31 Unique Easter Basket Stuffers Kids Will Love

Easter is almost here! A time for rebirth, spring, flowers and bunnies. And it’s also time to start assembling those Easter baskets. To help you get started, we put together a list of some unique Easter basket stuffers kids will love, including lots of bunny-themed items. Other gift ideas include new and classic toys, accessories, activities, candy and more for kids of all ages. So hop on down the bunny trail, and get ready for Easter!

Unique Easter Basket Stuffers Kids Will Love

Bunny-Themed Gifts

1. A LEGO Bunny. It’s bunnies galore this time of year! Consider this LEGO bunny that’s adorable and fun to assemble. 

2. A book about rabbits. There are so many to choose from! Check out “How to Be a Bigger Bunny,” by Wendell and Florence Minor, one of many off-the-charts amazingly adorable bunny books out there!

3. Cadbury candy. The Cadbury bunny hopes you will include these classic Easter candies in your basket, whether it be the creme eggs or mini eggs.

4. Plush bunnies. No Easter basket is complete without a cute plush bunny. You can find them almost anywhere during Easter time, from supermarkets to toy stores, online and more places. Plus, they’re much easier to care for than a real bunny!

5. Bunny ear headbands. What kid doesn’t like to put on a pair of bunny ears and hop around the house?

6. Peter Rabbit Classic Gift Set. This beautiful book set includes several Beatrix Potter classics, including “The Tale of Peter Rabbit, The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher, The Tale of Tom Kitten and the Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck.”

More Unique Easter Basket Stuffers Kids Will Love

1. A bunch of spring-time snacks. Throw some of these delicious eats into your basket for kids to enjoy throughout the season. 

2. The new My First Barbie Doll. Ok, she may not fit in an Easter basket, but she’s still a great gift for preschoolers. What makes this new Barbie so unique? A lot! She’s bigger, softer and has more moveable arms and legs. Overall, she’s got a design that’s easier for younger kids to play with.

3. Basket-sized Barbies. These adorable dolls feature Barbie dressed up as a colorful giraffe, owl, bunny and other cool creatures. 

4. Matchbox cars. A great gift that little car lovers will enjoy getting on Easter morning. 

5. Kids’ binoculars. Your junior scientist will love getting a pair of fun binoculars to use on their next backyard nature adventure.

6. Sunglasses. Summer is on the way! Sunglasses make a great accessory for kids to use at camp, on road trips or just to look stylish! Walmart has a great selection. 

7. A gardening kit. With Easter comes lots of flowers and sunshine. Kids will love getting their hands dirty and learning about plants with fun gardening kit. 

8. Sidewalk chalk. Sidewalk chalk is fun to use and lets your kids explore their creativity (without making a mess in the house!) 

9. Zoo tickets. Buy zoo tickets in advance, and attach them to a cute plush toy. 

10. A small table game. Check out this fun game from Bounce Battle that tweens and teens will love. (You’ll love it, too).

11. A toy that gives back. Every kid will love these adorable elephant dolls. Each ellie comes with an endearing poem and information about the elephant crisis and the mission of The Elephant Project. Proceeds go to organizations that care for orphaned, abused and injured elephants, such as the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Kenya and The Elephant Nature Park in Thailand.

12. A book about horses. This book about horses and being yourself is a great story for young readers, written by Sarah Maslin Nir. 

13. Socks. They’re functional and fashionable. Get them in a cute pattern, and they’re fun, too!

14. Treats. These are always unique Easter basket stuffers because you can choose from so many kinds of treats and candies available this time of year. Check out local Staten Island baker, Puglia Baked Goods. Choose from an array of chocolate covered marshmallows, Oreos, Rice Krispies Treats and more that kids love. 

15. An animal puzzle. This puzzle from Mudpuppy will spark hours of creative play for your kids. 

16. Figurines. These beautiful figurines from Schleich are delightful gifts for young animal lovers.

17. Cash. For older kiddos, stuff money in plastic eggs. 

18. Colorful make-up. Older girls will love getting some fun lip glosses, eyeshadows and more in their baskets. We recommend  Wet n Wild and E.L.F. among many affordable and cruelty-free brands to choose from. 

19. A phone charger. You can never have too many of these.

20. A journal. Decorative journal notebooks can be purchased almost anywhere. They help foster a love of writing and are unique Easter basket stuffers that are great for older kids to use. 

