LeeAnn G Taylor - Embracing the Mosaic Life

Trusting our broken pieces to the Ultimate Artist

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What I Learned In August {A Family Adventure}

September 3, 2014 By LeeAnn G. Taylor

It’s hard to believe summer is winding down, kids are going back to school, and the season of pumpkin spice lattes, chicken stews, freshly picked apples, and corn mazes is upon us.

In the midst of this busy season, I’m focusing on remembering to savor the little moments and to make memories with the people I love.

Because in life, our relationships are everything.

Friend, don’t you know? In life, our relationships are everything. Make them count!

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This month I’m linking up with Emily Freeman at Chatting at the Sky, sharing what I learned in August. While we enjoyed a full month of relationship-building and memory-making with lots of friends, it was a family vacation that scored the feature in this month’s “what I learned” post.

While we didn’t get much rest on this vacation, it was a memory-maker for sure! So here it goes…the 6 things I learned in August:

1. It is possible to survive (and even enjoy!) a week in a tiny cabin with two grandparents, two mommas, and five kids ages 5 and under (5, 4, almost 3, 2, and 11 months). 

I’m not exactly sure what we were thinking when my sister and I agreed to a trip to the lake with my parents with that many littles, but not only did we survive, we had a great time! Tons of memories were made amongst the multiple trips to the playground, swimming pool, out on the lake in the little johnboat, and playing at the lake’s edge.

silly kiddos

2. With that many littles, you have to repeat safety instructions. A lot. 

Since the water was right outside our front porch, the kids spent quite a bit of time splashing around and we spent lots of our words each day saying things like:

  • Put your shoes on. You might cut yourself on glass or a fishing hook.
  • Stay away from the swans (they’re mean!).
  • Yes, you can feed the ducks. Just don’t throw bread AT them.
  • Don’t stand behind someone throwing out a fishing line.
  • Yes, you can ride in the boat (again). Just put on your lifejacket first.

kiddo feet

puddle jumpers

muddy feet

3. You can catch a fish with no bait on your hook. True story.

Both big kids enjoyed one-on-one time with their Poppy out in the boat fishing and they both came back with fish to show off their mad fishing skills. My nephew Brecken (4) even caught a fish with just his hook.

getting ready to go fishing

family in a boat

While Salem did use bait for her fish, she obviously isn’t sure yet that fishing will be her past time of choice.

not sure about fish

Lesson 3b: Don’t try to teach four kids ages 5 and under how to fish from the bank all at the same time. There may or may not be weeping and gnashing of teeth after all four fishing rods get tangled one right after another.

Just sayin’…this picture captured a brief moment of time (like 2.3 seconds) where 3 out of the 4 kids were sitting on the bank quietly while waiting their turn with Poppy, the fishing teacher.

three kiddos on the bank

4. Feeding ducks might be the cheapest form of entertainment we will ever find.

We spent 5 full days at the lake and somehow the kids never tired of feeding the ducks. This type of all-but-free entertainment makes me seriously reconsider any entertainment that requires cold hard cash!

little man by the water

splashing geese

5. Carl’s Ice Cream is still the best ice cream ever.

On the National Register of Historic Places, Carl’s Ice Cream in Fredericksburg, VA was established in 1947 and is still the best ice cream on the planet. I grew up less than 30 minutes away and took numerous trips to the iconic ice cream shoppe as a teenager. At 15, my driving test even included parallel parking across the street.

Each cone is a little twist of sugary frozen heaven. I might be obsessed.

So I was thrilled when a traffic jam on our way home resulted in a detour right past my favorite place. It was a fabulous end to our family vacation. My mom and sister and I even snapped a pic to commemorate the occasion.

carl's ice cream

6. Your most favorite part of the trip might be the trip home. 

My sister and I got 5 solid hours of sisterly talk time in the van on the way home while the girls (5, almost 3, and 11 months) slept in the back seat. This might or might not have been my favorite part of the trip…

What about you? What are your favorite relationship-building memories from this summer? Let me know in the comments. I’d love to hear how you were intentional about creating memories and loving the people God has entrusted you with.

No Such Thing As “Just A Mom”

August 15, 2014 By LeeAnn G. Taylor

Maybe you’ve heard it before. You’re “just a mom,” so what big impact can you make on the world?

Doing laundry, picking up toys, wiping noses, washing dishes, trekking to the playground, bathing kids, picking up toys (again)…how is that making a difference?

