Hoppy Surprises: Cool Toys That Make Easter Baskets Unforgettable

Easter morning has a kind of magic—the rustle of pastel grass in woven baskets, the crinkle of hidden candy wrappers, and the wide-eyed joy as little hands uncover surprise after surprise. But let’s be honest—while jelly beans and chocolate bunnies are charming, the toys spark lasting memories. Filling Easter baskets with sweet fun and enriching activities can turn a simple holiday moment into a lifelong core memory in a season that celebrates renewal, creativity, and play. That’s what we’re going for in this guide—joyful, hands-on, memory-making magic.

We’ve scouted a unique selection of toys that hit all the right notes for this spring’s Easter baskets. Whether you’re looking for something cuddly, crafty, educational, or screen-free fun, this list delivers. These aren’t just toys but conversation-starters, creativity boosters, and quiet-time companions. Each pick was carefully chosen not only for its age-appropriateness but also for the way it inspires open-ended play and discovery. From the toddler learning to grasp and giggle to the tween vlogger documenting their spring break adventures, there’s something here for every stage and every type of play.

Because we know that parenting life is busy, we’ve done the homework—digging into the features, imagining how these toys fit into your child’s world, and linking directly to each one to make shopping effortless. So grab your baskets (real or virtual), fluff up the Easter grass, and dive into a roundup of cool toys that will brighten your child’s spring morning and keep them engaged long after the egg hunt.

Tree Town Toys Art Cafe

Art Cafe
Art Cafe

There’s something wonderfully mesmerizing about watching colors swirl into one another—especially when you’re the one creating the magic. That’s the experience behind the delightfully hands-on art kit inspired by the aesthetic beauty of latte art and viral pour-paint videos. It’s not just a craft—it’s a process that feels almost meditative, giving kids the power to create hypnotic, swirling designs with just a few flicks of the wrist.

At the heart of the Art Café is the “pour & pull” paint technique. Kids use fine-tip bottles to layer paint in lines and dots on specially designed paintable lids. Then comes the transformation: with a gentle drag of the included pick, those seemingly simple marks become intricate patterns that are stunning to behold. The visual reward is instant and deeply satisfying, making this a perfect project for kids who love to plan and those who thrive on spontaneity.

What makes this such a great Easter basket filler? For one, it offers a break from screens while still delivering that high-stimulation, sensory-rich experience. The texture of the paint, the precision of the pick gliding through the colors—it’s all profoundly engaging. Plus, the Art Café is as fun to do solo as share. Set it out during a family brunch or use it to wind down after a sugar-fueled egg hunt.

And here’s the secret bonus: this kit doesn’t just teach kids about color blending and technique. It also teaches patience, focus, and the value of trial and error. Every creation is uniquely their own, a badge of self-expression wrapped in a stylish, social-media-ready aesthetic. Trust us—once they try it, they’ll be hooked.

Strawberry Shortcake: Berry Besties Bake-Off

Strawberry Shortcake
Strawberry Shortcake

Add a sprinkle of nostalgia and friendly competition to your child’s Easter basket with Strawberry Shortcake: Berry Besties Bake-Off. This delightful card game feels like pulling a warm batch of cupcakes from the oven—inviting, joyful, and packed with sweetness. Whether you grew up watching Strawberry Shortcake or your kids are just meeting her crew for the first time, this game brings beloved characters into a playful, strategic setting that’s simple enough for younger players but clever enough to keep parents and older siblings engaged.

This is a bidding and collection game at its core—but with a twist. Players bid using cards that enter the pool for the next round, introducing a delightful element of anticipation and strategy. Every turn becomes a mix of luck, choice, and a little bit of bluffing. Do you go all in to grab a high-value card or play it safe and wait for a better round? It’s a dance of decision-making that keeps the game feeling fresh with every playthrough.

What sets this apart is how accessible and welcoming the gameplay is. The rules are simple enough to teach in minutes, and the illustrations are bright, adorable, and charming. It’s the kind of game that becomes a family staple, pulled out during holidays, weekend game nights, or rainy afternoons. And because it’s card-based, it’s easy to toss in a bag and bring along on springtime getaways.

Berry Besties Bake-Off is a sweet deal if you want a non-candy treat that brings people together. It turns giggles into strategy, playtime into bonding time, and every round into an opportunity for joyful connection.

Sweet Smiles Pink Bunny

Sweet Smiles
Sweet Smiles

Few things say “Easter” quite like a soft, snuggly bunny—and Sweet Smiles Pink Bunny hits that note with the perfect blend of cuddly comfort and heart-melting realism. At 14 inches tall, she’s just the right size for toddlers to carry, cradle, and love. Her soft fabric body, gently weighted bottom, and molded vinyl limbs give her a lifelike heft that feels right in little arms.

