Celebrating Easter with kids
Easter story for kids
Many years ago, God sent Jesus (his son) into the world. Jesus did lots of amazing things. He spoke about God’s love and healed people when they were sick. He had a lot of friends and followers, but many religious leaders did not like him. They did not believe Jesus was God’s son and didn’t like the things he was saying. Eventually, they got so angry with Jesus, they wanted to kill him.
They got a crowd of people to support their nasty plan. They went to the city’s rulers and called for his death. Jesus was whipped and laughed at then walked all the way up a hill where he died on a large, wooden cross. That’s the story of Good Friday.
At any time, Jesus could have asked God to stop it because he is strong and powerful. After all, he calmed the lightning, thunder and rain when it stormed, walked on water without sinking and made those who were sick better!
But Jesus’ death was all part of God’s plan. Because Jesus didn’t stay dead. He rose back to life. That’s called his ‘resurrection’.
We remember this part of the story on Easter Sunday because on that day, some women who were followers of Jesus, went to visit his body at the tomb where he’d been buried. Instead of finding a tomb with a giant rock in front of it and a dead body – they found an empty tomb and angels!
Jesus showed that he has power over life and death. He died because he loves us and rose back to life so we can have life with him in Heaven after we die. While we are on Earth though, Jesus wants us to experience his love and kindness in our lives, so we never have to feel scared, unloved or alone. That gives us a reason to celebrate and have joy!
This Easter, the Kidzone magazine celebrates the good news of Easter with delicious recipes, fun crafts and puzzles. Get your copy when you come say ‘hi’ to your local Salvos at a nearby church or Salvos Store.
Free Easter activities for kids
When it comes to celebrating Easter with kids, thoughts mostly turn to activities like Easter egg hunts, Easter bonnets and Easter hat parades, the Easter Bunny and hot cross buns. Some parents may join free Easter activities in their communities with their kids, buy Easter gifts or read books about lambs, chicks and springtime (even though it is autumn in Australia). It all sounds fun and sweet, but there is more to Easter.
Easter is when we remember Jesus’ death on a cross, which is called Good Friday. And Easter Sunday is when we celebrate Jesus rising from the dead — the good news. The entire weekend is a reminder that God loves us and wants to be our friend. “For here is the way God loved the world — he gave his only, unique Son as a gift” (John 3:16, TPT).
If you are looking for some fun ways to share the real message of Easter with kids, The Salvation Army’s Kidzone magazine has you covered. The kids in your life will have plenty to do (and learn) over the Easter long weekend.
Read on to find out what Easter activities for families and children are on their website. Plus, visit your local Salvos to get your free copy of the Easter Kidzone magazine for even more fun, puzzles and Easter craft ideas.
Good Friday is the day we eat hot cross buns, but why?
Good Friday is the day on which we remember Jesus dying on the cross because he loves us. When we do bad things, we are separated from God and deserve punishment. But instead of being punished, God shows love towards us. When Jesus died, he took on our punishment because he loves us. He didn’t want us to be punished. He wanted to be in a relationship with us and for us to have a good life.
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Make resurrection cookies Ideal to help your family understand more about the good news of Easter. Read messages from the Bible as you make your way through the recipe and learn fun facts like just as Jesus stayed in a tomb, your cookies must stay overnight in the oven! |
Make a stained-glass cross A simple and fun activity, perfect for all ages. As the light shines through the cross, discuss Jesus’ sacrifice and how his love brings hope and new life. |
Be sure to visit your local Salvos to get your free copy of the Easter Kidzone magazine for even more fun, puzzles and Easter craft ideas.
Easter Sunday is the day when Christians celebrate Jesus coming back to life! This is why we celebrate with the Easter Bunny who represents new life and enjoy eating hollow Easter eggs to remind us of Jesus’ empty tomb.
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Celebrate Easter Sunday with the Salvos Many of our Salvation Army churches host Easter Sunday services for families and kids. |
Make a twine Easter egg Use a balloon, paint and twine to make a colourful Easter egg. As you wrap the twine around the balloon, discuss how God’s love also surrounds us and keeps us together. |
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Reflect on the meaning of Easter Perfect for older children and teens, our free 9-day Easter reflection guide discovers Jesus through his many names.
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Make a resurrection garden This fun Easter craft is a great way to involve kids in recreating the story of Easter Sunday morning and the hope found at the tomb.
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If you’re hosting an Easter celebration — whether it’s a small breakfast at home, a large family lunch or something with the community — get the kids busy with out Easter puzzles placemat while the meal is cooking. Complete with a crossword, maze, sudoku, colouring in and more — the kids should be happily entertained, all while learning some facts about Easter!
If they are still itching for more free Easter activities, and you’re keen to keep them off screens, download and print an egg-citing puzzle page and colouring sheets from the Kidzone website. While you’re there, consider subscribing to Kidzone so you have fun for kids every week of the year! It would make a great Easter gift for the kids in your life.
Crucifixion and resurrection are two big words used a lot around Easter. Both are about the real meaning of Easter, which is Jesus dying and coming back to life.
Crucifixion refers to the way Jesus was killed. He was hung onto a cross (which looks like a lowercase t) and, in the Bible times, crucifying people was a common Roman punishment.
After Jesus died, he was laid into a tomb, which is a grave cut out of a large rock. A big stone was rolled across the entrance to seal the tomb so no one could steal Jesus’ body.
Jesus, however, because he is mighty and powerful, rose back to life and left the tomb. This is called his resurrection.
"But the man (an angel) said, ‘Don’t be afraid. You are looking for Jesus from Nazareth, the one who was killed on a cross. He has risen from death. He is not here. Look, here is the place they laid him,’” (Mark 16:6, ICB).
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