I’m here to tell you…there’s no such thing as “just a mom.”

no such thing as just a mom

Especially when you don’t have one.

Meet Hannah.

She’s the cutie in the middle with the huge grin on her face. (name changed to protect privacy) She doesn’t have a mom.

Neither do the 25 other kids standing with her and most of the 250 other kids living in her community in South Africa.

orphan south african

 

Here’s the thing.

Instead of a mom, she has caregivers. And those caregivers do the absolute best they can do take care of her and her friends.

But as a mom, have you ever had a day where you just needed some HELP?

You’re not “just a mom” because taking care of littles is HARD. WORK. people! And a lot of the time, we need help. It’s no small job to take care of another person’s physical needs and to be responsible for their emotional and spiritual development too.

Your daily investment into their little lives makes a difference today and for eternity.

What about Hannah?

And those who are functioning as “mom” and are investing into her life? Well, they could use some help too.

caregivers in South Africa

It’s been said, “it takes a village to raise a child.” In this little community in South Africa, this is so true!

And guess what? Our little community here online? We can help!

Already, members of Lisa-Jo Baker’s blog community have contributed enough money to build a watering station/laundry facility, vegetable garden, and playground to this community in South Africa they’ve adopted. I’m one of them!

lisa jo baker community

Lisa-Jo Baker and her dad sharing hope orphaned & vulnerable children in the Maubane community in South Africa

And now, members of our community here at The Mosaic Life (that’s YOU!)…well, we’re going to join them!

Here’s your opportunity to join in:

Watering Station – fully funded & built

Vegetable Garden – fully funded & producing veggies

Playground – fully funded & plans prepared

Community Center (admin portion) – $28,474 of $40,000 raised

Maybe $11,526 more to raise seems like a big number to you…but do you remember the “it takes a village to raise a child” concept? It’s true with life-changing generosity too.

UPDATE: In less than 24 hours, Lisa-Jo’s community has raised almost $4,ooo. That’s 160 “just a mom”s giving $25 each as part of this ‘village’. 

communitycenter

Here’s my challenge to our community.

Right now, it would take 308 people giving $25 each to raise the remainder of the funds needed for the community center.

Wondering what your $25 will provide to this community? Check out these details:

By starting by constructing the admin building, the Maubane community of 400 will have access to:

A base of operations – for the 20-30 volunteers who serve the weekly church meetings that currently take place under an open air shelter that was donated by a local church in Pretoria. What started as 15 kids has now grown to 250-300 children and 100 adults every Sunday for the last three years.

Hygienic Food Preparation – every second Sunday the volunteer group, Take Action, provides food and drinks to the community. But no running water, no kitchen, no bathrooms make it challenging to serve such a large group of people.

Sanitation – this portion of the community center will include male and female restrooms (5 stalls each).

Facilities for the caretaker – who will farm the vegetable garden and provide security and maintenance for the community center site.

Conference Room – for launching economic empowerment with training classes in job skills, early childhood development and HIV/AIDS training for the community.

Safe storage for all the tables, chairs and equipment that serves the church and is currently stored in Pastor Norman’s house.

So are you with me?

ONLY 308 PEOPLE GIVING $25 EACH = $7,700

 

Remember, you’re not “just a mom” and your actions, whether you perceive them as “big” or “small,” make an incredible impact on the world.

 

 

This post is part of Five Minute Friday. Today’s writing prompt was “Tell”. How can you use your words and actions today to tell the story of Jesus’ generosity in our lives?

 

How To Embrace Life Like a Child

July 18, 2014 By LeeAnn G. Taylor

She stoops, intent on finding just the right treasure to share with me. Her tiny frame all but disappears against the green grass.

green grass

She is my oldest, my first born, my precious child.

She’s my snuggle-bug, my sweet girl, the one who insists on living life right next to me.

Salem and mommy

Even in her youth, she sees beauty in the everyday and determines to share it.

Her offering today? A bunch of tiny purple blooms.

They’re not Pinterest perfect and this bouquet won’t ever show up in a Southern Living magazine, but it’s what she has to offer and she does it with such enthusiasm.

purple flower offering

Her purpose is to make me feel special, to show love with what she has, today, in the moment.

What if we did that as adults?

What if we looked around, embraced the gifts we were given and shared our lives, just where we are?

What if we took the opportunities presented and made the best of them? What if we did it now with what we have instead of waiting for the illusive perfect moment or situation?

