We did this for the first time last year, and our toddler enjoyed it thoroughly – and learned the true story of Easter!
Materials needed:
Printed script (See below.)
Small basket. (A bowl or small shoe box works well, too.)
Five (large) brightly-colored plastic eggs (You can get these for about $1.00 at Target, etc.)
A clip-art picture of a donkey (I printed it in black and white, colored it with pencils, and then “laminated” it with clear tape before cutting it out.)
Crackers (Saltines or oyster crackers work well.)
Two nails
A rock
Instructions:
Print the following script and keep it in the basket to read as you open the eggs. The script is targeted toward pre-school children; older children can be involved by looking up the Bible passages and reading them aloud.
Let the child open the blue egg and hold the donkey.
Jesus was coming to Jerusalem for the Feast of Passover. Some people cut branches from trees and spread them in the road. Many people laid their coats in the road like a carpet. Jesus rode into the city on a donkey. “Hosanna!” the people cheered as they waved palm branches. Some people cheered, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the LORD! Hosanna in the highest!” Jesus rode into the city on a donkey because a king riding on a donkey meant he would bring peace. God loves us so much that He sent Jesus to set us free from our sins and bring us peace.
Let the child open the purple egg and eat the cracker.
Jesus and His disciples (the twelve men He was training to tell others about God) celebrated Passover together. They went to an upstairs room in a house in Jerusalem. Jesus washed His disciples’ feet to remind them that they should serve others. Then Jesus and the disciples shared a special meal. Jesus knew it would be His last meal with His friends; He knew He had to follow God’s plan for His life and die for our sins.
Let the child open the yellow egg and hold the two nails; show him how to make the nails into a cross.
Jesus had to be nailed to the cross to die for our sins because it was God’s plan for salvation. The people who loved Jesus were very sad. Jesus did not deserve to be punished; He had not done anything wrong. Jesus died so that we could be forgiven. The Bible says in
John 3:16:
“God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
Let the child open the green egg and hold the rock.
After Jesus died, one of his followers wrapped Jesus’ body in cloth and put it in a tomb. The tomb was a special tomb cut into the rock on a hillside. A big stone was rolled in front of the tomb to close the entrance. Soldiers were posted to guard the tomb. Jesus followers were very sad that Jesus had died.
Let the child open the orange egg. It is empty!
Early the next morning two ladies named Mary went to visit the tomb. When they came to it, they saw that the big rock had been rolled away. The tomb was empty! The angel that had rolled away the stone said: “Jesus…is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead.” Good news! Jesus was alive again! And He is alive today! He took the punishment that we deserve for our sins so that we can be forgiven – and so that we can know and serve God. And one day we will go to heaven to live forever with God!
(This script has been adapted from a script shared at Shandon Baptist Church in Columbia, SC.)
