My husband's cousin (and my new friend!) inspired me. She had a post on her blog about your favorite Easter memory. My mom did a great job of trying to keep Easter religious. We would usually get some small toy, but the rest would all be religious items: scriptures, books, religious pictures, scripture story dolls with cassette tapes (that I still have!), etc. We have tried to continue that with our children.
A few years ago I was trying to find religious Easter ideas for a daytime enrichment that I was in charge of. I thought I would share a few of the best ideas here!
Resurrection Cookies: I made these with my children a few years ago, as did my sister with her boys. I need to do it again, now that my children are old enough to understand more. Every ingredient is symbolic, and it was just awesome to make them. It was very hard to beat the pecans (as it is symbolic of the Savior being beaten by the soldiers). It was hard to do, but very moving as well. It sounds like they would not be overly appetizing, but they were, kind of like divinity.
Easter Cookies
To be made the evening before Easter
You need:
1c. whole pecans
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch salt
1c. sugar
zipper baggie
wooden spoon
tape
Bible
Preheat oven to 300.
Instructions:
Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.
Read John 19:1-3
Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink.
Read John 19:28-30
Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.
Read John 10:10-11
Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.
Read Luke 23:27
So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1c. sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him.
Read Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16
Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God' s eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.
Read Isa. 1:18 and John 3:1-3.
Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.
Read Matt. 27:57-60.
Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed.
Read Matt. 27:65-66. GO TO BED!
Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.
Read John 16:20 and 22.
On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.
Read Matt. 28:1-9
(special note) Great to use for a Sunday School Class or Vacation Bible School too... Cookies can be left on a very very low temp..like 250 degrees. and be ready in a couple of hours...when surface of cookie looks dry and cracked....they are ready to eat!!!!!
Another great one is resurrection rolls, my sister and her kids liked these better, I think my daughter liked them better as well. However, not as much symbolism, but still a good object lesson.
Resurrecting Rolls
Ingredients: 3/4 cup warm water
1 large egg
3 cups flour
1 tsp. salt
3 Tbs. sugar
6 Tbs. butter
3 Tbs. dry milk
1-1/2 tsp. yeast
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 Tbs. cinnamon
24 marshmallows
Combine first 8 ingredients. Let rise till double. Divide into 24 balls and flatten. Mix sugar and cinnamon together. Dip rolls in melted margarine, then into sugar mixture. Wrap roll around a marshmallow, covering completely. Dip once more into butter, and again into sugar. Place rolls in a large greased pan and allow to rise till double. (approx. 35 min) Bake at 375 for about 15 minutes, or until done. Rolls should be completely empty when cooled...like the empty tomb.
I think this would be a cute neighbor type gift:
Jesus Jelly Bean Bags
Place jelly beans in a snack size ziplock bag and attach the following prayer:
Red is for the blood He gave,
Green is for the grass He made,
Yellow is for the sun so bright,
Orange is for the edge of night.
Black is for the sins that were made,
White is for the grace He gave.
Purple is for the hour of sorrow,
Pink is for the new tomorrow.
A bag full of jelly beans,
Colorful and sweet,
Is a Prayer...is a Promise... Is an Easter treat!
My sister organized this activity for the kids for an Easter party about four years ago. We had her boys, some of my siblings, and a few little ones. It was more for the older kids though. She had each object in a paper sack, and we made it a scavenger hunt for the kids to find the bags. Then we had them tell about the item in the sack.
Easter Object Lesson
Buy a six inch paper mache Easter egg and collect the following items to put inside, in order , and use during the lesson. These items can be found at a dollar store or amongst household items or toys. As you hold up each item, let the children tell the story of Easter, and you can fill in any details as you wish.
1. DONKEY- reminds us of Palm Sunday when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the donkey.
2. SMALL PURSE OR BAG CONTAINING COINS-Judas' betrayal of Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.
3. SMALL ROOSTER- Peter's denial of ever knowing Jesus.
4. PIECE OF ROPE- "After they had bound him, they led Him away."
5. THORNS FROM A ROSE OR HAWTHORNE BUSH- reminds of the crown of thorns.
6. SMALL WOODEN CROSS- He carried His cross (Simon the Cyrene)
7. PIECE OF SPONGE-They gave Jesus vinegar to drink as he was dying on the cross.
8. SMALL BOX WITH GRAVEL AND ROCKS- the rocks rent and the earth quaked.
9. SOLDIER-Centurian said, "Truly this is the Son of God."
10. PIECE OF WHITE LINEN-Nicodemus and Joseph took Jesus' body down from the cross and wrapped Him in linen. 11. ANGEL- "He is not here, He is risen."
