Family Activities

Have you noticed how few ideas there are “out there” for Easter activities that actually have something to do with the real meaning of Easter? I went on Pinterest and found a few, but mostly there are just tons of {cute} Spring and bunny offerings. I so enjoy the Spring decor and food ideas, but I’m always on the look out for good The-Real-Meaning-Of-Easter-type activities. SO… If YOU have some great ideas of celebrating JESUS this Easter season, PLEASE DO SHARE!!!

I gathered all I have from SmellingCoffee and my Pinterest board “Jesus and Easter” and have linked some of them below. I’ll be sharing a few others in the days to come. Whatever it is that we do in our homes, whether we are single, married, no children, or a house-full… whatever it is, let’s not miss celebrating this most important gift of New Life, Forgiveness, and Eternal Life! (If you’re not sure what the real meaning of Easter is, I’d love to share it with you! Click here.)

One of the first Easter traditions we started in our home was the Cross Cake. It’s so simple and easy to make (especially with children), and a treasured and meaningful part of our Easter dinner. Plus, since it’s made by the children, there is no pressure to present a perfect dessert! 😉

The Cross Cake

Simply make a rectangular cake, and cut out the four corners to leave the shape of the cross. Then decorate and serve. I’ve used many different cake mixes (yes… I’m a cake-mix-kind-of-gal) for the cake, but a favorite one is “Quick Red Velvet Cake” (recipe follows).

Even as the children were babies, they had a part in making this Easter Cross Cake. Nathan’s was 5 months old on his 1st Easter, so as I frosted the cake, I took his little fingers and ran them through the icing to make the “swirls” on it. This is a picture of our 1st Easter Cross Cake and of Nathan.

Nathan and our 1st Cross Cake, Easter 1997

The message that year said: Jesus lives for Nathan, Mommy, and Daddy!

By the time Abigail had her first Easter, Nathan was big enough to help ice the cake and choose what would go on it. He chose jelly beans. Then Abigail got to help add the jelly beans to the cake. (Btw, the color on jelly beans run when they are damp.) It wasn’t too pretty, but a lesson was taught and a memory was made. (And, the cake was delicious – this one was a spice cake.) 😉

Abigail and her 1st Cross Cake, Easter 1999

No matter how old you or your children are, this Cross Cake makes a wonderful addition to Easter dinner – a delicious reminder of the mercy and grace God gave to us through Jesus’ death AND RESURRECTION! He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!!!

This is a delicious and moist “red velvet-type” cake, and is the preferred flavor of our Cross Cake.

Quick Red Velvet Cake

Cake:
1 pkg Pilsbury Moist Supreme German Chocolate Cake mix
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup oil
1 (1 oz) bottle red food color
3 eggs

Frosting:
(I used canned… vanilla or cream cheese are my favorites, but whatever is easiest for you will work!)

In large bowl, combine all cake ingredients at low speed until moistened. Beat 2 minutes at high speed. Pour batter into greased and floured pans. Bake at 350 for 25-35 minutes, or until top springs back when lightly touched in center. Cool 15 minutes, then remove from pan(s).

If making the cross cake, cut the corners out, leaving the shape of the cross. Then frost and decorate as desired. Be sure to take pictures, so you can start your own Easter Cross Cake tradition. 🙂

~ From Pinterest:

A FREE download of some Jesus-Easter teaching activities to use with young children. You will need to sign up for an account, but it’s free.