Easter is a cherished holiday filled with joy, renewal, and family traditions. But if you’re looking to skip the Easter Bunny this year, you might be wondering how to make the day just as meaningful and fun. Thankfully, there are countless ways to celebrate that move away from the bunny theme, focusing instead on togetherness, creativity, and the deeper meaning of the season. From activities that highlight the significance of spring to faith-based traditions, there’s something for every family. Here’s a list of creative and engaging ways to celebrate Easter that don’t require a single set of bunny ears or wicker baskets!

Create a Nature-Themed Scavenger Hunt

Why not replace the usual egg hunt with a springtime scavenger hunt? This activity encourages kids and adults alike to explore the outdoors and appreciate the beauty of nature. Make a list of items your family can search for, like blooming flowers, colorful leaves, bird feathers, or signs of new life like caterpillars or buds on trees.

To make it more interactive, you can include tasks on the list, such as “find something that smells nice” or “take a photo of a bird.” This builds a sense of adventure and also ties into the season of renewal that Easter represents.

How to Do It:

  • Write down your scavenger hunt checklist, or make it visual with drawings for younger kids.
  • Head to a nearby park, backyard, or garden.
  • Offer small rewards for completed hunts or encourage everyone to share their discoveries at the end.

Host an Easter Brunch

Easter is the perfect excuse for a delicious family meal. Instead of candy-filled baskets, focus on sharing food and making memories with a do-it-yourself Easter brunch. You can even turn meal prep into a group activity, with each family member responsible for their own dish if they’re old enough.

Think traditional treats like hot cross buns, quiche, fruit salads, or pancakes with fresh berries. If your family is religious, say a prayer or reflect on gratitude before the meal to connect with the holiday’s deeper meaning. It’s a delicious and family-centered way to celebrate the day.

Ideas to Try:

  • Create an assortment of brightly colored dishes using natural spring ingredients like asparagus, lemons, and strawberries.
  • Set a festive table with fresh flowers or pastel decorations.
  • Include a “brunch it yourself” station with bagels, spreads, and toppings for kids to personalize.

Learn About Easter Around the World

Easter is celebrated in many unique ways across cultures. Spend some time learning about different Easter traditions around the world and incorporate one or two into your day. In Poland, families often enjoy a water-splashing game, while in Greece, a midnight candle-lit procession is common.

This makes Easter educational and inspires a deeper understanding of how others celebrate this meaningful holiday. You might even use it to discuss your family's traditions and decide which new ones to adopt.

Activities for This Theme:

  • Watch a short video or read about Ethiopian Orthodox Easter feasts or Swedish “Easter witches.”
  • Cook an Easter dish from another culture, like Italian Colomba cake or Mexican capirotada.
  • Teach kids simple greetings in different languages, like “Buona Pasqua” (Italian for Happy Easter).

Focus on Spring Crafts

Another way to celebrate Easter without involving the Bunny is to center your activities around springtime creativity. Set up a craft station where family members can work on projects that symbolize the themes of renewal and rebirth. Painting flower pots, making paper flowers, or decorating candles are all great choices.

Crafting keeps everyone entertained, and it also leaves you with handcrafted decorations to enjoy around the house for the season. These activities can become lasting memories that are far more meaningful than candy or toys.

Craft Inspiration:

  • DIY Wreaths: Create a wreath using twigs, leaves, and fresh flowers for an earthy touch.
  • Eggshell Planters: Use leftover eggshells from breakfast as tiny planters for seedlings.
  • Springtime Cards: Have kids decorate greeting cards to send to faraway family members or friends.

Watch a Family-Friendly Easter Movie

For a relaxed celebration, consider having a family movie day featuring films that align with the themes of Easter, such as renewal, hope, and togetherness. Choose age-appropriate movies based on your family’s preferences, from faith-based classics to feel-good animated hits.

Make this activity feel special by setting up a cozy viewing area with blankets and snacks. Pop some popcorn, whip up some fruit smoothies, and settle in for a heartwarming cinematic experience.

Suggested Movies:

  • The Miracle Maker
  • The Prince of Egypt
  • It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown

Plant a Family Garden

Nothing says spring like planting something new. Small herbs can be the easiest to grow, but if you’re a little more experienced, you can create a designated garden bed in the backyard. This activity connects the family to the renewal of life that Easter represents.

Gardening comes with all sorts of benefits. It’s calming, it teaches patience, and it gives kids a sense of accomplishment. You can start small with seeds for flowers like marigolds or practical plants like basil and tomatoes. Watching something you’ve planted together grow over time is a lovely metaphor for nurturing relationships and new beginnings.

Steps to Start:

  • Choose a mix of easy-to-grow plants and vegetables.
  • Personalize pots with painted designs or labels for each family member.
  • Dedicate time each week to tend the garden as a family.
  • Use apps or sites like Seedtime to keep track of your garden year-round.

Reflect on Gratitude

Easter is a time for reflection, so why not dedicate a portion of the day to gratitude? Gather as a family to discuss what each person is thankful for. It can be major life milestones or something small, like a good meal or sunny weather.

You can do this as part of a reflective walk in nature, over dinner, or through an activity like creating a gratitude jar. This simple tradition strengthens the bond between family members and reinforces the season’s message of hope and renewal.

Reflection Ideas:

  • Write thank-you notes to one another or to people in your lives you find inspiring.
  • Have each family member name a “gratitude highlight” from the past year.
  • Create a family journal that captures everyone’s thoughts for Easter reflections.

Incorporate Faith-Based Traditions

If your family celebrates Easter as a religious holiday, there are many non-bunny ways to honor its significance. Attend a church service or virtual mass, sing hymns together, or read passages from the Bible that tell the story of Easter.

You could also host a family communion at home or light candles to reflect on the story of resurrection. Kids can take part in faith-based crafts, like making crosses or designing stained-glass windows with tissue paper.

Examples of Traditions:

  • Start the day by reading an Easter scripture as a family.
  • Watch an online Passion Play together to celebrate the holiday’s meaning.
  • Host a storytelling session where parents explain the spiritual importance of Easter.

Bake Easter Treats Together

Finally, satisfy your sweet tooth by baking Easter-themed treats as a family. Baking is fun! It's also an opportunity to work together and share family recipes. Try traditional options, like braided bread or cakes, or experiment with new ideas, like pastel-colored cupcakes and cookies.

Decorating baked goods is especially fun for kids and encourages creative expression. Plus, you’ll end up with a delicious feast to cap off your celebrations.

Fun Baking Projects:

  • Braided sweet bread with a hint of orange or cinnamon for extra flavor.
  • A cupcake “garden” using chocolate toppings to make edible flowers.
  • Dye sugar cookies in vibrant spring colors and decorate them with frosting designs.