback story!)
And when we
say they’re making a comeback, we don’t mean in that gimmicky way that many
people felt the rollerblading fad was(Other people, though. Not us. We loved our
rollerblades!). The fine folks at Roller Derby are making stylish roller-skates
that deliver lasting comfort and reliable performance. With 54mm wheels and
Excellerator 608ZB bearings, Roller Derby Skates ride incredibly smooth. Plus,
they look cool.
Perfect
Easter Gifts for Ages 14+
Demographics:
Ages 14 and up.
The UFO 3000
LED Mini Drone is a great starter drone for kids or training drone for
beginners. It’s got a sturdy frame, easy maneuverability and wide range of
flying speeds. But that’s not what makes this drone great.
Ultra-vibrant,
all-over LED lights make night flying extra spectacular.
By the time
you start looking for gifts for a teenage son, daughter, niece or nephew,
things can get a little murky. You can’t really buy them toys after all —
they’re much to “grown” for that. You can’t buy them clothes — the things you
like, they definitely won’t. But there’s one thing you can definitely count on:
they like listening to music.
So you can’t
go wrong grabbing what Tom’s Guide calls it “the best Bluetooth speaker value”
as an Easter present. They’ll get incredible sound at home, poolside or in the
backyard; protection against rain, dust, snow, and spills; and a refined design
with effortlessly simple controls.
And all from
a trusted name in electronics (Anker) and at an incredible price that’s under
$40!
Demographics:
Ages 14 and up.
We’re fond
of gifts that get us interacting with the world around us. Gifts that get us
moving, laughing, learning. That’s especially good for kids.
But part of
a healthy childhood is having a safe space to come home to, a sanctuary that
you make your own. That’s why we love the Aisuo Night Light.
Night light.
Bluetooth connectivity. MP3 player. Alarm clock. Forty-eight colored night
light that changes dynamically with the music. It’s one of the best ways to add
personality to a room. And with the help of a high-powered woofer and unique
bass technology, music sounds absolutely amazing. It even has a built-in mic so
you can you can easily answer calls.
The Aisuo is
one of those presents that easily becomes a part of your kids’ lives. They
might forget there was ever a time when they didn’t have this in their room. That’s the sign of a spectacular
gift.
Honorable Mention Easter Gifts for Picky Discerning Teens, Ages 14+
Your teen likely has a
smartphone. If they do, they’ll love the DESTEK V4. Watch immersive 3D YouTube
videos. Play all the best AR/VR games. Watch IMAX-like movies. All from the
best seat in the house — your home.
And it comes with its own Bluetooth remote controller, for an even better game-playing experience.
Limited Time Only — Save on your favorite Easter gifts for kids from SWAGTRON.
Coupon Code: BUNNY5 Save $5 on the K6 4-in-1 Toddler Scooter. Coupon Code: BUNNY10 Save $10 on the K1 and K8 Kick Scooters, and the Twist Hoverboard. Coupon Code: BUNNY15 Save $15 on the Swagger 2 Kids Electric Scooter. Coupon Code: BUNNY50 Save $50 on the Swagskate Electric Penny Board.
