Easter is a time to welcome spring and bond with family. Parenting expert Laura Linn Knight says it’s a chance to break free from daily routines. “Easter can be as grand or simple as you want,” she notes, focusing on the joy of shared moments over perfection.
Whether you love outdoor fun or cozy crafts, these 25 activities mix tradition and creativity. They’re perfect for kids and families alike.
From decorating eggs to hosting egg hunts, these ideas bring joy to all ages. Activities like building gardens, baking treats, or practicing mindfulness create lasting memories. Each project is simple yet engaging, whether it’s making rain-cloud mobiles, racing in burlap sacks, or enjoying puns.
Key Takeaways
- 25 fun Easter activities for kids & families cater to varied interests and settings.
- Projects like egg hunts, crafts, and outdoor games encourage teamwork and creativity.
- Includes options for both indoor and outdoor adventures, from composting to hiking.
- Simple traditions like reading stories or making playlists foster connection.
- Activities like bunny hat crafts or math games blend learning with play.
Why Easter Activities Bring Families Together
Easter is more than just bunnies and baskets. It’s a time to grow closer as a family. Family-friendly easter games like egg hunts and crafting bring laughter and connection. These activities become beloved traditions that everyone looks forward to every year.
“Anytime there is a holiday that offers a pause from phones ringing, rushed school mornings and the demands of work, use that as an opportunity to make new memories with your family,” said parenting expert Dr. Jane Knight in an interview with TODAY.com.
The Importance of Holiday Traditions
Creating rituals like dyeing eggs or baking together makes everyone feel connected. Activities like the glow-in-the-dark egg hunt or crafting an egg tree are eagerly awaited. These traditions teach values and stability, bringing joy to families.
Benefits of Celebrating Easter as a Family
Playing family-friendly easter games like jellybean guessing or bunny relay races improves teamwork. Cooking or volunteering together reduces screen time and encourages talking. Even simple tasks, like decorating an Easter brunch table, promote teamwork and respect.
Creating Memories That Last a Lifetime
Activities like planting resurrection gardens or making pysanky eggs leave lasting memories. Hands-on projects, like building a bonfire or acting out a Bible story, create special moments. These moments, filled with tradition and play, shape a family’s identity.
Classic Easter Egg Hunt Ideas with Creative Twists
Make your Easter egg hunt unforgettable with creative twists. These easter egg hunt ideas bring excitement, whether it’s a easter themed scavenger hunt or a nighttime hunt. Combine tradition with creativity for a celebration kids will always remember.
“A nighttime egg hunt with glowing treasures feels like a magical quest!” – A Pumpkin and a Princess
Glow-in-the-Dark Night Hunt
Make the evening magical with glowing eggs. Here’s how:
- Place glow sticks inside plastic eggs or paint them with glow-in-the-dark paint
- Arrange string lights along paths for safety and ambiance
- Hand out flashlights for little explorers
This hunt is perfect for older kids (ages 5+). It turns backyards into treasure maps. (Source: A Pumpkin and a Princess)
Color-Coded Egg Hunt for All Ages
Ensure fairness with color-coded eggs:
- Blue eggs (easy spots) for toddlers
- Red eggs (harder spots) for older kids
- Prizes like stickers for little ones, small toys for bigger kids
Every child finds success! (Source: Tatertots & Jello)
Puzzle Egg Hunt: Solve & Win
Turn the hunt into a puzzle-solving game:
- Hide puzzle pieces in eggs; assemble them to reveal a final treasure map
- Add riddles inside eggs to guide the next clue
- End with a grand prize for the completed puzzle
Watch kids cheer as they crack the code! (Source: The Merrythought)
These twists add layers of fun without losing the holiday spirit. Choose one—or mix them all—to make this Easter your family’s favorite yet!
Easter Crafts That Spark Creativity in Children
Easter crafts for kids are more than fun—they boost creativity and fine motor skills. Simple projects with household items make crafting a special time together. Here are some ideas to spark little artists:
- Paper Plate Bunny Masks: Cut plates into head shapes, paint, and add yarn whiskers and googly eyes.
- Handprint Chicks: Dip palms in yellow paint, press onto paper, and add orange beaks with markers.
