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We try really hard in our home to focus on the true meaning of Easter. This week we are doing devotionals and activities related to Christ’s last week leading up to the Resurrection in the New Testament.
Here are some ideas to help keep your focus on Christ and the Resurrection this week instead of just chicks, bunnies, eggs and candy (although that is fun, too!) These come from a book my family loves to use called A Christ-Centered Easter: Day By Day Activities to Celebrate Easter Week by Janet and Joe Hales.
A Week of Christ-Centered Easter Activities
Check out these Life of Jesus Bible Videos. They are truly wonderful!
Map of Jesus’s Footsteps the last few days of his life on Earth.
I also love this Holy Week Calendar idea!
My Joy-Filled Life has a great round-up of faith-based Easter crafts.
Easter Week Devotional and Activities
Day 1: Palm Sunday & the Triumphal Entry
Scripture reading: Matthew 21:1-22; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-44; John 12:12-36
Activities & Discussion: Make Palm Leaves from green paper and act it out
Learn Easter hymns
Discuss the meaning of Hosanna & the symbolism of Palm leaves
Day 2: Monday- Cleansing the Temple and Healing the Sick
Scripture Reading: Matthew 21:12-18; Mark 11:12-19; Luke 19:45-48
Activities & Discussion: Do the Easter Story in Eggs with your children
Discuss what things you could cleanse from your home
Play with Easter Story Cut-outs (make flannel board figures)
Day 3: Tuesday- Parables and Teaching
Scripture Reading: Read and discuss some of the parables of Jesus in
Matthew 21-25; Mark 11-13; Luke 20-23
Activities & Discussion: Read the Picture Story- The First Easter
Make clay oil lamps & discuss the parable of the 10 Virgins
Discuss parables and why Jesus used them in teaching
Day 4: Wednesday- Rest in Bethany
Scripture Reading: Christ being Anointed with Oil and Judas Conspiring to Betray Christ
Matthew 26:6-16; Mark 14:3-11; Luke 21:3-6
Activities & Discussion: Printable Story- He Sent His Son
Learn more about parables of Christ
Do some of the fun ideas from this Easter Family Devotional.
Day 5: Thursday- The Last Supper and Gethsemane
Scripture Reading: Matthew 26: 17-75; Mark 14:12-72; Luke 22:7-65; John 13-18
Activities & Discussiuon: Discuss the Passover symbolism, taste foods that would have been eaten
(Original Passover- Exodus 7-14) Hold a simple Passover meal.
Here is a great free packet for kids on the Passover.
Discuss the significance of Jesus washing the feet of the apostles.
Talk about His agony in Gethsemane and how important that was- what it means to us.
Do a carnation experiment- put it in red water and talk about Christ’s atonement. The carnation will turn red after about a week- symbolic of Christ taking our sins upon Him.
Day 6: Friday- Jesus’ Trial and Crucifixion
Scripture Reading: Matthew 27:1-61; Mark 15:1-47; Luke 22-23; John:18-19
Activities & Discussion: Discuss the crucifixion and its significance
Make a crown of thorns with clay and toothpicks or rose bushes
Taste vinegar and talk about Jesus being given vinegar
Sing hymns about Christ’s crucifixion
Make Easter Story Cookies or
Day 7: Saturday- The Sabbath
Scripture Reading: Matthew 27:62-66; Luke 23:56
Activities & Discussion: Talk about Jewish Sabbath observance
Eat a Jerusalem meal
Do some of the fun activities from the websites listed above.
Day 8: Easter Sunday- Jesus’ Resurrection and Appearances
Scripture Reading: Matthew 28:1-15; Mark 16:1-12; Luke 14:1-49; John 20:1-23
Activities & Discussion: Make Resurrection Rolls for Breakfast
Talk about Mary Magdalene and how the apostles responded to her
Listen to Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus
Act out the resurrection story as a family
Have each family member spend time in personal reflection- write in journals, pray, etc.
Make paper plate Easter tombs.
Have a Happy Christ-Centered Easter!
Be sure to also visit my post: The Easter Story in Eggs.
Also check out my Resurrection Tree post.
Check out these AMAZING Christ-Centered Easter Activities as well!
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Sarah Avila says
March 27, 2013 at 2:23 pmGreat post and resource Karyn! Thanks for mentioning my Easter crafts post!
Erika says
March 28, 2013 at 11:57 pmWhat a great list! My kids will enjoy these. Thanks!
Jennifer aGlimpseOfOurLife says
April 4, 2013 at 11:56 pmThese are great ideas for teaching the true meaning of Easter. We enjoy making resurrection rolls every year.
A Dusty Frame says
April 9, 2013 at 5:31 pmGood ideas–too bad I found this after Easter;)
Maybe I’ll pin it for next year.
Lizzie TOS Crew
Frances Gonzalez says
April 10, 2014 at 10:55 pmThank you for these great ideas!