“The Ultimate Guide to Easter” Bible Lessons and Crafts for Kids

Easter is the most significant season in the Christian calendar. It is the time we celebrate the cornerstone of our faith: the Resurrection of Jesus Christ! For children’s ministry leaders and parents, finding the right way to share this “Good News” can feel like a big task.

Whether you are teaching a small group of toddlers or a large classroom of elementary students, our mission is to make your preparation easy and your lessons impactful. We have curated a massive collection of digital Bible resources to help you tell the story of the Empty Tomb with joy and clarity. Best of all, every resource mentioned here is available for instant digital download, so you can start planning your lesson today!

Free Printable Easter Bundle for Families

Easter Sunday School Lessons

Teaching the Easter Story by Age Group

For the Little Ones (Ages 3–5): Focus on Love At this age, the concept of sacrifice can be complex. We recommend focusing on the great love of Jesus. Use simple, hands-on activities like:

• The Palm Sunday Parade: Let them wave paper palm branches and shout “Hosanna!”
• The Jelly Bean Prayer: Use colors to represent the Gospel story.
• Heart-Shaped Crosses: A visual reminder that the Cross was an act of love.

The “Empty Tomb” Paper Plate Craft

This craft is a beautiful visual way to show children that Jesus is risen and the tomb is empty!

Materials Needed:

• 1 paper plate (cut in half).
• A small piece of brown or gray cardstock (cut into a circle for the “stone”).
• A piece of green construction paper (for the “hill”).
• A small brass fastener (brad) or a piece of tape.
• Crayons, markers, or finger paint.

Instructions for the Students:

1. Color the Hill: Have the children color the bottom half of their paper plate green to represent the grassy hill.
2. Create the Tomb: Use a dark marker or black paint to draw a “cave” opening in the center of the green hill.
3. Attach the Stone: Poke a small hole to the side of the cave and attach the cardstock circle using a brass fastener.
   • Teaching Moment: This allows the “stone” to roll back and forth!
4. Add a Message: Help the children trace or stamp the words “He is Risen!” at the top of the plate.
5. Finish with Flowers: Let them use finger paint to add “flower” dots all over the green grass to show the new life of Spring.

For Elementary Students (Ages 6–12): Focus on the Miracle Older children are ready to dive deeper into the timeline of Holy Week. Explore the details of the Last Supper, the Garden of Gethsemane, and the Resurrection morning.

• Resurrection Science: Use “Empty Tomb” rolls (baking a marshmallow inside a biscuit) to show how Jesus’ body was gone.
• Evidence for the Resurrection: Treat them like “Bible Detectives” looking for clues in the Gospels.

The “Resurrection Garden” Desk Display Craft

This craft allows students to build a miniature scene of the empty tomb that they can display in their room.

Materials Needed:

• A sturdy paper plate or a shallow plastic lid.
• A small paper cup (cut in half lengthwise) to serve as the “tomb.”
• Potting soil, moss, or green construction paper.
• Small pebbles and one large “stone” (a flat rock or a cardstock circle).
• Six small twigs and some string or glue (to make three crosses).
• Optional: Real or silk flowers.

Instructions for the Students:

1. Prepare the Tomb: Glue the halved paper cup face-down on the plate. This is the entrance to the tomb!
2. Add the Landscape: Cover the rest of the plate with soil or green moss. If you are using paper, cut out grass shapes to glue around the tomb.
3. Place the Path: Create a small path leading to the tomb entrance using tiny pebbles.
4. The Three Crosses: Tie or glue your twigs together to make three small crosses. Secure them into the soil or glue them to the back of the hill.
5. Roll Away the Stone: Place your large “stone” next to the cup’s opening.
   • Teaching Moment: Remind the students that the stone wasn’t rolled away to let Jesus out, but to let the disciples see that He was already gone!
6. Celebrate New Life: Add your flowers around the garden to show the beauty and joy of the Resurrection.

Top 3 Easter “Happenings” to Teach

To keep your students engaged, focus on these three pivotal moments:

1. The Triumphal Entry: Discuss how Jesus is our King.
2. The Last Supper: Teach the importance of serving others, just as Jesus washed the feet of His disciples.
3. The Empty Tomb: Celebrate the victory over death! This is the highlight of every Easter curriculum.

Conclusion & Call to Action

We are so honored to be a small part of your Easter celebration. Sharing the Gospel with the next generation is the greatest calling there is! We hope these resources inspire you and your students as you celebrate our Risen Savior.

Ready to start planning? Explore our full range of Easter Bundle Deals and download your Scope and Sequence documents today: Browse Easter Lessons Here

May you have a truly blessed and joyous Easter season!