One of my vivid memories of Easter growing up is my mother buying matching Easter dresses for my sister and me. There are many Easter pictures of us in those dresses with Easter bonnets and baskets. Those memories are wonderful and warm, and I am thankful for them, but what would it look like to intentionally plan such warm family traditions with a focus on pointing the hearts of our children toward Jesus and celebrating the hope of His resurrection?

Celebrating Easter Week

One of the most impactful ways families can keep Christ at the center of Easter is by recognizing that Easter is not just a single day—it is the culmination of Holy Week. Walking with children through the events from Palm Sunday to Easter morning allows them to see the resurrection as part of God’s larger redemptive story.

• Read Scripture together each night during Holy Week. Talking about the triumphal entry, the Last Supper, the betrayal, the cross, and the empty tomb helps children understand that Easter joy is rooted in sacrifice.
• Easter storybooks and devotionals can also help our children understand Holy Week more deeply. They offer an opportunity for conversations to focus on the sadness of the death of Jesus with the glory of His resurrection.
• Easter baskets are wonderful family traditions. In addition to the candy, think about discipleship tools to go in the basket. Picture books, devotionals, jewelry, activity books, puzzles, apparel can all have a faith-focus. Just adding one or two of these helps in learning that Easter isn’t just about candy and toys.
• Egg hunts can include the Resurrection Eggs. Each egg holds a small object representing part of the Easter story, from the Last Supper to the empty tomb. Over time, children learn to narrate the story themselves, reinforcing understanding and developing confidence in sharing their faith. Another way of doing the egg hunt is to emphasize eggs as a symbol of new life—a fitting picture of the resurrection. Families can reclaim this symbolism by including Scripture verses, resurrection symbols, or prompts for discussion inside plastic eggs. After the hunt, families can gather to read the verses aloud and talk about how each one points to Jesus. This extends the activity beyond excitement and helps children connect fun with faith.
• Resurrection gardens offer another tangible way to bring the story to life. As families build small gardens with stones, crosses, and plants, children visually experience the journey from death to life. Watching new growth appear after Easter reinforces the theme of resurrection in the days that follow.
• Grow butterflies! The butterfly life cycle is a long-standing symbol used to demonstrate the story of Jesus’s resurrection. This is one of my favorite Easter celebrations to do with the children of our church.

 Celebrating Easter Day

Beginning the day with a special family breakfast can help prepare little hearts for the coming worship service. Read the resurrection story or the passage for the coming sermon. Talk about what the church will be celebrating, why songs are joyful, and why the resurrection matters personally. Model enthusiasm and reverence—children are deeply influenced by how their parents approach worship. Celebrate new outfits by remembering that Jesus makes us “new creations” or just by being ready and prepared to make worship special today.

Corporate worship should be the primary focus of Easter Sunday. Gathering with God’s people to celebrate the resurrection reflects the very reason Sunday became the church’s day of worship. While family meals and activities are meaningful, nothing surpasses the importance of rejoicing together in the risen Christ with the family of families, the church.

Finally, consider the role of hospitality during Easter. As food is prepared and tables are set, parents and children can pray for the people who will gather to celebrate. This practice teaches children gratitude, hospitality, and the joy of lifting others before the Lord. Hospitality itself can become a powerful Easter witness. Opening one’s home to neighbors, friends, or those without nearby family reflects the love of Christ. Sharing a meal becomes a natural opportunity to share why Easter is celebrated at all.

A Christ-centered Easter does not mean eliminating fun or creativity. Instead, it means infusing meaning into the moments we already share and choosing activities that naturally lead to gospel conversations.

Visit the Children’s Ministry Website for a list of Easter resources.