Meaningful Easter Traditions for Families with Young Children

Easter is a time of renewal, joy, and togetherness, an opportunity to create cherished traditions that children will remember for years to come. Whether you celebrate for religious reasons or simply enjoy the arrival of spring, Easter traditions can bring a sense of wonder and connection to your family. If you are looking for meaningful and fun ways to celebrate Easter with your little ones, here are some timeless traditions to start this year.

1. Easter Basket Surprise

A beautifully arranged Easter basket filled with thoughtful treats is a wonderful way to delight young children. Instead of filling it solely with chocolate, consider adding:

• A small book about Easter or springtime
•  A soft toy, such as a bunny or chick
• A set of crayons and an Easter-themed colouring book
• A packet of flower seeds for planting together
• A personalised touch, such as a name-engraved wooden egg. You could start a tradition of gifting them an Easter egg every year for them to start a collection. 

This thoughtful approach makes Easter morning feel extra special while keeping the focus on joy rather than just sweets.

2. Easter Egg Hunt with a Twist

An Easter egg hunt is a childhood favourite, but you can add a creative spin to make it even more engaging:

• Themed hunts: Hide eggs in colour-coded sections for different age groups.
• Treasure map: Older children will love following clues or a simple map to find a special prize.
• Golden egg challenge: Hide one special golden egg with a surprise inside, such as a small toy or a voucher for an activity.

Hosting the egg hunt outdoors, whether in the garden or at a local park, makes it even more magical.

3. Baking Easter Treats Together

Baking is a wonderful way to spend quality time together while teaching young children about measuring, mixing, and patience. Easter-themed treats could include:

• Hot cross buns:  A traditional Good Friday bake, symbolising the end of Lent.
• Easter biscuits:  Simple sugar cookies in the shape of eggs, bunnies, and flowers, decorated with icing.
• Chocolate nests: Cornflakes or shredded wheat mixed with melted chocolate, shaped into nests and filled with mini eggs.

Cooking together encourages creativity, and the delicious results make for a perfect Easter tea party.

4. Decorating Eggs

Egg decorating is a beautiful tradition that encourages children to express their creativity. Depending on their age, you could try:

• Dyeing eggs with natural ingredients like beetroot, turmeric, or spinach.
• Painting wooden or ceramic eggs for a long-lasting keepsake.
• Stickers and glitter for a mess-free option for younger children.

Displaying the finished eggs in a basket or on the dining table makes a lovely centrepiece for Easter lunch.

5. Creating an Easter Tree

An Easter tree is a simple yet elegant tradition inspired by Scandinavian customs. To create one:

• Gather a few branches and place them in a vase.
• Decorate with hanging eggs, ribbons, and small springtime ornaments.
• Get the children involved in making their own decorations to add to the tree each year.

This charming display adds a festive touch to your home throughout the Easter season.

6. Planting a Spring Garden

Spring is a season of renewal, making Easter the perfect time to plant flowers or vegetables with your children. Give them a small pot or garden patch where they can plant easy-to-grow flowers such as marigolds, daisies, or sunflowers. Watching their plants grow over the following weeks teaches patience and care while bringing a sense of accomplishment.

7. Easter Sunday Family Walk

After the excitement of the morning, a gentle family walk through a park or countryside is a wonderful way to slow down and appreciate the beauty of spring. Encourage children to look for signs of new life, lambs in the fields, birds building nests, or flowers beginning to bloom. Bringing along a picnic with some homemade Easter treats makes it even more special.

8. Storytime and Reflection

If Easter holds religious significance for your family, reading an age-appropriate story about the meaning of Easter can help children understand its importance. Even if you celebrate in a more secular way, taking a quiet moment to reflect on gratitude, kindness, and new beginnings is a meaningful tradition to incorporate into your Easter celebrations.

9. Handmade Easter Cards for Loved Ones

Encourage children to create Easter cards for grandparents, friends, or neighbours. Using simple craft supplies such as coloured paper, stickers, and cotton wool (for fluffy lambs!), this activity fosters creativity and thoughtfulness. Delivering the cards in person or by post spreads Easter joy beyond your own home.

10. Family Easter Breakfast or Brunch

A special breakfast or brunch on Easter morning sets a lovely tone for the day. Traditional foods like hot cross buns, pancakes, or scrambled eggs with smoked salmon make for a delicious start. Involving children in setting the table with fresh flowers, pastel napkins, or bunny-shaped decorations adds to the festive atmosphere.

Start New Easter Traditions This Year

Whether you’re continuing long-standing traditions or introducing new ones, Easter offers a beautiful opportunity to create memories as a family. From Easter egg hunts to quiet moments of reflection, each tradition adds meaning to the holiday and gives young children something to look forward to every year.

Does your family have special traditions that you celebrate over Easter, or will you be looking to create new ones this year? I’d love to hear from you - let’s share ideas to inspire each other in the comments.