In this article, I recommend Easter traditions that my family returns to year after year. I reflect on what prompted me to pause and evaluate how we celebrate. Easter ideas are suggested to help us anticipate Resurrection Sunday. So that we are eager to share on Easter morning, “He is risen. He is risen, indeed!”
Christ-centered Easter ideas for kids are suggested in these sections:
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, I earn a commission (at no extra cost for you!). As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read my full disclosure here.
A Clarifying Moment on Easter Morning
I distinctly remember the Easter morning that prompted me to reflect on our traditions. My family and I had just arrived at church. Many welcomed us with the exclamation, “He is risen!” It was a beautiful greeting on that Easter morning. Others replied, “He is risen, indeed!” It was celebratory.
I hadn’t been familiar with that tradition, but it amplified our worship that morning. We were reminding one another that Jesus conquered death, so that “repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations“ Luke 24:47 (ESV).
Preparing our Hearts for Resurrection Sunday
Some of our family’s traditions have been intentional, while others have been happenstance. When reflecting on our holiday habits, I consider their value. During the Easter season, I wonder if we’ve deepened our understanding of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. What has prepared our hearts to worship on Resurrection Sunday? What has distracted us from this?
After many years of parenting, I find myself returning to a few activities that are worth the effort. I hope these Easter ideas might help you build Christ-centered family traditions.
Resurrection Eggs
For more than ten years, we’ve enjoyed our set of resurrection eggs. My kids are eager to open one each day (for twelve days). We then read the related Scripture. This activity is simple, but it prompts thought and conversation. And we anticipate Easter morning when we open the last egg – which is empty. We know Resurrection Sunday is coming.
A Resurrection Garden
Another activity we enjoy is creating the scene at the tomb with a “resurrection garden.” We keep it simple. Usually, we have most of what we need on hand:
- soil
- grass seed
- twigs
- small stones
- a larger stone to “seal” the tomb
- a tiny pot for the cave
- a flower pot base
My girls find twigs from our yard to make three crosses and the perfect stone to seal the cave. (If you get a late start on this project, consider using wheatgrass, which can sprout in four to seven days!) We write out Scripture to post next to the scene.
And he said to them, ‘Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him.‘
Mark 16:6 (ESV)
Easter Basket Ideas
Our kids also look forward to Easter baskets. These often include candy, bubbles, or chalk for the warmer days ahead. But we add gifts that remind us – our hope is in Jesus. We strive to be purposeful in this way.
Last year, our younger kids enjoyed these Easter sticker activity books. This year, they’re enamored with simple Bible study tools. They see their big sister use these, and want to follow her example. So their baskets will include highlighting markers and some sticky page tabs. These are perfect Easter basket ideas – the kind of gifts that are a worthwhile tradition. They highlight the importance of Scripture in our lives!
This is also the perfect time to give a new Bible. When we did this a few years ago for our girls, I was overwhelmed by all the options! Should they have maps? Jesus’ words in red? Be hardcover or softcover? Have pictures? After much deliberation, we landed on this children’s Bible. The pictures aren’t cartoonish, and the hardcover makes it a little more durable. Our girls love their Bibles!
Routine Bible Study
Our routine Bible study (using Answers Bible Curriculum) has been an integral part of our kids’ spiritual growth. It helps them to understand the significance of Easter.
We’ve recently been learning about how Boaz redeemed Ruth. And how they had a son, Obed, who would be the father of Jesse, and the grandfather of King David. I saw my girls begin to connect the dots as they considered the storyline of Scripture and God’s plan for us. I love it when this big picture comes into focus!
The new movie, David, will also be an Easter gift for my girls this year. It will remind them of how David was a man after God’s own heart. Our routine Bible study has also helped us to better understand how David was in the lineage of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer.
Hope and a Christ-Centered Celebration
During this season, we want to take time to meditate on Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. So that, on Resurrection Sunday, our hearts and minds are eager to share hope. Because we know, “He is risen. He is risen, indeed!”
. . . And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, ‘The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!‘
Luke 24:33-34 (ESV)
Consider these Easter ideas for a purposeful and Christ-centered Easter celebration.
Looking for a Bible curriculum to study with your child? Check out my thorough review of Answers Bible Curriculum. It’s a great way to start the day!
