Parenting at More4kids » Easter

Explaining Easter to Children

More4kids — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 20:10:23 +0000

by Stacey Schifferdecker

Children’s Minister, PTA volunteer, and Scout leader.

Christmas is so much easier – babies, sheep, angels, stars. It’s pretty much all about love and presents: things your kids can relate to. Sure there’s the nasty part where Herod kills the baby boys, but that’s not an essential part of the story and you can leave it out if you want to.

Easter, on the other hand, is much tougher. You have the joy and celebration of Palm Sunday and the even bigger joy and celebration of Easter one week later. But in between, there is betrayal, denial, torture, pain, and death. How do you explain all this to children?

Your first instinct might just be to skip it, to go directly from Palm Sunday to Easter without that disturbing stop at the cross. As tempting as this option is, it is not the best choice for you or your children. You can’t experience the real joy of Easter without first reflecting on the pain and sadness of Good Friday. If you skip over the cross, your children are going to approach Easter with a “So what’s all the fuss about, anyway?” attitude.

This is not to say that you should run out and rent The Passion for your kids to watch. However, there are many age-appropriate ideas Easter books and videos you can use as a starting point for sharing Easter faith with your children. Preview the books and videos first to make sure they

Match your beliefs
Are not too violent
Include Jesus’ resurrection as well as his death

You never want to tell the story of Jesus’ death without also telling about his resurrection.

Here are some other activities you can use to explain Easter to your children:

Make resurrection eggs

You can buy sets of resurrection eggs or you can make your own. To make your own, label 12 plastic eggs with the numbers 1-12 and fill them as below:

Egg 1 – a piece of fur to represent the donkey Jesus rode into Jerusalem
Egg 2 – a cracker symbolizing the Last Supper
Egg 3 – a piece of soap, symbolizing Jesus washing the disciples’ feet
Egg 4 – three dimes to symbolize the 30 pieces of silver Judas received to betray Jesus
Egg 5 – a feather to represent the rooster that crowed three times
Egg 6 – a thorn, symbolizing the crown of thorns that was put on Jesus’ head
Egg 7 – a die to symbolize the lots that were cast for Jesus’ clothing
Egg 8 – a small wooden cross or a nail to represent Jesus’ death on the cross
Egg 9 – a piece of black paper to symbolize the darkness that covered the earth
Egg 10 – a piece of cloth to symbolize the cloth in which Joseph wrapped Jesus’ body
Egg 11 – a rock to symbolize the stone that sealed Jesus’ tomb
Egg 12 – Leave this egg empty to symbolize Jesus’ resurrection

You can open one egg a day for the 12 days before Easter or open a couple eggs a week each week of Lent. It is extra meaningful if you can open Egg 11 on Good Friday and Egg 12 on Easter. As you open the eggs, talk about what each item represents.

Clean pennies

Your children may have difficulties understanding that Jesus died for their sins. First of all, you may need to explain to them that sin is anything we do that keeps us from being friends with God. Bring out some grimy pennies and tell them the dirt on the pennies represents their sin. Then mix ¼ cup of white vinegar and 1 teaspoon of salt. Put the pennies in the vinegar mixture for about five minutes. They will come out shiny and clean! Explain that Jesus makes us shiny and clean too.

Observe Lent

Your church may or may not observe Lent, which is the 40 days before Easter (excluding Sundays). Whether or not your church observes Lent, your family can at home. Lent should be a time of thinking about God and how we can grow closer to God. Many people give up something for Lent, such as desserts or soda; still others add something at Lent, such as extra prayer and Bible study. Maybe your family could add a Lenten devotion to your weekly or nightly routine.

Answer questions honestly

Your children will ask you tough questions like “Why did Jesus have to die?” and “Why didn’t God help him?” Answer as best as you can – chances are you ask yourself these same questions sometimes! Admit that you don’t understand it all yourself, but explain as best you can that Jesus died for us because it was God’s plan. Such questions are a sign that your children are growing in faith and wanting to understand for themselves, not just accept what they have been told in Sunday School. Rejoice!

Keep the emphasis on Jesus

Easter morning can easily become more about candy-filled eggs than Jesus’ resurrection. Keep the focus on Jesus, with the Easter Bunny a very secondary character. In our house, the Easter Bunny comes while we are at church Easter morning (my husband slips out for a few minutes during Sunday School to hide the eggs). This enables us to make Jesus our priority that day.

Biography
Stacey Schifferdecker is the happy but harried mother of three school-aged children—two boys and a girl. She is also a freelance writer, a Children’s Minister, a PTA volunteer, and a Scout leader. Stacey has a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and French and a Master’s degree in English. She has written extensively about parenting and education as well as business, technology, travel, and hobbies.

