Finding a way to teach the Easter story for toddlers is no easy task. Easter is a hard topic even for adults. So, finding a way to break it down in a way that toddlers can understand is definitely difficult. But, it’s also highly important as a Christian parent that our kids know from a young age that Easter isn’t about candy and bunnies.
This post is all about finding an age appropriate but still impactful way to teach the Easter story for toddlers.
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Easter Story for Toddlers
Why is it so important to teach the Easter Story for Toddlers?
Easter is such an important time of year for Christians and as Christian parents, we need to make sure the true meaning of Easter doesn’t get lost in the egg hunts and candy. But we also must be careful with how we present such a hard topic since it’s definitely not appropriate to teach them the gruesome details.
So what are some practical ways to teach the Easter story for toddlers?
Use Analogies to Help them Understand
Spring Time
Since Easter is usually somewhere near the first day of spring, spring time is a great visual of resurrection for little ones.. You can talk about how Easter is all about Jesus coming back to life, just like the flowers come back after the winter time.
It might even be fun to plant a garden together and watch it grow over the summer.
Easter Eggs
To a kid, and even adults at times, Easter eggs can feel a bit random and unconnected to the Easter story. But, talking through how brand new baby chickens hatch and new life emerges might help you transition into how Jesus emerged from the tomb three days later.
If you have older kids in the family and really want to get serious with the concept, some companies will actually let you rent chickens. Yes, you read that right. You get to incubate them, hatch them, and then give them back when they aren’t adorably fluffy and little anymore.
Find a Kids' Bible You Trust
While I do believe it’s good to read direct scripture with your kids, there are certain stories (such as the crucifixion) where large portions of it are not appropriate for young ears. This is when a kids Bible can be extremely helpful.
We have a ton of kids Bibles but my three year old absolutely loves The Jesus Storybook Bible. He is always wanting to read more and never wants to stop. Plus, you can also purchase it as an audiobook for the car.
Use Food to Make it Fun
Resurrection Rolls
Yummy treats are never a bad idea when you are trying to keep your toddler’s attention. I still remember making resurrection rolls as a kid and it was such an impactful memory that has stuck with me. So, I very much look forward to making them with my kids. Plus, it’s sounding like a really good pregnancy craving as I type this.
If you’ve never made them before, a resurrection roll is really just a cinnamon sugar topped roll that you put a marshmallow inside. Then you seal it up and put it in the oven. When it comes out, the marshmallow has melted and cooked in, so the “tomb” is empty.
Here is a yummy recipe from the Girl Who Ate Everything that is insanely easy to make.
Jelly Bean Prayer
The Jelly Bean Prayer is a cute way to to connect the candy at Easter to the real reason for the holiday. It used each different color jelly bean to help your kids remember a certain part of the Easter story. Below is one you can print for free and try with your kids.
Have Your Kids Give Up Something for Lent Too
You know your child best and only you know if they have the emotional capacity to participate in lent. But, one way you can make it easier to understand is by giving up something all together as a family.
Maybe there is a time you would normally turn on the TV as a family and you can instead take some time to pray together. Then use the rest of that time to play games and spend some quality family time.
Or maybe they want to do something all on their own and you can guide them to a toy or activity to give up for lent.
Use a Whole Lot of Visual
Make a Set of Resurrection Eggs
Resurrection eggs are a sort of Easter “advent calendar,” with each egg containing something that helps you tell your kids the story of Easter. This free printable pdf has 12 pictures that you can print out and put inside the eggs as well as scriptures to go with each. So, all you need to make your own set of resurrection eggs is 12 empty eggs and an empty egg carton.
Make a Resurrection Garden
Creating a resurrection garden is a great visual reminder for both you and your kids of the real Easter story. This one from Walking Sunshine is super simple for kids to help with but also so beautiful.
Explain Terms They Might Not KNow
- Cross- a thing made of wood that Jesus died on
- Disciple- someone who follows Jesus and learns from him
- Savior- someone who saves other people from something very dangerous
- Tomb- a cave with a big stone where they used to bury people after they died
Find Books That Tell the Easter Story Well
While I struggle to remember…well anything, I swear I have at least 20 kids books memorized at all times. My kids are no different. And that’s what makes books such a powerful tool for teaching kids.
When it comes to using books to teach the Easter story for toddlers, I look for books that focus on the resurrection but don’t completely ignore Good Friday either. “God Gave Us Easter,” strikes that balance well.
The book talks about how Christmas is about Jesus’ birthday while Easter is about how we get to live with God forever in Heaven. They go on to talk about the events of Easter as Little Bear asks a ton of questions to his parents. It’s a sweet story that does a great job explaining what Easter is all about.
Sing About It
If you want to remember something, often the easiest way to do that is to sing about it. Plus, praise and worship is the perfect way to spend the Easter season.
Don't Pretend to Know the Answer If You Don't
Kids ask a ton of questions. So, by nature, they ask some that we as parents can’t answer. That’s okay. It’s good for us to admit to our kids that we don’t know everything because then they will feel free to do the same when they don’t know an answer.
So, instead, tell them they came up with a really good question and you aren’t sure of the answer. Then spend some time together researching and trying to find the answer to their question.
This post was all about finding effective and appropriate ways to teach the Easter story for toddlers. I hope that these strategies help you have an extra special and extra joyful Easter season with your family.
-Beautifully Busy Mom
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Meet the Author
This post was written by Monica, a former teacher turned stay at home mom. After feeling very lonely at the beginning of her motherhood journey, she started this blog in hopes that other moms wouldn’t feel the way she felt. So, this blog is filled with free resources and fun activities so that you can enjoy the beautiful chaos that is motherhood. Let’s be friends 🙂
