By Regina Sun
When my children were 9 and 3, we were living in Australia. As Easter approached, our local supermarkets were transformed into magical wonderlands filled with everything Easter-related. There were shelves lined with fluffy Easter bunny plushies, rows upon rows of chocolate eggs in all shapes and sizes, and every imaginable form of bunny-shaped treats. Easter baskets overflowed with goodies, and my children’s eyes sparkled with excitement—they could hardly take it all in fast enough!
During this festive season, the scent of hot cross buns floated through the air in shopping malls. Our neighbours held Easter egg hunts in their gardens, and friends exchanged Easter baskets lovingly packed with chocolates and snacks. If you had asked my kids back then what Easter meant, the likely answer would’ve been: “Chocolate eggs and bunnies!”
While these commercial traditions are fun and exciting for children, they can sometimes overshadow the true significance of Easter. For many parents, explaining the spiritual meaning behind Good Friday and Easter Sunday can feel like a challenge in the face of so many colourful distractions. But here’s the good news: we can actually use this excitement and curiosity as a gateway to share deeper truths with our kids. By adding some thoughtful tweaks to familiar Easter traditions, we can help point our children to the heart of Easter.
1. Easter egg hunt with a twist
One of the most beloved Easter traditions among children is the Easter egg hunt. With a little creativity, this fun activity can become a learning moment.
Here’s how:
- Prepare plastic eggshells (the kind that can be opened and closed).
- Choose an image that represents a key moment in the Easter story—Palm Sunday, Good Friday, or Easter Sunday.
- Print the image and cut it into four (or more) puzzle pieces, depending on how many eggs you want to hide.
- Inside each egg, place a small chocolate egg along with one or two puzzle pieces. You can fold the paper if needed to make it fit.
- As the children search for the eggs, have them collect the puzzle pieces.
- Once they’ve found all the eggs, help them assemble the puzzle.
- When the puzzle is complete, sit together and read the corresponding Bible passage aloud:
- Palm Sunday – Matthew 21:1-11
- Good Friday – Matthew 27
- Easter Sunday – Matthew 28
Not only do the kids get to enjoy their chocolate treats, but they also get to engage with the story of Easter in a hands-on, visual way. You might be surprised by the questions or insights that come up during these simple but meaningful moments.
2. Hot cross buns with a purpose
Another sweet tradition that can become a teachable moment is baking hot cross buns.
If you’re someone who enjoys baking, you can easily find child-friendly recipes online that don’t require fancy equipment—just a bowl and a spoon. Invite your children into the kitchen to help measure, mix, and shape the dough. As you work together, talk about the cross on the top of the buns and what it symbolizes.
Explain to your children that the cross reminds us of Jesus’ sacrifice. He died on the cross on Good Friday to take away our sins, and the sweetness of the buns can help us remember the goodness of that gift.
If baking isn’t your thing, that’s okay. Store-bought hot cross buns work just as well. Simply warm them up, gather around the table, and share their story while you eat.
3. Easter baskets that share the story
Easter baskets are a staple in many homes, and they can be a wonderful way to share the love of God with your little ones.
Here’s a simple idea to make your basket extra meaningful:
- Fill the basket with fun treats—chocolate eggs, cookies, small toys, or even hot cross buns. Add a small, kid-friendly booklet that tells the story of Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday. Download the sample booklet here(Recommended for ages 4-6)
- At the end of the storybook, include some simple questions to encourage reflection. Ask questions like, “Why do you think Jesus chose to die for us?” or “What does it mean that He came back to life?”
- As you sit and enjoy the treats together, take a few moments to talk about how good God is. Remind your children that Easter is about God’s love—He gave His only Son so we could have eternal life (John 3:16).
Sweet moments, deeper meaning
I’ll never forget that Easter in Australia when my 3-year-old son, after running around the yard hunting for chocolate eggs and carefully piecing together a jigsaw puzzle of the Easter story, looked up at me with a chocolate-smeared smile and said, “Jesus is sweet!”
It was such a simple, innocent declaration—but in that moment, I knew that something had clicked. He was beginning to connect the joy of the day with the joy of the Gospel.
Easter is a season of joy, of celebration, and of new life. With just a few intentional adjustments, you can turn all the glitter and chocolate into opportunities for your children to encounter the heart of Easter. They’ll still have a blast—and you’ll be planting seeds of faith that will grow in time.
So as Easter approaches, embrace the fun. But don’t miss the chance to tell your children why Easter is truly the sweetest story ever told.
