The Ultimate Guide to Christian Easter Traditions

Easter is hands-down my favorite holiday. So, I’ve learned a thing or two about Christian Easter traditions. No offense to Christmas (I love Jesus’ birthday, too), but there’s something about celebrating a risen Savior that makes my heart want to do a happy dance.

It’s the ultimate victory story—death defeated, grace poured out, and hope secured. What’s not to love? But let’s be real for a second. Somewhere along the way, Easter got hijacked by giant bunnies, plastic grass that never disappears, and sugar highs that rival Christmas morning.

That’s why I love incorporating Christian Easter traditions that bring my family back to the heart of the resurrection. Because Easter isn’t just a holiday—it’s a holy celebration. If you’re looking for ways to celebrate Easter with more faith and less fluff, I’ve got you covered.

Let’s dive into some meaningful, Christ-centered traditions that will help your family worship, reflect, and rejoice in the greatest story ever told.

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Celebrate the true meaning of Easter with this 1-page printable guide that highlights Jesus’ victory, Bible-based traditions, and ways to make Resurrection Sunday meaningful (download it here) 🎉✝

The Biblical Meaning of Easter

Now, I’m not saying we should ban the Reese’s eggs (because that would be tragic), but if we’re not intentional, Easter can become just another springtime celebration instead of the soul-refreshing, Jesus-centered joy-fest it’s meant to be.

When we fill this season with faith-filled traditions, we’re not just making memories; we’re planting seeds of truth in our kids’ hearts and strengthening our family’s foundation in Christ.

Let’s cut to the chase—Easter is not about bunnies, baskets, or brunch (though I will never say no to a cinnamon roll). Easter is the cornerstone of our faith, the day we celebrate Jesus’ victory over sin and death.

Without the resurrection, Christianity would just be a nice philosophy. But because of an empty tomb, we have real hope, real grace, and real life in Christ.

The Bible lays it out clearly:

Matthew 28:6 – “He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.”
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 – “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day.”
John 11:25 – “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.”

As moms, we set the tone for Easter morning. Yes, there will be kids frantically searching for jelly beans at 7 a.m., but what if we started the day with Scripture before the sugar rush begins?

Gathering as a family to read the resurrection story (Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, or John 20) sets the foundation for the day. Even if your toddler is hanging upside down from the couch and your preteen is only half listening, you’re planting seeds of truth that will stick with them.

Because at the end of the day, Easter isn’t just a holiday—it’s our hope. And that’s something worth celebrating with our whole hearts.

Christian Easter Traditions for Families

If we’re honest, it’s easy for Easter to get overshadowed by chocolate bunnies and plastic eggs (not that I’m against a good Reese’s egg, let’s be real). But Easter is so much more—it’s the foundation of our faith, the celebration of Jesus’ victory over sin and death.

By intentionally incorporating Christian Easter traditions into our celebrations, we can help our families experience the depth and beauty of the resurrection in a way that lasts far beyond the sugar rush.

Here are some meaningful and creative ways to make this Easter one your family won’t forget.

Scripture-Based Traditions

If we want Easter to be more than just another holiday, we have to start with the Word. These Christian Easter traditions help families dive into Scripture and tangibly connect with Jesus.

Resurrection Eggs

Think Easter meets a Bible scavenger hunt. Resurrection eggs are a fun and interactive way to walk kids through the Easter story, one egg at a time.

Fill 12 plastic eggs with small items that symbolize different parts of Jesus’ journey to the cross (e.g., a small cross, thorns, silver coins).
Each day leading up to Easter, open one egg and read a corresponding Bible verse.
On Easter Sunday, open the final egg—it’s empty, just like the tomb!

👉 This Christian Easter tradition is a fantastic way to help kids see the full picture of what Jesus did for us.

Bible Verse Countdown

Leading up to Easter, memorize a resurrection-themed verse each day. This helps keep Jesus at the center of Easter and gives kids a daily reminder of His victory.

Verses to start with:

Matthew 28:6 – “He is not here; he has risen!”
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 – “Christ died for our sins… he was buried, [and] he was raised on the third day.”
John 11:25 – “I am the resurrection and the life.”

👉 If you have older kids, challenge them to write the verses out and decorate them for Easter decorations.

Passover & the Last Supper Meal

Since Jesus’ final meal with His disciples was a Passover meal, why not incorporate this Christian Easter tradition into your own home?

Serve unleavened bread (crackers or pita) and grape juice, and read about the Last Supper (Luke 22:14-20).
Discuss how Jesus is the ultimate Passover Lamb, fulfilling the Old Testament promise.
Keep it simple—this isn’t about perfection, but about pointing hearts to Jesus.