Today’s challenge? Live life like a child.

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. In other words, bloom where you’re planted.

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Bloom where you’re planted.

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do what you can,  with what you have, where you are

 

How will you embrace the challenge today? Share in the comments and let’s encourage one another!

*This post is part of Lisa-Jo Baker’s 5 Minute Friday series, where she empowers bloggers to write for 5 minutes each Friday on a specific topic. Free writing. Writing just for the sheer joy of it. Today’s topic was “Bloom“. Also sharing with Essential Fridays, Faith Filled Friday, Fellowship Friday, Family Fun Fridays, The Missional Weekend, The Weekend Brew, and Taste and See.

The Tired Mother’s Creed {with free printable & book giveaway}

May 6, 2014 By LeeAnn G. Taylor

Today is for the tired mamas. The ones struggling with comparison and “I don’t measure up” syndrome. Let this guest post from Lisa-Jo Baker encourage your weary soul.

For the days we are running on empty. For the days we just don’t think we have it in us to read one more story, play one more game of Uno, wash one more round of sheets. For the days when we think everyone else has it all together. For the days we’re sure anyone else would do this job better.

For those days. You know the ones.

DSC_0671-640x426

Repeat after me:

  1. I shall not judge my house, my kid’s summer activities or my crafting skills by Pinterest’s standards.
  2. I shall not measure what I’ve accomplished today by the loads of unfolded laundry but by the assurance of deep love I’ve tickled into my kids
  3. I shall say “yes” to blanket forts and see past the chaos to the memories we’re building.
  4. I shall surprise my kids with trips to get ice cream when they’re already in their pajamas.
  5. I shall not compare myself to other mothers, but find my identity in the God who trusted me with these kids in the first place.
  6. I shall remember that a messy house at peace is better than an immaculate house tied up in knots.
  7. I shall play music loudly and teach my kids the joy of wildly uncoordinated dance.
  8. I shall remind myself that perfect is simply a street sign at the intersection of impossible and frustration in Never Never land.
  9. I shall embrace the fact that in becoming a mom I traded perfect for a house full of real.
  10. I shall promise to love this body that bore these three children – out loud, especially in front of my daughter.
  11. I shall give my other mother friends the gift of guilt-free friendship.
  12. I shall do my best to admit to my people my “unfine” moments.
  13. I shall say “sorry” when sorry is necessary.
  14. I pray God I shall never be too proud, angry or stubborn to ask for my children’s forgiveness.
  15. I shall make space in my grown up world for goofball moments with my kids.
  16. I shall love their father and make sure they know I love him.
  17. I shall model kind words – to kids and grown-ups alike.
  18. I shall not be intimidated by the inside of my minivan – this season of chip bags, goldfish crackers and discarded socks too shall pass.
  19. I shall always make time to encourage new moms.
  20. I shall not resent that last call for kisses and cups of water but remember instead that when I blink they’ll all be in college.

~ with love from one tired mother to another.

{click here to download the below printable version}

The-tired-mothers-creed-by-Lisa-Jo-Baker-e1340157222508

{To see the video reminder of why all mothers are braver than they know, click here}.

surprisedbymotherhood-book-banner

This guest post comes with love from Lisa-Jo Baker to our community in celebration of Mother’s Day. If you haven’t already – treat yourself, your mom, your sister, your BFF or your grandma to a copy of her new book, Surprised by Motherhood: Everything I Never Expected About Being a Mom.

And now for the FUN stuff!

Three (yes, three!) lucky readers will win this bookplate signed by Lisa-Jo to whomever you choose. Thank you Lisa-Jo for your generosity to our community. You are a blessing to so many of us! (Ok…keep reading…there’s more!)

You are mighty because you mother. Lisa-Jo Baker

ONE of you lovely ladies will win your own copy of this must-get-tissues-before-you-read motherhood book sent directly from me to you.

Let’s call it my Mother’s Day gift to this awesome community of women living authentically in the midst of our brokenness as God picks up our pieces and crafts us into the masterpieces he created us to be. Plus, everyone loves a gift, especially one celebrating mothers!

