25 Ideas for Sharing the Story of Easter with Your Grandchildren

Written by Deb del Villar, Director of Communications

No matter the age, from wee little ones to the oldest grandchildren, do not let this holiday pass without taking the opportunity to help your grandkids understand what Easter is all about.

Eternal hope is something we all need in this broken world full of fear and anxiety. You can turn your grandchildren’s hearts and minds to the promises of God this Easter season. When all seemed hopeless, Jesus rose from the grave, bringing abundant Joy and Hope.

We pray this post whets your appetite and gets you thinking about different ways to disciple your grandkids this Easter.

Consider the Younger Grandchildren

Remember that parts of this story can be difficult for the youngest, so choose parts and ideas to share with your grandchildren’s ages, personalities, and interests in mind. No matter how dark the days may get, Sunday is coming! Regardless of age, they can catch your excitement and joy that Jesus is alive!

It may be hard to think of things to do with the littlest of our grandchildren, yet even they can listen to the story. When our grandchildren were newborn and toddler age, we sang and read to them. There are wonderful books and songs out there.

One of my favorite board books for littles is The Gospel by Devon Provencher. It is part of a series called Big Theology for Little Hearts. Another option to check out Tiny Theologians Shop. You can also think back to when you were young or check with your preschool department at church.

An example sung to the tune of Happy Birthday is “I’m so glad for Easter. It’s such a happy day! Jesus came back to life, He’s alive today! I’m so glad for Easter. It’s such a happy day! Let’s tell the Good News – Jesus still lives today!” [David C. Cook]

Or sing this one to the tune of Are You Sleeping? “Sweet little one, sing for joy; Easter day! Celebrate! Jesus is alive! Jesus is alive! Sing for joy, sing for joy.” You can also make up songs using easy preschool tunes.

25 Ideas for Sharing Easter

Below is a list of activities and ideas to do in person or virtually. Be creative and have fun, adapting and modifying them so they work for you.

