10 Jesus-Centered Easter Basket Ideas for Toddlers

Easter with toddlers is sweet and joyful and just a little chaotic (in the best way).

There are jellybeans rolling under the couch. Chocolate on tiny fingers. Bright plastic eggs everywhere.

But if you’re here, I know your heart.

You want it to gently point your little one toward Jesus – in a way they can understand.

Toddlers only need simple, tangible reminders. Objects they can hold. Stories they can hear again and again.

In this post, I’ll walk you through Jesus-centered Easter basket ideas for toddlers that are practical, meaningful, and age-appropriate.

And if you’re still figuring out what kind of basket to use, you might like my easy DIY Easter basket tutorial – it’s sturdy, simple, and perfect for little hands.

Let’s build a basket that feels joyful and rooted at the same time.

How to Choose Age-Appropriate Faith Items for a Toddler Easter Basket

When putting together a Jesus-centered Easter basket for toddlers, the biggest question is usually this:

What will they actually understand?

Toddlers live in the concrete. They learn through touch, repetition, routine, and simple language. So when you’re choosing items, think less about explaining theology and more about creating familiarity.

Here are a few practical guidelines to keep in mind:

• Keep it visual. Images stick at this age. A cross, a lamb, a sunrise, an empty tomb illustration. These become visual anchors long before your child can fully explain what they mean.

• Keep it short. One sentence is enough. “Jesus loves us.” “The tomb was empty.” “Jesus is alive.” Toddlers absorb small phrases through repetition.

• Keep it tactile. If they can hold it, carry it, open it, or wear it, they are more likely to engage with it. That is why items like books, small wooden objects, planting kits, and simple puzzles work well.

• Keep it balanced. You do not need to eliminate treats or fun surprises. The goal is not to remove joy. The goal is to make sure the story of Easter is clearly present alongside it.

If you’re planning a full week of simple faith-based activities, I also share some simple Easter crafts for toddlers that pair beautifully with basket items.

When you approach the basket this way, you are simply choosing a few thoughtful items that introduce faith in a way that feels natural for your toddler’s stage.

10 Jesus-Centered Easter Basket Ideas for Toddlers

Below are ten practical, age-appropriate ideas you can mix and match to create a basket that feels joyful, intentional, and rooted in what Easter is truly about.

1. A Toddler-Friendly Resurrection Storybook

Start with the foundation: the story.

Choose a simple board book version of the Easter story written for toddlers.

Look for:

• Short sentences
• Gentle illustrations
• Clear explanation of Jesus’ love
• Focus on the resurrection

Read it every night during Easter week. Repetition is powerful at this age.

Tip: Place this book at the very top of the basket so it’s the first thing they see.

2. A Soft Plush Lamb

A small lamb is a gentle visual reminder of Jesus as the Lamb of God.

The image of a lamb gently introduces the idea of Jesus as the Lamb of God in a way that feels safe and comforting rather than abstract.

Choose one that is soft, washable, and small enough for little hands.

Toddlers connect deeply with soft objects. A plush lamb becomes:

• A visual cue for conversations about Jesus
• A bedtime companion
• A comfort item

This is one of those Jesus-centered Easter basket ideas that continues beyond Easter morning. It becomes part of everyday life.

3. Resurrection Eggs (Toddler-Safe Version)

Resurrection eggs turn the Easter story into something toddlers can physically explore.

Instead of explaining events all at once, you place small objects inside plastic or wooden eggs that represent parts of the story.

For toddlers, keep it simple. Choose just three to five symbols rather than a full twelve-piece set.

For example:

• A small cross
• A piece of cloth
• A coin
• A tiny stone

If you want an easy, low-prep version, I also walk through how we use a very effortless Easter story egg craft for kids in our home – it keeps things simple and toddler-friendly.

The power of resurrection eggs is in the repetition and the sensory experience. Toddlers learn by touching. These small objects make the story tangible.

4. A Simple Wooden Cross

A small wooden cross is a powerful addition to a Jesus-centered Easter basket.

Choose one that is smooth, lightweight, and safe for small hands.

Natural wood feels warm and grounding, especially if your home leans toward simple, natural materials.

You can place the cross on a small shelf in their room after Easter. Or keep it in a family prayer corner. Let it become a familiar sight.

At this age, short and steady truth is enough. The cross becomes a visual anchor, something they associate with love and security.

5. A “He Is Risen” Toddler T-Shirt

Clothing can carry meaning in a gentle way.

A soft cotton shirt with a simple phrase like “He Is Risen” gives your toddler something to wear on Easter Sunday that reflects the deeper reason for the celebration.

Choose breathable fabric and a design that is clear and easy to read. Avoid overly busy graphics so the message stands out.

When relatives or friends comment on the shirt, it opens natural conversation.

