Easter morning is a precious time for making family memories and celebrating the resurrection of our Jesus who redeems. Our most traditional family times can also be rare opportunities for teaching our children about the love and good news of Jesus Christ! I love to fill Easter baskets with a few traditional Easter treats like peeps, jelly beans, and a chocolate bunny, but I really enjoy the opportunity to add a few special non-candy items. My husband and I save the special treats and goodies for our children for Christmas, birthdays, and Easter. We seldom buy toys and candy elsewhere throughout the year which, not only helps our meager budget, but also keeps the special days the most special!
Here are a few of my favorite things to insert a bit of meaning to your child’s Easter basket! Perhaps one of these will be a good fit for your family. Each of these Easter basket fillers comes with the perk of the speedy, two-day delivery of Amazon Prime.
Two day delivery! Hallelujah!
I rejoice over the invention of last-minute delivery to my door. May I share some of the really good stuff with you?
These are a Few of my Favorite Things! That is, these are a few of my favorite things for Easter baskets.
Our family has been reading this book every night, give or take a few rushed dinners before sports practices, at the dinner table. My husband has been reading these to our boys and we’re all loving the rich lessons. We need to know why we believe what we believe. Yes? Your family will love this one, I tell you. I highly recommend this one for the Easter baskets in every home.
The Ology Book and Audio CD
The Ology: Ancient Truths, Ever NewThe Book by Marty Machowski
There is a book component, as well as a CD component to The Ology. Get it? “The-ology.” Theology. I like what they did there. This is the family book component. It’s a read-aloud, perfect for families with children in middle and upper grades. It works in our home with a 1st and 3rd grader and it works in my classroom with (nearly) middle-school kiddos.
The Ology The Audio CD by Sovereign Grace Music
My household actually bought the CD last summer. It is a favorite of our entire family! My children are currently 4, 7, and 8; but my 5th and 6th grade students beg me to play this CD during their writing time, as well. It’s a favorite for all ages. Sovereign Grace Music does such a wonderful job of putting Christian theology and Biblical truths to singable tunes. My students actually prefer this CD over the popular Contemporary Christian radio music on Pandora, although I find plenty of opportunities to play the CCM stuff, as well. If I could afford to buy this CD for every young family I know, I totally would. That’s not the case, so here’s the Amazon link for your own purchase.
Side note: I get a tiny portion of any purchase ordered through these links, but the price remains the exact same for you.
The Parable of the Lily Picture Book
The Parable of the Lily: Special 10th Anniversary Edition (Parable Series) by Liz Curtis Higgs
Liz Curtis Higgs is a brilliant author and has written a few of my own favorites in the genre of Christian non-fiction. I love the way Liz weaves words into the biggest Biblical truths, allowing them to resonate deeper within hearts. In this particular book for early and middle grade children, Liz uses the parable of an Easter lily to teach children of the death and resurrection of Jesus. The pages are bright and springy, while the words are significant and relevant for a young child. What a lovely addition to your Easter baskets!
My Favorite Story Bible for Children and Adults
The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name
by Sally Lloyd Jones
We have quite a collection of Children’s Bibles in our home, and this is our very favorite for family dinnertime reading. Sally Lloyd Jones understands the art of storytelling and has a heart for sharing the Gospel in a way that is meaningful for children but also enjoyable for parents. She believes a good children’s book should also speak to the hearts and affections of an adult. Sally’s wisdom is invaluable to the way she shares the good news of Jesus Christ. One of the most defining attributes of the Jesus Storybook Bible is that every story points to Jesus from the Old Testament to the New Testament, revealing the Biblical truth that Jesus always was and always is and that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
The words and illustrations are beautiful. I’ve been known to gift this specific Bible to babies, children, and even grown ups. The Jesus Storybook Bible may be the best tool I know of, when you want to gift someone you love with an understanding of God’s heart and His story of our rescue. If you desire to add a Bible to an Easter basket, may I recommend you consider this one? In my own mind, I can think of no better way to share the Gospel–the literal good news of our Jesus!
A Classic Picture Book with Traditional Insight
The Berenstain Bears’ Easter Sunday (Berenstain Bears/Living Lights)
by Mike Berenstain
The Berenstain Bears were a special part of my own childhood. Even more so, I absolutely adore the newer books written by Stan and Jan’s son, Mike Berenstain. This series, called Living Lights, has a focus on Biblical attributes such as forgiveness, obedience, and worship that are integral to the Christian faith. I value the stories that bring new understanding of these attributes to the hearts of my children. Easter Sunday brings to life the reasons we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus’ with corporal worship and fellowship. I want my children to know why our traditions and practices are in place, lest we go through the motions without true thought and consideration to the why. What a sweet story to explain the why behind the morning of Easter within the traditional Easter basket!
I foresee many valuable conversations around these books in the homes of families and the minds of young children.
May your heart be especially blessed this Holy season as you delight in all that He has made new. He brings beauty and life from death. I’m forever thankful of the picture of death and resurrection that He continues to paint in spring flowers and greener grass. What a Creator!
May your heart be near to His own heart as you disciple the children in your home.
May your home be full of books that spark conversations and build conceptual understanding of the things that matter most.
May the Easter baskets be used for the delight of the home, the memories of the childhood, and the discipleship of the family.
From my heart to yours,
~Courtney
If you enjoyed this post, you may enjoy my other posts about parenting, discipleship, and the Easter celebration. I invite you to read more by clicking any of the stories below. Happy reading, sweet friends!
30 Chapter Books for 2nd-4th Grade Boys
My Favorite 14 Reads from 2017
Miss Jane’s Sunrise Miracle and the Grace of God
Walking Closely with the One Who is Holy in the Midst of a Holy Week
16 Songs to Focus Your Heart on Jesus this Holy Week
Family Resources for Dinnertime Discipleship
Love Them with Lullabies: Our Top Five Bedtime Songs
Summertime Favorites: 10 Truly Enjoyable Movies Based on Books
Works for Me Wednesday: Family Dinner Games
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