7 Kids Easter Activities that Tell the Resurrection Story
Easter is full of fun traditions—colorful eggs, springtime treats, and time with family—but it’s also the perfect opportunity to help kids experience the true story of Jesus’ death and resurrection in meaningful ways. Whether you’ve got preschoolers or preteens, these 7 hands-on Easter activities will help your kids explore the Easter story with all five senses—and keep Jesus at the center of your celebration.
Below we’ve pulled together a list of our favorite Easter activities straight. From Recipes to Crafts and our favorite books about the Easter Story, we’ve got you covered!
🥐 Resurrection Rolls
This simple baking Easter activity uses crescent rolls and marshmallows to symbolize Jesus’ body being placed in the tomb—and the surprise of the empty tomb on Easter morning.• Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F, lightly greasing the muffin tin.• Step 2: Mix sugar and cinnamon together in a small bowl.• Step 3: Dip a marshmallow into melted butter, then roll it in the sugar mixture.• Step 4: Place the marshmallow into the center of a crescent roll dough triangle; wrap the dough around the marshmallow, pinching the seams together tightly to seal in marshmallow as it melts. Then place each roll into your muffin tin.• Step 5: Bake rolls in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 15 minutes.• Step 6: When you take them out, explain that the marshmallow has “disappeared,” just like the tomb was empty!Talk about it: Jesus didn’t stay in the tomb—He is risen! (Luke 24:6)What you'll need:
- ✔️Crescent Roll Dough (1 can)
- ✔️8 Large Marshmallows
- ✔️1/4 cup Melted Butter
- ✔️2 tbsp. Ground Cinnamon
- ✔️2 tbsp. Granulated Sugar
- ✔️Muffin Tin
🥚 Resurrection Eggs
Resurrection Eggs help kids walk through the Easter story step by step. Each egg holds a tiny object that represents a part of the story—from Palm Sunday to the empty tomb.Instructions: • Fill each egg with a symbol and a bible verse, printed out or written on a slip of paper.• Open one egg each day leading up to Easter, or all at once to tell the full story.Suggested items to place in the eggs: • 1st egg: Donkey: Matthew 21: 1-9• 2nd egg: Palm Branch: Matthew 21:9• 3rd egg: Coins: Matthew 26: 14-15• 4th egg: Bread: Matthew 26: 26• 5th egg: Praying Hands: Mark 14: 32-42• 6th egg: Leather Strip: Mark 15:15• 7th egg: Thorn: Matthew 27:29• 8th egg: Cross: John 19:17-18• 9th egg: Sponge: Matthew 27:48• 10th egg: Linen: Matthew 27:57-61• 11th egg: Stone: Matthew 28:1-2• 12th egg: An Empty Egg: Matthew 28:5-8Talk about it: These everyday objects help us remember that the Easter story is real—and it changed everything.What you'll need:
- ✔️12 plastic eggs
- ✔️Basket or egg carton
- ✔️Printable scripture cards (optional)
- ✔️Symbolic Items
🪴 Resurrection Garden
Create a miniature garden scene that represents the hill where Jesus died and the tomb where He was buried. As Easter approaches, the grass or moss grows—symbolizing the new life we have in Jesus.Instructions: Create a mini garden with a tomb and crosses. Arrange the tomb and crosses in the soil. Sprinkle seeds, mist with water daily, and watch it grow as Easter Sunday nears.Talk about it: Jesus was buried, but the story didn’t end there—He brings new life to us too.What you'll need:
- Shallow bowl or flowerpot
- Soil, small rocks
- Grass seed or moss
- Small flowerpot (for tomb)
- Large stone (to roll away)
- Twigs and string (to make crosses)
🕯️ "Light in the Tomb" Lanterns
This Easter activity craft uses light and shadow to help kids understand that even in the darkness of the tomb, Jesus was still the Light of the World.Intructions: • Glue tissue paper to the outside of the cup to create a glowing effect.• Add a piece of black paper over the front.• Place a tea light inside and talk about how Jesus brings light, even in dark places.Talk about it: Read John 8:12 and talk about what it means that Jesus is our Light—even when things feel sad, hard, or dark.What you'll need:
- Clear plastic cups or jars
- Tissue paper (white, yellow, gold)
- Mod Podge or Glue
- Paintbrushes
- Battery Tea Lights
- Black Construction Paper (stone cutout)
🎭 Easter Story Charades
This Easter activity gets kids moving and laughing as they act out key moments from the Easter story in a game of charades.What you'll need:
- 🎭Slips of Paper with Easter Story Moments
- Palm Sunday
- The Last Supper
- Jesus Praying in the Garden
- Jesus Carrying the Cross
- The Resurrection
- Doubting Thomas
- Etc.
🧂 Salt Dough Tomb
Use salt dough to make a simple model of the hill and tomb where Jesus was buried—and show the stone rolled away on Easter Sunday.Instructions: • Step 1: Mix all ingredients listed below and knead. Pro Tip: Add small amounts of water until the texture is right.• Step 2: Set aside a small amount of dough to use as the "rock" that is rolled away.• Step 3: Shape the rest of the salt dough into a mountain, creating an opening on one side into the "cave."• Step 4: Bake at 250 degrees F. for 4-5 hours. When cooled, color as desired with paint or markers.light, even in dark places.Talk about it: The tomb was sealed, but Jesus didn’t stay there. He rose—and now we can have life with Him!What you'll need:
- 4 c. of Flour
- 1.5 c. Salt
- 1.5 c. Water
- 1 Tbs. Oil
- Small Stone (or use some of the dough)
- Baking Tray
- Paint (for decorating your tomb if desired)
📚 Kids Books about the Easter Story
There are so many wonderful books that explain the Easter story in age-appropriate and engaging ways. Below are a few favorites:Talk about it: Don’t be afraid to pause and ask your kids what they think or feel about what Jesus did and what his life and death and resurrection means for them.
Kids Books about the Easter Story
The Garden, the Curtain and the Cross by Carl Laferton
Easter Love Letters from God by Glenys Nellist
The Story of Easter by Patricia A. Pingry
God Gave Us Easter by Lisa Tawn Bergren
He Is Risen: Rocks Tell the Story of Easter by Patti Rokus
The Berenstain Bears and the Easter Story for Little Ones by Jan Berenstain
Easter Activities for Meaningful Moments!
Easter is more than just a day—it’s a story that changes everything. These hands-on Easter activities are more than just crafts and games—they’re moments to connect your child’s heart to the truth of the Gospel. Whether you choose one or try them all, we hope your Easter is full of joy, meaning, and the reminder that He is Risen!
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