21. A pickleball set. Pickleball continues to make a comeback! Game sets can be a little pricey, but check out this site to see some that are under $100. 

22. Calico Critters. These little animal family figurines are too cute for words. 

23. A jump rope. Jumping rope is a fun activity that encourages outdoor play. Plus, jump ropes are easy to find and stuff into any Easter basket!

24. Coloring books. Perfect for kids of almost any age. 

25. Yarn. Does your tween or teen like to knit or crochet? Pick up a few skeins of yarn to add colorful and creative fun to any Easter basket. 

Celebrating Female Empowerment

Each year we eagerly look forward to connecting with brilliant women to celebrate International Women’s Day, and 2023 is no different. Placing a spotlight on the achievements, wise advice and inspiring insight of women we admire is one of our favorite things to do at Chantecaille, because we know that every one of us has the power to spark change in others, be it small or grand in scale. 

This year we asked a marvelous group of women from around the globe to speak to us about empowerment— and where our voices need to be heard even louder. Read on and prepare to be majorly inspired. 

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Kristina McKean, Founder of The Elephant Project

What does being an 'empowered woman' mean to you?  

I think being an empowered woman means that you feel the freedom to make your own choices and use your voice to make a difference in the world.  No matter what fears or challenges we face, we take risks and are confident.  I think empowered women know that we can all make a difference in the world and we should all support each other.  

Where do you see inspiring change for women taking shape today?  

I think more than ever women are realizing they have a voice and can make a change.  I think that is so important, especially for the next generation. I have teenage daughters and am so glad they are growing up in a world where their voice matters and they can speak up when they see injustice or something that they are not comfortable with.  I think we are all stronger than we think we are.  

Who would you say is the woman who inspires you the most right now?  

Lek Chailert who is the founder of The Elephant Nature Park in northern Thailand is my hero!  She grew up in a trekking camp and stood up for the elephants who were being abused.  She was disowned by her family due to her resistance but continued to fight for the ethical treatment of elephants.  I have never met a more inspiring, beautiful soul.  She is one in a million and deserves as much support as possible.   

What is one piece of advice to share with a young girl today about making her way in the world?  

This question comes easily to me because I have two young daughters.  I tell them to use their voices and listen to their intuition.  Also, find something you are passionate about and shoot for the moon.  I also tell them to never be afraid of asking questions—the worst they can say is no.   

What do you think women need to shout more loudly about in our current times?  

Everything!  There are so many things that need our help and voices. I say pick whichever one you are passionate about and use your voice to make a difference.   

Women Can Startup: From Stuffed Toy to Real-World Impact: The Elephant Project’s Innovative Approach to Animal Protection

Get ready to be impressed by the dedication and creativity of one woman’s mission to support wildlife conservation! Meet Kristina McKean, the founder of The Elephant Project, a line of plush stuffed elephants that not only bring joy and comfort to homes, but also make a tangible difference for real-world elephants through the donation of 100% of net proceeds to aligned non-profit organizations. In this interview, we learn about Kristina’s life-long passion for animal protection and how she’s using her luxe stuffed elephants to make a lasting impact.

Kristina McKean: A Visionary in Wildlife Conservation

Kristina McKean, the founder and owner of The Elephant Project, is a true champion for the cause of wildlife conservation. Her journey to make a difference for these majestic creatures began on her honeymoon trip to Thailand, where she was first made aware of the atrocities behind elephant tourism and wildlife captivity.

I founded the company five years ago, but its initial spark came to me about 18 years prior to
that while I was celebrating my honeymoon with my husband in Thailand. Near the beginning of our trip,I saw a baby elephant begging on the street (“begging elephants” are elephants that have been taken and held captive by beggars. They are typically emaciated, severely malnourished, and made to walk long hours throughout Thailand’s towns — paraded around to perform tricks in an effort to fetch money). When I saw the enslaved baby elephant looking helpless, restrained, and in despair, it completely broke my heart and, frankly, kind of ruined our trip. I couldn’t get that image out of my mind, and when we finally returned home, those memories continued to torment me. I thought, ‘How could this be? How could humans be so cruel to these beautiful creatures?’ Of course, what I didn’t realize at the time was how few humans, at least in America, are actually aware of the harsh realities behind the seemingly innocent activities (like elephant rides or painting exhibits or circus performances) that create the demand for this cruelty. It bothered me so much that from that moment on, all I could think about was how to help end this abhorrent practice.

