70 Candy-Free Ideas for Baby’s First Easter Basket

Why Skip the Candy for Baby’s First Easter

If this is your baby’s first Easter, chocolate bunnies and jelly beans are a bit pointless. Babies under one shouldn’t be having sugar or chocolate at all, and most sweets are choking hazards for anyone who hasn’t got a full set of teeth or the chewing skills to cope with them. The good news is a candy-free basket is actually more fun to put together. You get to focus on things your baby will genuinely enjoy or use, rather than a pile of sweets that will just end up in your cupboard (or your mouth, if we’re honest).

Below are 70 ideas grouped roughly by age and use, so you can build a basket that actually suits where your baby is developmentally, rather than just grabbing anything pastel-coloured off the shelf.

Safety First: What to Check Before You Fill the Basket

Before you buy anything, run it through a quick mental checklist:

• The choke test: if an item (or any part of it) can fit through a toilet roll tube, it’s not safe for a baby who mouths things, which is most babies under two or three.
• Age labelling: toys come with age guidance for a reason. It’s usually about small parts, not intelligence, so don’t ignore a “3+” label just because your baby seems advanced.
• Materials: look for BPA-free plastics, non-toxic paints and dyes, and avoid anything with a strong chemical smell straight out of the packaging.
• Cords, ribbons and small bows: lovely for basket decoration, but keep them away from baby’s neck and mouth once playtime starts.

If you’re ever unsure whether something is appropriate for your baby’s age or stage, it’s worth a quick check with your health visitor, GP or the product’s own safety guidance rather than guessing.

For the Youngest Babies (Newborn to 6 Months)

At this age, your baby isn’t going to “unwrap” anything themselves, so the basket is really more of a keepsake and a set of useful bits for you. Think comfort, sensory stimulation and practical items you’ll actually use.

1. Pacifiers (in the size and shape your baby already takes well)
2. A monogrammed onesie or babygrow
3. A soft board book with high-contrast pictures
4. Fabric bows or soft headbands (only worn while supervised, never for sleep)
5. A storybook Bible or first faith book, if that fits your family
6. Baby-safe sunblock (check the label, as many sunscreens aren’t recommended before 6 months, so ask your pharmacist or GP which type is suitable)
7. A bendy, textured teething toy
8. Soft cotton leg warmers
9. A swaddle blanket
10. A rattle with no small detachable parts
11. Easter-print bloomers or a soft outfit for photos
12. A hand or finger puppet for you to use during playtime
13. A lullaby album or white noise playlist
14. Extra bottles in the size and teat flow your baby currently uses
15. A fabric growth chart to start tracking milestones
16. Soft cloth burp cloths
17. A cotton baby gown for sleep
18. A hooded baby towel
19. Baby-safe night light for the nursery
20. A soft-bodied doll or comforter toy

For Older Babies (6 to 12 Months and Beyond)

Once your baby is sitting up, grabbing things, and maybe starting solids, you’ve got a lot more scope. This is where you can lean into sensory toys, feeding gear and things that support the skills they’re working on.

21. A silicone fresh food feeder for fruit or ice chips
22. Stackable soft blocks
23. Stacking rings for hand-eye coordination
24. Training spoons designed for self-feeding
25. Stackable bath cups
26. Bath crayons for messy, washable fun
27. A soft-bristled first toothbrush and fluoride-free training toothpaste
28. A weaning spoon, fork and suction plate set
29. A suction bowl that won’t go flying off the highchair tray
30. A reusable food pouch for on-the-go snacks
31. Non-toxic bubbles (blown by you, not baby, until they’re older)
32. A soft, chunky first doll or stuffed animal
33. A car seat toy that clips on and can’t be thrown
34. Jumbo, non-toxic crayons for a toddler-in-training
35. A snack catcher cup to cut down on floor mess
36. A play phone or other pretend-play toy
37. A baby-safe mirror toy
38. Soft, wide barrettes or bows for hair (supervised wear only)
39. An Easter-themed bib
40. A soft slinky-style toy for sensory play

Bath, Sun and Outdoor Play

If Easter falls somewhere mild or you’re already thinking ahead to spring and summer, a few outdoor-themed items can round out the basket nicely. Always supervise babies fully around water, including inflatable pools and paddling pools, no matter how shallow they look.

41. A small inflatable paddling pool for supervised splashing
42. Swim nappies
43. A properly fitted swimsuit
44. Arm floaties or a puddle jumper (used only under direct supervision, never as a substitute for watching your baby)
45. Baby sunglasses with UV protection
46. A mini umbrella (more of a photo prop at this age than a functional item)
47. Soft rain boots for splashing in puddles once walking
48. A sunhat with a chin strap
49. Swim toys for the bath or paddling pool
50. A hooded beach or bath towel

Clothing, Photos and Easter Sunday Outfits

A lot of parents use the Easter basket as an excuse to sort out the outfit for the day, or to grab something for the next few months of growth. It’s worth checking the size guide rather than buying by age label, since babies vary hugely.

51. A polo shirt or smart outfit for Easter photos
52. A tutu or dressy outfit for a first Easter photoshoot
53. A bow tie and matching bonnet set
54. Soft cotton socks
55. A set of closet dividers to organise the wardrobe you’re about to fill
56. Monthly milestone onesie stickers for photo tracking
57. A soft Easter-themed bracelet (again, supervised wear only, and only once your baby is past the newborn stage where everything goes in the mouth)
58. A set of novelty erasers or stickers, kept for when your baby is old enough not to eat them
59. A small toy purse for an older baby who loves putting things in and taking them out
60. A soft first Easter bonnet or headband for the day itself

Practical Extras and Keepsakes

These are the bits that don’t photograph as nicely but that you’ll actually be glad of.

61. Travel-size toiletries for family outings
62. A soft hairbrush for baby’s first grooming kit
63. Character-print plasters for bumps and scrapes to come
64. Pacifier wipes for cleaning on the go
65. A toothbrush sanitiser or holder
66. A piggy bank to start saving for later
67. Play-Doh or modelling dough, kept aside until your baby is well past the mouthing stage (usually 3 years and up, due to choking and ingestion risk)
68. A small toy car for an older sibling to share in the fun
69. A frame or album page ready for baby’s first Easter photo
70. Your own time and attention on the day, which honestly means more to a baby than anything in the basket

A Few Final Thoughts

You don’t need all 70 of these. Pick a handful that suit your baby’s actual age and stage, mix in something practical, something soft and cuddly, and maybe one outfit for photos, and you’ve got a lovely first Easter basket without a scrap of chocolate in sight. If in doubt about anything’s safety, whether it’s a toy, sunscreen, or swim gear, it’s always worth a quick word with your health visitor or GP first. Happy Easter, and enjoy the first of many with your little one.