Christ-Centered Easter Activities for Your Family

Resurrection Day is right around the corner!  It's probably my favorite holiday right next to Christmas!

When my boys were young tots, I wanted to make sure their eyes were on Christ at Easter and not on the bunny.  I have nothing against bunnies, in fact, I think they are quite cute, BUT there is nothing spiritually profitable in teaching young souls to believe in the bunny during the time when we celebrate our Risen Savior.

So, instead of doing a bunch of traditional activities, I incorporated Christ-centered ones into our home. These activities are hands-on, practical, and easy for the whole family!  I have listed several of them for you to pick and choose based on your time and budget.

Enjoy shepherding your children to Jesus!

Resurrection Eggs

Over the years we have used Resurrection Eggs from Family Life.  We found them years ago at a local Christian bookstore.  You can even find them now at Wal-Mart.  They are a great teaching tool of the Easter story.

Source: bing.com via Jolene on Pinterest

Resurrection Cookies

Ingredients:

You need: 1c. whole pecans, 1 tsp. vinegar, 3 egg whites,
pinch salt, 1c. sugar, zipper baggie, wooden spoon, tape, Bible.

Preheat oven to 300 BEFORE BEGINNING

Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces.
Explain that after Jesus was arrested He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl.
Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life.
Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl.
Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.
Read Luke 23:27.

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing.

Add 1 c. sugar.
Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know this and how to belong to Him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed.
Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet.
Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matt. 27:57-60.

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.

Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. If you have any army men, put them by the oven to act like the Roman soldier.
Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matt.27:65-66.

GO TO BED!
Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.

The next morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie.

Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty! Read Matt. 28:1-9

Resurrection Rolls

Ingredients:

1 pkg. crescent rolls

Large marshmallows (1 per child)

Melted butter

Cinnamon sugar

Give each child one marshmallow. The marshmallow represents Jesus.

Dip the marshmallow in butter and then in the cinnamon sugar mixture. This represents the anointing oils and burial spices.

Wrap the marshmallow up in one triangle of dough. This represents the tomb.

Cook according to package.

When you take a bite, you'll notice that the marshmallow is gone. Jesus is risen!

Lamb of God Easter Baskets

My children would use these baskets to collect the Resurrection Eggs each year and they absolutely loved it!!  (I have scoured my picture files and I can't find a one to show you an example, so you'll need to picture this in your mind!) Update:  You can see a picture of them here.

Supplies needed:

1 Gallon empty plastic milk container (1 container per child)

Large cotton balls

White glue

Googly eyes

Black construction paper for lamb ears and a lamb nose

Take an empty plastic milk jug and cut the top of.  Keep the handle attached because that is how your child will hold their Lamb of God basket.

Cover the plastic container with white glue (painting on watered-down glue is best for little ones!)

Place cotton balls all around the container. This is the lamb's wool so you'll want to cover the container real well.

Cut out lamb ears and a nose and glue on to cotton.

Add eyes.

Now you should have an adorable little lamb basket!

Jesus is the Lamb of God Cupcakes

I just found this one on Pinterest recently and would love to make them with my boys!

Source: landolakes.com via Jolene on Pinterest

Easter Garden

We've never done this one either,  but I love the idea as well.  It's a little out of our budget at this time but I thought I would still share it with you!

Source: Uploaded by user via Jolene on Pinterest

Plant an Easter Garden! Using potting soil, a tiny buried flower pot for the tomb, shade grass seed, & crosses made from twigs. Sprinkle grass seed generously on top of dirt, keep moistened using a spray water bottle. Spritz it several times a day.  Set it in a warm sunny location.  Sprouts in 7-10 days so plan ahead.  The tomb is EMPTY! He is Risen!

You can find more Christ-centered Easter activities listed here.

Live a poured out life for the Master,

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