1. Coloring Eggs – As you spend time together, talk about when you were young and how you celebrated Easter. What were those traditions that meant so much to you and that you desire to pass on? Talk about creation, new birth, and all the colors God made.
2. Egg Hunt – There are so many ways to do an egg hunt. Stress that while finding the eggs brings so much joy, the women finding the tomb empty brought rejoicing that is still celebrated today.
3. Verse Egg Hunt – Choose an age-appropriate Easter verse, such as John 3:16, Romans 5:8, or Luke 24:6a. Divide the verse into words or phrases that will fit onto slips of paper that will go into a plastic egg. On one side of the paper, write the word or words depending on how many slips you are using. On the other side, draw pictures in sequence telling the Easter story. You may need to start at Palm Sunday, depending on how many pictures you need. Be sure to have the words and pictures match the correct sequence for the words. Fill the eggs and hide them. Allow the grandchildren to find, empty, and put the verse together in order. You can make more than one set using different colored eggs for each set. Go over the verse’s meaning with them. Challenge the older grands to memorize the verses.
4. Easter Story Rocks – Collect some smooth rocks, paint symbols of Easter on each rock. Discuss the symbols as you choose them and paint them. You can reference Susan E. Richardson’s article called “Easter – Holiday Meaning, Traditions, and Symbols Explained.“
5. Acts of Kindness – Help your grandkids think through what they could do to show kindness to someone else. Think Romans 5:8.
6. Read the Bible – Read the biblical account from an age-appropriate Bible. Focus on “Jesus is alive” for the young ones.
7. Attend Sunrise or Church Service Together – Discuss your favorite Easter hymn or song, your favorite scripture passage, and/or a memory of church. 
8. Watch an Easter Movie or Show – Some examples are King of Kings, The Last Supper, The Passion, or The Chosen. Some are better for the older grandchildren.
9. Easter Escape Room – Look online for ideas. Pinterest has printables and directions. This is great for the older grandchildren. Discuss that Jesus did not need any clues or help, for He is God. Jesus did not even need the stone rolled away for Him to get out.
10. Gifting Books – Consider buying two of a particular book, especially for the long-distance grandchildren. When you read the book virtually to them, they can have their own copy to hold and see.
11. Scripture Treasure Hunt – See how many scriptures you can find together that talk about the Easter account. Great for older grandchildren who have heard the story many times before. I had my older grandchildren help me make up my own “resurrection eggs” set with items. We searched the scriptures for objects to place inside the eggs. We came up with 36 objects. The oldest is a teenager now and still enjoys opening the eggs. Now he is often the one who leads the discussion about the enclosed objects.
12. Go Shopping – You can purchase a new outfit or part of an outfit – always check with parents first. Talk about how you prepare yourself for Easter, especially your heart. It is about the inner spirit, not the outward clothing.
13. Writing – Challenge the older grandchildren to write an eye-witness account as one of the people who were there – soldier, women, disciple, so forth. What would they have seen, heard, felt? The younger ones could do a drawing instead.
14. Passover Meal – Prepare and eat a seder meal, good for the older grandchildren. Great resources on line to help you.
15. Meaningful Dinner Conversations – Think of some questions to ask the grandchildren and some for them to ask you. See our Let’s Talk: Holiday Edition cards for ideas. Try to connect the questions to the Easter story, family traditions, memories, and your personal testimony. Some examples: When did Easter become very real to you? How did you celebrate Easter as a young person? What foods did you eat? What is your favorite memory? For the grandchildren, ask what their favorite part of the holiday is. What do they hope to get in their Easter basket? Do they have a favorite Easter candy?
16. Send a Puzzle in the Mail – Write verses and symbols connected to Easter on one side. On the flip side, write in a different color, the message He is Risen! along with a special message from you. Place it in an envelope as individual pieces so the grandchildren can put it together to discover the message.
17. Pictionary – If you have grandchildren who like to draw and play games, this is fun. Write out Easter words on index cards. Place face down in a stack and take turns choosing a card and drawing.
18. Resurrection Tree – Similar to a Jesse Tree. Gather branches, place in a vase with water. Small cards with a special word or symbol about Easter, along with a corresponding Scripture, are hung on the branches. Allows for a time of discussion while it is being assembled. Check out Pinterest for more ideas.
19. Scavenger Hunt – Do inside or outside. Have a treat at the end. Example is “He is risen! He is no longer dead. Run real quick to look under the bed.”  If outside, it could be the same clue, but have it say “in the flower bed.”  Pinterest has clues already done, or you could make up your own. Just tie them to the Easter story.
20. Resurrection Scavenger Hunt – Think of items that have to do with the story, like a rock for the stone, a lemon/lime for sour, bread for the Last Supper, coins for betrayal, and 3 of something for nails. Be creative and have fun. Give them the list and allow them a set time to find as many items as they can. Gather and discuss each item.
21. Plant Flowers – Go together and purchase flowers, then come home and plant. Talk about new life in Christ. Gardening tools would be a fun gift.
22. Make a Resurrection Garden – Search online for ideas.
23. Easter Brunch – Recipes for Resurrection Buns or rolls are available online. Make this meal special – Jesus is alive! Talk about what it would have been like for the women to find the tomb empty and realize Jesus was no longer dead.
24. Egg Roll Race – Find a hill and allow the younger grandchildren to see who can roll their egg down the hill the fastest. Older grandchildren may also like to compete.
25. Do “You’ve Been Egged” to Grandchildren Who Live Near You – Check this out on Pinterest. You could also do this with your grandchildren to a home in the community as an outreach.

Pinterest has so many more ideas, so be sure to check some out. There are also Minute to Win It games with an Easter theme.

Conclusion

Of course, be sure to set aside time to thank Jesus for His incredible love and sacrifice. Encourage the grandchildren to voice their prayers of thanksgiving as well. Take steps this Easter season to intentionally teach that Jesus is alive!

He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!