Gathering our Easter resources proved to be quite an undertaking. It took hours of reading, watching, consolidating, typing, linking, prepping supplies, purchasing materials, remembering past resources and researching new ones. Yet even with an extensive array of curriculum, meaningful Easter basket ideas, educational videos, baking projects, hands-on activities, books for all ages, music, and more… I have just begun my encyclopedia of tools and traditions. This guide is only a “starting point” (though I have linked several Easter curriculums that provide even further resources). It seems fitting that this holiday would contain such a wealth of immersive study and celebration, doesn’t it? What other day etched on the history of mankind could hold as much weight?
The day Jesus Christ was born is undoubtedly monumental and deserving of shouts of glorious jubilation. But if He had not gone on to die on behalf of humanity; we would be lost forever. If He had not risen again; all hope and purpose would be void. Nothing would erase our past. No future would await us. It is this act of triumphant sacrificial love that we study and celebrate!
So with that held in mind and heart, I hope you enter this season with abundant awe and incredible joy. And may this little page help in some small way to guide your steps.
*To read a piece on the etymology of Easter (and why we don’t shy away from using that term and resurrection interchangeably), go here.
Learning Materials:
Resurrection Eggs ; Easter eggs that each contain a symbolic object to assist in telling the story of Easter. This set includes a bilingual (Spanish/English) storybook and stickers as well.
ABCs of Easter ; Easter themed letter cards. Teach the alphabet along with the Easter story (with scripture references!). They also make a family devotional for Easter that contains conversation starters, activities, etc. You can currently get the PDF devotional for FREE with any purchase by using the code: BEHOLDTHELAMB
Holy Week Countdown Banner ; Starting with Palm Sunday, read the scripture reference and move a clothespin to the next day. Decor that doubles as an activity!
Resurrection Cards ; A discipleship tool with hand-drawn illustrations. They contain key verses, fulfilled prophecies, prayer prompts and more. They are 15% off (along with their entire spring collection) until 3/27 with the ode: EASTER15
An Expectant Easter ; a gospel based, Charlotte Mason inspired curriculum that uses hymns, poetry, art studies, baking, nature studies and more to teach the meaning behind Easter. It’s designed for kindergarten through fifth grade but could be adapted to stretch from preschool to middle school. The provided link will take you to the digital download, but there is also an option to buy a hard copy. The code: Easter15 will get you 15% off through 3/27!
He Is Risen! Easter Mini Unit ; I feel like the term “mini” is misleading here. It is shorter than a full unit study and thus is considered a “mini unit”. However, it is quite extensive. The sequence and scope is impressive. The additional online resources are almost overwhelming. But the beautiful thing about this curriculum is that you can pick and choose how much you wish to cover. Available for every level from preschool to high school in both digital or hard copy.
Easter: A Short History and Celebration Guide ; If you’ve ever wondered how Easter became a commercialized holiday or why your friend thinks it has pagan roots… this guide is for you. But it also contains craft ideas, decorations, and more. So there is really something for everyone. It is in ebook format and priced at only $8!
Rich + Rooted Passover ; This downloadable curriculum beautifully weaves the connection between Passover and Easter. It includes simple activities (generally including natural materials detailed in a supply list) and follows a rhythm (detailed in a calendar) that designates days to prayer, study, feasting, almsgiving, candle lighting, hymn singing and more. It has been a valuable addition to several of our past Passover/Easter seasons. It’s easy to incorporate the whole family with this one.
Easter Mini Bundle ; a free printable bundle (just submit your email address to receive it) including copy work, coloring sheets, conversation cards, etc. Created by Home and Haven Community, an online homeschooling community.
Speaking of free printables… If you sign up for “The Vault” on Risen Motherhood (an online community for intentional motherhood that offers a podcast and free resources), you can access their Holy Week talking point guide (cover image pictured below). But they also have this overview of Lent + Easter resources.
Palm Sunday Lesson for Kids ; a Biblical explanation of Palm Sunday in language kids can easily understand. Including scripture references, discussion questions, song, printable coloring sheet and further activity ideas! An excellent free resource for teaching and celebrating.
Activities:
We incorporate eggs into our Easter celebration not as a symbol of fertility as some claim, but rather as a symbol of new life provided by Christ. And for years now we have dyed our Easter eggs the natural way, using everything from cabbage to coffee. It is a fun way to experiment with different tones and provides many learning opportunities along the way. You can easily turn this into a science project by teaching: the reaction of vinegar and calcium, the effect of anthocyanin, etc. There is considerable range here. Keep it a simple preschool activity or turn it into a full blown science fair project for older kids. The choice is yours!
Here is a simple how to for naturally dyed eggs. And here are more opportunities for Easter egg experimentation.