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Helping Kids Celebrate The Real Meaning Of Easter Sunday

More4kids — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 09:36:05 +0000

The Easter Bunny has made his residence at the mall and the chocolate eggs, chocolate bunnies and jelly beans can be found everywhere you go to shop. It’s Eastertime- a time when every kid looks forward to getting a great big basket full of goodies and toys.

It’s hard, especially in these busy, errand full days, to help make Jesus the focus of your family celebration. It takes a bit of ingenuity and time to make sure that your kids understand that Jesus is the center of this celebration and that his sacrificial death is the reason for the season that includes a giant bunny who brings eggs and goodies.
But how do we refocus?

All kids enjoy coloring Easter Eggs! When you go shopping this season to buy your kit, be sure to try to purchase some Easter religious stickers from your local Christian store or dollar store. You can then have your child decorate the colored eggs with them! Every egg kit usually comes with a special crayon or two. Instead of just writing a child’s name on each egg, you can, or your older child can, write special messages such as “He Is Risen,” “Alleluia” and “Thank you Jesus” and draw crosses and flowers on them.
Buy books or visit the library to get a few books, preferably with pictures, on the real Easter story and Easter traditions in other countries! Read the books together as you would read the Night before Christmas at Christmastime. Talk about how it was during Jesus’ time in history. Let your child ask questions and be sure to find out the answers! Talk about how Easter is celebrated in other cultures and religions.
Attend your church special services or masses or vigils during Easter Week not only attend them, but find the meaning behind each service or vigil. If there are traditions included in these, explain them to your child.
Visit those who are in need such as a homeless center or a retirement or senior apartment facility. Be sure to call ahead. If possible, ask the director whether your child(ren) can make any special kind of cookies or bring in any Easter treats for the residents. If your budget allows, ask if there is a senior, family or child that you could sponsor, purchasing an Easter outfit or necessities.
Making special crosses for your home and attach silk flowers, such as lilies and/or purple ribbons. You can make these simply with popsicle sticks or colored papers or with sticks you find in your yard or with wood scraps. Color them with paints, crayons, fabric and glitter, allowing each child decorate his or her cross as she or he likes. Display them throughout the season!
On Easter Sunday, make sure that your family celebrates the day by attending your chosen church. If there is a sunrise service, get everyone up early and attend it and have a special breakfast. Be sure to talk about this special day and its’ meaning after the service or mass and discuss the readings and sermons!
Try to make a special dessert or bread that can become an Easter tradition, such as a lamb cake, symbolizing the Lamb of God, or a cross shaped cake or bread with eggs, the symbol of new life, baked in the crust.
Most importantly, be sure to say grace before sharing your family meal, asking all to participate and give thanks to the Lord for giving his life and for his rising from the dead for each and every one of us.

Happy Easter from all of us at More4kids!

Symbols of Easter

More4kids — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 12:45:43 +0000

To Christians, Easter is much more than Easter bunnies and eggs: it is the most significant day in the year as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. While Jesus should always be the focal point of Easter, many of these more commercial elements of Easter can symbolize parts of the Easter story. While they may have had different meanings at other times in history, now they help us remember our new lives in Christ.

Rabbits

The rabbit was a symbol of fertility in ancient times. Now, rabbits represent the abundant new life available to us through Jesus.

Eggs and chicks

Eggs appear lifeless, but life is inside an egg and can break forth, just as Jesus did in the tomb. The egg itself can also represent the stone that was rolled in front of Jesus’ tomb.

The first Easter eggs were painted with bright colors to represent the sunlight of spring. One legend theories that Simon of Cyrene, who carried Jesus’ cross for him, was an egg merchant. When he retrieved his basket of eggs after carrying the cross, he found that all the eggs were miraculously colored and decorated.

Chicks are also symbols of new life and re-birth.

Butterflies

As a caterpillar forms a chrysalis, it appears to be dead and lifeless. However, it then emerges as a beautiful butterfly, symbolizing the Easter cycle of life – death – resurrection. In the same way, Jesus was dead in the tomb but emerged victorious to give eternal life to all believers.

A fun family activity before Easter is to raise butterflies. You can purchase caterpillars and supplies at Insectlore.com. If you time the purchase right, you will have live butterflies to release on Easter morning.

Lambs

In Judaism, lambs were one of the animals that could be sacrificed to atone for sins. Jesus is called the Lamb of God and lambs represent Jesus’ sacrifice for us.

Flowers

Many flowers are special symbols of Easter, representing new life as they bloom in the spring. Lilies are especially significant at Easter. As lilies grow from a bulb that appears dead, Christians remember how Jesus came back to life. White lilies, in particular, represent the purity of Jesus.

New hats and clothes

Wearing new hats and clothes at Easter is more than just a fashion statement. They also symbolize our new life in Christ, as we shed the old and welcome the new.

