Christian moms and dads, if you want your kids to know that Easter is about Jesus’s death and resurrection, you’re going to have to work at it. One walk through your local grocery store and they’ll be sufficiently culturally indoctrinated—learning that Easter is about jelly beans, the Easter bunny, and chocolates eggs filled with cream. You’ll have to be intentional if you want them to know about the amazing gift of the cross and victory on Easter day. Below are some resources for you to consider, per age group.
Preschool:
The Resurrection Eggs have been a central in our Easter traditions since our first baby’s first Easter. You can buy them from their creator or make them yourself (see the links below). Simply integrate these eggs into your egg hunt and use them to help you tell the Easter story to the kids when the hunt has ended. It’s a very hands-on way to get little ones involved and interested in the entire story. They are an excellent tool for outreach or just vivid reminders for kids in Christian families. I cannot recommend them enough—we use them every year, even this year with our youngest being eight!
Rocking the Resurrection Eggs with kids ages 2-17 last year.
The Jesus Storybook Bible is an excellent resource for preschoolers and a solid book for any age (even Mom and Dad). The author created a Lent Reading Plan, which you can implement next year, as this year it’s a bit late for that. But even so, focus on the events leading up to the resurrection this week using this beautiful book.
http://www.sallylloyd-jones.com/jesus-storybook-bible-lent-reading-plan-and-giveaway/
School-age:
If you skipped the preschool section, I highly recommend the above resources for grade school kids, as well. Additionally, I think creating a “Jesus Tree” during Lent is a tangible way for kids and parents alike to prepare for the cross and resurrection. The link below will give you a free Lent devotion written by Ann Voskamp and ornaments to go with the 40-days of devotional readings. I did this several years ago with my girls and it was really special. I’m planning to do it again next year when they’re 9, 11, 13, and 19—they’ll still appreciate it, I think. And I know I will.
http://www.aholyexperience.com/sticky-notes-signup/#newsletter-signup
“The First Easter” by historian Paul Maier provides an historical account of Easter and contains beautiful museum-quality artwork.
http://www.amazon.com/Very-First-Easter-Paul-Maier/dp/0758606273
Older kids and adults:
In the links below, John and Noel Piper share their tradition of daily and weekly reading and lighting candles as a family. This would be beneficial for any age, but especially for older kids who are able to sit still, focus, and participate in lengthier discussions.
http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/holy-week-at-the-pipers
http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/lenten-lights
Really, whatever you do, enjoy it! Your humble adoration of Jesus, who willingly died in your place, will be transferred to your kids. They will witness your thrill and joy on Sunday morning when you celebrate Jesus’ resurrection. It’s true—more is caught than taught. So let your children catch you truly worshiping your Savior this weekend! Their lives and souls are in God’s hands anyway—your calling is to be faithful and the rest is up to Him.
Let us “fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” —Hebrews 12:2-3