How to Talk to Kids About Easter: A Parent's Guide to Faith-Based Conversations

How to Talk to Kids About Easter: A Parent's Guide to Faith-Based Conversations

Easter baskets and chocolate bunnies might grab a child’s attention, but for Christian families, the heart of this season is deeper. Explaining Jesus’ resurrection and the story of Holy Week to young kids requires a mix of simplicity, creativity, and trusted resources. In this blog, we’ve curated resources, shows, and educational programs that help parents turn this sacred story into something tangible and even fun for the youngest of kids.

Whether you’re a parent or grandparent, you’re looking for the right words to make the lessons from Easter stick. You want conversations that go beyond the surface. This guide is designed to help you do just that. We’ve broken down the biggest days of the season into age-appropriate steps, provided simple phrases to use in the moment, and paired it all with hands-on activities that make the gospel come alive.

Why Easter is Important (And How to Start the Conversation)

Easter isn’t just a single day; it’s the culmination of God’s promise. For kids, concepts like sacrifice and resurrection can feel abstract, which is why framing the story around God’s love and new life works wonders.

Quick Reference Guide for Busy Parents: Suggested Phrases & Activities for Talking to Kids About Easter

Sometimes, the hardest part is just finding the right words. Here are some simple phrases and matching activities to help you navigate the major days of Holy Week.

Breaking Down Holy Week: How Parents Can Share the Story with Kids

Holy Week is often seen as the culmination of Lent, a 40-day season of reflection, prayer, and preparation for Easter. For Christian families, it’s a chance to walk with Jesus through His final days on Earth. Here’s how to explain this journey to children, using simple language and engaging resources.

Lent & Holy Week: What’s the Connection?

Lent (starting on Ash Wednesday) is like a spiritual "spring cleaning" for the heart. Families might give up treats, pray together, or help others, practices that mirror Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness. Holy Week is the final stretch of this journey, focusing on Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection.

Palm Sunday:

Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey, and people wave palm branches shouting, “Hosanna!” Explain: “It’s like a parade for a king! But Jesus wasn’t a regular king, He came to save us.” Looking for an interactive activity relating to Palm Sunday? Some parents and their kids craft palm-leaf crosses at home. You'll sometimes see kids doing this as a vacation Bible school craft.

Maundy Thursday:

At the Last Supper, Jesus shares bread and wine (the first Communion) and washes His disciples’ feet. Simplify: “Jesus showed us how to love by serving others, even doing ‘yucky’ jobs like washing feet!” There's a Daily Devo episode that discusses Maundy Thursday in a way that's easy for kids to understand.

Good Friday:

On Good Friday, we remember that Jesus died on the cross to take the punishment for our sins. If you're reading the Easter story in the Bible together, you might read Mark 15 starting with verse 16 and ending around verse 41.

When explaining to kids, you might say something like, “Good Friday is the day we remember something very important that happened to Jesus. Even though it was a sad day, it’s called good because it led to something amazing, Jesus rising from the dead and making a way for us to be close to God forever.” Some families light candles or pray quietly at 3 PM (the hour some believe He died).

Holy Saturday:

Jesus’ body rests in the tomb, but His spirit is at work. Compare it to planting a seed: “Even though we can’t see it, something amazing is growing!”

If you're reading the Easter story in the Bible together, you might read Mark 15, starting with verse 42 and ending with verse 47.

Easter Sunday: The Best Surprise!

The tomb is empty, Jesus is alive! Celebrate with joy! When speaking to kids about it, you might say, “It’s like the biggest ‘hide-and-seek’ win ever! Death couldn’t keep Jesus hidden!”

If you're reading the Easter story in the Bible together, you might read all of Mark 16, John 20, or Matthew 28 together as a family. We also have episodes of Daily Devo that break down each of the Easter story chapters:

• John's Easter Story
• Matthew's Easter Story
• Mark's Easter Story

These are great suggestions to show your kids on Easter and provide a visual way to discuss the gospels that might be easier for them to follow along with than a book, depending on their age.

