Easter is one of the most beloved spring holidays, bringing families together for traditions both sacred and sweet. Whether your family celebrates with a sunrise church service, an Easter egg hunt, or a big brunch with extended family, the day is full of opportunities to make lasting memories. With everyone home and stores typically closed, Easter afternoon is the perfect time to slow down and enjoy simple, meaningful family activities. Here are some wonderful things to do on Easter that the whole family will love, year after year.
Fun Things to Do on Easter with the Whole Family
Head Outside and Enjoy the Spring Weather
Easter falls in spring, which means the weather is often just right for outdoor fun. If the Easter baskets included bubbles, sidewalk chalk, jump ropes, or kites, head outside and put them to use right away. Take a family bike ride around the neighborhood, visit a local park, or even spend some time washing the car together, kids love playing with the hose when it’s warm enough. Fresh air and sunshine after a busy morning of egg hunting is the perfect way to spend Easter afternoon.
Hide and Hunt for Easter Eggs, Indoors Too
The classic Easter egg hunt doesn’t have to end after the morning basket reveal. Set up a second egg hunt in the backyard or even hide plastic eggs around the house for younger kids to find again. Let older children take a turn hiding eggs for the little ones, they love being “in charge.” You can fill eggs with small prizes, jokes, or even little challenges like “do 10 jumping jacks” to keep the fun going all afternoon.
Volunteer and Give Back to the Community
Many churches and community organizations serve Easter dinner to families in need. If your family already enjoyed a big brunch or is having dinner later, consider stopping by to help serve meals, clean up, or simply offer your time. Even if you haven’t signed up in advance, it’s worth calling ahead, most organizations are grateful for any extra hands. Volunteering as a family teaches children the spirit of generosity that makes holidays meaningful beyond the baskets and candy.
Play Board Games and Card Games Together
How often do you actually sit down and play that board game that’s been sitting on the shelf? Easter is the perfect excuse. Break out Monopoly, Clue, Uno, or any family favorite and spend the afternoon playing together. With many stores closed on Easter, it’s a natural opportunity to simply stay home, relax, and enjoy each other’s company without the usual weekend errands and to-do lists pulling everyone in different directions.
Dye Easter Eggs and Get Crafty
If you haven’t already dyed Easter eggs, there’s no rule that says it has to happen before Easter morning. Set up a dyeing station at the kitchen table and let everyone get creative, try rubber bands for tie-dye effects, stickers for resist patterns, or natural dyes made from beets and cabbage. Beyond egg dyeing, Easter afternoon is a great time for springtime crafts like making paper flowers, painting flower pots, or putting together a spring-themed art project with supplies from the Easter basket.
Cook or Bake Something Special Together
Whether you’re preparing Easter dinner or just looking for a fun afternoon activity, cooking together as a family is always a hit. Kids can help make Easter-themed treats like sugar cookies cut into bunny and egg shapes, rice cereal nests topped with candy eggs, or a classic carrot cake. If the whole family is gathered, let the kids help with simple tasks and enjoy the process of creating something delicious together.
Watch a Family Movie or Read Together
After a busy morning of egg hunts and basket discoveries, sometimes the best Easter activity is simply curling up together. Pick an Easter or spring-themed movie, pull out a stack of picture books for little ones, or let older kids choose a chapter book to read aloud together. This quiet time is often what kids remember most, the cozy, unhurried feeling of a holiday afternoon with the people they love.
Attend a Community Easter Event
Many communities host Easter events like egg hunts at local parks, springtime festivals, or church family gatherings. Check your local community calendar to see what’s happening nearby. These events are especially fun for young children and give families a chance to connect with neighbors and friends in a festive setting. Some botanical gardens and zoos also host special spring events around the Easter holiday that make for a memorable family outing.
Make the Most of Easter Afternoon
The best Easter activities are the ones that fit your family’s rhythm, whether that means an action-packed afternoon of outdoor adventures or a quiet day of games and good food. The goal isn’t to do everything on this list; it’s to be present and enjoy the day together. Some of the most cherished Easter memories come from the simplest moments: laughing over a board game, getting sidewalk chalk all over your hands, or watching the little ones discover hidden eggs for the first time.
