EASTER 2020: Style at home with the kids!
Let’s face it…this coming Easter will be somewhat different for most of us compared to previous years. There will not be the usual gatherings of extended family and friends, or long lunches to be had on Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
So how do you keep the kids entertained, and of course yourselves?
How can we get the whole family involved and having fun when we’re stuck at home? It’s time to go back to the basics.
Here are some suggestions on entertainment, activities and some hints to make your meals a bit of fun during a self-isolation Easter!
Easter hat parade
Let the kids decorate their own hats or caps. Why not make a creation from scratch? It’s amazing what some glue, sparkles and a stapler can produce. Even if you don’t have all you need at home, there are plenty of free Easter images that you can print off and let the kids colour in before they use them in their creations.
When the hat is ready, do a mini fashion parade and take some pictures to send to friends and family…a great way to stay connected at Easter!
Here are some online resources to get you started:
Easter egg hunt
Traditionally, you can put out some chocolate eggs and let the kids find them. But let’s face it, kids will find them all in zero time.
If you want to convert this into a more lengthy activity, you could make some bunny feet (instructions below), write some clues on the back and let the kids follow the clues around your home and back yard to the bounty of eggs at the end.
When my kids were young, I would start with clues in their bedroom. When they woke up they were filled with the excitement and suspense to see the first clue, and the hunt was on! You can lay the clues out the night before once they have gone to sleep. This type of hunt will fill the day a little more, and the joy of watching their excitement while hunting the eggs is half the fun.
This is a great resource to get you started on your bunny feet:
Now if you want something a little bit trickier that gets them using a little more brain power, an Easter egg hunt puzzle is a great activity. After they have completed the puzzle certain letters are coloured in, and the kids then need to unscramble the letters to reveal the room that their Easter bounty is hidden in.
Now all of this will take some time on your part, but it’s a bit of fun creating the format, and it’s a pleasure to see the joy the kids get out of the outcome!
My kids are now teenagers, but I always found different ways for them to find their Easter bounty when they were younger. Oh and a final tip about the Easter Egg hunt… try and delay the sugar rush till at least mid-morning!
Easter feasting
Why not get the kids involved in creating a centrepiece for your table? It doesn’t have to be elaborate - just a fun activity for you and the kids to get involved in. It could tell a story or it could just be what reminds the kids that it’s Easter. I should say at this point that if you can find things from around the home and garden that would be better than hitting the shops. You will be amazed at what treasures are sitting in the kids toy boxes.
This creation was made for an adult luncheon last year. The flowers were sourced from my local florist with rabbits and other accessories from my styling box, but I think you get the idea.
A similar look can be created by using different sized jars, bottles or vases to create different heights and interests. Pop in a few blooms or greenery which can come from your garden. Add some fairy lights and you have created something more than just a vase in the middle of your table…and what kid doesn’t like fairy lights?
Another idea is creating Easter themed creations out of Lego for your table - this definitely gets the kids more involved. I’ve provided links to some ideas below:
As for what you shall be serving, that will come down to what is available to you. But why not get the kids involved. They could help you prepare the meal, or help get an element of the meal ready.
Let’s say you’re keeping it simple for Good Friday lunch and fish and chips are on the menu. What kid doesn’t like chips! Why not make the old fashion paper cones to serve the chips in – this is something the kids can do with little supervision.
Instructions: Cut a piece of non-stick baking paper into a 20 x 30cm rectangle. Repeat with a piece of map or brown paper. Place on top of each other and loosely roll into a cone. Secure with sticky tape. Fill with fish and chips, fried battered prawns, or salt and pepper squid. Don’t forget a wedge of lemon for squeezing!
I hope this information helps to inspire you and your family to celebrate despite our current state of self-isolation. Let your imagination run wild! You never know where it may take you.
Take good care of yourself and each other.
Cheers and Happy Easter