Hands-On Christian Easter Traditions for Kids

Kids learn best by doing, and these hands-on traditions help make the Easter story come alive.

Christian Easter Basket Alternatives

Yes, Easter baskets are fun! But instead of just stuffing them with sugar, fill them with faith-based gifts:

Bible storybooks that highlight the resurrection
A devotional book for daily encouragement
Prayer journals to help kids develop their faith
A cross necklace or bracelet as a reminder of Jesus’ love
Handwritten letters with prayers or Bible verses

👉 This Christian Easter tradition keeps the excitement while shifting the focus from candy to Christ.

Resurrection Garden

This simple but powerful tradition creates a visual representation of the resurrection.

Use a small flower pot tipped on its side as the empty tomb.
Surround it with soil, grass seed, and small rocks.
Let kids decorate it with twigs and moss, then watch new life sprout by Easter morning!

👉 This Christian Easter tradition is a beautiful reminder of how Jesus brings new life.

Baking Resurrection Rolls

Nothing beats teaching the gospel through food. These hollow cinnamon sugar rolls tell the Easter story in a hands-on way:

Marshmallow = Jesus
Dough = The tomb
Cinnamon & sugar = Burial spices
Oven = The three days
Empty roll when you bite in = The resurrection!

👉 This Christian Easter tradition is fun, delicious, and deeply meaningful. Plus, it makes your kitchen smell heavenly!

Meaningful Family Activities

Easter isn’t just something to be remembered—it’s something to experience. These traditions help families pause and reflect together.

Sunrise Worship

Easter morning started with an empty tomb at sunrise—so why not start your day the same way?

Wake up early to watch the sunrise and read Matthew 28:1-6.
Sing a worship song like “Because He Lives” or “Jesus Paid It All”.
Pray as a family, thanking Jesus for His victory over death.

👉 Bonus idea: Bring cozy blankets and hot cocoa if you’re doing this outdoors!

Prayer Walk

Since Jesus walked to the cross, take a prayer walk as a family.

Walk around your neighborhood or a nearby park.
Stop at different points to pray for your family, friends, and those who don’t know Jesus yet.
Reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice and ask Him to renew your heart this Easter.

👉 This Christian Easter tradition is a beautiful way to make Easter personal and reflective.

Foot-Washing Ceremony

Before the Last Supper, Jesus washed His disciples’ feet (John 13:12-17) as an act of humility and love. Why not do the same as a family?

Parents wash their children’s feet to show love and service.
Spouses wash each other’s feet as a sign of humility and sacrifice.
Kids take turns washing each other’s feet (expect lots of giggles!).

👉 It may feel awkward at first, but this Christian Easter tradition leaves a lasting impact.

Easter is so much more than a holiday—it’s the celebration of the greatest victory in history. By intentionally choosing Christian Easter traditions that center on Jesus, we help our families experience the true joy of the resurrection.

And hey, if your kids still end up on a sugar high from their Easter baskets, at least their hearts are full of Jesus, too. That’s a parenting win!

How to Keep Easter Christ-Centered in a Culture Focused on Commercialism

Let’s be honest—it’s easy for Easter to get hijacked by fluffy bunnies, pastel candies, and plastic grass that somehow lingers in your house until Christmas.

While there’s nothing wrong with enjoying egg hunts and chocolate treats, we have to be intentional about keeping Jesus at the center.

So how do we navigate cultural traditions without losing sight of the real reason for Easter? Here are some practical ways to celebrate meaningfully, engage kids in faith-filled activities, and spark conversations that point back to Christ.

Navigating Cultural Easter Traditions with a Christ-Centered Focus

You don’t have to cancel the Easter Bunny (unless you want to), but you can reframe the focus so that Jesus remains at the heart of your family’s celebration.

Egg Hunts with a Message 🥚 → Instead of just filling eggs with candy, include Bible verses, prayer prompts, or symbols of the Easter story. This keeps the excitement while incorporating faith.
Resurrection Eggs 📖 → This is a fun way to use eggs to tell the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection (see more details in the previous section).
Bunny with a Purpose 🐰 → If you do include the Easter Bunny, explain that bunnies symbolize new life, which reminds us of the new life we have in Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17).

👉 The key? Don’t let the cultural parts take center stage. Let them be fun additions, not the main event.

Alternative Christian Activities That Engage Kids

If you’re looking for meaningful, faith-filled ways to celebrate Easter without losing focus, try these engaging alternatives:

✝️ Easter Story Scavenger Hunt

Hide items related to the Easter story (a cross, a small stone, a piece of cloth, a nail, a white ribbon) and let kids find them. Each time they discover an item, read the corresponding Bible verse and explain how it fits into the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

🕊️ Light in the Darkness Walk

On Good Friday, take a quiet walk in the evening as a family. Bring a flashlight or candle, and talk about how Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12). Then, on Easter morning, celebrate the joy of the resurrection by turning on every light in the house when you wake up!

