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BOO BASKET IDEAS FOR YOUR KIDS THAT'LL MAKE FALL FEEL EXTRA SPECIAL
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There's nothing quite like watching your kid's face when they realize a surprise basket showed up just for them.
Boo baskets have become one of those little fall traditions that make Halloween feel bigger than just costumes and candy on one night.
Whether you're starting the tradition with your own kids or getting ready to boo your niece or nephew, or even your friend's kid, a good boo basket is easier to put together than it looks.
Here's everything worth tucking inside to make it feel special.
What To Actually Put In Your Kid's Boo Basket
You don't need to overthink this. A good boo basket comes down to picking a handful of items that cover different bases. Something cozy, something sweet, something practical, and something a little fun.
Once you've got the basics down, you can build it out however big or small you want depending on your kid's age and, of course, your budget.
Here's how you can break it down.
Pick The Basket or The Container First
Before anything else, you need something to actually put all this stuff in. A basket works, but so does a plastic pumpkin pail, a tote bag, or even a small bucket your kid can reuse for trick-or-treating later.
Picking something reusable turns it into part of the gift instead of just packaging that gets tossed. Toss some tissue paper or crinkle paper at the bottom too. It gives everything a little height and makes the whole thing feel more exciting the second your kid peeks inside.
A Blanket They'll Actually Use
This is usually the anchor item, the one bigger thing that makes the basket feel like a real gift and not just a pile of small stuff. A soft throw blanket in a fun print. Think pumpkins, ghosts, skeletons, or plaid. These work great for movie nights all the way through winter. This is the item that gets used way past October, which is what makes it worth including.
And not forgetting boo basket ideas for your boys!
A Mug For Their Hot Cocoa
Kids love having their own "special' mug, and fall is the perfect excuse to add one. Something with a fun Halloween character or a cute pumpkin design makes hot cocoa nights feel like an event. Pair it with hot cocoa packets and mini marshmallows and you've basically handed your kid a whole cozy evening without much effort at all.
If mugs are not their thing, you can also change it for a Fall or Halloween-themed tumbler or water bottle that they can carry to school.
Candy, Obviously
It's hard to call it a boo basket without a little candy in there somewhere. A few of their favorite treats or something more fall specific, like candy corn or caramel apples, will cover this easily. If you want things to be candy-free, you can just swap this category with a small toy or fun stickers instead.
A Little Skincare Treats
Your girls would love these. A fun flavored lip balm or a gently scented hand lotion or even hand sanitizer feels like such a small thing, but kids love having their own little grown-up feeling item in there. Don't forget bath bombs, boys and girls would enjoy these. It's a nice way to make their basket feel personal instead of just candy and toys.
A Small Toy Or A Book, Or Both
This is often the part your kid remembers most. A mini plushie, a small Halloween-themed toy or a spooky but not too scary book to read together at bedtime all will work well here. It gives them something to hold onto and enjoy long after the candy is gone.
And not forgetting boo basket ideas for your boys!
Extras That Push It Over The Top
Going all out means adding something like a pair of Halloween pajamas or cozy house slippers. They're not necessary, but they'll make your kid feel genuinely spoiled when they see it in their boo baskets. And pajamas if you want to go further. There are also little add-ons that you can include in their boo baskets like coloring books, stickers, card games, coloring supplies, and jigsaw puzzles that will keep them busy for a while.
If you'd like more ideas, check out my whole list of more than 200 boo basket ideas for girls and boys.
Once you've picked a few items from each category, there really isn't much else to do. Arrange everything in your chosen basket, or bucket, or container, tuck in a note letting your kid know they've been booed, and leave it somewhere they'll find it, on their bed, by the front door, wherever feels like the right kind of surprise.
Boo baskets don't need to be perfect to mean something. They just need a little bit of thought behind them, and that's usually all it take to make your kid's day. Maybe even their whole week!
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