The Ultimate Easter Basket for 9-Year-Old Boys

Putting together an Easter basket for a 9-year-old boy feels so different than when they were little, doesn’t it? When my son was a toddler, I could fill his basket with bubbles, board books, and a stuffed animal or two, and he was thrilled. Now that he’s older (and way too cool for most of the “baby” Easter goodies), I have to get a little more creative.

This is the stage where they’re not quite little kids anymore, but they’re also not full-on tween boys or middle schoolers yet. They still love silly things and fun surprises but also want to feel more grown-up. So, based on what my son and his friends are into, I’ve rounded up the best Easter basket ideas for older kids—specifically for 9–12 year olds.

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Whether this is your first time building a basket for a bigger kid or you’ve been doing this for a couple of years now, I hope this big list of ideas gives you plenty of inspiration (and makes Easter morning extra fun without much effort!).

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What to Include in a 9-Year-Old’s Easter Basket

Before I jump into the list, here’s how I usually approach Easter baskets now that my son is older:

• A couple pieces of candy (but not too much)
• One or two small games or puzzles
• Something to keep him active or creative
• A few fun Easter basket fillers like a fidget or mini games
• Lego set (because you can never have too many)

I try to mix in different activities that work for spring break downtime or outdoor play with friends. And I always keep it affordable—these baskets don’t have to be Pinterest-perfect or cost a fortune to be awesome!

Art Supplies and Creative Fun

Even though he’s 9, my son still loves anything he can draw, color, or create with. Art supplies are a fun way to sneak in some screen-free time, and they make for affordable Easter basket stuffers, too.

Here are a few things I know will be a big hit:

• A notebook with cool covers (space, basketball, or video game themed)
• Twistable crayons or gel pens (he uses these more than I expected!)
• Stickers or temporary tattoos
• Dabomb glow bath bomb (he thought this was so cool—it fizzes and glows!)
• A “how to draw” book that teaches you how to make your own comic strip

If you’ve got a kid who loves to doodle or craft, these make great gifts—perfect for a quiet afternoon during spring break.

Outdoor Toys and Sports Gear

Once the weather warms up, my son wants to be outside every chance he gets. Easter is the perfect time to add outdoor toys to his basket to keep him active (and burn off all the Easter candy energy!).

Here are a few things that have gone over really well:

• Reusable water balloons (no mess, and they’re great for the whole family)
• A small football or a new baseball glove
• Sidewalk chalk with stencils
• Stomp rockets (still a favorite around here)
• A frisbee or boomerang for park days

These make great Easter basket fillers for younger kids, too, and you can usually find most of them for under $20.

Small Games and Hilarious Card Games

We’re big on games in our house—especially small, quick ones we can play as a family. The best part? Most of these don’t take up a lot of space and are easy to bring on a road trip or to Grandma’s house after the egg hunt.

Here are a few we love:

• Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza (this one gets loud and silly fast—my son’s friends love it)
• Exploding Kittens (perfect for ages 9 and up and great for game nights)
• Mini puzzle cubes or brain teasers
• Travel-size Connect 4 or UNO

Games like these are such a fun way to keep older kids entertained, and they also help us all unplug and spend time together.

LEGO Sets and Building Blocks

No matter how many LEGO sets we have, there’s always room for more. My son is definitely a LEGO fan, and Easter is a great time to surprise him with a smaller set he can build on his own.

Some favorites include:

• LEGO Creator sets (especially the 3-in-1 builds)
• Minecraft or Star Wars mini kits
• Magnetic building blocks
• 3D puzzles (a fun challenge that feels more grown-up)

They make a fun addition to kids’ baskets and are great for those “I’m bored” moments during spring break.

Books

If your son loves to read—or if you’re just trying to encourage it—a book makes a perfect Easter gift that lasts way longer than candy. My son is very into graphic novels, so I try to sneak one into his basket each year.

Here are a few ideas:

• Dog Man, Big Nate, or Diary of a Wimpy Kid (you can’t go wrong!)
• Joke books or gross fact books (yes, he lives for these)
• Choose-your-own-adventure books

Books like these are a fun way to keep their minds busy over break, and they’re also perfect for car rides and quiet time.

Tween-Approved “Cool” Stuff

Okay, this is where it gets tricky. My son and his friends are all starting to care about what’s “cool” now, so I always try to throw in one or two things that feel just a little older but are still fun and age-appropriate.

Some of our best finds:

• A gift card (Target, Roblox, or even our local ice cream shop)
• A new water bottle with an innovative design (he brings his to school and practice)
• LED strip lights for his room (such a tween thing)
• A tech accessory like a pop socket or mini speaker

Even just one of these makes the basket feel a little more grown-up, which I think they secretly love.

Sweet Treats and Easter Goodies

Of course, it’s not Easter without some sweet treats! I don’t go overboard, but I include a couple of his favorites yearly.

Our go-to Easter goodies:

• Mini chocolate bunny
• Candy-filled plastic egg (I like adding a little cash or a joke inside too)
• Sour candy or gummy worms
• Cookie decorating kit (this is a fun thing to do together!)
• Jellybeans or a small bag of seasonal M&Ms

This is the perfect time to let them enjoy a treat or two—and maybe sneak some candy for yourself, too.

Fun for the Whole Family

Sometimes, I like to include something we can all do together—especially now that my kids are older and game nights are actually fun.

Here are a few ideas:

• A new board game for the whole family
• Giant bubbles or yard games
• A movie night kit with popcorn and candy
• Puzzle game we can all help solve

You could even start a new tradition and do a little family basket in addition to the kids’ baskets!

Final Thoughts

At 9 years old, my son still gets so excited to see what the Easter Bunny left him—and I love making his basket feel fun and personal without going overboard. It’s such a sweet age, where they still love play and surprises but are also starting to grow up a bit.

Whether you fill your basket with games, books, sports gear, or just a few fun things and sweet treats, I hope this gave you some great ideas for making Easter morning magical for your older kid.

And hey, if all else fails, stick a gift card in a plastic egg and call it a day. The Easter Bunny gets it. 😉