Hobbies And Interests
Donkey Ride Game
Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem and the people waved palm branches and praised Him.
Make a simple donkey by placing a rectangular bail of hay on a tarp, indoors or out.
Cover the hay with a gray or brown blanket. Let one or more preschoolers ride the donkey while others wave paper palm branches and sing their favorite Christian songs.
Where Did Jesus Go?
To help explain that Jesus rose from the tomb, play a "hide and seek" game. Make a cave from a large cardboard box. Place a paper stone over the opening of the box. Put the "tomb" in one corner of the room. Place a cross in another corner. Hide lots of pictures of Jesus around the room. Have the children look for the pictures, telling them Jesus' friends didn't know where He was. Encourage the children to discover that Jesus is not in the tomb. Jesus is not on the cross. When all the pictures are found, say the verse the angel said: "He is not here. He is risen" (Matthew 28:6).
Teamwork Floor Puzzles
Make Easter puzzles from full sheets of poster board. Each puzzle should be a different color. Before cutting puzzle shapes, glue on some pictures of Jesus, the crowd waving palm branches, a cross and pictures that represent new life (butterflies, baby animals, flowers). Puzzles should not be exactly alike. Cut them into various shapes.
Place a pile of each color of puzzle pieces in several areas on the floor or tables.
Have pairs or groups of children race to see who can complete their puzzle first.
Roll Away the Stone
Have children sit in a circle. They will roll a ball across the circle to a friend. That friend, in turn, will roll the ball to another friend. Remind them that God rolled away the stone that was in front of Jesus' tomb on Easter morning.
Jesus Took Away My Sins
Teach preschoolers about the meaning of the Easter story and how Jesus took away our sins. Provide many pieces of black paper and several rolls of clear adhesive tape.
Have the class sit in a circle. Tell the children that the black pieces of paper represent our sins. Discuss our everyday lives. I told a lie. I yelled at my mom. I took my brother's toy without permission. Teachers should contribute also. As the "sins" are revealed, tape black papers onto each person who is willing.
After everyone has lots of "sins," tell the story of Jesus dying on the cross for our sins, Then tell that Jesus has risen. With a lot of joy and fun, have everyone tear the sins off their clothes. Stress again that Jesus took away our sins and that is why we celebrate Easter!