🍞 Breaking Bread Together

Have a special Easter breakfast where you break bread as a family, just like Jesus did with His disciples at the Last Supper. Read Luke 24:30-31, where Jesus broke bread after His resurrection, and talk about how we can see Jesus in our everyday lives.

📖 Easter Bible Verse Egg Craft

Write resurrection-themed Bible verses on strips of paper and tuck them inside plastic eggs. Each day leading up to Easter, open one egg, read the verse, and talk about it as a family.

👉 These activities are engaging, meaningful, and reinforce the gospel message without making kids feel like they’re “missing out” on Easter fun.

Intentional Easter Conversation Starters

Easter gatherings bring family and friends together—so why not use the opportunity for faith-filled conversations? Here are some great ways to spark meaningful discussions:

“What does Easter mean to you personally?” (Encourage kids and adults to share.)
“If you were one of the disciples, how do you think you would have reacted to Jesus’ resurrection?”
“What does it mean that Jesus conquered sin and death for us?”
“How can we live differently because of the resurrection?”
For kids: “What’s one thing you’re thankful for because Jesus is alive?”

👉 The goal isn’t forced or awkward conversations—it’s about creating space for reflection and making Jesus the center of your celebration.

Easter is the greatest celebration in history—Jesus conquered sin and death so that we can have eternal life.

While culture may try to distract us with eggs, bunnies, and sugar comas, we can choose to keep Christ at the center by being intentional with our traditions, activities, and conversations.

So go ahead and enjoy the chocolate eggs—just don’t forget the empty tomb!

A Holy Week Plan for a Christian Easter Traditions

Easter isn’t just one morning of celebration—it’s the culmination of the most powerful three days in history.

The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus changed everything. Instead of rushing through Easter Sunday in a blur of church, ham, and jellybeans, let’s be intentional about preparing our hearts for the joy of the resurrection.

Here are some Christian Easter traditions to talk about as you plan to guide your family through Resurrection Weekend, making it more meaningful and spiritually rich.

Good Friday: Reflect on Jesus’ Sacrifice

Good Friday is a day of deep reflection—the day Jesus willingly gave His life for us. While the world may treat it like any other Friday, we can set it apart as a day of worship, gratitude, and remembrance.

📖 What to Read: Isaiah 53:3-7, John 19

🙏 Ways to Observe:

Family Worship Night → Read the crucifixion story together, sing worship songs, and take time for prayer.
Candlelight Reflection → Light a candle and spend time in silent gratitude for Jesus’ sacrifice. Blow it out at the end to symbolize the moment He breathed His last.
Watch ‘The Passion of the Christ’ (for older kids & adults) → It’s heavy, but it powerfully reminds us of the depth of Jesus’ suffering for our sake.
Take Communion as a Family → Just like at the Last Supper, break bread and drink juice to remember Jesus’ body and blood given for us (Luke 22:19-20).

👉 The focus of Good Friday is reflection. It’s a somber but necessary step before the joy of Easter morning.

Silent Saturday: Waiting in Expectation

Between the darkness of Good Friday and the glory of Resurrection Sunday, there was a silent day of waiting. Imagine how the disciples must have felt—confused, grieving, and unsure of what would happen next.

📖 What to Read: Matthew 27:62-66

🤔 Ways to Observe:

Unplug & Be Still → Take a break from screens and distractions, setting aside quiet time to reflect.
Write Letters of Gratitude → Have each family member write a prayer of thanks for what Jesus has done in their lives.
Create an Empty Tomb Craft → A simple but meaningful activity for kids—make a resurrection garden or an empty tomb scene to prepare for Sunday morning.
Prayer Walk → Go on a walk as a family, talking about how waiting on God can be hard, but His promises always come true.

👉 Silent Saturday reminds us to trust God even when we don’t see what He’s doing.

Resurrection Sunday: Celebrate the Risen King!

He is risen! Easter morning is the ultimate celebration—death has been defeated, and Jesus is alive! This is not just a holiday; it’s the reason we have hope, joy, and new life in Christ.