This experience sparked a lifelong passion in Kristina McKean to help improve the lives of these endangered animals, starting with her local zoo in Santa Barbara, California and reaching as far as the renowned elephant sanctuary she has supported through her philanthropic toy company.

The Elephant Project: Raising Awareness, Educating, and Engaging

To make a lasting impact, McKean launched The Elephant Project and its line of high-end, cuddleable stuffed plush elephants. These plushies not only bring joy and comfort to homes, but also serve as a tangible way to increase awareness, education, and engagement with the cause. McKean’s commitment to wildlife conservation is evident in her choice to donate 100% of the net proceeds from any toy sale to trusted organizations that fight the poaching crisis and provide care to injured, abandoned, orphaned, and abused animals globally.

A Mission-Driven Business Model: Why Keeping All Profits Was Never an Option

The focus of the business was never about profits, but rather to make a positive impact on elephants. The three-part mission was to bring joy to children and families with plush characters modeled after elephants in the wild, raise awareness about the intelligent and ethical nature of endangered animals, and the brutal treatment they endured from poachers and tourists. The business also aimed to support organizations working towards rescuing and caring for captive elephants through sanctuaries, rehabilitation centers, anti-poaching efforts, public education, and veterinary services. The ultimate goal was to make a difference, and that was why 100% of the net profits were donated towards these efforts.

Profit incentives were never the goal for us. We were driven solely by the desire to save the elephants. I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to donate 100% of the net proceeds to help make the difference I was called to. That was, and continues to be, the goal.

Partnering for a Cause

The advocacy and activism efforts for the elephant cause had been underway for a long time before the protagonist became aware of it. Fearless activists had already established the necessary ecosystems, environments, and teams to care for the elephants on the ground. Kristina knew that the best way to support the cause was to contribute financial support and increase awareness. One of the primary organizations partnered with was the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Kenya, which supported grown and baby elephants whose mothers had died due to poaching and trophy hunting. They also created a fostering program for rescued elephants, allowing people to receive updates on the health, happiness, and habitat of the elephants they support, at a low cost.

The Elephant Nature Park in Thailand, founded and led by animal rights icon Lek Chailert, was another organization supported by The Elephant Project. Lek left a comfortable life and the protection of her family to create the park, which now provides a sanctuary to rescued animals from across Thailand. Her work was so inspiring that Kristina recently visited the world-renowned sanctuary with her daughter, where they had the chance to meet Lek, her staff, and the rescued elephants, many of whom The Elephant Project helped save. The visit was a dream come true.

The success of McKean’s ongoing commitment and continuous donating is evident in the hundreds of captive elephants that have been saved worldwide since the launch of The Elephant Project. By directly contributing to helping these animals start new lives in peaceful habitats where they can play, heal, and thrive, McKean and her team have shown that a business model built on philanthropy and a commitment to wildlife conservation can make a real-world impact.

Starting Your Journey: Tips for Young Activists

Kristina suggests that individuals should start small, where they are today, to get involved. Anyone can sign a petition, volunteer their time, or start a movement using technology, social media, and crowd-funding. Those able to, can also donate funds to trusted non-profit organizations making a positive impact. Empathy, kindness, and a service-oriented attitude are important qualities to have in making a difference. There is much turmoil in the world, and if everyone does something small for good, it would be a better place. Younger generations are already making a positive impact and their collective efforts can make a difference in various causes such as animals, the climate, the ocean, human rights, etc. Through The Elephant Project, one unique way of making a difference on a personal cause was found, and given the initiative and leadership qualities of the next generation, more young people will find ways to make a major impact in the world.

A male calf named Lewa was found to be all alone at a young age, most likely having lost his mother to poachers. He was taken to the Voi Reintegration Unit and joined a herd of adult females and other orphaned elephants. With the support of The Elephant Project and other generous donors, Lewa lived with the herd for several years, learning important behaviors from his “big brothers.” At four years old, Lewa and two of his male friends were moved to a new location with plentiful food, water, and other elephants in a lush valley. While Lewa’s two friends struggled to adjust, Lewa, known for his sociable nature, was able to integrate into the park’s wild herds with ease and now lived a happy life.

