Easter Activities Kids and Families Can Do Together (Not Egg Hunts)

Easter is almost here!

In the Philippines, Easter is a major holiday. Families look forward to celebrating it together because of its deep religious significance. It also comes at the end of the long Holy Week break, giving families the chance to spend quality time together.

To help families create meaningful memories this year, Smart Parenting gathered activities that can teach kids about the true meaning of Easter. It’s also a great time to slow down a bit and reflect on life together as a family.

From learning about its religious roots to simply enjoying quality time with one another, these activities are easy, fun, and meaningful for the whole family.

From a religious point of view, Jesus Christ’s resurrection is the reason Easter is celebrated. The days leading up to Easter Sunday — Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Black Saturday — are a good way to introduce kids to the story of Jesus’ resurrection.

Make this Resurrection Garden with your kids for an interactive, creative, and fun way of learning.

You will need: a flat round tray, mini planter, potting soil, twigs and twine (to make the crosses), pebbles, stones, grass seed, and a strip of white fabric.

Give the kids a mini project by asking them to collect twigs, twine, stones, and . This lets them spend time outdoors while also making them feel like they have a big part in the activity. This garden can also turn into a science project, since the seeds will continue to grow even after Easter.

Step 1: Place your tomb on the tray. Take your mini planter and lay it sideways on the tray. Cover the top and sides of the planter with potting soil, making sure to leave the opening uncovered.

Step 2: Make your three crosses. Use the twigs and twine to create three crosses, with the middle cross bigger than the other two to represent Jesus’ cross.

Step 3: Use stones, pebbles, and other items to fill the rest of the garden. Let the kids take over and design the garden however they like.

Step 4: The final step is to plant the grass seed. Sprinkle the grass seed on top of the plotting soil, then lightly sprinkle with water.

To make the Resurrection Garden more meaningful, read about Jesus’ journey with the kids using these Bible verses: Matthew 27:33-66 (Jesus’ Crucifixion and Death) and Matthew 28:1-15 (Jesus’ Resurrection).

What’s Easter without Easter Eggs?

Instead of buying ready-made Easter Eggs, schedule a Do-It-Your-Own Easter Eggs activity with the whole family.

Let the kids choose their own colors and designs. Parents can also join in and decorate their own Easter Eggs. After a sit-down activity, level it up by creating your own Easter egg hunt at home. Each family member hide their eggs around the house, and whoever finds the most Easter Eggs wins!

Since this is an indoor activity, it’s also a good chance to start a discussion while decorating: “Why does Easter have Easter Eggs?”

For a little background, eggs are symbols of life and are often connected to the story of Jesus’ resurrection. For conversation starters, read more about Easter eggs here.

Check out these Easter Eggs from Anko Philippines: Easter Mini Egg Craft (P150), 12-pack Chicken Hunt Eggs (P150), and Easter Fidget Egg (P240).

Reward the winner with another Easter Egg that comes with a surprise: Easter Egg with a Plushie surprise from Flying Tiger Philippines. Their Easter Bunny plushies also come in different designs and colors.

If you’re looking for a sweet Easter treat, order these Easter DIY Cookies and enjoy decorating them together. It takes away the stress of figuring out cookie recipes and dealing with the mess after baking, while still giving the family quality bonding time in one fun activity.

You can also do this activity with cousins, friends, and extended relatives. It can turn into a sweet, fun and memorable bonding moment for everyone.

Here are different online stores where you can order Easter DIY Cookies:

Packages start at P210, which includes 3 Easter sugar cookies with different designs. Bigger packages start at P2,560 for 16 sugar cookies. Check out Ovens and Saturdays on Instagram for orders and more details.

Each kit is priced at P600, and includes 3 cookies, 3 icings, 3 sprinkles, and decorating instructions. Check out The Plaza, Inc. and Kiddie Crumbs on Instagram for orders and details.

For Cebu-based families, this DIY cookie set is P350 per set. It includes 3 Easter-themed sugar cookies, 3 piping bags of frosting, candy sprinkles, and a simple guide. Check out Got Cake? By Jia Rodriguez on Instagram for orders and details.

Ever wonder why there’s an Easter Bunny? Make that your discussion starter and gather everyone for an Easter-themed arts and crafts session.

According to an early German Christian tradition, the Easter Bunny came from a rabbit that took on a special role: the "Osterhase.” It was said to act as a kind of judge for children, checking whether they had been good or disobedient throughout the year. Well-behaved children would find their nests (and later, baskets) filled with colored eggs, candy, and sometimes small toys. Read more about the Easter Bunny’s origin.

For tweens, teenagers and adults, the Paint-Your-Own Easter Mug from Anko Philippines (P150) is a great pick. It’s creative and reusable, too. Younger kids who love blocks will likely spend hours building Anko Philippines’ Easter Mini Blocks (P240). It comes in three different designs, so why not collect all three?

Tired of Easter Eggs? Flying Tiger Philippines also has Paint-Your-Own Bunny, Excavation Kits, and Water Magic Activity Books.

Visit any Anko Philippines or Flying Tiger Philippines branch to check out these Easter-themed items. Bonus: Anko offers free Easter activity and treats for kids every weekend from March until April 5!

Easter also means one thing: it’s summertime! That makes it perfect for spending time outdoors.

Plan a picnic day out for Easter and involve the kids in preparing snacks. You can choose Easter-themed treats, or simply enjoy making snacks together. Create a meal plan as a family, list down each member’s favorites, and shop together. Don’t forget to include the kids when packing snacks and baon, too.

Get some cheerful bunny bubbles from Flying Tiger Philippines for a fun picnic day out. You can also check out their playful bunny headbands for a more festive Easter celebration.

Here are some snack ideas that you can easily do for a picnic.

Anko Philippines has Picnic-themed items such as the 11L Lilac retro-cooler (P1,490), Beach Chair (P790), Picnic Table (P660), and pastel plates (P130) and tumblers (P130).

For working parents, Easter can also mean one thing: rest. 

It’s finally time to catch up on sleep, read that book you’ve been meaning to finish, or simply stay in bed all day. If you prefer a more relaxed Easter activity, consider staycation packages within the heart of Makati. It’s hassle and stress-free.

The kids can still enjoy will still have Easter-related activities in the hotel, so you won’t worry on missing out on them. Rest well, recharge and come back stronger after the break.

Read here for more details.

Families with older kids who are way past Easter egg hunts and Easter egg decorating can schedule a watch party instead.

Take this time to watch Easter-themed series and movies together, then have meaningful discussions about what you watched. Parents can sit back and rest, while the kids also get to learn something new. It’s a simple but meaningful way to spend time together.

Order some food, grab some popcorn, and create a cozy little watching nook at home.

You can also get some fun mugs for a cozy tea time during your watch party, like Snail Mugs and Honey Bee Mugs from Flying Tiger Philippines.

Check out The Chosen on Netflix, featuring Jesus’ stories.

Read here for more Holy Week-related shows for the whole family.