Ideas for creative play, outdoor fun, and screen-free activities
for the Easter break
For many families, the Easter holidays come with a familiar juggling act. While kids get a two-week break, most parents don’t. Whether your children are in camps or at home with you, there’s still the challenge of keeping them engaged during the Easter bank holiday weekend and the downtime in between. Museums and outings are great, but if you're staying home or heading to the countryside, here's how we make the most of the break with three kids under seven.
1. Outdoor Play That’s Built to Last (and Can Stay Outside)
For toddlers and preschoolers (0–4 years)
Getting outside is always a good idea when the weather allows. At this age, pretend play is everything, and outdoor settings provide the perfect backdrop. We rely a lot on DanToy's BIO plastic range: robust outdoor toys for toddlers that can handle mud, rain, sun, and most importantly, repeated play.
From the dump truck and tractors to gardening sets and pretend kitchen accessories, these toys are made to support imagination and motor skills without needing constant supervision or cleanup.
They are also great to support kids' development, and learning through play:
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Fine motor skills: Scooping, filling, and pouring builds dexterity that helps with everything from eating to writing.
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Hand-eye coordination: Tasks like placing items in the bucket or shovelling soil sharpen visual-motor integration.
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Sensory exploration: Soil, water, sand, rocks, it’s all play material that supports learning.
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Imaginative play: Kids become farmers, chefs, builders, creating narratives and roles that help them process the world.
💡 Play idea: Set up a garden corner with the DanToy tractor and gardening set. Let them collect leaves, pebbles, or soil and create a mini construction set or market.
DanToy’s toys are made from over 90% bio-based plastic and are fully recyclable, something parents can feel good about when choosing eco-friendly Easter gifts for kids or outdoor play ideas.
For children aged 5+
As kids get older, outdoor play shifts, they crave independence and a sense of purpose in what they’re doing. That’s why we love The Den Kit Company. Their kits allow children to build, observe, and invent, without any screen in sight.
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Den building: Constructing a hideaway taps into problem-solving, physical coordination, and role play.
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Potion making: Mixing natural materials into potions supports sensory exploration and creativity.
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Bug spotting and flower pressing: These activities bring focus, observation, and patience into play.
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Emotional regulation: Being in nature helps children decompress and supports a calmer rhythm.
2. Crafts That Actually Get Used
Crafting is a reliable win, especially when it involves minimal setup, low mess, and real outcomes. We go for Easter craft kits for kids that build focus, skills, and a sense of pride.
Cotton Twist Kits & Beading
We love Cotton Twist’s eco-friendly craft kits. They’re brilliant as small gifts for kids, party bag fillers, or weekend projects.
Why we love them as parents too:
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Fine motor skills: Threading beads and assembling shapes strengthens finger control.
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Focus and sequencing: Kids learn to follow steps and complete tasks, building attention span.
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Colour awareness and pattern-making: Designing bracelets or animals teaches visual thinking.
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Creative confidence: Kids can wear, gift, or display their handmade creations.
💡Play idea: Use the beading kit to make friendship bracelets for cousins and school friends, perfect for Easter baskets or handmade presents.
Pom Pom Bunny Gift Tin
This is a lovely Easter-themed craft kit that also works year-round. Kids can cut, colour, and assemble their own bunny in a keepsake tin.
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Supports coordination through cutting and assembling
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Encourages storytelling once the bunny is made
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A creative break that doesn’t involve screens or batteries
3. Watercolours and Easy Art Outdoors
You don’t need to plan a big art session, just bring a compact watercolour set and paper on a walk or picnic. It’s an easy way to turn downtime into a creative moment and great for kids Easter activities on the go.
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Observation skills: Painting flowers, trees, or landscapes helps kids notice detail and shape.
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Emotional expression: Art can help kids process their feelings quietly and without pressure.
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Focus and calm: A few quiet minutes with a brush can reset even the most energetic child.
4. Colouring Posters: Calm, Portable, and Engaging
Our go-to during family gatherings or rainy afternoons are the giant colouring posters from OMY or EggNogg Coulouring-in. They are foldable, fun, and encourage everyone to join in.
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Hand control and pencil grip: Strengthens early writing foundations
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Shared focus: Large format makes it ideal for collaborative colouring
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Low noise, low mess: Ideal when you just need a calm moment
We always pack our OMY double-tipped, ultra-washable felt pens to pair with our collection of colouring posters and pages for kids, perfect for cafés, park benches, or colouring on the go. They wash off hands and clothes with no fuss.
💡Play idea: Tape one up at home or bring it to the park with a pack of OMY pens. Great for solo time or colouring with friends.
5. Board Games: Building Focus and Social Skills
Board games are brilliant over Easter — indoors or out. We especially love Londji board games for their design, depth, and quality. They can be played with different levels of difficulty, making it perfect for family bounding time.
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Turn-taking and listening: Core social-emotional skills
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Memory, planning, and strategy: Games like Orangutan support flexible thinking
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Confidence building: Mastering rules and making decisions helps kids feel capable
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Group connection: Family game sessions offer structured time together
Board games are also ideal as educational toys for 4 year olds and up, helping bridge learning and fun in a meaningful way.
6. Puzzles: Quiet Play That Builds the Brain
Puzzles are a quiet classic, ideal for mornings, post-lunch downtime, or a solo moment when overstimulated. We recommend them as educational toys for 2 year olds and beyond.
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Spatial awareness: Understanding shapes, patterns, and how parts form a whole
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Patience and persistence: Puzzles take time and develop concentration
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Independent play: Great for moments when parents need to work or rest
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Cognitive flexibility: Children learn to adjust approaches when pieces don’t fit
We love Londji puzzles for their artwork, variety, and quality. From age 2+, there’s something for every stage.
💡Play idea: Create a dedicated puzzle spot in the house with a tray or puzzle mat. Let kids come back to it in short bursts.
Final Thought: Make Time for Real Play
Easter doesn't need to be packed with outings. With a few well-chosen toys and materials, your child can build, explore, paint, and invent right at home.
The best toys aren’t the loudest or most complex. They’re the ones that support curiosity, creativity, and confidence — and can be played with in ten different ways across ten different days. That’s what we look for at Eeny Meeny, and it’s what we love to share with families who care about making childhood both magical and meaningful.
If you're staying local this Easter, I hope these ideas help bring calm, joy, and plenty of screen-free Easter activities for kids into your home.
Clothilde Gasser
Founder of Eeny Meeny
