Easter brings a level of faith-filled excitement to Christian homes. Traditions like Easter egg hunts and goodie baskets brimming with chocolate bunnies, baked treats, and more surprises make the springtime holiday extra fun for families with children. This Easter season, celebrate the joyous holy day in a way that keeps the focus on Jesus’ resurrection. Here are some suggestions.
1. Attend Mass as a family. Prioritize and make special going to Easter Mass. Encourage children to don their Sunday best; if it’s within the family’s means, purchase a new outfit or accessory to wear for the special occasion. Correlate the new attire with new life in Christ.
2. Decorate eggs. Easter eggs symbolize renewal of life in which the shell represents the empty tomb from which Jesus resurrected. Use food coloring (10-20 drops) and vinegar (1/2 teaspoon) and hot water (1/2 cup) to dye hard-boiled eggs. Children can color on the eggs with white crayon before dying the eggs to make unseen designs that emerge after being lifted from their colorful bath. Take it a step further and connect the colors to specific religious significance. For example, red represents Jesus’ blood; blue, for the water that poured from Jesus’ side; purple, for Christ’s royalty as King of Kings; and yellow, for his victory over death.
3. Bake bread. Find an “Easter bread” recipe for a traditional Italian sweet bread, often braided into a wreath or nest shape with colorful eggs baked into its crust, to be symbolic of the Holy Trinity and signifies rebirth. Here is one to try: Traditional Italian Easter Bread Recipe - An Italian in my Kitchen.
4. Do an egg hunt. A fun favorite for kids of all ages is a classic Easter egg hunt. The high-and-low search for brightly colored plastic eggs with candy contents inside sweetens the excitement. Mix in a dozen “Resurrection Eggs” to add a religious twist. Here’s how:
Number the eggs 1-12 and place an object in each egg to tell the Easter story of Jesus: a leaf for Palm Sunday; a cracker for the Last Supper; a flower for the Garden of Gethsemane; coins, for the money used to betray Jesus; rope, the guards came to arrest Jesus; cross, Jesus died on the cross; nail, Jesus was nailed to the cross; dice, used to divide His clothes; white cloth, Jesus' body was wrapped in white cloth; rock, a stone was placed in front of His tomb; number 3, Jesus rose in three days. The final egg is left empty, representing that Jesus wasn't in the tomb on Easter Sunday.
“Resurrection Eggs tell the story of the passion, death, and resurrection in a creative way to help the children visualize Holy Week,” said Marian Weeks, director of faith formation at Our Lady of Consolation in Merrillville.
5. Create an empty tomb garden. This project takes additional time and care but is worth the effort for a standout Easter centerpiece, showing the mystery of Jesus’ resurrection. Gather these materials: shallow tray, small terracotta pot, potting soil, grass seeds, small rocks and large stone. Set the pot on its side on the tray, spread soil on top and around it and sprinkle grass seeds in the dirt. Place the large stone next to the pot opening and add rocks for a pathway to the “tomb.” Mist daily with water to keep the soil moist; wait and watch the grass grow.
6. Share a special meal together. Jesus frequently broke bread with his disciples and revealed himself through a meal. Gather with loved ones, family and friends for an Easter dinner to celebrate the end of Lent, partaking in a main course meat dish like honey-glazed ham or lamb and serving your favorite sides such as spring salad, roasted carrots and potatoes. Invite children to write out and decorate resurrection-themed place cards to set out for guests. Include these and other Bible verses:
“He is not here; he has risen!” – Matthew 28:6
“Christ died for our sins…he was buried, (and) he was raised on the third day.” – 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
“I am the resurrection and the life.” – John 11:25
7. Give Easter baskets. Swap out the chocolate bunnies for chocolate crosses and opt for other candies with religious messages like Scripture jelly beans and candy corn. Life Savers can serve as a reminder of Jesus’ mission as Savior of the world. Consider including additional goodies, too, like holy cards, Easter story books and sheep stuffed animals for the Lamb of God.
8. Go for a prayer walk. The distance Christ walked to Calvary was approximately 2,000 feet, or about a half mile. Take a walk around the neighborhood or through a nearby park and pray as you go. Observe the beauty of the renewed life of spring. Reflect on the hope and joy that surrounds the Easter season. Speak your prayers aloud. Here is an Easter prayer for kids:
“God made you and God made me,
He made the world for us to see.
God loves you and long ago,
He sent his Son to tell us so.
Jesus showed us many things,
To love and share and dance and sing.
To learn and pray, to help and care,
He promised he’d always be there.
He died but then came back to life,
Let’s celebrate for he’s alive. Amen.”
- Author unknown.
Photo illustration by Gabe Pierce / Unsplash