For toddlers, wearing the message helps normalize it. Faith becomes part of everyday life rather than something separate or formal.

6. A Christian Coloring Book (Easter-Themed)

Toddlers love to color. It is calming, familiar, and easy to engage with.

An Easter-themed Christian coloring book with simple illustrations of:

• The empty tomb
• A cross on a hill
• A sunrise
• A shepherd and sheep

…gives your toddler something hands-on that quietly reinforces the story.

Choose one with bold, simple outlines and minimal detail. At this age, less is more.

Add a small box of crayons or beeswax crayons to the basket and you have an activity that lasts beyond Easter morning.

It becomes a peaceful way to revisit the story throughout the week.

7. A Faith-Themed Board Puzzle

Toddlers learn best through play, and puzzles are perfect for strengthening fine motor skills while reinforcing visual imagery.

Look for wooden or sturdy board puzzles that feature simple Christian themes such as:

• A shepherd and sheep
• A cross
• An empty tomb
• A sunrise scene

Play-based learning makes faith feel integrated rather than forced. That is the goal.

8. A Prayer Card Set for Toddlers

Prayer at this age should feel simple and approachable.

Create or print small prayer cards with short phrases such as:

• “Thank you, Jesus.”
• “Jesus loves me.”
• “Help me be kind.”

Laminate them or print them on thick cardstock so they can withstand little hands.

Each night during Easter week, choose one card and say it together. Keep it short. Keep it calm.

The habit matters more than the length.

Over time, your toddler begins to see prayer as something normal and safe.

9. A Garden Planting Kit (Resurrection Reminder)

Planting seeds is one of the most beautiful visual illustrations of resurrection.

Add a small pot, a packet of easy-to-grow seeds, and a child-sized watering can to your basket.

Choose seeds that sprout quickly so your toddler can see results within days.

As you water the plant together each day, you reinforce the idea of new life.

Watching green shoots appear after a few days creates a powerful visual connection between Easter and growth. It is hands-on. It is hopeful. It is memorable.

If you want something sweet to enjoy while you talk about the story, I also share a simple Easter story snack mix recipe.

10. A Cross Necklace or Soft Faith Bracelet (Toddler-Safe)

A small, toddler-safe cross necklace or soft fabric faith bracelet can be a meaningful but simple addition to an Easter basket.

Look for something lightweight and safe, such as:

• A soft silicone cross necklace with a breakaway clasp
• A fabric bracelet with an embroidered cross
• A small wooden cross on a cord designed specifically for children

At this age, wearing something meaningful helps create familiarity. It becomes something they touch throughout the day.

Because it is wearable, it moves with them. It shows up in daily life. And it keeps Easter connected to ordinary moments.

You might also love my guide on making a DIY bunny ears treat bag if you want a sweet, reusable way to package small Easter goodies.

Try These Ideas and Watch Easter Feel Different

Choose one Jesus-centered Easter basket idea this year.

Maybe it is resurrection eggs.
Maybe it is a simple storybook.
Maybe it is planting seeds together.

Start small.

Then build from there.

If you’re putting together a faith-filled Easter basket for your toddler this year, I’d love to hear from you.

• What are you adding to your basket?
• Are you starting a new Easter tradition?
• What has worked well for your family in the past?

Your ideas might inspire another mama who’s quietly trying to make Easter feel deeper too.

FAQs

What are good non-candy fillers to balance out the basket?

If you want to reduce sugar but still keep the basket full, try adding:

• A pair of spring pajamas
• A new toothbrush
• Sidewalk chalk
• Bubbles
• A small snack pack like dried fruit or crackers
• Stickers or crayons

These keep the basket fun and full without relying entirely on candy.

How do I make resurrection eggs at home without buying a set?

You can make a simple version using plastic eggs you already have.

Place small items from around your home inside, such as:

• A coin
• A small rock
• A piece of cloth
• A toothpick cross
• A strip of brown paper

Write a one-sentence note for yourself so you remember what each symbol represents. Keep it simple and toddler-friendly.

How do I keep small basket items safe for toddlers?

Always check for choking hazards.

Avoid very small objects if your child still puts things in their mouth. Choose larger wooden pieces, soft fabric items, or sturdy board books. If using small symbols inside resurrection eggs, supervise closely during use.

Safety first. Meaningful second.

How big should a toddler’s Easter basket be?

Smaller is usually better.

A medium-sized woven basket or fabric basket is more than enough. Oversized baskets often lead to overfilling. Limiting space naturally keeps things simple and intentional.

How much should I realistically spend on a toddler Easter basket?

You can keep it very budget-friendly.

Many items can be reused from previous years or made at home. A meaningful basket does not need to be expensive. Focus on one or two core items and build around them with practical or already-owned pieces.