No matter what stage you’re in when it comes to motherhood, I promise this book will encourage. And remind you that you are braver than you think. So…enter away!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

10 Ways to Teach Kids About Easter

March 24, 2014 By LeeAnn G. Taylor

Are you looking for Easter activities to do with your kids while at home during the COVID-19 pandemic? I’ve updated this post with 10 simple things you can do at home during the week of Easter! Find it here & share with others: 10 Ways to Teach Your Kids About Easter – COVID-19 EDITION

 

If you’ve ever struggled to find ways to teach your kids about Easter, this post is for you! I’ve compiled a list of things I’ve used with my kids along with other ideas I’ve found online for you to try.

While it can feel overwhelming to explain Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection to a child, these resources will give you lots of ideas that you can use or adjust based on the developmental needs of your child and their level of understanding.

It’s so important that we teach our kids the truth that Jesus died for us, rose again, and is now alive – even when they are small.

Teach a child how to follow the right way; even when he is old, he will stay on course.” Proverbs 22:6

Let’s be intentional about teaching our children deep spiritual truths on a level they can understand and share with their friends.

10 Ways to Teach Kids About Easter - Hands-On Activities and Books to share the story of Easter

10 Ways to Teach Kids About Easter: Hands-On Activities & Books

1. Resurrection Rolls

2. A Sense of the Resurrection: An Easter Experience for Families

3. Read a Children’s Book about Easter

4. Wash Each Others’ Feet

5. Resurrection Eggs

6. Read the Easter Story from a Children’s Bible

7. The Legend of the Sand Dollar

8. Easter Scavenger Hunt

9. All Wrapped Up Like Jesus

10. Easter Jesus Tree

 

1. Resurrection Rolls

Type of Activity: Baking

Supplies Needed: crescent rolls, marshmallows, cinnamon & sugar (or red sprinkles), melted butter, Bible

Biblical Truth Shared: Jesus went into the tomb and then rose again. Jesus is alive!

  • For this activity, start with reading the Easter story from the Bible. Our favorite Bible for preschoolers is the Jesus Storybook Bible. As you work through the steps of the activity, remind your child about what you just read.
  • Spread out the crescent roll triangles individually on a baking sheet. These represent Jesus’ tomb.
  • Next roll one marshmallow first in butter and then in the sugar/cinnamon mixture. This represents Jesus’ body being prepared for burial with oil and spices. If your child is like mine (not okay with cinnamon), then try using red sprinkles to represent blood.
  • Place the spiced marshmallow in the center of the crescent roll, wrap it up, and press the edges together so the crescent roll seals. This represents the tomb being sealed with the stone.
  • Bake the crescent rolls according to the directions on the package.
  • After they cool a bit, let your child open up one of the rolls. The marshmallow is gone – Jesus is alive!

For a visual of all these steps, visit Courtney’s post about Resurrection Rolls at Women Living Well Ministries. Resurrection Rolls

2. A Sense of the Resurrection: An Easter Experience for Families

In December on my husband’s blog I shared about Truth in the Tinsel, an incredible resource for teaching your children the Christmas story during the Advent season. It’s an e-book with scripture, crafts, and printable ornaments developed by Amanda White from ohAmanda.com.

She’s a former church planter and children’s ministry director and now a mom who has the spiritual gift of turning regular life things into teachable moments for her kids.

Here she shares about her newest resource parents can use to teach their children the Easter story:

A Sense of the Resurrection

“12 simple activities to be done the few weeks before Easter will turn your home into a memorial to Jesus’ death and resurrection.  You’ll experience Jesus’ anointing, the Last Supper, Peter’s denial, the cross, the empty tomb and more. Memories will be made as your family uses their five senses to understand and believe the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

This simple eBook includes printables, Scriptures and specific conversation and starting points so you and your kids can get a sense of the resurrection.” 

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE OR LEARN MORE

Also, check out a sample page to get an idea of what the resource is like: A Sense of the Resurrection

3. Read a children’s book about Easter

Maybe you’re reading this and you don’t enjoy baking and aren’t the crafty type (no worries, there is nothing that says you have to be crafty to be a good mom!).