Easter Morning Traditions the Whole Family Looks Forward ToEaster morning carries a particular kind of magic for families with children, and the traditions that surround it tend to become some of the most deeply embedded memories of childhood. The classic Easter basket reveal, waking up to a basket filled with small treats, a special toy, and seasonal goodies, sets the tone for the entire day. Many families add a layer of excitement by having the Easter Bunny “hide” the baskets rather than leaving them in plain sight, turning the first moments of the morning into a little adventure before breakfast even begins.
Dyeing Easter eggs is another tradition that bridges generations beautifully. Whether families opt for classic vinegar-and-dye kits, natural dyes made from beets and turmeric, or elaborate decorated designs, the act of sitting around the table transforming plain eggs into something colorful and creative is one of those simple rituals that kids and adults alike find genuinely satisfying. Families who make egg dyeing a multi-day event, decorating in the days before Easter and then hunting for the eggs on the morning itself, stretch the fun across the entire holiday weekend.
Easter Meals and Family Gatherings That Make the Day Complete
Easter dinner brings families together around the table in a way that few other springtime occasions do. Traditional Easter menus vary by region and family heritage, ham with pineapple glaze, leg of lamb with rosemary, or a roasted chicken are all classic centerpieces, but what makes Easter meals special isn’t the specific dish so much as the intention behind it. Setting a proper table, pulling out the good dishes, and taking the time to cook something meaningful signals to everyone at the table that this day is worth celebrating.
Side dishes that lean into spring flavors make Easter meals feel seasonal and fresh. Deviled eggs made from the morning’s dyed eggs, asparagus roasted with lemon, fresh salads with strawberries and herbs, and light desserts like lemon cake or carrot cake with cream cheese frosting all complement the season beautifully. For families who gather extended relatives or friends, potluck-style Easter meals where everyone contributes a dish make hosting manageable while giving each guest a way to contribute to the celebration they’re sharing.
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For more holiday inspiration, Good Housekeeping holiday ideas is an excellent free resource families can rely on.
>Frequently Asked Questions
Toddlers love simple Easter activities like a basket scavenger hunt indoors, finger painting spring scenes, playing with plastic Easter eggs (filling and emptying them is endlessly entertaining), and helping decorate hard-boiled eggs with stickers. Keep activities short and sensory-focused, things they can touch, sort, and explore. Even a simple backyard walk to look for signs of spring makes for a magical toddler Easter experience.
Rainy or cold Easter days are perfect for indoor fun. Set up an Easter egg hunt throughout the house, have a family board game tournament, bake Easter-themed treats together, or do a springtime craft project. You can also set up a cozy family movie afternoon with Easter or spring favorites. Bad weather often leads to some of the most creative and memorable holiday moments at home.
Some wonderful Easter traditions to start include attending a sunrise service or church together, volunteering as a family to serve Easter meals to those in need, planting a spring garden, reading the Easter story aloud, or creating a special family Easter basket filled with experiences rather than just candy. Traditions that mix fun with meaning, like giving back to the community alongside the egg hunt, tend to become the ones kids remember most fondly as they grow.
Traditional Easter foods vary by culture and region, but common favorites include glazed ham, deviled eggs, spring salads, scalloped potatoes, and fresh rolls. For dessert, carrot cake, lemon cake, and Easter-themed sugar cookies are popular choices. Many families also enjoy a big Easter brunch with dishes like quiche, fruit salad, and pastries. Making a special meal together is a wonderful way to honor the holiday and gather everyone around the table.
Absolutely! Older kids and teens often enjoy being the ones to plan and run the Easter egg hunt for younger siblings or cousins. They can also get into cooking Easter dinner, trying more advanced egg dyeing techniques, playing competitive family games, or volunteering in the community. Some teens enjoy putting together Easter baskets for charity. Giving older kids a meaningful role, rather than just participating as a little kid, helps them stay engaged with family traditions as they grow up.
