9 charming Easter basket goodies under $15 — minus the cavities and sugar rush
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Easter is fast approaching, and the kids in your life are already dreaming of egg hunts and a basket filled with candy from a very special bunny. Why not mix things up a bit this year, and swap out some of that candy for some small amusements under $15? And we don't just mean any little toys, but ones that are high-quality and will delight long after the chocolate bunnies have been devoured.
Care Bears 9-inch Cheer Bear Bean Plush
You might have fond memories of Care Bears from the 1980s, and they're back and cuter than ever. In fact, you'll be tempted to get all of these nine-inch mini-plushes — if Easter baskets were larger. Choose the color — or emotion — that suits the child, like pink Cheer Bear to the yellow Sunshine Bear, the perfect companion for outdoor playtime.
Gund 6-inch P.Lushes BahBa LaCreme
No matter what your age, it's likely you grew up with a Gund plush toy in your life — the company's been around since 1898, after all. And you still grab one for your kids or grandkids, without breaking the bank. We're particularly fond of these stylish P.Lushes, which cross cute animals with various fashion styles and fabrics, like corduroy, tweed and knitwear. No matter what kind of clothes your kids like to sport, there's a P.Lush to match. And they're all super affordable, so you can build up a closetful.
Lego Creator 3-in-1 Dolphin and Turtle Building Kit
Another huge kid's classic is Lego, so you can't go wrong with slipping a few small kits in a child's Easter basket. Lego is typically known for being pricey, but the small Lego Creator sets are surprisingly affordable. These sets pack a huge punch, with multiple items to build and rebuild. They look great when assembled, are fun to play with and can be combined into a larger Lego collection. This set gives us strong Finding Nemo vibes, so it'll be great for the aquarium fans in your life.
Mudpuppy Space Illuminated 500 Piece Glow-in-the-Dark Jigsaw Puzzle
If you need something that'll keep the kids busy for hours — hopefully, long enough for the sugar rush to wear off — may we recommend a nice puzzle? They'll have a blast with this space-themed kit that features astronauts, planets and stars. It has 500 pieces, which means it's not too complicated. But the best part is that it glows in the dark, revealing all sorts of secret images when the lights are out. This is one the kids can enjoy more than once, putting it together with the lights on and then again in a dark room!
Mudpuppy Songbirds 500 Piece Family Jigsaw Puzzle
Spring also means a lot of our feathered friends are returning from their winter vacations. This charming jigsaw puzzle features some of our favorite songbirds like cardinals, finches and sparrows, and the artwork is good enough to frame when you're done. Thick and sturdy pieces make solving this puzzle possible even for the younger ones in your family. It may even inspire the kids to go birdwatching when the weather's nice.
Polly Pocket Tropicool Pineapple Wearable Purse Compact
As a kid, I loved tiny worlds I could carry around in my bag, and no, I don't mean video games! Polly Pocket toys are still around and more stylish than ever, with wearable compacts like this pineapple-shaped purse than holds an entire jungle. This set includes two dolls, a treehouse to explore and lots of animals friends. It's a great gift to keep kids busy on a long car or plane ride, one that's easy to stow away until the next adventure.
Micro Machines Gas N Dash Transforming Playset
For kids who are more into vehicles than dollhouses, Micro Machines is also still around. These tiny cars make a great little gift for children three and older, and the playsets can be folded for easy storage or travel. This portable service station is a great addition to any Micro Machines collection, and it even comes with a tow truck to help out vehicles in need — or just so tiny hands can drive up and down the set's ramps and lifts.
Hatchimals CollEGGtibles Playdate Pack
A full-sized Hatchimal might have been hard to get a few years ago, but you won't have to fight anyone to put these cute mini versions in a basket! Since these CollEGGtibles are, well, egg-shaped they're absolutely perfect as an Easter goodie, and kids will love the surprise of finding out which figures are included inside. And the fun doesn't stop there: the egg becomes a playset that kids can use to act out all sorts of stories with their collection of tiny Hatchimals.
Hot Wheels Color Reveal 2 Pack
A popular trend with kids over the past several years is surprise toys — the kinds where you don't know what you're going to get until you open them. There's even an entire genre of YouTube videos dedicated to "unboxing" these. Any child who loves toys on wheels will get a kick out of these Color Reveal Hot Wheels cars. Just swirl 'em around in water to "melt" away the outer coating and see the type of car inside. But the fun doesn't end there — dip them in hot or cold water for even more color-changing fun.
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