18 of the Best Easter Traditions for Families
Growing up, I always loved Easter because it signaled the start of spring. Plus, it always meant that our family would get together to celebrate with some of our favorite Easter traditions!
Easter traditions for families are some of the best ways to get into the spirit of Easter. Whether you’re religious or not, you can do many fun and meaningful activities to honor this memorable holiday. From decorating eggs to baking a carrot cake, there’s no shortage of ways to make Easter unique.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the most popular Easter traditions to start with your family.
Let’s get started!
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1. Dye Easter Eggs
One of my favorite ways to celebrate Easter is by dyeing Easter eggs. Dyeing eggs is one of the most classic Easter traditions for families, and it’s a fun and creative activity to look forward to every year.
You’ll start by boiling the eggs and letting them cool. Once they are cool, set up a work area with cups of dye, stickers, and other decorations.
Gather the family together and have everyone choose their egg colors and designs. You can keep it simple with just one or two colors or get creative with intricate designs and patterns. We love experimenting with techniques like wax-resist (using a white crayon) or tie dye to create unique and beautiful eggs.
It’s not just about the final product, though. Dyeing eggs together is a great way to bond and spend quality time as a family. Plus, you’ll get to enjoy a colorful and festive Easter table with your newly decorated eggs.
2. Make Jell-O Eggs
One of my favorite Easter traditions from when I was a child is making Jello eggs. We never had Jello too often, so it was a delicious treat plus the Jello was in fun egg shapes!
To make jello eggs, you’ll need Jello and egg molds. First, prepare the gelatin mixture according to the package instructions. Pour the mixture into egg-shaped molds like these ones and let it set in the fridge for a few hours. Once the Jello has hardened, carefully remove the eggs from the molds and serve them on a platter.
Not only are jello eggs a fun and delicious way to celebrate Easter, but they also offer an opportunity to get creative with different colors and flavors. You can experiment with fruit juices or add whipped cream or sprinkles for an extra festive touch.
3. Make Easter Crafts
Easter is a time of joy and celebration, and one of the best ways to get into the spirit of the holiday is by making colorful and creative Easter crafts. Whether you’re looking for a fun project to do with your kids or want to create some DIY decorations for your home, there are plenty of Easter craft ideas to choose from.
For example, you could make a wreath for your front door using Easter-themed decorations like plastic eggs, bunnies, and flowers. Or you could make a cute Easter bunny or chick out of pom-poms or felt. A quick Pinterest search will give you numerous adorable ideas!
Whatever Easter craft you choose, it’s sure to bring a smile to your face and add some festive cheer to your home.
4. Host an Easter Egg Hunt
Hosting an Easter egg hunt is one of the most exciting Easter traditions for families. This activity is not only fun but also provides an excellent opportunity for friends and family to gather together and enjoy each other’s company in the fresh air.
If you’re considering hosting an Easter egg hunt, there are a few things to remember. First, you’ll need to gather some supplies. You’ll need plenty of dyed eggs or plastic eggs with candy or small toys to put inside. (Check out this post for candy-free Easter egg fillers!) You’ll also need baskets for the participants to collect their eggs.
Then, you’ll want to hide the eggs in different locations around your home or yard to make the hunt more challenging and exciting for your guests.
Next, it’s time to invite your guests and start the hunt. You can set a timer to make it more competitive or simply let everyone take their time and enjoy the hunt.
After the hunt is over, you can gather everyone together to enjoy some Easter treats and share stories about their favorite moments from the hunt. Overall, hosting an Easter egg hunt is a wonderful way to celebrate this special holiday and create lasting memories with your loved ones.
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5. Attend an Easter Parade
Attending an Easter parade is another great tradition that gets you outside with your family and friends. Easter parades typically have colorful floats, festive music, and people dressed in their finest Easter outfits, making it fun for everyone involved.
As you watch the parade, you’ll see many symbols of Easter, such as decorated Easter eggs, bunnies, and spring flowers. Children will be thrilled to catch candy and other treats thrown from the floats, and they’ll love seeing the Easter Bunny hopping along the parade route.
The parade is also an excellent opportunity to take memorable photos with your loved ones and create lasting memories you’ll cherish for years.
6. Read Easter Books
One of the most enjoyable ways to celebrate Easter is by reading Easter-themed books. The great thing is that there are many books that capture the spirit of Easter, whether you’re looking for religious stories or more colorfully illustrated children’s books.
