It seems every holiday, these days, comes complete with craft ideas, gift ideas, Pinterest boards, and plenty of suggestions for how to celebrate. It can be overwhelming! Most people are just trying to figure out how to get laundry done, bills paid, and kids in the bath.

At this time of year, I begin to wonder, Where has Easter gone? It seems to be buried beneath all the bunnies, chicks, and artificial grass. We hunt for hidden eggs more than the risen Lord.

What would happen this Easter if we focused all our energy and money on teaching children that Jesus really rose from the dead? What if we put our focus on giving instead of receiving on this, and all other holidays? But how? Here are just a few inexpensive Easter ideas you can do at home or church.

1. Read a picture book that tells the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection in a kid- friendly way. Talk about what it means to you and your family.
2. Make Easter eggs and give them to people you know who may not have children in their lives. Have specific people in mind as you make each egg. Make it their favorite color or use a wax pencil to write their name before dying it. Then deliver the eggs to each person the day before Easter so they can eat them on Easter morning.
3. Buy each child a helium-filled balloon. Let them write “Jesus is alive!” or draw an empty tomb on it with markers. Go outside and on the count of three, release the balloons as you all yell, “Jesus is alive!”
4. Make “empty” the word for the week. Use it as often as possible to remind children of the empty tomb, and encourage the kids to use it, too. When they hear the word, have them shout “Tomb!” or “Alive!” or another word of your choice to show they heard it. Don’t forget to say the same response word when they use the word of the week.
5. Along with the word for the week, give extra credit if they find the word in something they’re reading. For each time they find it in print, they get to make an extra Easter egg to give someone. This will encourage them to read, and hopefully, they’ll read the Easter story in several different forms.
6. The Easter story is full of emotions. Have your family try out their best faces for each one. How do you think Jesus’ friends felt when He died? Let them show their best sad faces. How did the ladies’ faces look when they went to the tomb and couldn’t find Him? What about when they knew He was alive again? Let’s see those faces! Add in any other faces or emotions you think your children will understand.

Easter’s real celebration should be about serving a living Savior. Do whatever will drive that point home in a way that brings you joy, not stress. And don’t forget to sing Easter songs like “He Lives!” and “Up From the Grave He Arose”. They are so fun for kids to sing! Perhaps you could teach them an Easter song to learn by memory during Lent. They can practice while they’re making Easter eggs or decorating their balloons.

However you celebrate, may your Easter be filled with joy!

How do you celebrate Easter? Any tips for simplifying it and/or teaching the true meaning of Easter?