Easter ideas

I love hearing ideas from families about what they do to make holidays meaningful for their children. I asked a group of moms in the church: What is one way your family observes the death and/or resurrection of Christ on Easter?

"We have always gone to church on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, and this year we're also adding something that my husband's parents did when he was a child: Resurrection Eggs."

Corinne, mother of 3

**Resurrection eggs are a great way to talk with kids about the themes of Holy Week. Each egg has an object and corresponding devotional. You can make your own, or purchase them at Hobby Lobby or Family Christian bookstore. There is a storybook, "Benjamin's Box," which can also be read while you open the eggs. Kids love opening the eggs and hearing what each object represents!

"I've done Resurrection Rolls with kids and they've been a lot of fun. Here's a website that explains the process (involves crescent rolls and a disappearing marshmallow!): http://blessingsforlife.com/recipes/holidays/resurrectionrolls.htm while they bake we also color a picture of the cross or empty tomb. http://www.sundayschoolprintables.com/coloring/resurection1.php "

Valerie, mother of 2

"My parents instilled in me the importance of Good Friday, and we are very much trying to pass that on to our kids. Mom and Dad would take us out of school (if we had school that day) and often make a day of remembering Christ's great sacrifice on the cross. I remember going to a Noon service at the Presbyterian Church with my dad when my mom had to work. Maybe this seems a bit Catholic or at the very least depressing; after all, the hope of our salvation is that Christ got off the cross and rose from the dead! But those events could only occur because of Good Friday. Without Christ's sufferings, his horrible death and humiliation on the cross, there would be no Easter. No resurrection! No hope! So we seek to remember His death in a way that stays with us. It's fairly easy to put on a pretty dress, a spring-colored tie, and bake a ham. I want to make sure I know why I have the privilege and freedom to do those things! My favorite Good Friday hymn is "How Deep the Father's Love For Us."
Bethany, mother of 3

"I had lots of different Easter story books (some with really beautiful artwork) that I got out this time of year to read and talk about together. My kids also loved the Jelly Bean poem. Gather a jelly bean of every color in a plastic Easter egg, and then read the poem together and pull out the corresponding color as you go."

Lynndel, mother of 2

"We always made creative Easter eggs, one year they where made to look like Star Wars spaceships (we had two boys) my favorite was taking plant leaves, forming them to the egg and securing with panty hose before dipping in dye. Wallah - instant silhoutte!"

Kathy, mother of 2

Thanks moms for sharing your ideas!

April's question: "How does your family observe the Sabbath and make it special?" Please send responses to breannaflager@yahoo.com