Some Easter Ideas

Sorting through more files and came across some Easter idea.  I know, it's early, but I'd rather have them on here where I might remember to look verses a misc. filebox. 

The first one in available online at Easter Story Cookies along with many other places.  Here's the recipe.

Begin this recipe on Saturday, the day before Easter.

1 cup whole pecans
1 teaspoon vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch salt
1 cup sugar
zipper baggie
wooden spoon or a wooden meat hammer
duct tape or packing tape
Bible


Preheat oven to 300*F.
Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon or hammer to break them into small pieces.
Explain that after Jesus was arrested he was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.
Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 teaspoon of vinegar into the mixing bowl.
Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.
Add egg whites to the vinegar. Eggs represent life.
Explain that Jesus gave his life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.
Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste. Then put your pinch of salt in the bowl.
Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus's followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27
So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing! Add 1 cup sugar to the bowl.
Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because he loves us. He wants us to know and belong to him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.
Beat with a mixer on high speed for 10 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks form.
Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.
Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheets.
Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus's body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60.
Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape to seal the oven door.
Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66.
Leave the kitchen. If you've been making these cookies just before bedtime, GO TO BED!


Acknowledge that the kids are probably sad that they've worked hard to make these cookies, and now have to leave them in the oven overnight. Explain that Jesus' followers were in sad when Jesus died and the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.


On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Ask the kids to notice the cracked surface. Have them bite into the cookies. The cookies are hollow!


Explain that on the first Easter morning, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9.

One that I've used often especially with preschoolers is Empty Tomb or Resurrection Rolls.  A couple of hints from me.  Whatever you do, don't use colored marshmallows.  Passages that go well with it are John 19:40-42 and Mark 14:8 (anointed with oil).

Ingredients:
Crescent rolls
Large Marshmallows
Melted Butter
Sugar & Cinnamon

Give each child one roll.  Place body of Jesus (marshmallow) on roll. Anoint body with oil (melted butter).  Sprinkle body with spices (sugar & cinnamon).  Wrap body in roll and seal.  (Wrapped in linen and sealed in tomb.)

Bake at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes.  When the children eat them the marshmallow will be melted.  Jesus is not in the tomb.  It's EMPTY!

Last thing to share is the Jelly Bean Prayer.  You print up the poem and include it in a baggie or plastic egg with with mentioned jelly beans.

Red is for the blood He gave.
Green is for the grass He made.
Yellow is for the sun so bright.
Orange for the edge of night.

Black is for the sins we made.
White is for the grace He gave.
Purple is for His hour of sorrow.
Pink is for our new tomorrow.

A bag/egg full of jelly beans
Colorful and sweet
Is a prayer, is a promise
Is a friend's small treat.   OR  A loved one's treat.