Resurrection Eggs: An Easter Advent Activity
Oftentimes, when we think of advent, we think of Christmas. But Easter also has an advent season. Easter Advent is during Lent—a time where we prepare our hearts to reflect on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This season, try resurrection eggs, a fun way for your family to count down to Easter and experience the story in an engaging way.
Resurrection eggs takes your family through the whole Easter story, from Palm Sunday when Jesus first rode into Jerusalem all the way to His death and resurrection. And the best part is it explains the story in a simple way that even small children can understand!
Here is everything you need to know to set up this simple, fun, and educational 12-day activity that will lead your family into Easter.
Resurrection Eggs Journey
- DAY 1
Open Egg #1: Palm leaf or grass
Read: Matthew 21:1-11
Summary: Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. The people praised Jesus saying, “Hosanna,” and waved palm branches. - DAY 2
Open Egg #2: Cotton ball
Read: John 12:2-8
Summary: Mary poured expensive perfume onto Jesus’ feet. - DAY 3
Open Egg #3: Cracker
Read: Mark 14:12-17
Summary: Jesus ate at the Last Supper with His disciples. - DAY 4
Open Egg #4: Silver coins
Read: Matthew 27:3 and Luke 22:1-6
Summary: Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. - DAY 5
Open Egg #5: Knotted string
Read: Mark 15:15
Summary: Pilate ordered Jesus to be beaten with a whip in order to please the crowd. - DAY 6
Open Egg #6: Purple cloth
Read: John 19:2-3, Mark 15:17-20, and Luke 23:11
Summary: They placed a purple robe (like a king would wear) on Jesus to make fun of Him. - DAY 7
Open Egg #7: Cross
Read: John 19:16-18
Summary: Jesus carried His cross a long way. - DAY 8
Open Egg #8: Nail
Read: John 19:18, 37 and John 20:25-29
Summary: Jesus was nailed to the cross and pierced on His side. - DAY 9
Open Egg #9: Piece of sponge
Read: Matthew 27:34, 48; Luke 23:36-37; and John 19:28-30
Summary: Jesus was thirsty and asked for a drink, but the soldiers gave him vinegar instead. - DAY 10
Open Egg #10: Spices
Read: John 19:39-42
Summary: Spices were prepared for the burial of Jesus. - DAY 11
Open Egg #11: Rock
Read: Matthew 27:59-60, Mark 15:46, and Luke 23:50-53
Summary: The huge stone covering Jesus’ tomb was rolled away. - DAY 12
Open Egg #12: Empty
Read: Matthew 28:6, Luke 24:6, and John 20:11-18
Summary: The tomb is empty. Jesus has risen from the dead!
Supplies
- 1 dozen empty, plastic Easter eggs
- A gallon baggie or an empty egg carton for storage
- A Sharpie
- A leaf or pieces of grass
- 1 cotton ball
- 1 cracker, any kind!
- A silver coin, three dimes would be even better
- A knotted piece of string or yarn
- A piece of purple cloth (felt or ribbon—get creative!)
- A small cross that will fit in an Easter egg. Get a couple of toothpicks or popsicle sticks and hot glue or tape them to make a cross. Cut them down to fit into an egg.
- A nail
- A piece of sponge
- Some spice (e.g., a clove, a piece of cinnamon stick, and a peppercorn)
- A small rock
Directions
- Number your Easter eggs individually from 1-12 with the Sharpie. Write big enough for your children to identify the numbers.
- Hide the items you’ve collected in the corresponding eggs as listed in the Resurrection Eggs Journey. For example, for Day 1, place the leaf or pieces of grass in the egg labeled “1” and close it up. For Day 2, place the cotton ball into the egg labeled “2” and close it up. And continue this process until all eggs are filled with the appropriate items.
- Once all of your eggs have been filled (remember #12 will be empty), place them in your empty egg carton or gallon baggie for storage.
- Begin this journey by opening this first egg. Open one egg per day so that the last egg (#12) is opened on Easter Sunday. So, count backwards from Easter Sunday to know when to begin. (This year, you would begin on Wednesday, April 1.) If you joined later or maybe forgot to start early, that’s ok. Jump in anytime. It’s worth it.
- Have your children open the correct number egg with you. Talk about what is inside and read the Scripture passage(s) listed with that item. There is also a summary for that egg to make it easier for your children to understand. You can give as much detail or as little detail as you’d like depending on the ages of your children.
- This is an amazing tool to share the story of Jesus with your family. Have so much fun with this! Happy Easter!