The adidas AE 2 “Easter” Brings Pastels to the Playground

The rollout of kids-exclusive colorways has quietly become one of the more interesting lanes in today’s basketball footwear market. Brands aren’t just shrinking adult pairs anymore; they’re using youth releases to test bolder palettes, seasonal themes, and storytelling that might feel risky at full scale. The kids-exclusive adidas AE 2 “Easter” fits squarely into that moment.

Built on the same sculpted foundation as the adult AE 2, this “Easter” edition leans into soft pastels rather than game-night aggression. Butter yellow frames the outsole and tooling, while mint mesh panels and lavender accents wrap the upper. The result feels intentionally playful without tipping into novelty — a balance adidas has been getting better at striking with Anthony Edwards’ second signature model. It’s colorful, but still grounded in performance design rather than costume-like execution.

From a market perspective, releases like this make a lot of sense. The AE line has momentum with younger players and families, and colorways like “Easter” broaden its appeal beyond strict team colors. While adult signature shoes often skew serious and subdued, youth pairs are increasingly where brands allow themselves to have fun — and that freedom often feeds back into demand for the silhouette as a whole.

Design-wise, the shoe keeps the AE 2’s aerodynamic shell intact, with breathable mesh zones and smooth synthetic overlays doing most of the visual work. The pastel blocking emphasizes the model’s flowing lines rather than fighting them, helping the colorway feel cohesive rather than loud. Subtle adidas and AE branding blends into the palette rather than standing apart, reinforcing that this is a seasonal spin rather than a one-off gimmick.

There’s no official release date locked in yet, but the adidas AE 2 “Easter” is expected to arrive in kids’ sizing ahead of the spring season on adidas.com

For more hoops-ready offerings, check out what's new from the Nike Basketball catalog.