Reading books about Easter can be a great addition to your child’s day, whether it’s just a bedtime book or multiple books throughout the day. Here are some of our favorite Easter books for kids:
- How to Catch the Easter Bunny
- Happy Easter, Mouse!
- Pete the Cat and the Easter Basket Bandit
- Marshmallow: An Easter and Springtime Book for Kids
- Fancy Nancy and the Missing Easter Bunny
7. Decorate The House
Decorating the house is another one of the most classic Easter traditions for families. Whether it’s through colorful decorations, fresh flowers, or pastel-colored eggs, there are many ways to add a festive touch to your home during this fun holiday.
One popular way to decorate for Easter is by hanging up colorful banners and streamers. You can find these at party stores or easily made at home with materials like construction paper, ribbon, or tissue paper.
Another great way to add Easter cheer is by placing fresh flowers, such as daffodils or tulips, around the home. These bright and beautiful blooms add a touch of springtime freshness and can be placed in vases or arranged in baskets.
Lastly, no Easter celebration is complete without the presence of decorated eggs. Whether dyed, painted, or adorned with stickers and glitter, eggs are a timeless symbol of Easter and are a fun activity for the whole family to enjoy.
8. Dress Your Best
One of the Easter traditions for families that we had growing up was getting new Easter outfits. It’s a tradition that has been around for many years and is still very popular today.
For many people, getting new clothes for Easter is not just about looking good, but it’s also a way to show gratitude and appreciation for the new life that Easter represents.
Children especially love this tradition; they get excited about wearing new clothes and showing them off to friends and family. And there are so many options for kids to choose from!
You can choose a fancier outfit or a simpler new spring outfit. Either way, you’ll want to ensure that your kids are comfortable in their new outfits.
9. Fill Easter Baskets
One of the most popular Easter traditions for kids is filling Easter baskets with goodies and treats. These baskets are often given as gifts to children, friends, and family members to celebrate the holiday.
The tradition of filling Easter baskets has a long history, dating back to early Christian times. It is believed that the tradition originated from the Catholic custom of bringing food to church in baskets to be blessed on Holy Saturday.
Over time, the practice evolved to include sweets, toys, and other small gifts placed in decorative baskets and given to children as a symbol of new life and renewal.
Today, Easter baskets are filled with various treats, including chocolate bunnies, jelly beans, marshmallow chicks, and other sweets. Some people also include small toys and trinkets, such as stickers, puzzles, and coloring books.
Filling Easter baskets for smaller kids can be difficult sometimes. For Easter basket ideas for babies, check out this article! And if you have a toddler, check out this article for the best Easter basket fillers.
10. Track the Easter Bunny
If your kids love tracking Santa at Christmastime, they will also love tracking the Easter Bunny!
Like the Santa websites, you’ll use a website (like this one) to track the Easter Bunny. The tracker will become available the night before Easter, and your little ones can have so much fun seeing where the Easter Bunny is before they head off to bed.
11. Bake Yummy Treats
One fun Easter tradition that many families enjoy is baking treats together. Not only is it a great way to bond, but it also provides an opportunity to teach kids about the holiday traditions.
One of the most popular treats to bake at Easter is egg-shaped cookies. These can be decorated with colorful icing and sprinkles and are a great way to get creative in the kitchen.
Another delicious treat to bake at Easter is a carrot cake. This tasty dessert is perfect for the season and can be decorated with cream cheese frosting and a sprinkle of chopped nuts. It’s also a great way to sneak some vegetables into a sweet treat, making it a healthier option than other Easter goodies.
Finally, no Easter baking session would be complete without hot cross buns. These spiced buns are traditionally eaten on Good Friday and are marked with a cross on the top. They’re a delicious and meaningful way to celebrate the holiday with your family.
12. Host an Egg Spoon Race
If you’re looking for fun-filled Easter activities, this one is for you. Hosting an egg spoon race is a great activity that gets participants up and moving in the fresh air. Plus, this classic game has been a staple of Easter celebrations for generations and is enjoyed by children and adults alike.
The egg spoon race is a simple yet challenging game in which players balance an egg on a spoon while running or walking to the finish line. The objective is to reach the finish line with the egg intact on the spoon.
The game can be played individually or in teams, and the winner is the person or team that reaches the finish line first without dropping the egg.
Hosting an egg spoon race is an enjoyable and wholesome activity that promotes friendly competition, teamwork, and good sportsmanship. Overall, it is a fun and engaging way to celebrate Easter and create a festive atmosphere for everyone involved.
13. Visit the Easter Bunny
One popular Easter tradition for kids is visiting the Easter Bunny. This beloved character symbolizes the holiday and is adored by children and adults alike.