Kristina McKean and The Elephant Project serve as a shining example of what can be achieved when one puts their money where their mission is. We can all be inspired by their ongoing efforts to make a difference for captive elephants and support their efforts to create a better world for these magnificent creatures.

LA WEEKLY: The Elephant Project Travels From SoCal to Thailand to Save the Elephants

Elephants are one of the most beloved and majestic animals in the world. Unfortunately, they are also one of the most threatened and exploited. In many Asian countries, like Thailand, ‘begging elephants’ are a common sight, despite the practice being illegal. Most of these elephants are poached from the wild as babies and sold into captivity. They are beaten and tortured for months until they are so terrified of humans that they would do anything, including being used as props to avoid further abuse. To help protect and conserve these majestic creatures, The Elephant Project, led by the company’s founder Kristina McKean, traveled from Southern California to Thailand.

Kristina McKean and her daughter kick-started their year with a mission-driven visit to the source of her company’s initial inspiration in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Kristina built The Elephant Project after her first trip to Thailand about 23 years ago. She saw a baby elephant ‘begging’ on the streets, and the looks of despair and hopelessness from the animal broke her heart. When she came back home, the only thing she could think of was what she could do differently to end this practice.

The Elephant Project is a philanthropic toy company that supports different elephant foundations in Asia and Africa. They donate 100% of their net sales from Kiki and Tembo (two of their stuffed elephants) to rescue efforts, orphanages, and elephant sanctuaries like The Elephant National Park in Thailand.

Kristina has been working closely with The Elephant National Park to end ‘begging elephants’ in the country and save baby elephants. During her month-long visit to Thailand, she connected with some of the conservation leaders driving these initiatives forward.

Kristina and her daughter were welcomed by celebrated animal rights activists and the founder of The Elephant National Park, Lek Chailert, along with her team of conservation and elephant experts. Kristina met the beloved Baby Chaba, a rescued baby elephant and the real-world living counterpart to The Elephant Project’s newest SaveUs™ collection mini plushie. The plushie is being sold together with a booklet, and 100% of the proceeds from both will go directly to the Elephant Nature Park so they can help rescue other elephants.

Kristina also visited other elephants outside the sanctuary. On the last day of the trip, Kristina and her daughter stopped by the famous ‘riding camp’ where elephants are chained and treated horribly with bullhooks, an experience Kristina describes as heart-wrenching.

“It is so unfortunate that many elephants have to suffer and even die due to the extreme exploitations. These animals are forced out of their habitats by us humans and then subjected to torture just because we want to use them as props for our entertainment,” Kristina says.

As she returns to the US, Kristina McKean hopes to create more awareness of elephant tourism/begging and save more baby elephants. Kristina also advocates for 100% human practice in shelters and orphanages. The Elephant Project only works with organizations that follow 100% humane practices in rescue and care.

26 Inspiring Nonprofit Leaders Who Will Impact the World in 2023

Nonprofit leaders within the nonprofit sector play a huge role in the economy, providing essential services that boost economic activity and generate economic growth.

In the fourth quarter of 2021, nonprofits contributed $1.4 trillion to the U.S. economy!

In 2022, the nonprofit sector is continuing to adapt to the ever-changing global environment. According to the latest statistics released by Blackbaud, total charitable giving in the United States increased 5.6% in the past 12 months ending in September 2022 compared to the previous 12 months ending September 2021.

Leadership in the nonprofit sector is key when scaling essential services and budgeting correctly to ensure the best ROI(Return on Investment Impact) as possible.

Nonprofit leaders must possess a wide range of skills that allow them to effectively manage their organizations.

The ability to be flexible and adaptable, strong communication skills, and the capacity to see a task through to completion are essential qualities in any leader.

Creativity and innovation are also necessary for nonprofit leaders as they must come up with creative solutions to complex issues.

Most of the year, the Causeartist focus is showcasing startups and for-profit businesses solving social issues, but each year I use this time to highlight and showcase nonprofit leaders dedicating their lives – everyday to their missions and respective causes.

Private business and nonprofits will always have a huge responsibility to work together on partnerships, ideas, and strategies to solve the issues of our world.

These nonprofit leaders profiled below exhibit the essential attributes of an impactful nonprofit leader, and their organizations will undoubtedly impact the world in 2023.

If you are interested in seeing the nonprofit leaders from the previous years, check them out here 2019 // 2020 // 2021 // 2022.