But it’s not just about how she feels—how she makes your child feel. There’s something deeply soothing in her sweet smile and sleepy eyes. Whether your child is curling up for a nap, reenacting bedtime routines, or simply seeking comfort during a busy day, the Pink Bunny doll becomes a gentle companion.

She comes fully dressed for springtime snuggles, sporting a bunny-themed tee, polka-dot leggings, and a soft matching cap. And yes—there’s a bottle, because caring for a baby bunny is serious business when you’re a toddler on the go. This doll encourages nurturing play, helping children build empathy and imaginative storytelling skills as they act out scenes from their world.

Ideal for ages 12 months and up, this doll is built with safety and durability in mind, too. No sharp parts, no easily detached accessories—just soft, secure, all-day companionship. Pop her into a basket lined with pastel tissue paper, and you have a gift that radiates warmth and love. With her adorable face and cozy softness, the Sweet Smiles Pink Bunny is more than a toy—it’s a treasured friend in the making.

CONNETIX Rainbow Mini Pack

Connetix
Connetix

If you hope to sneak some STEM (or STEAM) learning into your child’s Easter basket, the CONNETIX Rainbow Mini Pack is the ultimate colorful ruse. With 24 dazzling magnetic tiles in various geometric shapes and rainbow hues, this pack turns everyday building into a mesmerizing, brain-boosting experience.

Each tile in the set has the signature CONNETIX bevel design, which doesn’t just look sleek—it enhances clarity and makes structures more stable. Kids can go from constructing simple shapes to elaborate rockets, mandalas, and castles in the sky. The magnets are satisfyingly strong, allowing for building gravity-defying creations that feel solid and rewarding.

This mini pack may be small, but the possibilities are enormous. It’s ideal for sparking creativity on the go—perfect for taking along to grandparents’ houses or playing during long brunches while the grownups chat. Because it’s compatible with all other CONNETIX sets (and even other magnetic brands), it’s also a brilliant starter pack or add-on to a growing magnetic empire.

This toy shines in open-ended play. Kids can build independently or collaboratively, developing spatial reasoning, problem-solving, and creativity. It’s screen-free and mess-free, yet it holds attention like magic. This little pack has big Easter energy—colorful, fun, and irresistible.

Studio Creator Podcast & Vlogging Kit

Vlogging Kit
Vlogging Kit

Every kid dreams of being a star—some want to shine on stage, others behind the camera. For the rising content creator in your family, the Studio Creator Podcast & Vlogging Kit is a dream tucked neatly into an Easter basket. They need everything to launch their show—whether they’re documenting family adventures, reviewing their favorite books, or hosting interviews with their stuffed animal crew.

This kit includes a fold-up tabletop tripod that doubles as a portable phone grip, a smartphone holder, an LED ring light to enhance video quality, and a microphone to boost sound clarity. In other words, it’s the whole shebang. And it’s designed for ease, so kids can get set up without needing a studio engineer (though you might be recruited as a guest star).

Perfect for tweens and older kids, this set encourages storytelling, presentation skills, and digital literacy, all under the guise of pure fun. Whether they’re vlogging their Easter egg hunt or creating a podcast about springtime adventures, this kit supports creative expression in a format they love.

And because it’s compact and easy to carry, it’s perfect for travel and everyday adventures. With some imagination and enthusiasm, your kid might be the next big content creator—and it all starts with a surprise basket.

Stratego Junior

Stratego and Funstars
Stratego and Funstars

Let’s talk about Stratego Junior, which now features dinosaurs for reasons I can only assume involve a marketing department and a lot of coffee. Yes, dinosaurs. Because nothing says “strategic military conflict” like a Triceratops hiding behind a rock, there are two game modes—Quest and Triumph—which is great if your child has the attention span of a hummingbird and can’t commit to one rulebook.

In Stratego Quest, your four-year-old rolls dice, flips over tiles, and pretends this is about learning rather than guessing until something matches. Meanwhile, Stratego Triumph allows six-year-olds to dip their toes into tactical warfare, with dino-themed troop placement and egg hunting that feels vaguely like Jurassic Park meets a boardroom coup. It’s cute. It’s chaotic. It’s a cardboard battlefield of childhood dreams.

Playmobil Racing Professor

Picture this: a man in a lab coat, safety goggles on, test tubes boiling, hurling himself across the living room in a pull-back racecar like he’s late to a weird science fair. That’s the Playmobil Racing Professor, and yes, it is exactly as absurd as it sounds.

The car is surprisingly zippy, the accessories are delightfully unnecessary, and the entire aesthetic screams, “This is what happens when physics teachers quit and start street racing.” The professor comes with two tiny lab beakers because nothing says “responsible driving” like mixing chemicals mid-drift.

I tried to put him on a racetrack made of couch cushions. He did a 180-degree turn into a potted plant, and it was beautiful.

