5 Unique Easter basket ideas

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Have a mini movie buff in the family? Use a big popcorn bowl as a basket and fill it up with movie-sized boxes of candy, packets of microwave popcorn, a movie theater gift card and a newly released age-appropriate movie, such as The Nut Job, which is due for DVD and Blu-ray™ release on April 15, just in time for Easter.

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For the budding book lover in your family, stock a basket with age-appropriate classics as well as some current titles. Don't forget a few fun bookmarks as well as blank notebooks and pens for those who are inspired enough after reading to do a little writing of their own. If your kid likes word games as much as reading, include some crossword puzzle or word search books, too.

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Fill a big plastic tub with all sorts of sports-themed toys, such as a soccer ball, outdoor bowling set, baseball and glove and the like. If your Easter Bunny is really feeling generous, include a gift certificate for sports classes, such as karate lessons, private golf lessons or a season on a T-ball team.

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Encourage your child's interest in baking with his or her own set of utensils, such as a rolling pin, cupcake tins and measuring cups and spoons, as well as spatulas in fun colors, cookbooks and even a certificate for a few cooking classes at a local kid-centric cooking school.

If your family is headed to the shore this summer for your vacation, get a head start on the beach toys by giving your kids a beach-themed Easter basket. For the "basket," use a large beach tote in a material such as mesh or woven plastic that will allow excess sand to fall through the holes, and then fill it with a big character towel, plastic beach toys, plastic refillable water bottle, Boogie Board, floaties, flip-flops, sunglasses and even a new bathing suit. Don't forget the sunscreen. Your child will be geared up for your vacay before school even lets out for summer.

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