Easter Basket on a Budget

I have always had a love for holidays and totally get sucked in to all the goodies available. Yesterday I walked the aisles of Walmart trying to come up with some ideas of what to put in my17 month old son's Easter basket without breaking the bank. Here is a list of what I came up with to help you too create a Easter basket for your special little someone.

1. Easter Grass: Instead of buying grass to fill you basket, make your own. If you have a paper shredder simply put some colorful construction paper through it to create your own Easter grass (this idea will only work if you have a regular shredder and not one that is a cross cut). Another idea I love is to grow your own grass. Buy some grass seed and plant it in a medium size pot or even a metal pail. It is probably too late for this year, but a great idea to keep in mind. If you do grow your own grass add a handle using scrapbook paper.

2. Eggs filled with goldfish, yogurt melts, puffs, cheerios, kix, etc. (whatever dry snack foods you have on hand). Most of the plastic eggs you buy at the store are a chocking hazard. I found a "how to" make your own Paper-Mache Easter Eggs using water balloons and tissue paper. I am going to give these a try, I'll be sure to let you know how they turn out. If you are interested in trying it for yourself please share how it worked for you.

3. Homemade Playdough from 7 Daylight Savings Toddler Activities.

4. Easter Coloring Sheets: There are several printable pages available so you can create your own Easter coloring book on a budget.

5. Bubbles ($0.99)

6. Sidewalk chalk ($0.99)

7. Books: I always find books in good condition at a great price at thrift stores (usually under $1). Check out your local thrift stores, you may just be surprised what you can find. If you can't find any there see what the dollar store has.

8. Easter Cookies: Make/bake your kiddo a special treat. In our house treats are mini banana bread muffins. Mix up some colorful rice crispy treats for the older kids. Make whatever works for you.

9. Musical Instruments: Make your own musical instruments using baby food jars filled with dry beans or rice. Please make sure they are screwed on tight.

10. Make your child a tooth fairy pillow. I sell these at my Cole House Creations Etsy Shop for $5, but they are very easy to make. Depending on the type of felt you use they can be very inexpensive (under $1). I use felt, but if you have scrap fabric on hand feel free to use that instead. I will post a tutorial on how to. Here is a list of items you will need to have on hand to complete the project:

1 8x10 piece of colorful felt/or two 5" fabric squares
1 8x10 piece of white felt (usually $0.33, but I have bought it on sale at Joann Fabrics for $0.25)
1 sewing needle
Thick colorful thread
Regular thread

Optional Items
Sewing machine or liquid stitch/fabritac glue
Ribbon
2 Buttons

Tooth Fairy Pillow "how to" coming soon!

What do you usually put in your toddler's Easter basket?