15 Meaningful Easter Family Traditions to Start This Year
Looking to build lasting Easter family traditions that bring joy and meaning to your holiday? From faith-based activities to fun crafts and backyard games, this list offers simple, memorable traditions you can start this year. Whether you’re celebrating with toddlers or teens, you’ll find fresh ideas that blend spirituality, creativity, and quality time.
✅ Top Picks:
- Easter morning scavenger hunt
- Resurrection eggs
- Family sunrise breakfast
- DIY Easter treats
- Giving back as a family
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Why Easter Family Traditions Matter
Easter is more than bunnies and chocolate eggs—it’s a special opportunity to reconnect as a family, reflect on faith, and create memories that your kids will carry into adulthood. Establishing Easter family traditions not only adds structure to the holiday but also gives your children a sense of joy, belonging, and purpose.
Whether your goal is to focus on the religious significance of Easter or simply to enjoy seasonal fun together, the traditions below will help you build a holiday your whole family looks forward to.
1. Host an Easter Morning Scavenger Hunt
Start the day with excitement by hiding clues or eggs around the house or yard. Each clue can lead to the next, building anticipation until the final surprise (like a small gift or basket).
Pro tip: Use this DIY printable scavenger hunt kit to make setup easy and fun.
2. Create Resurrection Eggs to Tell the Easter Story
Resurrection eggs are a beautiful way to walk your kids through the story of Jesus’s resurrection in a visual, hands-on way. You can buy a pre-made set or create your own with plastic eggs and small symbols.
👉 Great option: Resurrection Eggs Kit with Story Booklet
3. Make Super-Easy Easter Treats Together
Involve your kids in the kitchen with treats they can actually help make. From chocolate-covered pretzel nests to marshmallow chicks, there’s no shortage of simple recipes.
🧁 Explore: 32 Super Easy Easter Treats Kids Can Make
4. Attend a Sunrise Service or Family Prayer Time
If your family observes Easter for its Christian meaning, consider attending a sunrise service—or if your kids are too young, set aside 15 minutes for a family devotional or gratitude circle at home.
📖 Bonus idea: Include a children’s Bible in their basket — Our Favorite Pick
5. Easter-Themed Sensory Bins for Toddlers
Little ones love textures and surprises. A sensory bin with Easter grass, plastic eggs, pom poms, and small toys is perfect for keeping toddlers entertained.
🪺 Check out: 13 Easter-Themed Sensory Bins for Toddlers
6. DIY Easter Basket Tradition
Instead of using pre-made baskets, make it a tradition to assemble personalized Easter baskets with your kids—or have them decorate their own!
🎁 Inspiration: Toddler Easter Basket Filler Ideas
7. Plant Flowers or Start an Easter Garden
Mark the start of spring by planting new life! You can make it a tradition to plant tulips, daffodils, or even a small resurrection garden using a shallow tray, soil, and small figurines.
🪴 Kids will love these: Mini gardening kits for Easter
8. Host a Backyard Egg Roll or Bunny Hop Race
Organize a friendly egg-rolling contest or a bunny hop race with pillowcases. Add small prizes or sweet treats for a festive touch.
🥚 Use these Reusable Wooden Eggs to reduce plastic waste.
9. Decorate Easter Eggs in a New Way Each Year
Try natural dyes, sticker designs, or even glow-in-the-dark kits. Make it a challenge to try a different method each year.
🎨 Cool find: Glow in the Dark Easter Egg Dye Kit
10. Incorporate Storytime With Easter Books
Reading an Easter-themed story together each night leading up to Sunday builds anticipation and helps kids understand the holiday.
📚 Recommended title: The Berenstain Bears and the Easter Story
11. Bake Resurrection Rolls Together
These sweet rolls are made with marshmallows, crescent dough, and cinnamon. When baked, the marshmallow “disappears” inside—representing the empty tomb.
👩🍳 Recipe tools: Kids’ Safe Baking Set
12. Give Back With an Easter Kindness Project
Make service a yearly tradition—donate to a food bank, make cards for seniors, or fill care packages for a local shelter.
💡 Tip: Let each family member suggest one kindness activity and vote on which to do that year.
13. Try a Family Easter Movie Night
Watch an Easter classic and serve bunny-themed snacks. This tradition is perfect for winding down the evening after a busy day.
🎥 Ideas: Hop, Peter Rabbit, VeggieTales: ‘Twas the Night Before Easter
14. Make Easter Crafts or Keepsakes
From bunny handprint art to salt dough crosses, crafts can double as decor and keepsakes to look back on each year.
🧶 Check out: This Easter Craft Supply Set
15. Celebrate a Milestone With a Surprise Reveal
For expecting families, Easter is a magical time to share your good news! Make it an annual tradition to announce something joyful—whether it’s a new pet, a move, or a baby.
🎉 See ideas: Easter Gender Reveal – A Surprise to Remember
💡 Easter Family Traditions FAQ
What are some Easter family traditions that focus on faith?
Try attending a sunrise service, creating resurrection eggs, reading the Easter story together, or baking resurrection rolls. These activities help kids understand the deeper meaning of Easter while staying engaged.
What are the best Easter family traditions for toddlers?
Sensory bins, decorating eggs, reading Easter books, and simple Easter crafts are perfect for toddlers. Make sure activities are safe, hands-on, and short enough to hold their attention.
How do I start a new Easter tradition with older kids or teens?
Include them in planning! Try Easter trivia, themed movie nights, backyard games, or even a “teens-only” egg hunt with silly or gift-card prizes.
Can I celebrate Easter traditions on a budget?
Absolutely. Many traditions like storytime, nature walks, egg decorating, and family meals require little to no money. DIY crafts and scavenger hunts are fun and affordable.
What do you put in an Easter basket besides candy?
Add books, puzzles, small toys, outdoor gear like bubbles or chalk, and art supplies. For toddlers, try age-appropriate toys or snacks.
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💬 Your Turn!
Which of these Easter family traditions will you try this year?
Comment below with your favorite family Easter memory or a tradition you’re excited to start!