Homemade Resurrection Eggs

Now that our daughter is 3 1/2, it is important for us to focus on the real meaning of Easter.  Though she doesn't completely understand the how and why of Jesus' death and resurrection, we want M to understand that Easter is not just eggs, bunnies, and baskets.

So I decided that resurrection eggs that I've seen for years would be a good, hands-on way to teach M about Jesus' resurrection.  I found several places on-line to help me make our own resurrection eggs instead of purchasing them. Want What You Have blog and another how-to here are the resources that I used the most.  It's pretty simple to substitute and change the eggs to what you want them to be to tell about Jesus.

For our resurrection eggs, I used an empty egg carton, plastic eggs, and some small items to tell what actually happened to Jesus.  The following items are in the eggs.  I chose not to put the verse inside the egg, though I have them listed on a piece of paper.  I numbered each of the eggs to help tell the story in order.  (Click on verses to read the Scripture verses.)

1. perfume (on a cotton ball)- John 12:3

2. silver coins- Matthew 26:14-16

3. purple cloth- Matthew 27: 28

4. thorns- Matthew 27:29

5. rope (or strip of leather)- Mark 15:15

6. cross- John 19:17-18

7. nail- John 19:37

8. sign that says "This is the king of the Jews."- Luke 23:38

9. sponge (with vinegar)- Matthew 27:48

10. rock- Luke 23:53

11. cloves- Luke 23:56

12. empty- Matthew 28:5-6

EDITED: Now that my daughter is four years old, I am finding that I am reading MUCH more of the text to her.  The verses shown above were very appropriate when she was three though.  You may be interested in visiting the sites above to view larger passages, though I just "wing" it.

Some people open an egg a day to lead up to Easter, while others use them all at once to tell of Jesus' death and resurrection.  We use them all at once.  M seems to be understanding quite well, and can tell about many of the eggs (though not all yet).

I also want to say that though I used the term "story of Jesus" in this post, I do not believe that it is a fictional, made-up story.  I truly believe it is truth...and it gives me hope!  

In the past week or so, we've been reading a lot more about Jesus in our children's Bibles.  As much excitement as she had for the birth of Jesus, that is just the beginning of the story...the truth that gives us hope and purpose.

I would love to hear how you teach about Easter's meaning in your home.  

If you have any questions about how I made our resurrection eggs, just leave a comment or send an email.  I will help all that I can!