Easter Story Resurrection Eggs

I love Easter.  Not because of the bunnies and candy, but because of the chance to focus on the beautiful, true story of the life, sacrifice and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Yes, the Easter Bunny comes to our house, but he isn't the focus.  We try to spend the entire month before Easter focusing on our Savior and His life and atonement.

Beginning last year, we started a tradition of using Easter eggs filled with symbols from the last week of our Savior's life to help our kids learn the real Easter story.  I've often seen these eggs called Resurrection Eggs, so that's what I have titled them here.

Easter Story Resurrection Eggs

This activity can be conducted as a daily Easter Egg Hunt with additional eggs hidden with other items so that all get a chance to find an egg, or as a display in an Easter basket.  (We do the second method.)  Either way, as the symbols are revealed, we read about the event from the scriptures and describe the event in Jesus' life.  Then we have a discussion about it.  We like to watch the corresponding Bible Videos online, too.

Materials needed:

• 14 plastic eggs numbered 1-14  (I labeled them with washi tape to make it easy.)
• Easter basket (optional)
• Easter grass (optional)
• Symbols/objects to fit in the eggs (listed below)
• Instructions (listed below)

This activity begins on Palm Sunday (the Sunday before Easter).

Palm Sunday

Egg #1 -- A small leaf to represent the palm leaves.  (Discussion: How we can welcome the Savior into our lives.) See the Bible Video of the Lord's Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem  (Matthew 21:1-11)

Monday

Egg #2 -- A Penny to represent the money changers.  (Discussion:  Jesus cleansed the temple by sending out the money changers and those who were buying and selling.  Our bodies are like temples.  Do we keep our thoughts and actions clean and pure?) See the Bible Video of Jesus Cleansing the Temple  (John 2: 13-17)

Tuesday

Egg #3 -- Three dimes to represent the 30 pieces of silver Judas received for the betrayal of Jesus.  (Discussion: What are some of the things that Jesus taught?  The Sermon on the Mount, the beatitudes, favorite parables or miracles, etc.) Let the kids choose their favorite Bible Videos about the Savior's life

Wednesday

Egg #4 -- A marble or amber-colored bead to represent a drop of oil for the lamps of the ten virgins.  (Discussion:  How does this parable apply to us?  We need to be prepared for the second coming of our Savior by living righteously and strengthening our faith.)  See the Bible Video of the Parable of the 10 Virgins  (Matthew 25: 1-13)

Thursday

Egg #5 -- A small piece of saltine cracker to represent broken bread -- Egg #6 -- Small red bead to represent the Savior's blood that was shed for us.  (Discussion:  Our Savior atoned for our sins in Gethsemane.  He loves us--no matter what!  There is nothing that we can do that will change that.  He suffered for our sins, and experienced our trials and our pains and sorrow [Alma 7: 11-12 (in the Book of Mormon)].  He knows how to comfort and help us as we need it.)  See my kid-friendly explanation of the atonement.  See the Bible Video:  Jesus Suffers in Gethsemane  (Matthew 26:36-57)

Friday

Eggs #7, #8, and #9 -- A small piece of purple cloth or paper to represent the robe the soldiers put on Jesus as the "King of the Jews;" a clipping of thorns from a rosebush to represent the crown of thorns.  (We use stinging nettle thorns because we can find them all over outside.); and a nail to represent the crucifixion.  (Discussion:  Discuss the Jesus' trials and his crucifixion.  Point out that Jesus Christ chose to suffer and die for us.  Turn out the lights and talk about the darkness that fell upon the earth at the time of His death.  Shine a flashlight on a picture of the Savior and discuss how He is the light of the world and will always be there to help us.)  See the Bible Video:  Jesus is Tried by Caiaphas (Matthew 26: 57-75) See the Bible Video:  Jesus is Condemned Before Pilate (Matthew 27: 1-2, 11-25) See the Bible Video: Jesus is Scourged and Crucified  (Matthew 27: 26-50)

Saturday

Eggs #10, #11, and #12  -- A rock to represent the stone rolled in front of the tomb, a small piece of white cloth to represent burial clothes, and a bay leaf to represent the spices used in burial.  (You can use a different spice.  Just pick something that won't make a mess.)  (Discussion:  Jesus Christ's body lay in the tomb over Saturday while His spirit was in the Spirit World.  This day was the Jewish Sabbath, so they were unable to finish the burial preparations.  Guards were placed outside the tomb to make sure no one tried to take the body of Jesus and claim that He was resurrected.)  See the Bible Video:  Jesus is Laid in a Tomb  (Matthew 27:57-60)

Easter Sunday

Eggs #13 and #14 -- An empty egg to represent the empty tomb, and a small picture of the Savior.  (Discussion:  Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, all who have lived on the earth will be resurrected.  Discuss the blessings and the importance of the gifts of Christ's atonement and resurrection.  End with all members of the family sharing their feelings and testimony about Jesus Christ.  Only those who want to share should be expected to share.  No one likes to be forced!)  See the Bible Video:  Jesus is Resurrected  (John 20: 3-18) See the Bible Video:  He is Risen

What ideas do you use to teach kids the true meaning of Easter?

I'd love to hear your ideas in the comments!  I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (also called the Mormon church or the LDS church), and the discussions in this activity reflect my Christian beliefs.

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Thanks for stopping by!  While you're here, I hope you'll stick around and browse some of my other ideas.  Here are a few you might like (images are linked):