Alternative Easter Baskets for Kids

Forget expensive wicker baskets, painted Easter colors, or cheap plastic pre-filled baskets that disappoint. There are lots of items found in department stores and even dollar-theme stores, that make perfect reusable baskets. You and your child will be pleased when the basket is empty and can still be used.

Alternative baskets for kids are found by the dozens in toy aisles and household departments. Look for small plastic wagons for boys or grocery carts for girls in the toy department. The items are usually not costly and can hold tons of Easter goodies. There's room for large things, like coloring books, stuffed bunny, and plenty more. When the goodies are gone the boy can cart his puppy or G.I. Joe's around in the wagon. You can seal empty canisters and boxes from the kitchen to make play foods for the girl.

Small laundry baskets make the perfect Easter basket for boy, girl, man or woman. Round, square or rectangular, the baskets can be painted, with a paint marker, in Easter colors. No need in painting the entire basket, though. Just paint around one plastic "window" of the basket, here and there. You can also use Easter stickers to decorate. And if you want, eliminate the Easter theme, on the basket at least, and decorate it with stickers to match your child's bedroom decor. Now when the basket is empty they can use it as a laundry hamper or a place to hold their toys.

Waste baskets also make fantastic Easter baskets. Since they come in so many different sizes and colors, you can choose the one that's right for the recipient. And, they can be used for any gender, any age. Purchase them pre-designed or use stickers, markers, paints, cloth or other items to improve them. There are lots of great things at a craft store that you can use to decorate the trash cans.

Make quick, cheap Easter baskets by purchasing a large plastic bowl at a dollar-theme store or elsewhere. Braid together ribbon, ropes, or just cut a piece of cloth to make a handle. Glue the handle to opposite sides of the bowl, using contact cement to secure.

Use a book bag, travel bag, or other zipper bag to make an Easter basket. Unzip and fill the bag with Easter goodies. Or, use one of the many different storage cases they have in toy departments, made for carrying doll supplies, toy cars and such. Just for girls, there's baby bassinets, in various sizes, to fill with goodies. Just for boys, you can purchase large plastic or metal dump trucks to hold their surprises.

This year, instead of spending money for Easter baskets that are only going to end up in storage, why not consider some of the other items you'll find at a department store, like a baby doll stroller, a remote-control truck, a small pet bed or large plastic storage containers. You'll come up with even more ideas while you browse your local stores.