8 Simple Easter Ideas That Will Make a Big Impact in Your Kids Ministry

Easter is one of the most meaningful days on the Christian calendar. But for kids, it’s more than meaningful. It’s magical!

Some of my earliest memories as a church kid in the ’90s are of Easter mornings – sneaking a bite of a chocolate bunny for breakfast while my pastor-parents got ready for church. I loved everything about that day. I loved wearing my favorite blue lace dress, I loved the special songs we sang during worship, and I absolutely loved the annual Easter play. Every year, our church told the story of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, and every year, it captivated me.

Not every church puts on a full Easter production, and that’s okay. The same sense of wonder can come alive in small and meaningful ways. Whether kids are sharing Easter candy in their Sunday school class, making a craft about the empty tomb, or listening closely as a teacher shares the Easter story, church on Easter morning should be full of joy, connection, and purpose.

Planning Easter at your church? Here are eight simple and creative ways to eliminate the chaos and help kids connect with the miracle of Easter, no matter the size of your church.

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Teach the Resurrection in a Way Kids Will Never Forget

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1. Share the Good News

Most Easter lessons focus on the empty tomb, and that’s a big deal! But as you share, don’t miss one powerful detail: Mary Magdalene was the first person to see the risen Jesus and the first to share the good news (John 20:11–18). This moment shows that Jesus deeply values women and equips everyone to be messengers of hope!

Interactive Idea: “Pass the Good News” Game:

For larger groups, set up a simple relay race where kids pass a message like “He is risen” from one end of the line to the other. It’s a fun and active way to show how Mary shared the news of Jesus’ resurrection.

For smaller groups, sit in a circle and play a “telephone-style” game, quietly passing the message around. Afterward, talk together about how exciting and important it is to share the story of Jesus with others.

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2. Resurrection Rolls

Food-based lessons are always a hit with kids. I’ll never forget a Sunday school comparison I once heard between manna and vanilla wafers – it stuck with me for years! Resurrection rolls are a delicious and hands-on way to teach kids about the empty tomb.

How to Make Resurrection Rolls:

Ingredients:

• Crescent roll dough (represents the linen cloth)
• Marshmallow (represents Jesus)
• Melted butter (represents burial oils)
• Cinnamon sugar (represents burial spices)

Steps:

• Roll a marshmallow in melted butter and cinnamon sugar.
• Wrap it tightly in crescent roll dough.
• Bake according to package instructions.
• When baked, the marshmallow disappears, just like Jesus left the tomb.

For larger groups, do a live demo while telling the Easter story. 

For smaller groups, let each child make their own for a personal, memorable moment.

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3. The Road to Emmaus

The story of Jesus walking with two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13–35) invites kids into a journey of reflection. It reminds us that Jesus is always near and that He often stirs our hearts before we even realize He is with us.

Interactive Idea: “Emmaus Walk” Experience

For larger groups, set up story stations around your church with short prompts or simple activities at each stop.

For smaller groups, take a quiet walk through your building or outside, pausing to talk about moments when we might see Jesus in everyday life.

This experience helps kids understand that Jesus is present, even when we do not recognize Him right away.

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4. Garden of New Life

Spring offers the perfect backdrop for teaching about new life in Jesus! Kids connect naturally with the world around them, and planting something together helps the lesson take root.

Interactive Idea: Planting Resurrection Gardens

For larger groups, give each child a cup of soil and some grass seeds. As they plant, talk about how Jesus’ resurrection brings new life to the world and to our hearts.

For smaller groups, create a shared garden with stones, a wooden cross, or a small tomb to represent Easter morning. Watch it grow together throughout the year as a living reminder of hope.

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5. The Great Easter Treasure Hunt

Treasure hunts are always a favorite with kids, and this Easter Sunday school idea brings that same excitement into a meaningful experience. It connects naturally with Easter egg hunts but keeps the focus on the story of Jesus.

Interactive Idea: Easter Story Clue Hunt

For larger groups, hide clues throughout your church. Each one reveals a moment from the Easter story.

For smaller groups, create a simple clue trail in your classroom using small objects or images that represent key events.

Sample clues:

• “Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey.” (Kids find a palm branch.)
• “Jesus’ friends found the tomb empty.” (The final clue leads to a special message or Easter treat.)

This activity helps kids walk through the Easter story in a fun and engaging way, discovering the true treasure is Jesus Himself!

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6. Light in the Darkness

There’s something special about helping kids see the Easter story. This activity creates a quiet moment where the message really shines – literally. It’s a beautiful way to help them understand that Jesus brings light to every dark place!

Interactive Idea: Candlelight Experience

For larger groups, dim the lights and light a single candle to represent Jesus. Then, slowly share the flame with others until the room is full of light.

For smaller groups, use battery-operated candles or glow sticks and gather in a quiet circle for prayer and reflection. 

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7. The Empty Egg

Easter eggs aren’t just for jelly beans. They can help tell the biggest surprise of all: the tomb was empty because Jesus is alive!

Interactive Idea: “The Empty Egg” Message

Fill plastic eggs with small symbols from the Easter story, such as a cross, nail, or stone. Leave one egg completely empty.

When kids open the empty egg, explain that the tomb was empty because Jesus is alive.

It’s a simple moment that can spark deep understanding.

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8. Acts of Kindness

The resurrection of Jesus didn’t just change history – it changes us. Through His death and resurrection, we receive new life, and that life is meant to be shared. When kids show kindness, they’re not just being “nice.” They’re practicing what it means to live like Jesus. 

Interactive Idea: Easter Kindness Cards

Whether your group is big or small, prepare cards with simple, meaningful prompts like “Invite someone to play,” “Encourage a friend,” or “Tell someone Jesus loves them.” 

Talk with kids about how each act is a reflection of God’s love and a response to the good news of the resurrection. Let them pick a few cards to complete during the week, and invite them to share their stories next time you gather.

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Bringing the Easter Story to Life

Easter has a way of stirring up wonder, especially in the hearts of kids. Through simple, meaningful moments like baking rolls, planting seeds, or lighting candles, we get to help them see that the resurrection isn’t just a story from long ago. It’s real. It matters. And it’s for them. Whether you’re working with a packed kids’ ministry or just a handful of little ones, you have everything you need to make Easter meaningful.

To help make Easter both meaningful and manageable, Tithely put together a free Ultimate Easter Resource Bundle. It’s packed with ready-to-use tools to help your church create a beautiful Easter service – without you having to design a single thing. If you’re planning for Easter and feeling the pressure, this is one resource you’ll be glad to have in your corner!

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