Traditionally, Easter activities mean going to church and having a large get-together with family and friends. While chocolate bunnies and colorful eggs play a part in the celebration, for many families, the primary focus is on telling their children about God’s love for them.
With Georgia and Alabama under new statewide shelter-in-place orders, the logistics of your Easter celebration may be different this year. But social distancing doesn’t have to overshadow your plans!
Here are some fun and creative ways to help you celebrate Easter at home with your kids.
Read Easter books and Bible stories.
Easter is a time of year that we should stop and reflect on life a little. Or a lot.
Celebrate this eggcellent holiday by reading an Easter book. Find books about your kids’ favorite characters working together, hunting for Easter eggs, and planning the perfect springtime celebrations. Whether it’s your child’s first Easter or tenth, there are so many great books to choose from.
Also, take a few minutes to read the biblical Easter story. Whether you are a believer or non-believer, this ancient story contains a powerful message of hope. When everything is going wrong and you feel depressed, don’t give up. Victory might be just around the corner.
(Matthew 26-28; Mark 15-16; Luke 22-24; John 17-20)
Watch the sunrise.
Get up early and enjoy the beauty of a sunrise. There is something magical about watching the sky fill with light, and the shadows slip away from the coming day. A sunrise, like a sunset, is a proven mood booster. When you admire the wonders of the early morning, your soul will, as Mohandas Gandhi said, expand in the worship of the creator. Chances are, you’ll be in a better mood for the rest of the day.
Dye Easter eggs & have an indoor Easter egg hunt.
Entertain your little ones by dyeing Easter eggs. You can boil eggs and use food dye or even food from your pantry (like turmeric or onion skins) to create multicolored eggs. Once your eggs are dry, keep them refrigerated until you’re ready to hide them.
When you’re ready, hide the eggs around your house, then watch your kids hunt for them. Just make sure they collect them all, or you’ll have a smelly surprise later.
Make Easter-themed arts and crafts.
From egg carton chicks to cotton ball bunnies, there are tons of Easter craft ideas here to inspire you. Try making these Salt Dough Easter Eggs.
We are living through history right now, and it’s the perfect time to create a “time capsule” of your life. Here are several FREE worksheets created by Natalie Long at Long Creations. Simply download the 11-page PDF, print as many copies as you wish and enjoy! https://tinyurl.com/Covid19TimeCapsule-CAVersion
Tune into an online church service.
If your own place of worship doesn’t have streaming capabilities, “visit” another church instead. For your convenience, we’ve compiled a list of online Easter services around the Chattahoochee Valley.
Wear that Easter dress.
Sure, you’ve been rocking the yoga pants and no make-up for days (no judgment here!), but wearing new clothes at Easter is a tradition that’s been around since ancient times.
The truth is, when we look better, we feel better. And there’s something about a new outfit that makes you feel better. If you don’t have time to buy something new, then wear something beautiful that you love.
Call your family and friends.
Facetime with friends and family has never been easier, thanks to smartphones and video chats. This Easter, take the opportunity to share the day with other people.
If you have a tech-savvy relative like my husband, set up a private Minecraft server where your kids can play around safely with their cousins and closest friends. You can also “meet” and enjoy facetime with friends and family by using apps like Zoom or GoToMeeting.
Be generous.
Consider making an Easter-inspired donation, whether to your church, a local food pantry, or your own hairstylist who’s currently out of work. You can make a difference in these uncertain times. A little generosity goes a long way. For a list of suggestions, click here.
Watch an Easter-themed movie.
An Easter move is a safe and fun way to celebrate the holiday. From religious depictions to animated classics, hop on over to your living room and enjoy an Easter movie marathon. Whether you watch “Hop” or “Here comes Peter Cottontail” or “Ben-Hur” or “The Passion of the Christ,” there is a flick your family is sure to enjoy.
Prepare a special dinner.
Sunday dinner is a family tradition that goes back many years. What’s for dinner doesn’t matter. It’s the environment that you create that makes all the difference. Dust off your company dishes and enjoy face-to-face time with your family. Add your family’s favorite dessert or a special treat like this Easter Bunny Cake, and you’ve got a new family tradition.
