Easter Week Activities
Like many Christian families around the world, we put a lot of time and effort into Christmas traditions especially those that celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. We celebrate during most of December and often into the New Year. Why don’t we celebrate the holiest of holidays – Easter – for more than one day?
Over the years I’ve come to believe that most families are downplaying the greatest celebration of all – the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter can be so much more than a one-day celebration. It can be the most glorious and spiritually uplifting experience if we choose to make it just that. When you make the decision to have a Christ-centered Christmas you often tweak existing traditions to focus more on the Savior. Unfortunately, we don’t have many Easter traditions so it’s time to adapt what we do and adopt new traditions. Here are a few ideas:
Calendar Easter
Unlike many holidays, Easter is not held on the same day every year. Easter can be in March or April. This year it is on Sunday, April 21, 2019. Now is the time to make a plan for what you want to do.
Decorate for a Religious Easter
We all love the cute bunnies, colorful eggs, wicker baskets, and cute printouts. But the focus of our Easter decorating should focus on Jesus. After years of searching, I finally found a lamb that I could decorate around … one that wasn’t cutesy or animated. But one that reminded me of the Lamb of God. Now I have several focal points displaying photos of Jesus Christ, lambs, a banner, and quotes about the Resurrection. I found my first lamb in a quaint little gift shop in Cashmere, Washington, but also got a couple on Amazon which you will find links for at the end.
12 Days of Easter
On the days leading up to Easter open a plastic egg each day to find a symbol of Easter and scripture to tell the Resurrection story. 12 Easter Symbols with Scriptural References
Celebrate Daily
Plan something for every day of Holy Week. Perhaps you read or watch a video about the last week of Christ’s life or do a craft each day. The scriptures don’t tell us day-by-day what He did and often differ on the order he did things. But, we know key events. Here are some great ideas:
The Small Seed shares this beautiful Holy Week idea: Holy Week Events
Here are ideas to do every day:
Palm Sunday
On the Sunday before Easter, Christians around the world wave palm branches in memory of Jesus entering Jerusalem. He rode a donkey through the streets while the people welcomed him by waving palm branches and shouting Hosanna! Shouting Hosanna today means we are happy and grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
Scripture: John 12:12-13 & Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem Video
Donkey and Palm Leaf or Palm Sunday Hand Painting
Cleansing Monday
When Jesus visited the temple he was discouraged to see greedy money changers using the temple to sell and trade. Jesus drove the money changers from the temple then he healed the sick who begged at the temple doors. This is also the week that houses were cleaned anticipating guests for Passover. This might be a good week to declutter closets and make a donation to the needy. Or head outside and “hide” Easter Rocks around your neighborhood.
Scripture: Matthew 21:12-15 & Jesus Cleanses the Temple Video
Chore sticks or He Has Risen Rocks
Teaching Tuesday
After cleansing the temple Jesus taught the people using parables. Parables teach a gospel principle using every day, easy to remember stories. The stories were easy to understand but also were full of symbolism and deeper meaning. My favorite parable is that of the lost sheep. Each of us is a lost sheep without Jesus, the Shepherd.
Scripture: Matthew 13:10-13, 16 & The Lost Sheep Video
Lost Sheep Puppet or Sheep Cupcakes
Betrayal Wednesday
The scriptures do not tell us what Jesus did on Wednesday. Maybe he continued to teach parables to the people or prepare His apostles for His death. Maybe He spent the day in prayer and meditation. What we do know is Judas Iscariot was planning to betray Jesus with a kiss. This is a good day to forgive someone who has hurt or betrayed you. It is also a good day to ask for forgiveness of someone you have hurt. Write a letter, drop off a gift, or invite someone out to lunch.
Scripture: Matthew 26:22, Luke 23:34 & Jesus Suffers in Gethsemane Video
Heart Attack Someone’s Door & Deliver Heart-shaped Sugar Cookies
Last Supper Thursday
When Jesus and His apostles met for the Last Supper it was on Passover. During that evening he taught that broken bread, like the body of the lamb, would remind them of His body. Wine or water, like blood on the doorways, would remind them of His blood. Jesus is our Passover lamb. At this time Jesus taught the apostles about the sacrament and washed their feet. Later that night, the Savior went to the Garden of Gethsemane to take upon Himself the sins of the world.
Every other year my husband and I host a Passover Celebration with our Christian friends. Learn about it here: Christian Passover
Scripture: Luke 22:14-16, 19-20 – The Last Supper Video and/or Children Explain the Last Supper
Make Unleavened Bread, Make Passover Plate, & Passover for Your Family
Good Friday
On Good Friday Jesus was crucified. The crucifixion and resurrection of our Savior is also called the “good news” because of it all of us will be resurrected and have the ability to be forgiven for our sins.
Scripture: Luke 22:33-38 – Jesus is Crucified Video
Resurrection Crafts & 12 Symbols of Easter & Empty Tomb Treat
Service Saturday
Scripture: 1 Peter 3:18-19 Because of Him Video
Serve as Jesus served. Service doesn’t have to be grand to bless the life of someone in need. And the person who may receive the biggest blessing from service is yourself or your children. Maybe your service is as simple as bringing the Easter spirit to a neighbor by sharing your baked goods or sharing the daily devotionals. We have taken 100s of the paper Easter baskets to a local nursing home over the years.
Paper Easter Baskets & 12 Symbols of Easter
Easter Sunday
Easter Sunday – the most glorious day. Because Jesus died and came back to life, we will also be resurrected. Because Jesus suffered for our sins, we can repent and be forgiven. When Mary visited the garden tomb she found it empty.
Scripture: John 20:1-9 Hallelujah – He Shall Reign Forever Video
Easter Tomb, Resurrection Rolls & Easter Scavenger Hunt
The Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ are the most sacred and significant events in the history of the world. I encourage you to make necessary changes to honor this most Holy Day.
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Here are some of the books and items I’ve used to create a more Christ-centered Easter in our home:
