Resurrection Garden Activity
This resurrection garden activity will help teach your kids about Jesus’ death and resurrection with a kinesthetic approach to help your active kids remember.
The worst lessons grown up were the ones when grown-ups just talked “at” me. The best were the ones when we got to do something fun, or see something interesting. I’ve tried really hard with lessons I want the kids to really take to heart to make it more active and less talking. Even with the Resurrection Eggs, I let them open, hold, and touch the eggs and their contents while I tell the story. This year since I have a two-year-old and a nine-year-old I’ll be allowing my oldest to tell the story to the youngest. Letting him be the teacher. Teaching it will allow him to own it in a way he didn’t as the receiver.
Resurrection Garden
Another way I’ve brought the story of Christ’s death and resurrection to life is by making a resurrection garden. This time of year we all want to be outside and digging in the dirt anyway. First I read them the story and then allow them to brainstorm how to make the garden. For my Classically or Charlotte Mason homeschooling moms, this is a form of narration (a hybrid of acted or art narration).
Let go of the expectation ahead of time that it will look Pinterest-worthy. Last year my kids made Jesus’ tomb out of a red bathtub cup. And do you know what they had a blast doing it, and remembered the story.
What you will need
I’ve found it helpful to have a largeish flat rock, but other than that don’t get stuck on having the right supplies. You could use a baby flower pot. They may want some tools to mound up dirt. They may need scissors or clippers to remove branches for the crosses. Some bits of twine are helpful for tying the sticks together. None of this is written in stone though. Let your kids use their imagination to make this project their own!
The Lesson
- You can read Mark 15 & 16, Matthew 27 & 28, Luke 23 & 24, or John 18-20
- For littler kids “Jesus Storybook Bible” chapters
- A Dark Night in the Garden
- The Sun Stops Shining
- God’s Wonderful Surprise
- The Biggest Story Bible
- Everyone Leaves Jesus
- The Snake Crusher is Crushed for Us
- Jesus Lives
- The Tale of Three Trees
- The Garden, the Curtain, and the Cross
Let Them Own It
This can either be a collaborative project, or each of their kids can make their own. If they need help figuring out where to start ask them these questions to get started.
- What happened first?
- Then what happened?
- What happened next?
- Do you remember what happened last?
- Who was in the story?
- What objects were used in the story?
- Where did the story take place?
Return to the questions if your kids get stuck to help them add more details. Feel free to join in, just avoid taking over. If I’m honest that’s the hardest part for me, but seeing them create their own things is also the most rewarding payoff!
For more activites check out our favorite faith-based picture books or this fun Easter salt dough activity!
