Autism-Friendly Easter Basket Ideas

Traditional Easter baskets might not always be the best choice for an Autistic child. They are often small, hard to handle, and the material used to make the basket can feel uncomfortable.

Every child has unique preferences and sensory needs and the bright colours, materials, and mix of treats can also be overwhelming and over stimulating.

Here are some autism-friendly Easter basket ideas to create a celebration your neurodiverse child will love:

1. Swap the Basket for a Box

Instead of a traditional basket, try using a shoebox or gift box decorated with wrapping paper. Structured play can also make it less overwhelming your child.

Now fill your Easter box by:

Layering small gifts inside, separated by fake grass or tissue paper.
Letting your child discover one item at a time for an exciting and engaging experience.

See the DIY video here:

https://youtu.be/MFV15VswoiQ?si=wuaY3ygttl2Huusn

2. Include Sensory-Friendly Toys like

Many autistic children enjoy toys that provide sensory stimulation. Consider adding:

Kinetic sand or playdough
Bubbles
Squishmallows
Glow tubes or bubble tubes
Fidget toys

You can easily buy these from Kmart, Target, Big W. We found these sensory friendly toys from Kmart.

3. Wind-Up or Light-Up Toys

If your child enjoys visual effects, light-up toys can be an exciting addition. Shop these fun toys from here.

4. Easter Treat Alternatives

If your child has dietary restrictions or prefers non-food gifts, consider:

Mini puzzles or building blocks, stickers and colouring books. Easily find these in Kmart, Daiso, Office Works.

Soft chewable jewellery for sensory seekers. Therapy Store have some cool stuff.

A cozy weighted lap pad for relaxation: We found this cute one in an Etsy shop.