Here is a fun activity that you and your older children can do together to help them learn about the story of Jesus and his life. (For younger children, I would suggest that you read the story of Jesus’ life in the Read and Share Bible, by Gwen Ellis)

First, you will need to get 12 small or medium size colorful plastic Easter eggs and be sure they will fit into a regular egg carton.  Number each egg 1 through 12.  Then, tell your children that they are going on a scavenger hunt to find items around the house to fit inside each egg.  Below is a list of items needed:

1.  A small plastic leaf or a piece of a palm branch or a blade of grass
2.  A cotton ball with perfume on it.
3.  A small piece of cracker to represent the Passover bread.
4.  Three dimes
5.  A toothpick that is cut and glued in the form of a cross.
6.  A small thorny branch or a single large thorn (or a toothpick would work too)
7.  Miniature dice
8. A nail or push pin
9. A q-tip
10.   A few whole cloves or other whole spices
11.   A small rock

Now that the children have found these items, place each item on a table, then place the item in each egg along with the message listed below. (The children may notice that there are only 11 items but 12 eggs, tell them not to worry that they will discover what happens to the 12^th egg soon.) 

Read each Bible passage as you open the egg.