At Home, Family Easter Ideas

Since Easter is approaching, here are some exciting activities to do with your kids at home to remember what Easter is really about....the death and resurrection of our Jesus Christ. 

DIY Resurrection Eggs

Make your own Resurrection Eggs. Number 12 plastic eggs 1-12 and place them in an empty egg container. Place little objects in each egg that represents a part of the Easter story. On Easter, hide the 12 numbered eggs. Once your child finds all 12 eggs, go through the Easter story with him/her. Here are the 12 items that will guide you in the Easter story:

1. Palm Branch/Leaf: Jesus triumphal entry (John 12:12-13)

2. Communion Cup: Last Supper (Matthew 26:26-28)

3. 3 Dimes: Judas betrays Jesus for 30 pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14-15)

4. Rope/Yarn: They bound Jesus (Matthew 27:2)

5. Soap: Pilate washed his hands of the matter (Matthew 27:24)

6. Toothpick cross: Jesus had to carry his cross (John 19:17)

7. Nails: nails in His hands (John 20: 25) Jesus died on the cross (John 19: 30) (For younger children, use a picture of a nail rather than a real nail)

8.   Linen fabric: they wrapped Jesus in linen and then placed him in a tomb (John 19:40) (I cut a strip of a wet wipe and let it dry out)

9.  Rock: the stone placed in front of the tomb was rolled away  (Matthew 28:2)

10.  Empty Egg: Empty Tomb—Jesus was not there—HE’S ALIVE! (Matthew 28:5-6)

11. Cotton Ball: Jesus ascended in the clouds (Acts 1:11)

12.  World Map: Great Commission—Now, it is our turn to share this message to everyone so they can experience God’s love too! (Mark 16:15)

Lamb of God
In John 1:29, John the baptist describes Jesus as "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." John was rightly predicting that Jesus would be the sacrifice that would atone for the sin of the world. How blessed are we that Jesus loves us so much that he did sacrifice his life for us on the cross for our sins. 

For a family activity at home, you could use Meaghan Mountford's little lamb cake ball recipe and as you make this adorable snack, talk with your children about how Jesus was our sacrificial lamb.

Resurrection Rolls
This is an edible Easter activity that I have been wanting to do since I first heard about it. The ingredients needed are 1 can of refrigerated crescent dough (unrolled and separated into 8 triangles), 8 large marshmallows, melted butter (1/3 stick), and mixture of cinnamon and sugar. Preheat oven to 350°F

Read with your kids John 19:30 Jesus said "It is finished. With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit."  This is the scripture in the Bible where Jesus dies on the cross. 
Give each child a marshmallow which represents the body of Jesus.

Read John 20:38- 42 With Pilate's permission, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus then took the body of Jesus, covered him with spices of myrrh and aloes and wrapped Him in linen as was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. They then placed Him tomb. 

Take the marshmallow and dip it in the melted butter. Next, roll it in cinnamon and sugar. This represents how Jesus was covered with spices of myrrh and aloes. Place marshmallow on one of the triangular doughs and wrap the marshmallow completely tight (this represents the linen they wrapped Jesus in). Make sure all seams are closed tightly or this activity will not work. 

Have kids place their crescent rolled marshmallows on slightly greased baking sheet. Place baking sheet in the oven (which represents the tomb) and close the tomb (the oven door). Bake for 10-12 minutes. Talk about how Jesus was in the tomb for 3 days.

 Remove resurrection rolls after time is completed or until rolls are golden brown. After the rolls have cooled, break open the DELICIOUS crescent rolls and you will see the marshmallow is gone.
John 20: 1-18 Christ has risen from the dead and we should celebrate!!!