Most children, regardless of age and whether willing to admit it or not, delight in discovering a basket of goodies waiting for them on Easter morning. Tweens and teens may fall into the “harder to buy for” category when it comes to filling these baskets, but finding fun and entertaining options – including those that will not break the bank – can be done, if one knows where to look.

Unique Games and Activities

Exploding Kittens

What do explosions, enchiladas, lasers, and goats have in common? They all play a role in an increasingly sought-after card game about kittens and destruction. Modeled after Russian roulette, Exploding Kittens takes only a few minutes to learn but provides endless hours of both strategy- and luck-driven entertainment for tween, teen, and adult game enthusiasts.

Game of Phones

“If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em!” When tweens and teens will not put down their phones, make a game out of it! Similar to a virtual scavenger hunt, Game of Phones challenges players to see who can use their devices to complete phone-based tasks the fastest, such as creating an emoji masterpiece, taking a specific selfie, editing a photo, or searching online for a particular image.

Qwixx™

This relatively new dice-based game continues to grow in popularity as word about its fast-paced fun gets out. Qwixx™ is easy to learn and requires only basic math skills, but there will come a time for quick thinking and tactical maneuvers as well. A bonus is that every player can play on every turn, which keeps those with short attention spans engaged for the entire game!

Technology Accessories

Phone Magnifier

While new technology may seem a bit pricey for Easter, accessories to accompany already-in-hand devices will likely be well received. Phone screen magnifiers make smart phone viewing – from books to social media to movies – more enjoyable and easier on the eyes, and they are surprisingly inexpensive as well as sturdy, lightweight, foldable, and portable . . . in other words, built for tweens and teens.

Phone Speaker

Has there ever been a tween or teen who did not enjoy listening to music at maximum volume? Many wireless Bluetooth speakers cost under $30, offer superb sound quality, fit easily inside a purse or backpack, and come in a variety of colors. Though a new speaker should probably be accompanied by new earplugs for everyone else’s Easter basket . . . .

To Wear

Shoelaces

What better way to “amp up” a pair of basic sneakers than by swapping out its laces? Shoelaces come in nearly every material, color, and pattern imaginable and allow tweens and teens to show off their personal style in a cool and affordable way. Consider patterns like stripes, polka dots, camouflage, animal print, soccer balls, tie-dye, and music notes.

Pet socks

Custom socks featuring a beloved pet would make a perfect Easter basket gift for animal-loving tweens and teens. Multiple companies and Etsy sellers create this unique accessory, and the process is simple: choose a sock color, upload a photo of the pet dog, cat, horse, or hamster – all animals are welcome – and let the designers do the rest!

Vintage Fun

Rubik’s Cube

Since its invention in 1974, the Rubik’s Cube has found its way into hundreds of millions of dexterous, puzzle-loving hands. With 43 quintillion possibilities and only one correct arrangement, solving the 3-D combination puzzle can seem impossible at first; with a little help from an expert or YouTube, however, even novices can crack the cube.

Etch A Sketch®

From the most basic horizontal and vertical lines to elaborate cityscapes and portraits, Etch A Sketch® art has been all the rage for more than 60 years. While a full-sized Etch A Sketch® might not fit in a basket, a miniature version would slip inside perfectly and offer hours of creative fun on Easter morning.

Yo-Yo

The yo-yo boasts a widespread – across cultures and generations – and lasting popularity unlike any other toy. Its simple yet dynamic design lends itself to both basic play and more advanced tricks like the Sleeper, the Elevator, and Walk the Dog, all of which will surely impress the guests at Easter dinner.

Additional ideas: Pokémon™ cards, Magic: The Gathering cards, Dungeons and Dragons dice, magic tricks, water bottle stickers, headphones, earbuds, Pop Sockets, charging cords, power sticks, nail polish, slap bracelets, perfume, cologne, toothbrushes, hand sanitizer.