📖 What to Read: Matthew 28:1-10, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

🎉 Ways to Celebrate:

Sunrise Worship → Read the resurrection story as the sun rises, just like the women at the tomb (Luke 24:1-6).
Joyful Worship Playlist → Play resurrection-themed worship songs all morning (because Easter should feel like a celebration!).
Resurrection Breakfast → Break your Silent Saturday fast with a joyful meal, thanking God for the gift of new life.
Testimony Time → Share as a family how God has been faithful in your lives this past year. What prayers has He answered? Where have you seen His power at work?
Easter Feast & Fellowship → Invite others over to share a meal and the joy of the resurrection together. Jesus often revealed Himself over meals—why not follow His example?

👉 Easter Sunday is a time of overwhelming joy. Let’s celebrate like people who truly believe our Savior is alive!

Resurrection Weekend isn’t just a tradition—it’s an invitation to walk through the sacrifice, waiting, and victory of Jesus together as a family.

So as you go through Good Friday, Silent Saturday, and Resurrection Sunday, remember this: the cross wasn’t the end. The tomb is empty. And because of Jesus, we have new life!

Additional Resources for a Christ-Centered Easter

If you’re looking to go deeper this Easter season and make it truly Christ-centered, here are some great resources to help you grow in faith, engage your family, and keep Jesus at the center of your celebrations.

Bible Study Ideas for Easter

Easter isn’t just a Sunday event—it’s a powerful season to reflect on the resurrection and what it means for our daily lives. Whether you’re diving into personal Bible study or leading a family or small group discussion, here are a few study ideas:

📖 Daily Easter Devotions → Read through the final days of Jesus’ life in the Gospels, one passage at a time (suggested readings: Matthew 26-28, Mark 14-16, Luke 22-24, John 18-21).

📝 Easter Bible Journaling → Write out key resurrection verses (1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Matthew 28:6, John 11:25), reflect on their meaning, and journal what God is teaching you.

💬 Family Easter Discussion Prompts → Ask thought-provoking questions like:

Why do you think the disciples were so afraid after Jesus’ death?
How would your life be different if Jesus hadn’t risen from the dead?
What does the resurrection mean for us today?

🛠 Want a structured study? Many churches and online ministries offer free Easter devotionals or Holy Week reading plans to guide your study.

Books & Devotionals for Easter Reflection

Looking for books to deepen your faith this Easter season? Here are some powerful reads:

📚 “The Path to Rest” by yours truly → If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or spiritually drained, this book is for you. It helps Christian women step out of burnout and into the rest and renewal Jesus offers. Easter is the perfect time to lean into this invitation.

📚 “The Case for Easter” by Lee Strobel → A short but powerful apologetics book that examines the historical evidence for the resurrection. A great read if you (or someone you know) wrestle with doubts.

📚 “On Calvary’s Hill: 40 Readings for the Easter Season (A 40-Day Lent Devotional)” → A daily devotional that prepares your heart for Holy Week and beyond.

Pro Tip: Many Christian authors and ministries offer free Easter devotionals—check websites like YouVersion Bible App, FaithGateway, and She Reads Truth.

Faith-Based Easter Printables

Looking for simple, fun ways to teach your kids about Easter while keeping Christ at the center? These printable resources are a great way to bring Scripture into your home in a hands-on way.

🖍 Christian Easter Trivia → Fun Q&A-style trivia (for kids AND adults!) to test your knowledge of the Easter story. (Psst… I have one on my blog! 😉)

📜 Scripture Cards → Print out Bible verses about the resurrection and place them around the house as daily encouragement.

📖 Easter Journaling Pages → Print out guided reflections to help you process what Easter means personally.

🎨 Resurrection Coloring Pages → Perfect for young kids who learn best through art and storytelling.

Want a 1-page summary of these suggestions? Download a summary PDF of these Christian Easter Traditions here!

Easter is an opportunity to lean into the hope, joy, and power of the resurrection. Whether through Bible study, great books, or faith-based activities, let’s be intentional about making it more than just a holiday—let’s make it a time of deep spiritual renewal.

Final Thoughts: Strong Family Christian Easter Traditions

Easter isn’t just another date on the calendar. It’s not just pastel-colored chaos, sugar highs, and trying to keep plastic grass from taking over your house. It’s the greatest celebration in history—the moment that changed everything.

But here’s the thing: if we don’t intentionally keep our focus on Jesus, the world will gladly distract us. The Easter Bunny will take center stage, and before we know it, we’ll have spent more time hiding eggs than talking about the empty tomb.

So this year, let’s flip that script. Let’s be deliberate about celebrating Easter in a way that draws us closer to Jesus, strengthens our families, and reminds us of the power of the resurrection.

Whether it’s through a sunrise prayer walk, a Christ-centered family tradition, or simply reading the Easter story together, let’s make sure our hearts are set on the real reason we celebrate.

I’d love to hear from you! What’s your favorite Christian Easter tradition? I might just borrow a few ideas for our family this year.