Easter is a fun time for children and adults. The stores empty their shelves of red and pink hearts and fill them with pastel-colored eggs, bunnies, baskets, and cream-filled candy.

While all of this is fun, the reason we really celebrate Easter is to commemorate Jesus’s resurrection from the dead after being killed on a cross. So, how do Christian parents point to the real reason we celebrate while still having some fun along the way?

One of my favorite tools to teach about the last week of Jesus’s life, his death on the cross, and his resurrection is through an old-fashioned egg hunt. Instead of using dyed eggs, or eggs filled with candy, though, I use Resurrection Eggs, which can found at your local Christian bookstore or purchased online.

The eggs are hidden and then found by the children. After that, a grown-up can explain the story using the symbols found within each plastic egg. To make it more user-friendly for grown-ups, Resurrection Eggs include a booklet to tell which egg (based on its color) holds which object and how that object coordinates with the story.  This activity is fun for children, and allows them to hear the real story of the death and resurrection of Jesus. Click here to watch a video showing how to use Resurrection Eggs.

Another great (and yummy) activity to explain Jesus’s resurrection is to prepare and bake Resurrection Rolls. There are many recipes available, but I used this one from Give Peas a Chance. It has photos, y’all. Here’s a short video of our Resurrection Roll Reveal. Watch this great teachable moment.

It’s not so important that you choose a certain way to explain the resurrection of Jesus but that you simply explain it. As an educator, I can assure you that children (and many adults) learn best through doing. So, hide those eggs, bake those rolls, or find another creative way to tell the story of what makes our Christian faith distinct.