12. COTTON OR ANGEL HAIR- the ascension story, Jesus rises to Heaven in the clouds
This is a cute idea of symbolic things to put in Easter eggs, maybe for a church class or something. I know I made it for something, either a church class, or maybe when I was a missionary, I can not recall.
Scriptures and Objects to fill Easter Eggs
1: Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. The people waved palm branches.
Matthew 21:1-11 Piece of palm branch
2: Mary poured expensive perfume on Jesus' feet.
John 12:2-8 Small perfume sample or cloth with perfume
3: Jesus shared the Last Supper with His disciples.
Matthew 26:17-19 Chex cereal
4: Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.
Matthew 27:3 3 dimes
5: Jesus carried His own cross.
John 19:17 Popsicle stick cut and glued in a cross form
6: Soldiers placed a crown of thorns on Jesus' head.
John 19:2 Small thorny branch
7: Soldiers parted Jesus' garments and cast lots for His coat.
John 19:23 Swatch of burlap and a nail
8: Jesus was nailed to a cross and pierced in His side.
John 19:18,37 &
John 20:25-29 A nail
9: They gave Jesus vinegar mixed with gall on a sponge to drink.
Matthew 27:34 A small sponge
10: Spices to prepare Jesus for burial.
John 19:40 7 or 8 whole cloves
11: The stone covering Jesus' tomb was rolled away.
John 20:1 A small rock
12: The napkin around Jesus' head was lying separately from His linen clothers. He was not there. He has risen!
John 20:6-7 A scrap of linen-type fabric
Thanks for reading. I hope you all have a wonderful Easter and remember the Savior and his sacrifices for us!
A few years ago I was trying to find religious Easter ideas for a daytime enrichment that I was in charge of. I thought I would share a few of the best ideas here!
Resurrection Cookies: I made these with my children a few years ago, as did my sister with her boys. I need to do it again, now that my children are old enough to understand more. Every ingredient is symbolic, and it was just awesome to make them. It was very hard to beat the pecans (as it is symbolic of the Savior being beaten by the soldiers). It was hard to do, but very moving as well. It sounds like they would not be overly appetizing, but they were, kind of like divinity.
Easter Cookies
To be made the evening before Easter
You need:
1c. whole pecans
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch salt
1c. sugar
zipper baggie
wooden spoon
tape
Bible
Preheat oven to 300.
Instructions:
Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.
Read John 19:1-3
Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink.
Read John 19:28-30
Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.
Read John 10:10-11
Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.
Read Luke 23:27
So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1c. sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him.
Read Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16
Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God' s eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.
Read Isa. 1:18 and John 3:1-3.
Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.
Read Matt. 27:57-60.
Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed.
Read Matt. 27:65-66. GO TO BED!
Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.
Read John 16:20 and 22.
On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.
Read Matt. 28:1-9
(special note) Great to use for a Sunday School Class or Vacation Bible School too... Cookies can be left on a very very low temp..like 250 degrees. and be ready in a couple of hours...when surface of cookie looks dry and cracked....they are ready to eat!!!!!
Another great one is resurrection rolls, my sister and her kids liked these better, I think my daughter liked them better as well. However, not as much symbolism, but still a good object lesson.
Resurrecting Rolls
Ingredients: 3/4 cup warm water
1 large egg
3 cups flour
1 tsp. salt
3 Tbs. sugar
6 Tbs. butter
3 Tbs. dry milk
1-1/2 tsp. yeast
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 Tbs. cinnamon
24 marshmallows
Combine first 8 ingredients. Let rise till double. Divide into 24 balls and flatten. Mix sugar and cinnamon together. Dip rolls in melted margarine, then into sugar mixture. Wrap roll around a marshmallow, covering completely. Dip once more into butter, and again into sugar. Place rolls in a large greased pan and allow to rise till double. (approx. 35 min) Bake at 375 for about 15 minutes, or until done. Rolls should be completely empty when cooled...like the empty tomb.