Visiting the Easter Bunny is a fun and exciting activity that the whole family can enjoy. Many malls, parks, and community centers offer opportunities for children to meet the Easter Bunny, take photos, and even receive small gifts or treats.
Kids love getting dressed up in their Easter best and having their picture taken with the bunny, while parents enjoy the chance to capture a special moment with their child.
14. Have a Ham Dinner
Our next Easter tradition for families is to have a big family dinner. One of the most popular dishes served during Easter is a delicious ham, which has become a staple of this holiday meal.
In addition to ham, many other traditional dishes are often served at Easter dinner, including mashed potatoes, green beans, deviled eggs, and hot cross buns.
Easter dinner is a time for families to come together and enjoy each other’s company while sharing a delicious meal. Whether you’re celebrating with your immediate family or hosting a big gathering with extended relatives and friends, a ham dinner is a perfect way to mark this special occasion.
15. Give Up Something for Lent
If you’re looking for one of the more religious Easter traditions for families, giving up something for Lent might be what you’re looking for.
Lent is the 40 days leading up to Easter when many Christians give up something as a form of sacrifice and spiritual discipline. This practice represents the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness before beginning his ministry. It is a time for reflection, repentance, and renewal.
People choose to give up many different things for Lent, such as chocolate, alcohol, social media, or other indulgences. Some choose to give up something that is not necessarily a bad habit but that they feel takes up too much of their time or energy. The idea is to make a meaningful sacrifice that will help them focus on their spiritual goals during this time.
Giving up something for Lent can be challenging, but it can also be gratifying. It can help you develop self-discipline, strengthen your faith, and cultivate a deeper appreciation for the things that truly matter in life.
Many people find that they are able to break bad habits or form new, healthier ones during this time and that they emerge from Lent feeling renewed and refreshed.
16. Egg Shell Crack Game
One of the most popular Easter games is the eggshell cracking game. This game involves two players, each selecting an egg and tapping it against the other to see whose egg will crack first.
To prepare for the game, eggs are dyed in bright colors and decorated with intricate designs. The game typically starts with a designated player tapping their egg against their opponent’s. If their egg remains intact, they get to tap their egg against another opponent’s egg. This continues until only one egg remains uncracked, and that player is declared the winner.
Playing the eggshell cracking game is a fun and exciting way to celebrate Easter with family and friends. The egg, which is often used as a symbol of fertility and rebirth, is a perfect representation of the Easter story.
So, whether you’re a seasoned pro or a first-time player, the eggshell-cracking game is sure to provide plenty of entertainment and joy this Easter season.
17. Plant a Jelly Bean Garden
One of my favorite Easter traditions for families with younger children is planting a jelly bean garden. This fun and easy tradition can be enjoyed by kids and adults alike, and it’s a great way to welcome spring and Easter uniquely and creatively.
You’ll need a few supplies to start your jelly bean garden, including a pot or planter, soil, jelly beans, and some water:
- Fill your pot with soil and have your kids make small holes in the soil where you want to plant the jelly beans.
- Plant the jelly beans in the holes and cover them with soil.
- Have the kids water the garden and wait for the magic to happen!
Once your kids go to bed, replace the jelly beans with lollypops sticking out of the soil. Your kids will be so excited when they see that the jelly beans “grew” into lollypop flowers!
18. Make Easter Bunny Footprints
One fun way to celebrate Easter is by making Easter bunny footprints. This is a simple and creative activity that kids will love! The idea is to create a trail of bunny footprints leading up to your door or around your house, making it look like the Easter bunny has paid a visit.
To make the bunny footprints, you can use a template or draw them freehand. Cut out the prints and place them on the ground using flour, baby powder, or even colored chalk. You can create a pattern of alternating prints or randomly scatter them for a more realistic effect.
Once the footprints are in place, add some Easter eggs or baskets nearby to complete the look. This is a fun way to surprise your kids on Easter morning and create lasting memories.
And there you have it: the best Easter Traditions for families! From hosting an egg hunt to playing fun games or festive activities, I hope you’ve found traditions that your family will cherish.
Before you go, check out these related articles:
- Exciting Birthday Traditions to Start With Your Kids
- Sweet Mother’s Day Interview Questions for Kids
- Fun Father’s Day Interview Questions for Kids
- The Best Fourth of July Traditions for Families
- Fun Outdoor Spring Activities for Kids
What was one of your favorite Easter traditions for families? I would love to know in the comments below!
