This Sunday marks the start of Holy Week beginning with Palm Sunday, and we are so excited to go big for Easter! My oldest is now 3, and had the BEST time at Christmas this year, so I’m hoping to do some easter activities that put this Holiday on par with Christmas. Because why not go big for Jesus’ death and resurrection, you know?
So here are the best (Christ-centered) Easter activities we’re trying this week:
A Palm Sunday craft– I’d like to teach my sons about Holy Week, and what better way to kick it off than making a palm leaf craft and dancing along to this Hosanna song?
Make a resurrection garden-I don’t have much of a green thumb, but this “garden” was super simple to make, and a beautiful piece to add to our Easter decorations. It’s also quite fun to let your little one tend/water the grass each day and watch for it to grow.
A cross craft – There are so many good ones to choose from–between “stained glass” crosses, to painting crosses, I’m excited to use this craft as a teachable moment about Jesus’ death on the cross.
Use Resurrection eggs – We’re going to try making resurrection eggs to teach the boys about Easter. This option works great for older kids, and this one could be good for toddlers.
Bake resurrection rolls – a dessert that doubles as an empty tomb?? I’m so in. Let your little one help you make them so they can notice how the inside disappears to create the empty tomb.
Love your neighbors – we’re going to try this fun “You’ve been egged” idea to spur on some fun and intentionality with our neighbors
Some additional ideas to celebrate Easter:
Try a spiritual practice or discipline for this last week of Lent– This is the first year that my husband and I have ever given something up for Lent (dessert for me, chocolate for him), and I must say it is making us long for Easter even more. So even if you haven’t been doing it so far, try a new spiritual practice each day this week or try giving something up for this last week to make yourself hunger just a little more for Jesus to come back.
Celebrate with your local Church – whether you attend an outdoor or indoor service or even participate virtually, this Holiday was meant to be celebrated in community so I encourage you to celebrate with a local church family.
Go big on Easter Sunday – I truly want Easter to feel like this amazing day of fun and memories for my little ones that hopefully gives them a picture of who God is like. They might not fully be able to grasp everything we’re trying to teach them right now, but I believe that creating a family culture of love and celebrating our faith will shape their hearts through the power of the Holy Spirit to be more open to Jesus when they are ready to believe. So, for Easter Sunday consider: a yummy meal to celebrate; doing something with neighbors to invite them in; trying an Easter egg hunt with your kids; doing Easter baskets with some fun and meaningful things inside (we’re gifting activities this year like chalk, a kite, etc).; and spend some time in Worship/the Word together to teach about Easter.
There you have it, friend! A few fun and Christ-centered ideas to help make Easter meaningful for your family this year! He is Risen!
