Easter is more than candy, baskets, and plastic eggs. It’s the biggest celebration in the Church—the victory of life over death, of love conquering everything. For Catholic families with young kids, it’s a time to shape their hearts, not just their sugar cravings. But how do you do that in a way that actually sticks? How do you bring the beauty of Easter to life for little ones who might be more interested in chocolate than the Resurrection? It starts with stepping outside the usual and leaning into traditions that leave a lasting impression.
Make Holy Week Unforgettable
Easter doesn’t stand alone—it’s the grand finale of Holy Week, and kids can feel that if you bring them into the experience. Young children might not grasp the deeper theology, but they understand emotions. They can sense the sadness of Good Friday, the stillness of Holy Saturday, and the overwhelming joy of Easter morning. The key is making it real for them.
On Palm Sunday, let them wave real palms at home. Talk about how the people cheered for Jesus, but how quickly their hearts changed. Have a procession around the house.
On Holy Thursday, wash their little feet just like Jesus did for His disciples. This small, quiet act sticks with them. You can also plan a Last Supper Feast based loosely on what Jesus and his disciples may have eaten that night. Find a copy of a painting of the Last Supper and have your kids discuss the photo and what they notice about it. Another fun Holy Thursday tradition is to visit seven different churches. You can do this either by driving around (take along some Easter stories or music to listen to, and some treats) or virtually.
For Good Friday, create a simple prayer time—turn the lights down, light a candle, and let them hear just a little bit of the Passion story. Keep it short, but let them sit in that moment of sadness before the joy to come. If you attend a Good Friday service, try to sit near the front of the church so that your children can see what is happening. Encourage questions (in whispers) and answer as you can (or find the answers later).
Holy Saturday is perfect for anticipation—decorate eggs, prepare the house, and talk about how we’re waiting for the best day ever.
When Easter morning arrives, let them feel the shift. Open the blinds wide, play music, and make it a morning of celebration that feels different from every other Sunday of the year.
Bring the Resurrection Story to Life
Children love stories, and the Resurrection is the most incredible one they’ll ever hear. But it needs to be told in a way they can hold onto. Instead of just saying, “Jesus rose from the dead,” take them outside early in the morning and let them see the sunrise. Talk about how everything was dark and quiet, and then—light broke through. Jesus didn’t stay in the tomb. He is alive.
For little ones, hands-on experiences help the story settle in their hearts. Act out the Resurrection with toy figures, or let them roll away a “stone” from a little box. Reading the Bible to children, especially during Easter, gives them words they will carry with them for years. If they can hear it, see it, and even touch something connected to it, they’ll understand more deeply than you think.
Dressing Up: A Sweet Tradition with a Deeper Meaning
A child in a cute baby or toddler Easter outfit is undeniably adorable, but it’s more than just a chance for a great family photo. Dressing up for Easter is a reminder that this day is different, that it’s worth celebrating in a special way. Even young kids pick up on the excitement when they put on something new and bright. It’s a physical way of setting Easter apart from the ordinary.
There’s also something deeply Catholic about wearing our best to Mass on such a holy day. It’s a reflection of the joy and dignity of the Resurrection. Children may not understand theology, but they do understand when something feels special. The right Easter dress, bow tie, or tiny pair of polished shoes can be their way of stepping into the joy of the day. And let’s be honest—there’s something beautiful about seeing a church full of little ones dressed in pastels, all gathered to celebrate the same miraculous truth: Jesus lives.
We like to do a family photo each Easter while everyone is dressed in their Easter best. Before or after Mass, we stop by the cross outside the church to snap a picture together.
Feast Like It’s a Celebration (Because It Is)
Food has always been a part of faith. Throughout the Bible, meals mark significant moments, and Easter is no different. The fasting of Lent gives way to the feasting of Easter, and kids feel that shift. The key is making it something they connect with, not just another meal on the table.
Start with breakfast. Maybe it’s something simple, like resurrection rolls (marshmallows wrapped in dough, baked until they disappear—like the empty tomb!). Maybe it’s a big brunch with all their favorites. Whatever it is, let them feel the excitement. And don’t rush past the meal—talk about how Jesus shared meals after He rose, how His friends knew Him in the breaking of bread. Easter is a time to gather, to enjoy, to savor. Make it feel like a feast, whether it’s homemade cinnamon rolls or a full spread with family.
Keep the Celebration Going Beyond One Day
Easter Sunday is just the beginning. The Easter season lasts fifty days, but it’s easy to forget that once the candy is gone and the decorations come down. The best way to keep the joy going is to build simple traditions that remind kids Easter isn’t over in a day.
Light a special candle at dinner each night for a week and call it your Easter candle. Keep reading resurrection stories. Pick a Sunday in the Easter season to have another little family feast—because Jesus is still risen! Even small reminders, like fresh flowers in the house or playing Easter hymns in the car, keep the celebration alive. When children grow up seeing Easter as a season, not just a morning with baskets and eggs, they start to understand the depth of it.
A Celebration That Sticks
Easter with young kids doesn’t have to feel like an overwhelming task of balancing fun and faith. The beauty of it is that both can go hand in hand. The joy of Jesus rising from the dead is not separate from the joy of children laughing, playing, and celebrating. It’s all connected. When kids feel Easter with all their senses—when they see it, hear it, touch it, and even taste it—they carry it with them.
They might not remember every detail, but they’ll remember the feeling. And that’s what sticks. Easter is life, light, and love. And for little hearts, that’s enough.
No Responses Yet