Biography Stacey Schifferdecker is the happy but harried mother of three school-aged children—two boys and a girl. She is also a freelance writer, a Children’s Minister, a PTA volunteer, and a Scout leader. Stacey has a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and French and a Master’s degree in English. She has written extensively about parenting and education as well as business, technology, travel, and hobbies.

Easy Tips For Making Your Own Easter Baskets

More4kids — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 02:15:06 +0000

Do you remmeber the time when buying Easter baskets was affordable? Well, that does not seem the case these days, almost everything but the kitchen sink is included, making them a lot less affordable. Here are some tips for making your own Easter baskets using creative and ingenuous ideas that will not just be more economical, but a fun activity for you and your kids this Easter season.

A basket can come in any size and shape. Traditionally, an Easter basket is made of wicker, filled with brightly colored cellophane and, of course, the handle. You can make a basket out of things in your home. For example, a milk carton can be used. You can wrap it with brightly colored cellophane or tissue paper; attach a bow for the handle, and Voila! An Easter basket is born.

You can also make a cute little basket using a paper plate and ribbon. Make holes on each side of the paper plate; use a bright colored ribbon to insert through the holes; make a bow and you have a basket, similar to one you would use to carry flowers! There are so many designed plates available in your local supermarket. You can dress it up however you choose. Your little girl will love it!

How about buying a plain basket; take some pink or blue ribbon and weave it through the basket? You can cover the handle of the basket with ribbon as well. Instead of buying the cellophane grass; line the bottom of the basket with colorful tissue paper cut into strips – make a nest, so to speak. Fill the basket with whatever you choose.

It is doubtful you will run out of ideas, but just in case check online and you will find a variety of ways in which you can use a paper bag; and even templates which you can print out to make a unique and creative Easter basket this year. These tips for making your own Easter basket are just the “tip” of the iceberg. If you are a craft person, no doubt you will come up with even more creative ways to make this Easter a fun and exciting one for your kids to remember.

Easter Fun Recipes – Ice Cream Nests and Brownie Cupcakes

More4kids — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 15:40:23 +0000

This Easter here are a couple of recipes sure to delight the kids and whole family. Easter ice cream nests are a delicious combination of chocolate easter mini-eggs, marshmellows and ice cream. Super easy browie cupcakes are everyones favorites and very easy to make. Enjoy, I know we will!

Easter Ice Cream Nests
This is the perfect kid-friendly dessert. Guaranteed to be a hit!

20 milk chocolate mini-eggs unwrapped
½ cup miniature marshmallows
1 tablespoon
Light corn syrup
1 tablespoon butter
1 ½ cups corn flakes (crushed)
Vanilla ice cream
Chocolate syrup for topping

Lightly grease 6 muffin cups and set aside. Microwave 12 of the 18 chocolate eggs (make sure they’re uncovered) in a microwave-safe bowl for about 1 minute (or a little less) and stir. If not fully melted microwave another 10 seconds.

Combine the butter, corn syrup and marshmallows in another bowl and microwave for about 15 seconds, stir until melted and add the melted chocolate and cereal to it. Mix the mixture well.

Press mixture into the bottom and sides of the muffin cups to form a “nest” shape. Refrigerate for approximately 1 hour. Remove the nests from the muffin cups very carefully and let stand at room temperate for approximately 15 minutes.

Place a small scoop of vanilla ice cream inside each nest, top with another unwrapped chocolate egg and drizzle with chocolate syrup.

Super Easy Easter Brownie Cupcakes

1 (19.5oz) package chocolate brownie mix
36 milk-chocolate mini eggs
12 ounces cream cheese, softened
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 ½ cups flaked coconut
2 drops green food coloring

Preheat oven to 350° F. Line 24 muffin cups with paper liners. Prepare brownie mix according to package instructions. Stir in 9 unwrapped mini chocolate eggs and stir well. Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups. Place in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 15 to 17 minutes or until the edges start to firm but the center is still slightly soft. Remove from oven and cool in pan for approximately 10 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.

In a separate bowl beat the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla using an electric mixer until smooth. Set aside.

Combine the shredded coconut and food coloring in a small bowl and mix well. Now top each cupcake with a tablespoon full of the cream cheese mixture and smooth the mixture flat. Then sprinkle the “green grass” shredded coconut over the cupcakes. Top each cupcake with one unwrapped chocolate egg.

Healthy Easter Candy Alternatives

More4kids — Sat, 24 Mar 2007 16:07:05 +0000

Easter candy is almost a tradition in most households. Every year moms try to decide what to give their kids for Easter. No doubt the kids would prefer candy and chocolate. However, it is a good idea to include some healhier alternatives. There are many healthy replacements for Easter candy baskets you can try. Here are a few tips and ideas.