I think this would be a cute neighbor type gift:
Jesus Jelly Bean Bags
Place jelly beans in a snack size ziplock bag and attach the following prayer:
Red is for the blood He gave,
Green is for the grass He made,
Yellow is for the sun so bright,
Orange is for the edge of night.
Black is for the sins that were made,
White is for the grace He gave.
Purple is for the hour of sorrow,
Pink is for the new tomorrow.
A bag full of jelly beans,
Colorful and sweet,
Is a Prayer...is a Promise... Is an Easter treat!
My sister organized this activity for the kids for an Easter party about four years ago. We had her boys, some of my siblings, and a few little ones. It was more for the older kids though. She had each object in a paper sack, and we made it a scavenger hunt for the kids to find the bags. Then we had them tell about the item in the sack.
Easter Object Lesson
Buy a six inch paper mache Easter egg and collect the following items to put inside, in order , and use during the lesson. These items can be found at a dollar store or amongst household items or toys. As you hold up each item, let the children tell the story of Easter, and you can fill in any details as you wish.
1. DONKEY- reminds us of Palm Sunday when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the donkey.
2. SMALL PURSE OR BAG CONTAINING COINS-Judas' betrayal of Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.
3. SMALL ROOSTER- Peter's denial of ever knowing Jesus.
4. PIECE OF ROPE- "After they had bound him, they led Him away."
5. THORNS FROM A ROSE OR HAWTHORNE BUSH- reminds of the crown of thorns.
6. SMALL WOODEN CROSS- He carried His cross (Simon the Cyrene)
7. PIECE OF SPONGE-They gave Jesus vinegar to drink as he was dying on the cross.
8. SMALL BOX WITH GRAVEL AND ROCKS- the rocks rent and the earth quaked.
9. SOLDIER-Centurian said, "Truly this is the Son of God."
10. PIECE OF WHITE LINEN-Nicodemus and Joseph took Jesus' body down from the cross and wrapped Him in linen. 11. ANGEL- "He is not here, He is risen."
12. COTTON OR ANGEL HAIR- the ascension story, Jesus rises to Heaven in the clouds
This is a cute idea of symbolic things to put in Easter eggs, maybe for a church class or something. I know I made it for something, either a church class, or maybe when I was a missionary, I can not recall.
Scriptures and Objects to fill Easter Eggs
1: Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. The people waved palm branches.
Matthew 21:1-11 Piece of palm branch
2: Mary poured expensive perfume on Jesus' feet.
John 12:2-8 Small perfume sample or cloth with perfume
3: Jesus shared the Last Supper with His disciples.
Matthew 26:17-19 Chex cereal
4: Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.
Matthew 27:3 3 dimes
5: Jesus carried His own cross.
John 19:17 Popsicle stick cut and glued in a cross form
6: Soldiers placed a crown of thorns on Jesus' head.
John 19:2 Small thorny branch
7: Soldiers parted Jesus' garments and cast lots for His coat.
John 19:23 Swatch of burlap and a nail
8: Jesus was nailed to a cross and pierced in His side.
John 19:18,37 &
John 20:25-29 A nail
9: They gave Jesus vinegar mixed with gall on a sponge to drink.
Matthew 27:34 A small sponge
10: Spices to prepare Jesus for burial.
John 19:40 7 or 8 whole cloves
11: The stone covering Jesus' tomb was rolled away.
John 20:1 A small rock
12: The napkin around Jesus' head was lying separately from His linen clothers. He was not there. He has risen!
John 20:6-7 A scrap of linen-type fabric
Thanks for reading. I hope you all have a wonderful Easter and remember the Savior and his sacrifices for us!
This is a great idea for a blog. I'm going to need all the ideas I can get (from others) once Janie gets older.
ReplyDeleteWOW!! I totally love all of these ideas. I am definately going to try the Easter cookies! I also love the Jesus jelly bean bags. My husband seriously buys bags of jelly beans to last him through the whole year-now they can have meaning to them! Such a great post!!
ReplyDelete