Here are a few other ideas:
These seed starts are a great way of incorporating eggs and the concept of new life through Christ, Him rising from death, etc. A lot of opportunity for symbolic teaching. And you can then use them in your spring garden!
I wrote a reflection on Good Friday inspired by this activity. You can read that here.
An art study for older kids (middle and high school) on Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper would be a great project to combin the teaching of Good Friday with art history. You can make it especially meaningful by then having communion as a family.
Music:
“Glory” is a playlist to which you can sing your heart out. “Peace” makes for the perfect instrumental background while studying or praying. I feel both capture the reverence and praise of the season. And I hope you do too. Several of the studies that I linked in this post incorporate hymns (for worship and study). And I encourage you to include them! They provide a wonderful opportunity to study both music and history. Here is the sheet music for just two of many classic, relevant pieces:
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
Meaningful Easter Basket Ideas:
Smashable Geodes – to represent the stone of the tomb, death being conquered, and the brilliance of an empty tomb! This seller also has an Amazon storefront.
Beeswax Candle Kit – to represent Jesus bringing the light of salvation to a dark world! This kit is easy to divide between kids.
Bath Bombs – to represent being washed clean of our transgressions! This set contains clean ingredients and can easily be divided between kids.
Seeds – to represent new life! Of course, you can source basic flower or vegetable seed from anywhere. But I love the unique options of this heirloom seed company.
Sweets – to represent sweet salvation freely given! Any favorite treats will do… But Unreal , Smart Sweets and Yum Earth create candy without artificial colors and use less sugar!
Last but not least… a gift unique to each child. Something that reflects an interest they have. To represent that Jesus came to die for YOU. Even if you had been the only one on the planet, He would have come just the same.
Books for kids:
All of these should be widely available. If you cannot find them through your local library or bookstore, I would suggest checking Christianbook.com, Amazon, or Scribd (for digital and audio copies)! Suggested for preschool and elementary age kids unless otherwise specified.
Amon’s Adventure (for ages 8-12), by Arnold Ytreeide
The Week That Led to Easter, by Joanne Larrison
Benjamin’s Box, by Melody Carlson
God Gave Us Easter, by Laura J. Bryant and Lisa Tawn Bergren
The Tale of Three Trees, by Angela Elwell Hunt
The Garden, the Curtain and the Cross, by Carl Laferton
A Sparrow Alone (for ages 13-17), by Alicia Petersen
The Donkey Who Carried a King, by R.C. Sproul
The Roman, the Twelve and the King (for ages 10-17), by Jenny Cote
Books for Adults:
All of these should be widely available. If you cannot find them through your local library or bookstore, I would suggest checking Christianbook.com, Amazon, or Scribd (for digital and audio copies)!
Six Hours One Friday, by Max Lucado
Preparing For Easter: 50 Devotional Readings From C.S. Lewis
From the Grave: A 40-Day Lent Devotional by A.W. Tozer
The Women of Easter, by Liz Curtis Higgs
The Case For Easter: A Journalist Investigates Evidence for the Resurrection, by Lee Strobel
Audio Dramas:
You Are There: Easter, by Lamplighter Theatre
Passion of Jesus, by Your Story Hour (available for free on Hoopla)
Memory Verses and Scripture Reading:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
“Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9
The Triumphal Entry, the Last Supper, persecution, death, resurrection and ascension of Christ are told in all four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). Here are the chapters to read:
Matthew, chapters 26-28
Mark, chapters 14-16
Luke, chapters 22-24
John, chapters 12-21
Baking Projects:
Resurrection Rolls – Rolls with a special “disappearing effect” to represent the empty tomb.
Capirotada – Research the symbolism of the ingredients used in this recipe.
Resurrection Cookies – My mother actually found a printed recipe for resurrection cookies from years ago that she had used with my siblings and I! I found this online version because I thought it would be easier to share. Every aspect of this recipe has a symbolic meaning that works to tell the resurrection story!
Lesson idea: Research other Easter related food traditions (from around the world!), write about their history and try to recreate them!
Videos:
The Saddleback Kids YouTube channel provides a series of Easter related videos for preschool and elementary kids. Here is a link to all of those videos in order:
Homeschool Pop has a video that explains some of the traditions surrounding Easter in kid terms (best for upper elementary):
Douglas Talks has a number of Easter related videos (14 of them!) for elementary age kids. This should link you to the whole series:
Veggietales also has a number of Easter videos and though geared for elementary age kids it often gets a laugh with middle school kids as well. Here is a link to the series:
Superbook has several full length Easter episodes. Best for upper elementary kids.
A fascinating (and absolutely sobering) video on the crucifixion from a medical perspective (as told by a trauma surgeon). Appropriate for adults and high school students.
May all of these resources help you to learn and celebrate the true meaning of Easter. And, above all, remind you:
He is Risen!
Emmy Goulet 
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