Instead of chocolate or marshmallow candy, try filling or including with:

* Fruits and cookies. You can bake natural cookies at home that taste yummy.
* Mini boxes of raisins and low fat candies.
* Stuffed bunny rabbits and jelly beans, which are low in calories.
* A basket of brightly colored plastic eggs; with coins inside each egg.
* Coloring books and crayons.
* Small toys for either girls or boys.
* Peanut butter cookies and mini bran muffins.

These are just a few ideas on how healthy replacements for Easter candy can be utilized.
It may also be interesting to note that there are a variety of online website devoted to Easter gifts for both children and adults that do not necessarily involve candy or sweets.
Moreover, giving an actual gift for Easter is becoming a likely trend. For example, here are some ideas for kids:

A basket of puzzles.
Drawing pencils and 3×5 mini canvasses.
Packages of baseball cards
Bead-making kit.
Clay kit with mold and paints.
Scrapbooking kit and throw-away camera.
PC or video games.
Books on Easter.
Easter bunny cut-out books.
Jewelry making kits.

Whatever you choose, healthy replacements for Easter candy can come in any form which will not only entertain your kids, but can become the start of a new Easter tradition in your home. Don’t forget to have the egg hunt on Easter morning. This is especially fun for kids of all ages! Finally, before engaging in any activity, remind the kids what Easter is all about and rejoice.

Coloring Easter Eggs The Easy Way

More4kids — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 02:21:33 +0000

Coloring Easter eggs is a family tradition for us here at More4kids and it is a time almost all kids look forward to every year. However, it can be very messy, right? Well here are some ideas for Easter egg coloring made easy and inexpensive as well.

Now in the old days, you would buy an egg coloring kit which required you to use vinegar and dyes. Using a tablespoon to drop the eggs into cups; take them out again became a bit messy. The kit everyone seemed to use was the PAAS egg coloring kit.
Since then, PAAS has come out with new and quite exciting ways in which to color eggs. In fact, they now have holders for the eggs to make coloring them more efficient and user friendly. Although you can still buy these kits, there are other ways in which you can decorate Easter eggs without having to use any dye at all.

After the eggs are hard boiled, let them cool down a bit so you can handle them. Apply a bit of water to the egg; take some colored tissue paper; cut it in different shapes and apply it to the egg. You can turn an egg into a work of art with geometric shapes and strips.
Or, you can buy Easter stickers, and have the kids cover the eggs with those. No mess, no fuss!

However, if your kids insist on egg coloring, you can still opt for the PAAS kit. They have come out with incredibly new ideas to color and decorate Easter eggs, including tips on crafts; how to properly boil eggs. In fact, there is a new method to color hollowed out eggs on their site.

While some of you may prefer the old way of coloring Easter eggs, PAAS has incorporated into their kits holders for the eggs which is less messy, affordable, and fun.
If you prefer to color eggs in a more natural way, you can certainly choose that method as well. Let’s face it; as adults, coloring Easter eggs is just as enjoyable for us as it is for the kids. Whatever you choose, Easter egg coloring made easy can be enjoyed by the entire family. Have fun!

Looking For Inexpensive Easter Gift Ideas?

More4kids — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 23:55:38 +0000

Didn't we all love Easter when we were kids? It was especially fun not only coloring Easter eggs but hunting for them in the morning. Mom always found neat places to hide them. While coloring Easter eggs has taken on a similar but new art form, here are are few inexpensive gift ideas kids and parents will surely enjoy.

One idea is to purchase inexpensive bunny ears for your kids to wear. While they are trying to find their Easter eggs they can hop around. Make a game of it!
Another favorite treat for kids is the very popular marshmallow chicks. These have been around since we were kids, and these are sure to be a hit with yours, too! You can add these to a small basket; take different colored tissue paper and cut them into strips to make a nest; line the basket; add the chicks along with a small bag of jelly beans, and some chocolate Easter eggs.
If you want to cut down on the number of sweets your child eats, you can buy an Easter basket and some straw, and fill it with little toys from the dollar store. You may even want to include a few kids’ books as well.
How about an Easter basket filled with cookies shaped like eggs and bunnies. You can use different color icing to decorate the eggs and bunnies. This is one gift your kids will love!
For your younger children, you can put together an Easter basket filled with homemade cookies; Easter coloring books and crayons; and, of course, a small and inexpensive chocolate Easter Bunny.
How about making a bunny cake! Have the entire family participate in molding, shaping and icing the bunny. Let your imagination run wild with this fun activity. Or you could make girl and boy bunny cakes for the kids and present it to them on Easter morning. What a surprise that would be!
String up jelly bean necklaces and bracelets for your kids to wear. Tell your kids there is an island where visitors are greeted with jellybean jewelry.
You can purchase inexpensive bunny ears for your kids to wear. They can hop around the house while hunting for those Easter eggs. Make a game of it.

Holidays are a time for fun and family bonding. All of us here at More4kids wish every family the best Easter holiday ever.

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