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Kristina McKean // The Elephant Project

Kristina McKean has had an unbreakable connection with animals since she was a child. During her travels in Thailand, the sight of young elephants cruelly abused for monetary gain left Kristina brokenhearted and determined to take action against animal exploitation.

After years of petitions, demonstrations, and digital awareness campaigns fighting against elephant mistreatment in circuses here in the U.S., she wanted more than ever before to make a lasting difference – so The Elephant Project was born!

Now able to commit her life’s purpose towards saving these majestic creatures from harm around the globe.

100% of net proceeds from your purchase of Kiki and Tembo stuffed animals go to organizations that help aid in fighting the poaching crisis and also provide care to injured, abandoned, orphaned, and abused elephants.

The Spruce: The 46 Best Gifts that Give Back of 2023

The holidays are the perfect time to give back, and it's easier than ever to do so with these gifts from your favorite brands that donate a portion to worthy causes.

We researched the best gift-worthy products from notable brands that give back to the community, considering the price, cause, and portion donated. Our favorites include a pink clay mask from Klei Beauty, a personalized photo mug from Shutterfly, and cozy slippersfrom Bombas.

Here, the best gifts that give back.

CH13 NEWS: Saving Elephants Around the World & How You Can Help

CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) – Despite a ban on the international trade in ivory, elephants around the world are still being poached in large numbers. Tens of thousands of elephants are being killed every year for their ivory tusks.

The Elephant Project, is a female-founded philanthropic toy company that has helped save hundreds of elephants worldwide by donating 100% of its net proceeds to global elephant rescue efforts. We spoke with the company’s founder, Kristina McKean, who explains how the project has helped rescue, rehabilitate and protection hundreds of elephants globally, while fostering numerous orphaned elephants and delighting families the world over.

INHABITAT: The Elephant Project sets out to save abused elephants

This all-female organization began when founder Kristina McKean saw the devastating treatment of elephants in Thailand, and again back in the United States with circus animals. Determined to find a way to support elephant causes, Kristina used her product development background to design two adorable, huggable, elephant dolls she named Kiki and Tembo (and now Baby Chaba).

Additionally, children and many adults are drawn to stuffed animals. These elephants come with fun and age-appropriate educational materials to spread the word about the dangerous world elephants live in.

Meanwhile, the company’s mission is clear and supported by its donations to organizations that care for elephants in need. In fact, 100% of the net proceeds from each sale of Kiki and Tembo goes to fund supplies and aid for orphaned, abused and injured elephants through The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Kenya and The Elephant Nature Park in Thailand. The Elephant Project also contributes to efforts to end elephant poaching. 

KOIN: ‘Gifts that give back’: Non-profit fights for global elephant rescue

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Despite a ban on international trade in ivory, elephants around the world are still being poached in large numbers.

However, organizations like The Elephant Project, has helped aid in the rescue, rehabilitation, and protection of hundreds of elephants globally.

“I started The Elephant Project just to create awareness and funds for elephants globally because I felt like if we don’t do something now, they will go extinct in the very near future,” said Kristina McKean, The Elephant Project Founder. “Thousands of elephants are being held or captured every year and it’s become a huge problem and I wanted them to be around for generations to come.”

With a background in product development design, McKean said she wanted to create a product to help bring awareness and funds to elephant rescue efforts and “teach children everywhere that they can help and make a difference and be the voice for the voiceless.”

To aid this effort, The Elephant Project sells stuffed animal elephants with 100% of the net proceeds going to organizations “fighting the poaching crisis,” according to the project website.

“The Elephant Project, these are gifts that give back…this holiday season it’s really important to give a gift that gives back and it’s a really small way of making a change,” McKean said.

To help save elephants, McKean also encourages everyone to not ride elephants, take selfies with endangered animals or visit roadside zoos or circuses.

McKean also encourages children of all ages to “use your voice when you see something that doesn’t look right or something on social media to speak up because that actually can be very, very powerful.”

KMOV4: Christmas gifts for everyone on your holiday list

Our Style Expert Alison Deyette joined us with several holiday gift suggestions. For more info on the gifts and style expert Alison Deyette, visit her website or follow @alisondeyette. Baby Chaba elephant plushie, TheElephantProject.com Crafted non-alcoholic alternatives, drinkfreespirits.com Various Games from Nuttheads.com SLF LED Smart Tablet Mirror from JCP.com