TOSY Magnet Pyramid Glow

Tosy
Tosy

Here, we have 243 magnets. Let me repeat that: two hundred and forty-three tiny magnetic pieces will absolutely find their way into every crevice of your home. The TOSY Magnet Pyramid Glow transforms into “over 1 billion shapes,” which is helpful if you’re looking to completely lose track of time and sanity.

It comes with a UV flashlight, which your child will either a) shine directly into their eyes or b) use to reveal secret patterns that look like interstellar crop circles. Honestly? It’s oddly satisfying to play with—even for adults. Especially adults who need a break from pretending they understand how Paw Patrol works.

TOSY Magnet Pyramid Stone

Like the Glow version, but make it fashionable. The Magnet Pyramid Stone swaps the rave aesthetic for sleek, modern vibes. It’s the toy version of that one kid who wears blazers unironically. The holographic finish is chic, the possibilities are endless, and the magnets threaten to unite into a sentient being under your fridge.

TOSY Magnet Cube 2×2

Imagine a Rubik’s cube but with magnets and a personal vendetta against your patience. The TOSY Magnet Cube 2×2 is a smooth-turning, mind-bending little box of joy and despair. It’s like a fidget toy had an identity crisis and decided to become a brain teaser.

Ten minutes in, and I was convinced I’d solved it—only to realize I’d just made a slightly messier cube. My child? Solved it in three. I don’t want to talk about it.

My Fun Day

My Fun Day
My Fun Day

Welcome to My Fun Day, where your toddler can explore the magical world of “routine.” Because nothing says “fun” like trying to explain the concept of Tuesday to someone who still thinks time is a social construct.

There’s a rabbit. There are sliders. Discs represent feelings, weather, and the general chaos of human existence. My child used it to schedule “ice cream o’clock” for every hour, which honestly tracks.

Great for fine motor skills but terrible for your morning coffee time.

Corolle Mini Corolline Romy

Corolle
Corolle

Eight inches of vinyl, hair that puts mine to shame, and a facial expression that suggests she’s silently judging your outfit. Meet Mini Corolline Romy, the doll that smells like vanilla and might have opinions about interior design.

She’s pocket-sized and adorable, and she wears a floral wrap dress that screams “brunch in Provence.” The shoes are molded on, which means fewer tiny fashion emergencies. Thank you, Corolle, for understanding the chaos of toddler accessories.

Miniland ECO Baby Sand Set

Miniland
Miniland

If I have to find sand in my car seats for the next three months, it better be eco-friendly. The Miniland ECO Baby Sand Set checks all the boxes: pastel colors, sustainable materials, and a rake small enough to poke me in the foot when I least expect it.

Your child will love it, and you will love that it’s made of recycled materials. However, you will not love discovering wet sand in the washing machine—such is the price of beachy joy.

Bird Lovers 1000-Piece Jigsaw Puzzle

Ridleys and In The Garden
Ridleys and In The Garden

Have you ever wanted to spend six hours sorting blue pieces that all look like sky and regret your life choices in high resolution? Enter the Bird Lovers Jigsaw Puzzle, which features over 100 birds and at least 87 shades of wing.

There’s also a flyway map included, which I used as a coaster after my second glass of “I need a break” wine. When it’s finished, it actually looks stunning—if you survive the journey and don’t feed half the pieces to the vacuum.

Shine Bright in the Garden Magnetic Dress-Up Kit

Finally, a dress-up kit won’t involve glitter explosions or lost shoes. Shine Bright in the Garden comes in a tidy tin (thank you, storage gods) with magnetic pieces that somehow all stick exactly where you want them. It’s gardening-themed, so expect sunhats, aprons, and enough tiny tools to make you question why you’re not outside planting something.

It’s screen-free. It’s mess-free. It’s travel-friendly. It might be the most functional thing in our house right now. As the last jelly bean disappears and the egg hunt winds down, the toys tucked between tufts of Easter grass often leave the biggest impression. Whether it’s a swirly masterpiece from the Art Café, a giggle-filled card game with Strawberry Shortcake, or a quiet cuddle with a snuggly pink bunny, these moments become more than just holiday highlights—they become memories stitched into the fabric of childhood.

The toys we’ve spotlighted aren’t just fun. They’re gateways to imagination, creativity, learning, and connection. They invite kids to explore who they are and what they love, build, laugh, nurture, and share. And that, in the end, is what Easter baskets should be about: a celebration of joy, discovery, and the little things that spark wonder in growing hearts.

So whether you’re curating the perfect basket for a tiny tot, a budding artist, or a future podcast sensation, we hope this guide helps you find the right surprise to tuck beneath the pastel paper. Here’s to an Easter filled with color, laughter, and toys that bring happiness long after the last chocolate bunny is gone.