Easter Traditions

Someone asked me last week about any Easter traditions we do. I'd love to open this up and hear from others -- I got so many great ideas from Christmas seeing things posted (we're totally adding smores, a Christmas movie, and a slumber party by the tree to the night of the 23rd next year!).

I'm sort of a tradition junkie -- I love thinking our kids will look back and think, "My parents always...." for whatever occasion it is. I also like starting them early -- it lets us work the kinks out in our plans before they're really ingrained in their memories! :) The Let's Make a Memory series has been cute to have and I just got Treasuring God in Our Traditions as well but haven't started it.

Here are a few Easter resources/ideas we like. I'm absolutely no child expert, but I added when they were "age appropriate" for our family. If your child is younger, some of these would be sweet to put in their Easter basket for future use!

• The Jesus Storybook Bible does an awesome job of tying each Bible story into Christ's coming. If you read a story a day starting on March 16, story #40 should be the resurrection to be read on Easter Sunday. If you're behind, double up in the morning and evening to catch up! :) We often forget days and have to double up -- Kirkley is getting to be old enough to be an accountability for this each morning at the breakfast table! (I still have to paraphrase these stories for 4 yr old.)
  
• Resurrection Eggs -- I got these last year at Hobby Lobby. Check here to see if Easter stuff is 1/2 off or if a coupon is available. (Kirkley started practicing telling the Easter story with these at 3.)
  
• Miss PattyCake Eggstravaganza is 100% cheesey but has great songs kids love, and she goes through each resurrection egg on their level. (Perfect for 1 and up!)
  
• We thought about having Kirkley memorize an OT prophecy verse like Genesis 22:8 "God himself will provide the lamb." There are many to choose from -- we're sitting on this idea as of now. (3 and up)
  
• Since Kirkley was hospitalized during Easter of 2009, I've always had good intentions of going back and doing something at Easter for the peds patients -- maybe this year with Kirkley old enough to help/shop/deliver, that idea will come to fruition.
• I've never made Easter story cookies, but I think they're on our list this year.
  
• We always make resurrection buns -- Kirkley still makes a reference to Jesus as a marshmallow. These would be an easy thing to deliver to neighbors with children -- take directions and supplies for their family! (We've done these since K was one, but last year at 3, she really "got it" the most.)
  
• This site has awesome ideas -- look at the links below this post too. More activities and printables here too.
• Also fun Easter basket ideas: Band Angels, Seeds CDs, creation puzzle, ABC Bible Verses, and preschool devotions 1 or 2.
  

Also, we spread Easter out over the weekend -- a great tip I got from a mom of older children. All baskets/eggs are done on Saturday morning. We have time to enjoy this and not be rushed. Saturday evening, we do the resurrection buns and stick them in the fridge. Then Sunday morning we'll bake them and go to Easter Sunday services. I'm not really in love with this layout -- the buns may be better/more accurate for Good Friday morning?? It's always a work in progress...

Can't wait to hear some favorite family activities!
Tell us now so we can plan! :)

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and
with all your soul and with all your strength.
These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.
Impress them on your children.
Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road,
when you lie down and when you get up.
Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.
Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."
Deuteronomy 6:5-9

"We will not hide them from their children;
we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord,
His power, and the wonders He has done."
Psalm 78:4

"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
And surely I am with you always,
to the very end of the age."
Matthew 28:18-20