Easter Basket and Easter Egg Hunt Ideas

Well, it's that wonderful time of the year again.   Easter, the Lord's Resurrection, the promise of hope forever.   Isn't it great??   And part of the joy of this marvelous celebration is sharing with our families.   Those of us who have passed the time when our  children have grown, now concentrate our efforts on our grandchildren and even our great grandchildren.  

In our home when our seven children were growing up, Easter was taught and shared for what it was.   Sharing the Gospel, the "Good News".   That Jesus died on the cross for our sins, was buried and rose again on the third day. 

 With my Ukrainian traditions and upbringing, the pysanky (Ukrainian Easter Eggs) were taught to those who wanted to learn and some still do when we can get together.

 But,  we still made it a fun and very special time for them.   I had to use a lot of imagination and ingenuity when planning the Easter baskets.   I usually bought some very cheap ones and saved them from year to year because with 7 kids, it got a little expensive (especially when there wasn't a lot of money).   But no matter what they received, the fun was in finding where I hid their baskets.  (Trying doing that in a 12 x 60  trailer with five children).   But, you know it really didn't matter.   It could be right in front of them, and if it had their name on it, that's what made it unique and fun.  

What to put the goodies in??

You can always, of course, use the traditional straw woven baskets, but don't just limit yourself to them alone.  Think outside the box.  

One year for some of the younger kids, I did something a little different.  I used a paper grocery bag and did some special art work that pertained just for that kid.   It was a little rough around the edges and sort of 'cartoonish', but it was uniquely theirs.

* How about buckets with a shovel for the upcoming summer beach trips?   

*Then there's always different kinds of hats.  

*For little girls the traditional Easter hats

* Little purses.

*For boys, cowboy hats or fireman helmets

   * Baseball caps or helmets.  

*Backpacks with their favorite character on it. 

Use your imagination, the ideas are endless.

Now---what kind of  'non candy' goodies to put into your special container??

First of all, you should definitely make your things age appropriate.   Go to your local dollar store.  My very favorite is the "Dollar Tree".    Don't wait to the last minute because there will be a lot of things you won't be able to get.  In fact, they sometimes start stocking after Valentine's Day.   

Baby/Toddler - little stuffed toys, soft sided Easter theme books, blocks

Preschool - puzzles, sidewalk chalk, bubbles (3 for $1 at Dollar Tree), coloring books, crayons, Play Doh (they come in Easter eggs)

Primary Aged - Some of the same above might be good for them as well as:

Stickers and sticker books

Jump rope

Small toys (boy or girl)

Cheap CD or DVD (they have these at Dollar Tree as well)

Pre-Teen -  Girls always love nail polish, things for their hair, art supplies, a new cover for their cell phone, bubble bath or shower gels and sprays. 

Boys will love new baseball caps, maybe even some sort of sports ball (baseball, basketball, football), video games, get something that they're really interested in.

Teens - Gift cards (they always work) You can get $5 increments for McDonald's, Starbucks.  They don't have to cost an arm and a leg.

Alot of these can incorporated into the plastic Easter Eggs you'll be using on your Easter Egg hunt.   And lots of loose change is also a very good filler for the basket and eggs..  Money makes good in lots of ways. 

When I've spoken at MOPS groups in the past, I've shared some other things that as Christians we can share with our children as well as use in the ministry of Sunday School or Junior Church. 

One of which is the "Jelly Bean Prayer".  Each color is shared along with an explanation of what that color represents.

Here's how it reads:

 Red is for the blood He gave.

Green is for the grass He made.

Yellow is for the sun so bright.

Orange is for the edge of night.

Black is for the sins we made. 

White is for the grace He gave.

Purple is for His hour of sorrow.

Pink is for a new tomorrow.

And handful of jelly beans,

Colorful and sweet,

Is a prayer, a promise,

A loved one’s treat!

Happy Resurrection Sunday!

Here's a link to not only get this prayer but beautifully decorated printable cards for you to share and other ideas.  

Mama Jenn's Jelly Bean Prayer

Also, there's the Resurrection Eggs.  A wonderful way to share the story of Jesus crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection using plastic eggs.   Very easy instructions and you have time to do it even before this Sunday.   

Resurrection Eggs/Do It Yourself

And, then finally the Resurrection Cookies.  An old web friend, Annie, has a wonderful page of instructions and recipe along with the explanation of each step.  I think this a marvelous way to share the message of Christ and His Resurrection to little children.  

Annie's"Resurrection Cookies" Page

Christ, the Lord, is risen today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth, reply, Alleluia!

Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Lo! the Sun’s eclipse is over, Alleluia!
Lo! He sets in blood no more, Alleluia!

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!

Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

HALLELUJAH!!  WHAT A SAVIOR!!  HAVE A BLESSED EASTER.   CHRIST IS RISEN!!  HE IS RISEN INDEED!!!