A Step-by-Step Guide for Every Age

Talking about Jesus' death and resurrection looks different depending on whether you are speaking to a preschooler or a teenager. Here is how to tailor the conversation for the little ones and for the young adults in your home.

For Parents of Children Under 13: Building a Foundation

For elementary-aged kids and younger, the goal is connection over comprehension. They don't need a systematic theology lesson; they need to know that Jesus loves them and that His love is bigger than anything, even death.

• Use Concrete Language: Avoid abstract terms like "redemption" or "atonement." Instead, focus on the emotions and actions in the story. Jesus was a friend. His friends were sad. He surprised them by coming back because He loves them.
• Incorporate Sensory Play: Young children learn by doing. Activities like crafting palm leaves or washing each other's feet help them physically engage with the story. A simple "foot-washing" activity using a basin and towels turns an abstract concept of service into a tangible memory.
• Watch and Discuss: Sitting down to watch a show together can be a low-pressure way to introduce the narrative. For a comprehensive overview, The Story of Easter for Kids on Hey-0 Stories of The Bible walks through the events from the Triumphal Entry to the Ascension in an engaging, animated format that holds the attention span of younger kids.

For Teenagers: Encouraging Deeper Reflection

Teenagers are ready to move from "what" happened to "why" it matters. They can handle the nuances of sacrifice, love, and faith.

• Move from Story to Meaning: Instead of just retelling the events, ask them questions that require critical thinking. "Why do you think Jesus washed the disciples' feet if He knew He was their leader?" or "What does it mean for us today that Jesus chose to forgive?"
• Encourage Personal Application: Suggest they journal their thoughts about the events of Holy Week. One powerful way to engage teens is through a version of the Stations of the Cross that uses first-person narrative, helping them see the Passion as something deeply personal .
• Connect to Current Events: Discuss how the themes of Holy Week, injustice, sacrifice, hope, play out in the world today. This helps them see that the Gospel isn't just an ancient story, but a living message.

How to Make It Stick

1. Watch Together: The Story of Easter for Kids ties Holy Week’s events into one engaging narrative, from palm branches to the empty tomb.
2. Hands-On Activities:
• Resurrection Eggs: Fill plastic eggs with symbols (e.g., a cross, cloth “stone”) to retell the story.
• Foot Washing: Use a basin and towels to act out Jesus’ humble act of service.
3. Ask Questions: “Why do you think Jesus forgave the people who hurt Him?” or “How can we show love like He did?”

Why Holy Week is Important

Holy Week isn’t just history, it’s a reminder that God's love for us is stronger than sin & death. By linking Lent’s preparation to Holy Week’s events, kids learn that Easter’s joy grows from intentional faith in Jesus.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 19:14 ESV). With gentle lessons and playful wonder, Holy Week becomes a story they’ll carry forever.

3 Ways to Make Easter Tangible for Kids

1. Interactive Storytelling

Ms. Amy’s Holy Sprouts episode turns the Easter story into an interactive experience. Kids learn relevant sign language, color resurrection-themed pictures, and sing about spring’s renewal, all while connecting to the Gospel.

2. Symbols They Can See

• Resurrection Eggs: Fill plastic eggs with items like a cross (toothpicks) or cloth “stone” to retell the story.
• Foot-Washing Activity: Reenact Jesus’ humble act using a basin and towels.

3. Answer Tough Questions Simply

When kids ask, “Why did Jesus die?” we suggest a response that points to the gospel. You might quote a Bible verse like 1 Peter 3:18 that says, "For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit."

We suggest using language that's easier for them to understand while communicating that core concept. For example, you might say, 'Christ chose to take on the punishment for our sins so we could always be close to God. But death didn’t win, He came back to life!'

Want to go more in-depth on this topic? Check out our parents' guide on how to talk to your kids about faith (for every age).

Conclusion: Keep It Simple, Keep It Joyful

Easter’s message, that love defeated death through Jesus's sacrifice on the cross, is the greatest hope we can share. By blending gentle teaching with hands-on activities, you’re not just telling a story; you’re building a foundation of faith that grows with your child.

Ready to explore more? Stream our Happy Easter collection and let the joy of resurrection fill your home this season.

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