You can still impart Biblical truth to your children on their level by reading books that tell the Easter story through the perspective of a child and on their level. Here is my personal suggestion for toddler/preschool age plus some I’ve seen others recommend:

Ages 2-5: What is Easter? by Michelle Medlock Adams

This is a board book that keeps little ones engaged with rhyming words while exploring the idea that Easter is not just about Easter eggs, bunnies, and dressing up for church. Instead, it teaches that Easter is about the truth of God’s son, Jesus.

what is easter book

What Is Easter? book by Michelle Medlock Adams

Ages 4-7: The Berenstain Bears and the Easter Story by Mike Berenstain

The Bear cubs and Papa are candy-crazy this Easter! But Mama, with help from Papa, tells the cubs about Jesus’ resurrection and shows them that salvation is much sweeter than candy. Includes a colorful sticker set. {Amazon description}

Berenstain Bears Easter Story

   Berenstain Bears Easter Story

 

Ages 7-12: The Story of Easter by Aileen Fisher

With an informative text and glorious illustrations, this book explains both how and why people all over the world celebrate Easter. It tells the biblical story of Jesus’ Resurrection and then describes how people honor this day and the origins of these traditions. Hands-on activities help draw children into the spirit of this joyous celebration of rebirth. {Amazon description}

The Story of Easter book

Looking for a different type of Easter book? Check out this listing of books about Easter. There books in everyone’s price range!

4. Wash each others’ feet

Type of Activity: Hands-On Activity

Supplies Needed: warm water, a large bowl or basin, washcloths

Biblical Truth Shared: Jesus taught us to serve one another

Ages: 9-Teen

Jesus washes the disciples' feet

photo credit

Read the story of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet in John 13:1-17.

Ask your children what they think that would be like to be the one washing another person’s feet or to be the one receiving the washing. Take them to another room where you have prepared warm basins of water and washcloths.

Play soft music in the background and encourage them to quietly take turns washing one another’s feet.

As a parent, you can participate in this process, potentially going first to visually show your children what to do and how it feels to be served in this way.

Afterwards, talk about how Jesus taught his disciples to serve one another before he was arrested and crucified and the powerful impact that made on them as they took on the job of spreading the gospel to the world.

Remind them that God calls us to serve just as Jesus did. Have them write down one way they can intentionally choose to serve someone else in the next week.

5. Resurrection Eggs

Type of Activity: Hands-On Activity

Supplies Needed: Set of Resurrection Eggs or make your own set

Biblical Truth Shared: Overview of the entire Easter story and the gospel message

Ages: 5 and up

resurrection eggs

Steel Wool via photopin cc

Resurrection eggs are a visual way to walk your children through the Easter story. Each egg contains a small trinket that provides a reminder of a portion of the story. Use the pre-made resurrection eggs set or make your own using an egg carton, plastic eggs, and small items you can find around your house.

Number the eggs with a marker so they will be in the correct order when you’re ready to talk about the contents.

You can hide the eggs around your home for a mini Easter egg hunt, then have your child put them in the egg carton in number order.

Egg #1: Oyster cracker (or bread) – Matthew 26:26

Egg #2: Silver coins – Matthew 26:14-16

Egg #3: Purple cloth – Matthew 27:28

Egg #4: Thorns – Matthew 27:29

Egg #5: Rope – Mark 15:15

Egg #6: Cross – John 19:16-17

Egg #7: Nail – John 19:18

Egg #8: Sign that says, “This is the king of the Jews.” – Luke 23:38

Egg #9: Sponge (with vinegar) – Matthew 27:48

Egg #10: Cloves or spices – Luke 23:5-6

Egg #11: Rock – Matthew 27:59-60

Egg #12: EMPTY! – Matthew 28:55-56

Annette from This Simple Home shares these scriptures and a free printable you can use to have all the scriptures quickly on hand while you’re doing this activity.

Another option is to read this book to explain the concept of resurrection eggs:

how to teach kids about Easter

6. Read the Easter story in a Children’s Bible

Let’s not forget the most important part of Easter – reading the story straight from the Bible with your children. God’s word is our life, our breath, our food, our sustenance through the joys and challenges of our daily lives. We want to impress this upon our children as well and this is a great opportunity to do just that.

Type of Activity: Reading

Supplies Needed: Your favorite children’s Bible

Biblical Truth Shared: Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection

There are many different options for reading the Easter story from the Bible. Depending on the age and developmental stage of your child, you can choose from one of these options or read straight from an “adult” version of the Bible.

If your child is reading independently, you may want him or her to read the story directly from the Bible to the whole family during a meal time.

If you have Resurrection Rolls for breakfast Easter morning, this would be a great time to incorporate the reading.

Here is my personal suggestion for preschool/early elementary age plus another that comes highly recommended:

Ages: 4-8 The Jesus Storybook Bible  – Also available in Spanish & on CDs (audio version)

Jesus storybook Bible

What I love most about this Bible is how each story points directly to Jesus. While all biblical stories are not included, key ones like creation, the fall, Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection are all part of this Bible.