- 3D Puffy Eggs: Mix shaving cream, glue, and food coloring to paint textured eggs on cardstock.
- Toilet Roll Animals: Paint empty rolls, attach felt ears, and use pipe cleaners for tails.
- Sequin-Studded Eggs: Glue sequins onto foam eggs for shiny, tactile results.
Craft | Materials | Skills |
---|---|---|
Paper Plate Bunny | Paper plate, paint, scissors, glue | Cutting, painting, and design planning |
Handprint Chick | Yellow paint, cardstock, markers | Hand-eye coordination, creativity |
Macramé Egg Holder | Yarn, egg carton, beads | Knotting, pattern-making |
These crafts also teach patience. For instance, Alcohol Ink Eggs need time to dry, showing kids the importance of waiting. Use old towels as drop cloths for messy projects! Crafting together boosts confidence and makes kids proud of their creations.
Baking and Cooking Activities for Sweet Easter Treats
Make your kitchen a place of creativity with easter baking and cooking activities for all. Kids can help with mixing and decorating, making festive treats. They can make cupcakes, cookies, or carrot-themed snacks, learning and having fun at the same time.
Begin with Easy Easter Bunny Cupcakes. They’re a twist on a classic. Frost cupcakes with vanilla buttercream. Then, let kids add marshmallow ears, candy eyes, and pink frosting noses. Jellybeans or sprinkles add a fun touch. For those without baking skills, try Nest Cookies with Chocolate Eggs. They’re made with chow mein noodles, butter, and syrup. Press into molds, add Cadbury mini eggs, and chill. Older kids can mix, while younger ones can arrange toppings.
Carrot-Shaped Treats
Make carrot cake muffins or dip strawberries in orange candy melts for “carrots.” For a fun project, bake carrot-shaped rice krispie treats with cookie cutters. Decorate with green icing “leaves” for a festive look.
- Tip: Use silicone molds (like Wilton’s bunny molds) for easy shaping
- Assign tasks: Measuring, stirring, or arranging toppings
- Share extras with neighbors or teachers as homemade gifts
These activities teach kids about measurement and creativity. They also fill homes with delicious smells. Every step creates memories and builds appetites!
DIY Easter Decorations to Brighten Your Home
Make your home a spring wonderland with DIY Easter decorations made by your family. These projects are fun and practical, using items you might already have. They range from quick ideas for your table to bigger projects for the weekend. Each one celebrates teamwork and your personal style.
- Painted Terracotta Pot Wreath: Fill small pots with faux plants, then arrange them around a wreath frame for a vibrant front door display.
- Gold Foil Egg Garland: Wrap eggs in gold foil and string them across mantles or windows for a shimmering touch.
- Pool Noodle Easter Egg Garland: Cut pool noodles into egg shapes, paint them, and thread onto twine for a playful indoor/outdoor garland.
- Washtcloth Egg Covers: Dye white washcloths in pastel hues, stuff with tissue paper, and arrange as a cozy centerpiece.
- Peeps Flower Vases: Stack marshmallow Peeps in glass vases with fake tulips for a whimsical, budget-friendly arrangement.
“Drawing chalk eggs on the driveway isn’t just a decoration—it’s a chance to let kids express their creativity while prepping for the egg hunt.”
Try eco-friendly swaps like using recycled cardboard for egg cutouts or potted herbs as living centerpieces. Even small touches like washi-tape eggs on picture frames add charm. These DIY Easter decorations turn your home into a collaborative masterpiece while keeping budgets friendly. Whether you choose bold wreaths or subtle table accents, every project becomes a reminder of time spent crafting together.
Outdoor Easter Activities to Enjoy Spring Weather
Spring brings a chance to enjoy the outdoors with Easter activities. Families can explore nature and have fun together. These ideas make backyard adventures special, whether it’s sunny or misty.
“Searching for wildflowers feels magical for kids and adults alike—spotting ladybugs or butterflies adds wonder to every step.”
Easter-Themed Nature Scavenger Hunt
Turn walks into fun quests with themed checklists. Look for crocus blooms, budding trees, or colorful leaves. Try geocaching with a free app for Easter-themed caches.
