By Rebecca Hastings

Easter egg hunts, coloring eggs, and chocolate bunnies are all things children look forward to each year for Easter. While these are great ways to celebrate, it can be tricky to think of new things to do. Plus, it shouldn’t only be kids getting in on the fun. Here are some fun ways to spread the Easter cheer for everyone in the family.

Getting Ready The holiday doesn’t have to last just one day. Build excitement and prepare for the holiday together with these simple ideas.

1. Read all about it! Reading books is a great way to learn about the holiday and build excitement. Plus, there is something for everyone.

If you want to focus on the faith aspects of the holiday you can try The Story of Easter (under 5), The Berenstain Bears and the Easter Story (ages 5-10), or a lent study or reading plan on the YouVersion Bible App (tweens and up).

Other fun books for kids are Happy Easter from the Crayons (ages 4-8), How to Catch the Easter Bunny (ages 2-6), and Easter Eggstravaganza Mad Libs (ages 6 and up).

2. Something to wear: Easter is a great time to get dressed up! Make it a special occasion for all ages by encouraging people to wear their Sunday best or follow a theme like florals or spring colors. Instead of picking things out for kids and presenting them on the day of Easter, let them help choose and plan their outfits. Hang it someplace special so they can see it and look forward to wearing it.

3. Spread the joy: In the weeks leading up to Easter, think about how your family can spread joy with others in the community. Kids can color Easter cards and deliver them to neighbors. Grandparents can make a special spring dessert with grandchildren. Families and teens can serve in a soup kitchen. Make the holiday one to celebrate with the community.

Create the Perfect Easter Baskets There are so many fun options for things to include in an Easter basket. Have fun thinking outside the box — or basket! An especially fun idea is to have something special for the big kids and grown-ups, too. Here are some ideas to get you started:

The basket: A traditional basket is a good starting place, but you can also think beyond that. Things to use instead of a standard basket …

• New pastel sand bucket with a shovel

• Easter-themed gift bag

• Reusable tote

• Makeup bag

• Upside-down hat, helmet or ballcap

• Open umbrella turned upside down

• Fun mug

• Watering can

• Jumbo plastic egg

• Beach bag or purse

• Mason jar

• Hatbox

• Flowerpot

• Mixing bowl

• Toy dump truck

• Rain boots

Filler: Most baskets have some sort of filler to take up space and feel festive. Many people use plastic Easter grass, but if you are looking for some other options, there are plenty of ideas. Environmentally friendly options include:

• Tissue paper

• Shredded paper

• Yarn or felt pom-poms

• Inflated mini balloons

• Moss

• Ribbon

• Edible grass

• Rafia

• Colorful scarves

The basics: Some of the classic things you can include are Easter eggs, jelly beans, and a chocolate bunny. Then build from there.

Beyond basics: This is where you can customize things for each person by choosing favorite treats and unexpected gifts. Think about what each recipient would enjoy.

• Is there a special kind of candy they like?

• Do they have a hobby?

• What will make them feel special?

When you fill a basket with the recipient in mind, you’re sure to create something they will love! Here are some ideas that go beyond candy:

• Books

• Puzzles

• Candles

• Small craft kits

• Flower or vegetable seeds

• PlayDoh

• Hair clips

• Crayons

• Mini toys such as Rubix Cube or Etch-a-Sketch

• Tiny Lego set

• Mini tool kit

• Gourmet coffee or tea

• Deck of cards

• Bubbles

• Glow sticks

• Chapstick

• Gum

• Stickers

• Bath bombs or bubble bath

Fun Activities & Games Easter egg hunts are a tried-and-true tradition for celebrating the holiday. Sometimes, however, the weather doesn’t cooperate or things don’t work for all ages. Think about who will be celebrating the holiday with you and try these ideas so everyone has a fun way to celebrate.

Traditional Easter Egg Hunt: Hide plastic eggs filled with candy outside or around the house. Let children explore and find their treasures, keeping what they find.

Shared Easter Egg Hunt: Make the hunt feel fair by collecting all eggs and divvying up the candy equally at the end. This allows kids to still hunt for eggs but evens the playing field. This can be especially important if you have different ages.

Buddy Easter Egg Hunt: Pair a little one with a teen or adult to hunt for eggs. This is a great way to get everyone involved in the fun.

Scavenger Hunt: Instead of hunting for eggs, try a scavenger hunt that leads to a prize or their Easter basket. For young children, the clues can be pictures or things they need to collect. For older kids and adults, you can find clues online or write your own. You can even expand this idea by having a scavenger hunt that requires finding things in the neighborhood.

Easy Indoor Activities If you’re stuck inside on Easter, you’ll need some simple things to help you have fun. Here are some easy indoor ideas …

• Tic-Tac-Toe: Using graham crackers and icing, create a tic-tac-toe board. Then use jellybeans to play.

• Bake Off: Create a score sheet to rate each of the desserts and see which one gets the most votes. Give a prize to whoever made the winning treat.

• Resurrection Eggs: Try using these special eggs in an indoor hunt and use the cards and special trinkets to tell the story of Easter. 

Rebecca is a published author and former teacher passionate about authenticity, faith, and family. In real life, she can often be found typing words, driving her kids places, or wherever there is chocolate. Connect with her at RebeccaHastings.net and on Instagram.