All of the Old Testament Bible stories (Noah, Moses, King David, and more) point directly to Jesus, helping even young kids understand how Jesus is the central figure, the piece of the puzzle that makes everything in the Bible fit together.

Ages: 6-9 The Adventure Bible for Early Readers

Adventure BIble for Early Readers

This Bible is the New International Reader’s Version, a translation written for non-native English speakers. This makes it more accessible for your early reader.

This jungle safari themed Bible has lots of fun features including sections like “Life in Bible Times”, “Did You Know?” fun facts, “Let’s Live It” hands-on-activities, and “Words to Treasure” memory verses, along with games, a scavenger hunt, a dictionary/concordance, and 8 pages of color maps.

7. The Legend of the Sand Dollar

Type of Activity: Hands-On Activity

Supplies Needed: Sand Dollar  Don’t live near the beach? You can purchase sand dollars here.

Biblical Truth Shared: God’s creation reminds us of the truths of the Easter story (Romans 1:20)

Have your child look at the sand dollar and all its unique properties. Ask him or her to describe what they see then read the Legend of the Sand Dollar poem.

Have your child break open the sand dollar to find the beautiful doves inside. My mother did this activity with my 4 year old last week and we both were fascinated and have a new appreciation for the reminder in Romans that God’s creation speaks clearly about his power!

legend of the sand dollar

There’s a lovely little legend

That I would like to tell,

Of the birth and death of Jesus

Found in this lowly shell.

If you examine closely

You’ll see that you find here,

Four nail holes and a fifth one

Made by a Roman’s spear.

On one side the Easter Lily,

Its center is the star,

That appeared unto the shepherds

And led them from afar.

The Christmas Poinsettia

Etched on the other side,

Reminds us of His birthday

Our happy Christmastide.

Now break the center open

And here you will release,

The five white doves awaiting

To spread Good Will and Peace.

This simple little symbol Christ left for you and me,

To help us spread His Gospel Through all Eternity

Broken sand dollar

8. Easter Scavenger Hunt

Type of Activity: Hands-On Activity 

Supplies Needed: a rock, two sticks, something black, something red, something white, something green 

Biblical Truth Shared: The gospel message 

Ages: 7-12

Take your kids to the park and read the Easter story (see suggestions above for options).

Give each child a list of items to find and a time limit. Once they come back with all the items, discuss the significance of each item as it relates to the good news of Jesus and God’s plan for his children. Sharing from Focus on the Family.  

Digital version: Use a digital device and have each child take pictures of items they find. Then turn the pictures into a collage that you can print and display.

Rock – the tomb

Two sticks – the cross

Something black – sin

Something red – blood

Something white – a clean heart

Something green – growing in Christ

ways to teach kids about easter

photo credit: daystar297 via photopin cc

9. All Wrapped Up Like Jesus

Type of Activity: Hands-on experience

Supplies Needed: Bible, a roll of toilet paper

Biblical Truth Shared: Jesus conquered death

For: Ages 5-10

girl wrapped in toilet paper

photo credit: MylesC via photopin cc

Read Matthew 27:57-61.

Take the toilet paper and wrap your child up in “grave clothes”. If you have more than one child, have your kids take turns playing the part of Jesus and wrapping one another up.

After each child is wrapped up, have them try to break loose from the toilet paper. Talk about how Jesus’ followers must have felt when they found out that Jesus was alive. Sharing from Focus on the Family.  

10. Easter Jesus Tree & Devotional

Kids are familiar with the concept of having a tree at Christmas so why not carry that over into Easter?

Ann Voskamp from A Holy Experience and author of One Thousand Gifts shares a free devotional including 17 days of Bible readings, a short & simple action point, and a full color ornament of classic art to cut out and use to create your own Easter Jesus tree.

Easter tree - Ann Voskamp

Photo credit – Ann Voskamp – A Holy Experience   

 

Interested in other ways to parent with purpose? Check out this series for more great ideas to use all year long!

Parenting With Purpose: Creating a God Centered Home

 


This post contains affiliate links (full disclosure). 

If you have more ideas on how to teach kids about Easter, I’d love to hear them! Please take a moment to share them in the comments.

If you find this post helpful, click on one of the share buttons to let others know about these practical ideas to share the message of Jesus with our kids.

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