Boo Baskets are the cutest new way to spoil your grandkids — here's what to include
Quick Overview
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If you're anything like the grandparents in my life, you might love any excuse to spoil your grandkids. We've got a good one to help everyone get into the Halloween spirit: Boo baskets! It's essentially the Halloween version of an Easter basket filled with treats, toys, activities, and festive surprises. It's a sweet, silly way to make an ordinary day in October feel a little more magical.
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Boo baskets weren't invented by social media, but TikTok and Instagram have made them a popular fall tradition. Often a neighbor-to-neighbor gift, people put together the baskets and secretly drop them off anonymously, with instructions to pass it on and "boo" a friend.
And the beauty of it all is that you really can't go wrong with what you put in the basket. It doesn't have to be expensive, and doesn't even need to include any candy; there will be plenty of that come the 31st. If you want to start the trend for the littles in your life, start with a small basket or bucket, and fill it with items catered to your kids. Whether it's a plushy ghost, a science kit, spooky socks, or a festive twist on my personal favorite, Magna-Tiles!
Shop our favorite picks below!
Instead of buying a separate basket, why not make the container part of the gift? This classic orange pumpkin pail is a fun way to package all the goodies inside, and your grandkids can reuse it for trick-or-treating on Halloween night.
Every boo basket needs a star of the show, and this adorable ghost plush is one grandkids will want to cuddle long after Halloween is over. Gregory Ghost can be warmed in the microwave for cozy snuggles, cooled in the freezer for a refreshing chill, and charged in sunlight so he glows in the dark, making him much more than your average stuffed animal.
Oriental Trading
These jack-o'-lantern squish toys are practically made for boo baskets: They're small, festive and easy to tuck around the bigger gifts.
Tuck this little activity book into the basket for a screen-free Halloween surprise. It combines the classic fun of Highlights Hidden Pictures with bright neon Halloween scenes, making it an easy activity to pull out during a visit to Grandma and Grandpa—or on a quiet afternoon at home.
A Halloween shirt is a nice way to include something useful among all the treats and toys. The retro ghost graphic gives it a festive feel without being limited to Halloween night, so your grandchild can wear it throughout October.
For grandkids who would rather build than eat another piece of candy, this 24-piece MAGNA-TILES set is a fun addition to a boo basket. The compact set lets kids build their own mini haunted hideout with Halloween-themed ghost, pumpkin and colorful tiles, and its travel-friendly size means the spooky fun can come along for the ride.
A boo basket doesn't have to be all candy and Halloween trinkets. This squishy-ball science kit gives kids a hands-on project to tackle and is a particularly fun choice for grandparents who like giving gifts that encourage curiosity and creativity.
Mindware
Give your grandkids something they can actuallydowith this wizard-inspired science kit. Designed for kids ages 8+, it lets them make five different “potions” while learning about real scientific concepts like chemical reactions, polymers and solutions—so it brings a little Halloween magic and STEM learning to the boo basket.
Add a little spooky to their feet with these glow-in-the-dark socks. These kinds of little details can give grandkids something to play with immediately—and may even inspire some impromptu Halloween dress-up.
What's a boo basket without something sweet? These Halloween-themed marshmallows make a fun alternative to the usual candy and would be especially cute tucked into a basket alongside the toys and activities. They're the kind of little surprise that makes the whole basket feel more festive.
For a final little basket filler, Halloween temporary tattoos are an easy win. With spooky designs like pumpkins, skulls, ghosts and monsters, they're small enough to tuck almost anywhere in the basket and give grandkids one more activity to enjoy before Halloween night.
