Easter Ideas

I really try to focus on the Savior for Easter rather than the Easter Bunny. I'm so strict, in fact, that the Easter Bunny brings a fruit basket to our house! (I figure my kids will get candy elsewhere). I have been in search of more ideas to focus on the true meaning of Easter and still make it fun for my kids and the stages of life that they are in. Here are some ideas that I think others might like too:

Jesus in the Tomb
Supplies: Crescent rolls, large marshmallows, cinnamon, sugar, butter.

Directions: Take 1/2 of a large marshmallow and dip it in melted butter. Then roll the marshmallow in cinnamon and sugar. Have the children place the marshmallow in the center of the triangle of dough. Have them fold the dough around the marshmallow, so that the marshmallow is "buried" in its tomb. Bake the crescent roll in a paper liner in a muffin tin for 10-12 minutes at 350 degrees. Have the children take the role of the guards at Jesus' tomb by having them stand guard at the oven. When the rolls have cooled slightly, the children can open their rolls and discover that Jesus is no longer there, He is risen. The crescent roll will be puffed up, but empty.

Resurrection Eggs (we do this every year and we love it!)
You'll need 12 large Easter eggs labeled on the outside from 1-12 and put the following items inside. Read each egg together as a family in order.
#1 piece of bread
#2 three dimes
#3 small rope or twine
#4 soap chip
#5 red cloth
#6 cross (use a toothpick) and one small nail
#7 dice
#8 sponge, stick
#9 rocks
#10 white linen cloth, round stone
#11 spices (bay leaf and clove)
#12 leave empty

Put each of the following scriptures in each egg as well:
#1 Matthew 26:26
#2 Matthew 26:14-15, thus fulfilling the prophecy in Zechariah 11:12-14
#3 Matthew 27:1-2
#4 Matthew 27:24-26
#5 Matthew 27:28-30
#6 Matthew 27:31-32, and he was crucified and nailed to a cross.
#7 Matthew 27:35-36
#8 Matthew 27:46, 48
#9 Matthew 27:50-51, 54
#10 Matthew 27:57-60
#11 Matthew 28:1 (bringing sweet spices to anoint Him) 2, and verse 5
#12 Matthew 28:6 "He is not here: for He is risen."

Easter Cream Puffs are a fun way to retell the Easter story. To make Easter Puffs you will need: ¼ tsp. vinegar, 1 cup water, ¼ tsp. salt, ½ cup margarine, 1 cup flour, 4 eggs and pastry filling.
Let children smell vinegar. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, he was given vinegar to drink. (John 19:28-30) Add ¼ teaspoon vinegar to a 2-quart saucepan. Mix together 1 cup water and ¼ teaspoon salt. This represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Add to saucepan. Add 1 cube margarine and heat mixture until it boils. Remove from heat. Add 1 cup flour all at once and stir vigorously. The color white represents the purity of those whose sins have been cleansed through the atonement of Christ. (Isaiah 1:18) Preheat oven to 375. Add 4 eggs to flour mixture one at a time, beating well after each addition, until smooth. The eggs represent life. Jesus gave his life so that we might live. (Read John 10:10-11)