A Vegan Easter Basket for Tweens — With a Little More Bite

As kids enter that oh-so-difficult “tween” stage, it becomes harder to celebrate the holidays in a way that respects who they’re becoming while still giving them space to feel like kids — which, at times, they still want to be. That’s why I’ve started planning Easter baskets a bit more strategically.

Easter baskets are one of those traditions that suddenly don’t feel so simple anymore. The plastic eggs, the stuffed animals, the over-the-top candy — it all starts to feel a little too young. But skipping it altogether doesn’t feel quite right either.

So this year, I put together a vegan Easter basket that meets them in the middle. It’s still fun, still festive — just with a little more bite.

What Changes in the Tween Stage

At this stage, it’s not just about what kids like; it’s about how they see themselves. They’re growing into their own preferences, their own opinions, and their own sense of independence.

The things that once felt exciting can suddenly feel a little too young, a little too predictable. And while they may not always say it outright, they’re paying attention to what feels “cool,” what feels useful, and what actually fits into their world now.

And how do we parents know this? Because they let us know — daily.

For example, my son no longer likes going to the playground with me, which saddens me — partly because it means he’s growing up, but also because I still enjoy the swings, and he was my excuse to keep using them. He’ll go with his friends, though, no problem. So I guess that means I’ve officially entered the “not-so-cool mom” stage. No more swings for me

Yet, every now and then, that childlike innocence shows up again, and we find ourselves back on the swings together — and holidays like Easter have a way of bringing it out, especially with a thoughtfully curated basket

Rethinking the Easter Basket for Tweens

Rethinking the Easter basket doesn’t mean getting rid of it — it just means building it a little differently.

1. Choose the Basket Wisely

The basket itself matters more than you might think. At this age, some tweens are already moving away from anything that feels overly “kid-like,” which often includes brightly colored plastic baskets with bunny ears.

Instead, I like to choose something simple and reusable. A faux wicker basket works really well here — not expensive, no handles, and neutral enough to blend into their space afterward. It can double as a planter or decorative storage piece — something they might actually use and keep long after the holiday.

2. Add a Little Independence

If there’s one thing tweens want, it’s independence. So instead of trying to guess every single thing they might like, give them a little control.

A gift card to a favorite store or restaurant goes a long way here. It might not feel as “fun” as filling the basket with things you picked out, but to them, it is. It gives them the freedom to choose — and at this stage, that’s kind of everything.

And yes … money still works too, so feel free to add some cash to their basket — it might not be creative, but it’s definitely appreciated.

3. Something They’ll Actually Use

At this stage, it helps to include something that lasts a little longer than candy — a book, a Polaroid camera, a microscope, canvas for drawing. Whatever it is, if you know they’ll use it, that’s the win — something they’ll actually be interested in, not just something that looks good in a basket.

It adds a different kind of value to the basket when it’s something that can be used long after the holiday is over.

4. Keep the Fun (Just Rework It)

I still say include the colorful plastic eggs — just use them a little differently. Fill them with all the types of candy you know they will like, place them inside the basket, and then after everything is opened, take the fun outside.

Hide the eggs around the yard and turn it into a mini egg hunt — but here’s the twist: join them. Make it a shared experience. Whoever finds the eggs eats what’s inside.

I have a feeling they’ll still be just as motivated to search.

An Un-Egg-Spected Adventure

Even if you have a tween, Easter can still be turned into something fun with a curated Easter basket — an un-egg-spected adventure. It becomes the kind of gift that keeps on giving for three reasons: it gives them the chance to shop later for something they choose, it gives them something they’ll actually use long after the holiday — even the basket itself — and it creates a sense of adventure in the moment that doesn’t feel babyish, but more like a challenge you’re both in on

The search for another bite of candy.

If you’re interested in more thoughts like this — the small shifts, ideas, and moments that shape how we approach food and family — you can join me in Life Edit, my weekly column on Substack.

If you’re looking for more ways to get kids involved during the holidays, I share more of that in my apple pie and stuffed shells recipe posts.