Easter is a time of year that is steeped in tradition and symbolism for Christians all around the world. However, for young children, it can be difficult to understand the true meaning behind the Easter story. As parents and caregivers, it is important for us to help our children understand the significance of Easter and the story of Jesus' death and resurrection. In this blog post, we will provide you with 5 fun and engaging activities that you can do with your children to better understand the Easter story. These activities are designed to help your children connect with the story of Easter in meaningful ways, and to provide you with opportunities to discuss the key themes and messages of the holiday. Whether you're a seasoned parent or a new caregiver, these activities are sure to make the Easter season more enjoyable and meaningful for your family.
Activity 1: Create an Easter Garden
Creating an Easter garden with your children is a fun and interactive way to teach them about the Easter story. To make an Easter garden, you will need a large shallow container, potting soil, small rocks, small plants or flowers, and small figures of Jesus, angels, and other biblical characters.
Here's how to create an Easter garden with your children:
- Start by filling the shallow container with potting soil.
- Arrange the small rocks on top of the soil to create a pathway or rock garden.
- Plant the small plants or flowers in the soil, arranging them to create hills or valleys.
- Place the small figures of Jesus, angels, and other biblical characters throughout the garden.
- You can also add small items like a small cross, a tomb, or a small stream of water to enhance the garden.
As you create the Easter garden with your children, take time to discuss the symbolism of the garden and how it relates to the Easter story. The garden can represent the tomb where Jesus was buried, the path leading to the tomb, and the resurrection of Jesus. As your children tend to the garden, they can reflect on the story of Easter and the significance of Jesus' death and resurrection.
Overall, creating an Easter garden with your children is a fun and interactive way to teach them about the Easter story, while also providing an opportunity to reflect on the symbolism and themes of the holiday.
Activity 2: Make Resurrection Rolls
Making resurrection rolls with your children is a fun and tasty way to teach them about the Easter story. Resurrection rolls are a type of sweet bread roll that are filled with marshmallows and cinnamon sugar. As the rolls bake, the marshmallows disappear, leaving behind an empty space, symbolizing the empty tomb on Easter morning.
Here's how to make resurrection rolls with your children:
Ingredients:
- 1 can of refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 8 large marshmallows
- 1/4 cup of sugar
- 1 tablespoon of cinnamon
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Mix the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
- Separate the crescent roll dough into 8 triangles.
- Dip each marshmallow in water, then roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Place one marshmallow on each crescent roll triangle.
- Roll up the crescent roll dough around the marshmallow, making sure to seal the edges.
- Place the rolls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the rolls are golden brown.
- Let the rolls cool for a few minutes before serving.
As you make the resurrection rolls with your children, take time to discuss the symbolism of the rolls and how they relate to the Easter story. The marshmallow represents Jesus' body, which was placed in the tomb. As the rolls bake, the marshmallow disappears, leaving behind an empty space, just as the tomb was empty on Easter morning. This symbolizes the resurrection of Jesus and the hope of new life that it brings.
Overall, making resurrection rolls with your children is a fun and tasty way to teach them about the Easter story, while also providing an opportunity to reflect on the symbolism and themes of the holiday.
Activity 3: Have a Family Bible Study
Having a family Bible study is a great way to engage with the Easter story and help your children develop a deeper understanding of its meaning. Here are a few passages to read with your family and discuss:
- Matthew 27:32-56 - The Crucifixion
- Matthew 28:1-10 - The Resurrection
- John 20:1-18 - Mary Magdalene at the Tomb
Here are some discussion questions and prompts to guide your family Bible study:
- What do these passages tell us about the events leading up to Jesus' death and resurrection?
- How do these passages make us feel?
- What can we learn from the example of Jesus and the other biblical characters in these passages?
- How can we apply the lessons we learn from these passages to our own lives?
- What do these passages teach us about God's love and plan for humanity?
As you read and discuss these passages with your family, encourage your children to ask questions and share their own thoughts and reflections. By engaging in a family Bible study, you can help your children develop a deeper understanding of the Easter story and its significance for our lives today.
Activity 4: Make Easter Cards for Loved Ones
Making Easter cards with your children is a great way to spread messages of love and hope during the Easter season. Here's how to make Easter cards with your children:
Materials:
- Construction paper
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- Markers, crayons or colored pencils
Instructions:
- Fold a piece of construction paper in half to make a card.
- Cut out Easter-themed shapes, such as bunnies, eggs or crosses, from another piece of construction paper.
- Glue the shapes onto the front of the card.
- Use markers, crayons or colored pencils to write a message of love and hope inside the card.
As you make Easter cards with your children, discuss the significance of sending messages of love and hope during the Easter season. Easter is a time of renewal and rebirth, and sending cards to loved ones is a great way to celebrate the hope and joy of the season. Encourage your children to think about the messages they want to share with their loved ones, and to express their feelings in a creative and meaningful way.
Overall, making Easter cards with your children is a fun and meaningful activity that helps them connect with the spirit of Easter and spread messages of love and hope to those around them.
Activity 5: Watch an Easter Movie
Watching an Easter movie with your family is a great way to engage with the story of Easter and spend time together. Here are a few age-appropriate Easter movies for your family to watch:
- "The Ten Commandments" (1956) - This classic film tells the story of Moses and the Exodus from Egypt, which foreshadows Jesus' own sacrifice and resurrection.
- "The Passion of the Christ" (2004) - This movie depicts the events leading up to Jesus' crucifixion and death, and highlights the sacrifice he made for humanity.
- "VeggieTales: An Easter Carol" (2004) - This animated movie retells the story of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" with an Easter twist, emphasizing the themes of redemption and new life.
- "Hop" (2011) - This family-friendly movie follows the adventures of the Easter Bunny's son as he tries to follow his dreams and make a life for himself.
As you watch these movies with your family, discuss the themes and messages conveyed in the movies and how they relate to the Easter story. Talk about how the characters in the movies reflect the values and teachings of the Easter story, and how their experiences can help us understand the meaning of Easter. Encourage your children to share their own thoughts and reflections, and use the movies as a starting point for deeper discussions about faith, hope, and love.
Overall, watching an Easter movie with your family is a fun and engaging way to explore the themes and messages of the Easter story, while also spending quality time together as a family.
Conclusion
In conclusion, teaching children about the Easter story is an important aspect of passing on our faith traditions and values to the next generation. Engaging in meaningful activities with children can help them connect with the story of Easter in a deeper way and understand the significance of the holiday. In this blog post, we have provided 5 fun and engaging activities that you can do with your children to better understand the Easter story.
We have discussed how to create an Easter garden, make resurrection rolls, have a family Bible study, make Easter cards for loved ones, and watch an Easter movie. Through these activities, children can learn about the significance of the tomb, the resurrection of Jesus, and the themes of love, hope, and redemption.
By engaging with the Easter story through meaningful activities, we can help our children develop a deeper understanding of the holiday, and inspire them to live out its teachings in their own lives. We hope that these activities will help you and your family to have a more meaningful and enjoyable Easter season.