For cooler days, try an ice egg hunt. Frozen eggs hold small toys. Downloadable lists help kids find seasonal signs like spiderwebs or peepers.
Planting Spring Flowers
- Grow seeds in eggshell planters to transplant later.
- Create a butterfly garden with nectar-rich flowers like marigolds or daisies.
- Use a mix of sunflowers and lavender for a sensory garden that kids can water and watch grow.
Outdoor Easter Games
Play active games to have fun:
- Bunny relay races—hop in sacks or carry eggs on spoons.
- Easter tag: “It” chases others until someone touches a painted rock.
- Freeze-dance races: dance until the music stops, then sprint to a “safe zone” decorated with ribbons.
Play games with picnic blankets and hot cocoa in bunny mugs. Visit parks for easy walks or join local egg hunts. These activities make spring beautiful and fun.
Indoor Easter Fun for Rainy Spring Days
When rain clouds block outdoor plans, indoor easter activities keep the holiday spirit alive. Families can bond over creative games, crafts, and snacks that spark joy. As expert Knight notes, “Easter’s magic thrives in shared moments—even when staying indoors.”
Easter Movie Marathon with Themed Snacks
- Screen classics like Hop or Easter Tale for laughter and nostalgia.
- Serve bunny-shaped sandwiches, carrot-shaped cheese sticks, and pastel popcorn.
- Discuss themes like kindness and new beginnings after each film.
Easter-Themed Board Games and Puzzles
- Play Easter Bingo with plastic eggs as markers.
- Try Peeps War: Knock marshmallow bunnies off tables with plastic eggs.
- Unleash creativity with 12-piece egg puzzles or DIY Easter Checkers.
Turn living rooms into activity zones with freeze dance (using Easter tunes) or Bunny Bowling—knocking down water bottles with eggs. For tiny hands, Easter Egg Poppers filled with candy add playful surprises.
No matter the weather, indoor easter activities like these ensure families stay connected. From egg-rolling relays to sensory bins with plastic eggs, creativity blooms indoors too!
25 Fun Easter Activities for Kids and Families: The Complete List
Spring into the season with these 25 fun Easter activities for kids and families! Mix and match these ideas to craft a memorable celebration everyone will love.
- Easter Egg Hop Tag: Turn tag into a bunny-themed race where players hop while chasing “it.”
- Freeze Dance: Dance to Easter songs like “Here Comes Peter Cottontail” until the music stops—freeze or lose!
- Egg Activity Cards: Hide eggs with slips instructing actions like “wag like a tail” or “clap three times.”
- Jelly Bean Guess: Fill a jar and let kids guess the count—winner gets a prize!
- Egg Tower Challenge: Stack plastic egg halves to build the tallest structure without glue.
- Spoon Egg Toss: Teams race to transfer eggs with spoons without dropping them.
- Easter Memory Game: Match egg halves with identical patterns or symbols.
- Clue Hunt: Eggs hold riddles pointing to the next location’s location.
- Spoon Relay: Teams hop while balancing eggs on spoons to the finish line.
- Easter Domino Trail: Set up dominoes in an Easter-themed pattern and knock them down!
- Egg Assembly Race: Teams rebuild scrambled egg halves with one hand in 60 seconds.
- Peep Bowling: Knock down marshmallow Peeps with plastic eggs.
- Raw Egg Toss: Teams toss raw eggs—last team with unbroken eggs wins.
- Word Scramble: Unscramble words like “CARROT” or “SPRING.”
- Pay-to-Play Hunt: Charge a small fee to enter, with top finders earning a prize pool.
- Jumbo Egg Hunt: Large eggs labeled with names contain small gifts.
- Easter Pong: Use plastic eggs and candy cups for a festive twist on beer pong.
- Easter Reads: Snuggle up with classics like “The Tale of Peter Rabbit.”
- Play-Doh Bunnies: Shape dough into chicks, eggs, or baskets. LEGO fans can build nests!
- Egg Art: Dye, paint, or glue embellishments onto eggs using crayons, glitter, or leaves.
- Toilet Roll Bunnies: Decorate tubes with paper ears and pipe cleaner whiskers.
