Easter Basket Ideas for Babies and Toddlers: Beyond Chocolate and Plastic

Easter in Malta has its own rhythm. Holy Week processions, the smell of figolli baking, Good Friday quiet, and then the joy of Easter Sunday with church bells, family lunches and children running around with chocolate eggs. For babies and toddlers, though, chocolate is often not appropriate, and a pile of plastic trinkets does not last long.

An Easter basket is a lovely alternative. A small woven basket with a few thoughtful things inside feels special, celebrates spring and gives your little one something to enjoy long after the eggs are gone. Here are our ideas for babies and toddlers in Malta.

Start with the basket itself

Choose a basket your child can keep using. A small seagrass, willow or cotton rope basket becomes a carrying basket for toddlers, a home for wooden animals or a treasure basket for babies. Line it with a cotton cloth or a little tissue paper instead of plastic grass.

For babies under one

Babies do not need much, and they certainly do not understand Easter yet. But a basket for them can be a sweet keepsake and a gift for the family.

• A soft wooden or fabric rattle
• A natural rubber teether
• A board book about spring, animals or the garden
• A small knitted or felt bunny
• A cotton bib or muslin in a spring colour

If your baby is teething, our natural teething relief guide explains what to look for in a teether.

For toddlers one to three

Toddlers love the hunt as much as the basket. A small Easter egg hunt in the garden, courtyard or on the balcony is a wonderful activity for this age. Instead of chocolate, hide wooden eggs, small animals or pretty stones. Toddlers will be just as thrilled to find them.

• A set of wooden spring animals: lambs, chicks, bunnies
• Wooden eggs to hide and find
• A picture book about spring or Easter
• Beeswax crayons and an egg-shaped colouring card
• A small watering can for the balcony
• Seeds to plant in a pot

Bring nature into it

Spring is a beautiful season in Malta. The countryside is green after the winter rain, wildflowers are everywhere and the weather is mild enough for long walks. Make nature part of the Easter basket: a little bag for collecting, a magnifying glass for older toddlers, or a pot and seeds to plant together.

After Easter, take a walk to gather spring treasures. Our guide to nature play in Malta suggests shaded parks and gardens that are perfect at this time of year.

A place for chocolate, gently

Chocolate is part of Easter, and there is no need to be strict about it for older toddlers if you are comfortable. A single small egg alongside a few lasting things keeps the balance. For babies, it is best to skip it. If grandparents are planning large chocolate eggs, you might suggest a book or a wooden animal instead. Our article on asking family for wooden toy gifts has kind wording ideas.

Maltese traditions to share

Easter is a lovely chance to share local traditions with little ones. Bake a small figolla together, even if your toddler's contribution is mostly flour on the floor. Visit a village to see the decorations. Read or tell a simple story about spring. These experiences matter more than anything in the basket.

Keeping it simple

It is easy for Easter to become another occasion for lots of stuff. One basket, three to five items, and something to do together is plenty. Choose things that can join your child's everyday toys after the holiday, so nothing is wasted.

Wrapping and presentation

Wrap individual items in fabric, kraft paper or simple tissue. Tie with cotton ribbon or twine and tuck in a sprig of rosemary or a few wildflowers. It looks beautiful, it is plastic-free, and the wrapping becomes part of the fun for a toddler who loves to unwrap.

A sample basket for a two year old

• A seagrass basket lined with a cotton cloth
• Three wooden spring animals
• A picture book about baby animals
• A small watering can
• One small chocolate egg, if you wish
• An afternoon egg hunt on the balcony

Looking for more ideas?

If you are buying for a niece or nephew, our auntie and uncle gift guide has more suggestions. For the next big occasion of the year, see our first Christmas gifts guide.

Timing your basket

In Malta, Easter Sunday is usually spent with extended family, so many parents give the basket first thing in the morning, before church or the big lunch. That gives little ones a calm, quiet moment to open things at home, rather than in the middle of a busy and noisy family gathering.

Little Curio is preparing a small collection of plastic-free toys for families in Malta, curated by a mum. You can preview the shop and explore our gift edits while we get ready to open.

More from the Journal: Mother's Day in Malta: Simple Handmade Gifts from Little Hands, Gifts for New Parents in Malta: Thoughtful Ideas That Are Not Just for the Baby.