Sharing the Easter story with preschoolers
For Christians, Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus. Preschoolers can understand a simple, gentle version of the story: Jesus was loved, he died, and he rose again, and Christians believe this brings hope and new life. Keep language short and concrete, answer questions honestly, and avoid graphic details. Young children often take words literally, so it helps to be plain and calm about death and sadness, and to reassure them that they are safe.
Many church and Sunday school resources organize Easter material into skits, snacks, crafts, games and short messages. This article follows a similar path, with extra attention to age suitability and safety. If your group includes families of other faiths or none, see the section on respect near the end, and our broader guide to the importance of celebrations in preschool.
A simple Holy Week sequence
You can tell the story over several days, with one short activity per day (about 10 to 15 minutes):
- Palm Sunday. Children wave paper or fabric palm branches and sing “Hosanna”.
- Maundy (Holy) Thursday. Talk about sharing a special meal and serving others, such as washing a doll’s feet or helping a friend.
- Good Friday. A quiet, short time with a cross or a story. Keep it gentle and brief.
- Holy Saturday. A waiting day. Plant seeds (see pre-K plant activities for safe seed handling) or look at a closed tomb picture.
- Easter Sunday. Celebrate with songs, an open tomb and “He is risen” cheers.
Traditions vary among churches, so adapt this to your denomination and your families’ practices.
Crafts
- Empty tomb craft. Glue a rolled-away stone (a paper circle on a brad or fastener) over a cave shape cut from construction paper. Children can open the “tomb” to see it empty.
- Cross crafts. Make a cross from craft sticks, paper strips or tissue paper. A stained-glass style cross uses contact paper or a window-style frame with torn tissue paper.
- Watercolor cross. Draw a cross with a white crayon on white paper. Children paint over it with watercolors to reveal the cross.
- Palm branches. Cut green paper into leaf shapes for waving.
- Footprints and handprints. Simple handprint “alleluia” cards for families.
Use washable, non-toxic paints and glue. Keep scissors for children who are developmentally ready and supervise closely. Avoid hot glue guns near children, and avoid loose beads, small stickers and other items that young children might put in their mouths.
Resurrection eggs and story baskets
Resurrection eggs are a set of plastic eggs, each holding a small object linked to part of the Easter story, such as a piece of cloth or a small cross. Children open one egg at a time while a teacher tells the story. Some versions use pictures instead of objects.
Safety: Many traditional kits contain small objects. These are choking hazards for children under three and can be a risk for older children who put items in their mouths. Consider using large felt shapes, pictures, or objects that are too big to fit through a toilet paper tube. Always supervise and take the objects back when the story ends. Plastic egg halves may also be a hazard if they break, so check them before use.
Games and movement
- Easter story memory match. Use big picture cards (cross, empty tomb, palm branch, sun). Keep the set small for preschoolers.
- Easter bingo. Use picture boards with simple icons.
- “He is risen” movement. Children crouch low, then jump up and cheer when the teacher says “He is risen!”
- Palm branch parade. March to music while waving branches.
- Egg and spoon walk. Use large plastic or wooden eggs and soft spoons. Do not use real eggs with young children who might not wash hands, and be mindful of egg allergies.
Songs, prayers and Bible verses
Choose songs with repeating lines and actions. Short verses may be shared by the teacher and repeated by children. Pray simply, and let children join in if they wish. For toddlers and young preschoolers, one verse repeated over several days is enough. Your church or program can recommend an age-appropriate children’s Bible and songbook.
Easter snacks
- Allergy check. Ask families about nut, egg, dairy, gluten and other allergies before any snack. Provide labeled, packaged foods where possible.
- Choking hazards. Do not give whole nuts, hard candy, popcorn, whole grapes or jelly beans to children under four. Jelly beans, a common part of “jelly bean prayer” activities, are hard and chewy, so use colored paper beans or stickers instead of candy with young children.
- Fun ideas. Cross-shaped toast with a soft spread, fruit cut into small pieces, or hot cross buns (check ingredients and cut small) are alternatives. Sit children down to eat and supervise. Our guide to snack time in preschool has more on choking and allergy precautions.
Fun church activities for kids
For church-based programs, an Easter morning children’s time can include a short story, a song, a craft to take home and an “Easter garden” where children place flowers around a cross. A “resurrection garden” made from a small tray, soil and a rock for the tomb is a familiar activity. Many churches also welcome families for a brief family service or egg hunt. For an egg hunt with young children, use large plastic eggs filled with stickers or small toys that are age-safe, and set clear boundaries.
Easter greetings
Christians use several greetings. Some say “Happy Easter” or “Blessed Easter”. In many traditions, particularly Catholic, Orthodox and some Protestant churches, people greet each other with “Christ is risen” or “He is risen,” with a reply such as “He is risen indeed” or “Truly, he is risen.” Practices vary by community, so follow the language of your own church or families.
Finding free Easter printables
Many ministry sites and teacher blogs offer free coloring pages, puzzles, matching games and Bible verse cards. When using free printables:
- Check that the theology fits your church or program.
- Check licenses before printing for a class or distributing to many families.
- Choose simple designs with large pieces for preschoolers.
- Avoid printables with small detachable parts unless they will be supervised.
Safety and respect checklist
- Make sure all objects are age-appropriate and not small enough to choke on.
- Supervise all craft, food and outdoor activities.
- Ask about allergies in advance.
- Explain what you will do to families so they can decide whether their child participates.
- If your classroom welcomes children from other backgrounds, describe Easter as what Christians believe and celebrate, not as what everyone believes. For related ideas, see our easy Christmas program guide and Kindergarten Valentine’s Day activities.
- Note that dates may differ: Western and Eastern (Orthodox) churches often celebrate Easter on different days.
Frequently asked questions
What activities do we do on Easter?
Christians often attend a service, share a meal with family, sing songs and may include egg hunts, crafts, or visits to church gardens. Preschool activities usually mix a short Bible story with a craft and a game.
What do Catholics say instead of Happy Easter?
Many Catholics say “Happy Easter” or “Blessed Easter,” and some use the traditional greeting “Christ is risen,” with the answer “He is risen indeed” or “Truly he is risen.” Customs vary.
Where can I find free Easter printables?
Many Christian ministry websites and teacher resource sites offer free coloring pages, puzzles and matching games. Check the terms of use and make sure the content suits your group.
What are some fun church activities for kids?
Crafts such as the empty tomb, cross art, resurrection eggs (with safe objects), palm branch parades and story time are popular. Keep activities short and age-appropriate.