Celebrating Easter with 7 Sensory Friendly Ideas
What was Easter like for you growing up?
I remember waking up Easter morning and going to church. Spring was in its beginning stages and there was a general excitement in the air as we celebrated Christ’s resurrection. The church would be stuffed to capacity with families sitting shoulder to shoulder in the pews. After church we would make our way to various family reunions, where we would laugh, play games and eat too much food.
Now for many of us as parents of children impacted by disabilities and special needs, Easter celebrations look a bit different. The idea of sitting in a cramped pew and the normal Sunday morning church routine having been thrown out the window sends chills up our back, as we all know change can be difficult.
Navigating family get togethers can give us a sense of dread and the idea of doing a community Easter Egg Hunt may be laughable.
So how do we make Easter a true celebration and communicate its significance to our little ones?
Here are 7 ideas that you can try at home.
Easter-themed scavenger hunt: Create an Easter-themed scavenger hunt with clues that relate to the story of Easter. For example, the first clue could be "Find the palm branch that people waved when Jesus entered Jerusalem" and the next clue could be hidden with a palm branch. If you want a little help with this, check out these resurrection easter eggs.
Easter Story Sensory Bin: Create a sensory bin or tray filled with materials that relate to the Easter story, such as miniature palm branches or palm leaves, rocks, and a small tomb. Your child can explore the materials with their hands and feel the different textures while you talk about the story of Easter.
Visual aids: Use picture books, illustrations, or even videos to help your child understand the Easter story. You could also create a visual schedule or social story to help your child understand what will happen during Easter celebrations. One possible picture book that your child might enjoy is:
"The Tale of Three Trees" by Angela Elwell Hunt - This touching story follows three trees as they each become part of Jesus' life and ministry, teaching children about the power of faith and sacrifice.
Music and movement: Sing Easter songs or play music that relates to the story of Easter, such as "Jesus Loves Me" or "This Little Light of Mine." You could also use simple movements or gestures to help your child understand the story, such as pretending to wave palm branches or holding your arms outstretched like Jesus on the cross.
Role-play: Use props or costumes to act out the Easter story with your child. For example, use a toy donkey to represent Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, or use a blanket and pillow to create a tomb for Jesus. This can help your child understand the story in a more interactive and engaging way.
Resurrection garden: Create a miniature garden with your child to represent the Easter story. Use a small planter, soil, grass seed, and miniature figures to represent Jesus, the tomb, and the women who discovered the empty tomb.
Easter movie night: Watch an Easter-themed movie or cartoon with your child, such as "The Prince of Egypt" or "VeggieTales: An Easter Carol." Afterward, talk about the story and its meaning, and encourage your child to ask questions.
So which one of these do you think you will try? Let me know in the comments.
"But Jesus called the children to him and said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these,'" (Luke 18:16 NIV).
Written by Jonathan McGuire
Jonathan McGuire is the dad of two boys and co-founder of Hope Anew, a nonprofit that guides the beat up, battered, and worn out parents of children impacted by disabilities and special needs through the spiritual and emotional challenges they face to Christ-centered hope and healing.
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