- Jelly Bean Bingo: Use jelly beans as markers on themed bingo cards.
- Bunny Hop Dance: Crank up “The Bunny Hop” and teach simple dance steps.
- Candy Hunt: Hide eggs filled with chocolate coins or mini treats.
- Candy Guessing: Guess quantities of M&Ms or Peeps in a jar.
- Flower Art: Press petals or leaves into egg-shaped clay or paper.
Adapt activities for indoor or outdoor spaces, and mix skill levels. From 5-minute games to craft projects, these 25 fun Easter activities for kids and families ensure there’s something for every interest!
Easter Basket Ideas That Go Beyond Candy
Trade in the candy for fun and learning with creative easter basket ideas. Create baskets filled with art kits, science experiments, or outdoor adventure packs. These baskets turn Easter into a fun adventure for the mind.
Choose a basket that’s also a toy, like a toy truck for little ones or a personalized tote for teens. Fill it with things like:
- Wooden Easter eggs for sensory play ($20)
- “All About Peter Rabbit” board book ($10)
- Light-up bubble blower ($16)
- Artisanal egg puzzles ($13)
Item | Price | Age Range |
---|---|---|
LEGO Easter Bunny Set | $20 | 6+ |
HABA Musical Eggs | $30 | 2+ |
Squishmallow Easter Chick | $13 | All ages |
Play-Doh Easter Bag | $10 | 2+ |
3D-Printed Dragon Eggs | $17 | 6+ |
Add gifts that encourage experiences, like mini JBL speakers ($40) for music or plantable pencils ($15) for eco-friendly crafts. Even small items like bunny-shaped soaps ($15) or magnetic pyramid puzzles ($28) bring joy. For those on a budget, DIY kits made from home items can be just as special. Let these creative easter basket ideas bring lasting happiness.
Easter Traditions from Around the World to Try This Year
Explore Easter beyond the usual egg hunts! Families can discover global customs that blend learning and fun. From Europe’s vibrant crafts to lively games in other cultures, these traditions add fresh excitement to celebrations.
“Easter egg hunts have become synonymous with the Easter holiday, but there’s no rule saying you can’t add new twists with easter crafts for children and family-friendly easter games.”
European Easter Traditions for American Families
Adapt these European customs for your home:
- German Osterbaum: Hang dyed eggs on a small tree, creating an easter craft for children that transforms into a festive decoration.
- Ukrainian Pysanky: Decorate eggs with wax-resist designs—a creative project perfect for kids.
- Swedish Påskris: Gather birch twigs and feathers to make festive decorations, ideal for springtime craft sessions.
Cultural Easter Activities That Educate and Entertain
Tradition | Origin | Activity Type | How to Try It |
---|---|---|---|
Mexican Cascarones | Mexico | Craft/Game | Fill hollow eggs with confetti and decorate them for a playful surprise. |
Guatemalan carpets | Guatemala | Craft | Create colorful floor art with flowers and sawdust—great for group projects. |
Caribbean kite flying | Caribbean | Game | Host a kite-flying contest in a park for a family-friendly easter game. |
Incorporate these ideas to mix cultural learning with hands-on fun. Whether crafting pysanky eggs or hosting a kite race, every tradition offers a chance to bond while exploring the world’s heritage. Let curiosity guide your Easter adventures!
Conclusion: Making This Easter Your Most Memorable Yet
Easter is special because of the time we spend with our loved ones. It’s not about being perfect. Choose creative easter basket ideas or family-friendly easter games that everyone will enjoy. Knight reminds us, it’s all about the connections we make.
Try a scavenger hunt with clues from the Bible or a race where you balance eggs. These simple games bring happiness and teamwork. Take pictures of your decorated nests, craft projects, or the fun during an egg hunt. Keep these memories in a journal or scrapbook to look back on each year.
Share your family’s favorite Easter traditions in the comments! Whether it’s searching for “Easter egg trophies” or baking bunny treats, every tradition makes your story unique. Let this Easter be filled with laughter, learning, and love. Even a blindfolded hunt or planting flowers can become a treasured memory.
Wishing you a holiday filled with warmth and joy. May your Easter be memorable and your traditions grow with your family. Happy Easter!