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Every spring, a vast number of people dressed in pastel colors appear on lawns across the country to pluck brightly decorated eggs from hidden nests of grass. It's a long standing tradition for many folks, but Easter activities need not stop at the same well loved hunt each year. There are several projects you can do to expand on the fun enjoyed during Easter. Provided below are ideas to help you get started.
Natural Easter Baskets
You'll need:
Small Rocks or Pebbles
Potting Soil
Grass Seed (The faster growing, the better.)
Container (Terra cotta pot, galvanized bucket, or recycleables such as a large coffee can or milk cartons cut in half.)
Dyed Eggs
Optional:
Marbelized spray paint, tissue paper, ribbon, fabric flowers, and other items to decorate your container.
Important Note: Depending on the type of grass you use and how quickly it grows, you'll need to start anywhere from one to two weeks prior to desired display time.
Make sure your container is thoroughly cleaned with hot, soapy water, then rinse it completely and allow it to dry before begining the project. If opting to spray paint your container, do so before handling the soil and seed. Be certain to give the paint enough time to dry before going on to the next step. Otherwise, it'd be more aesethically beneficial to wait until the grass is sown before decorating the container.
Sprinkle the bottom of the container with rocks or pebbles for drainage, then fill the container approximately 2/3 full of potting soil. Generously sow the soil with grass seed for a full "head" of grass. Water the container each day at the same time when possible.
Once the grass has grown, fill the natural Easter basket with decorated eggs. If starting the project earlier for a longer display time, trimming may be necessary.
Lily Planting
You'll need:
A Yard
Gardening Tools
Lilies to Transplant or Bulbs
Optional:
Other Spring Flower Bulbs
Lilies are a symbol of Easter that represent rebirth and/or resurrection. What better way to spend an hour commemorating the spirit of the holiday with the entire family? The object here is not to have the lilies arrive in time for Easter, but enjoy an activity with the family. Depending on your beliefs, you can introduce a lesson of learning to your children or share memories of past holidays .
Begin by preparing the soil in order to either transplant or plant bulbs. Use a hand-held cultivator to churn and loosen the dirt, then the shovel tool to dig as many holes as are necessary. Follow the directions supplied with the bulbs on how far apart to plant. Cover the bulbs with soil and be sure to water as suggested. Once they bloom, be sure to enjoy them.
Jelly Bean Tic Tac Toe
You'll need:
Assorted Colored Jelly Beans
Construction Paper
Black Marker
Ruler
Laminate Plastic
To create Tic Tac Toe gameboards for mulitple play for the family, select a preferred color sheet of construction paper. Use the ruler and black marker to draw the familiar criss-cross Tic Tac Toe pattern, then seal it with laminate plastic. Encourage each person to choose their favorite color of jelly bean, then play away. To make it more interesting, the winner takes the jelly beans on the gameboard.
Easter Parade Bonnets
You'll need:
Old or New Straw Hats
Wire or Non-Wire Ribbon
Assorted Fabric Flowers
Glue Gun or Fabric Glue
This is a fun project and what's great is that, not only is it easy, but you can choose to be as silly or as pretty as you want to be. Simply hand out the hats to be decorated and allow each person to come up with their own version of an Easter parade bonnet. Use the glue to affix the ribbons and flowers wherever you want them. Be creative! Find other things to add to your bonnet such as miniature bees, birds, eggs, nests, and bunnies.
Note: Adult supervision should be inclusive when using a glue gun.
Bunny Ear Head Bands
You'll need:
Plastic Head Bands
White Satin (or other) Fabric
Pink Felt (or, if possible, fur)
Fabric Glue
Stuffing
Scissors
Optional:
Needle
Thread
Cut the white satin fabric into triangular shapes for the ears, as well as smaller shapes out of the pink felt for insets. Leave enough room to bend over when adhering for a more professional look. Glue the pink insets onto the fabric, but only using the glue sparingly. Allow to dry. Place the ear pieces with pink inserts together and glue or stitch them together. If not using a needle and thread, allow to dry once more before turning them right-side out and stuffing. Seal the open ends by stitching or glue.
To cover the head band, cut a strip of fabric. For a bunched look, add on to the length of the strip. Repeat the process of gluing or stitching and turning right-side out. Slip the plastic band through the tube of material, then bunch and seal ends. Once finished, attach the bunny ears.
Variations: Use yellow pompons for a baby chick appeal. Gather Easter related buttons such as eggs, bunnies, and chicks, then just glue into place. Attach small fabric flowers for an adorable spring head band. Use your imagination and come up with your own Easter head band.
Easter Day Collages
You'll need:
Crushed Eggshells, dyed in various colors
Torn and Shredded Paper
Poster Board
Scissors
Ruler
Making Easter collages is a project that taps into your creativity. Whether just having fun seeing what odd pattern you can come up with out of the textures you use or designing an Easter egg, spring bouquet, or more intense image, you'll be able to get the proverbial juices flowing and enjoy yourself while doing it. Include the whole family for exciting comparisons!
Measure out a piece of poster board in either 8x10 or 11x14. Imagine what it is you want to create, so that you'll have an idea of where to start. If you would like more of a guideline, lightly pencil in a design. All there is left to do is begin applying eggshells or paper and glue. Choose an all eggshell design, all paper, or combination. Find other textures to work with! Note: For a longer life on an all eggshell design, consider spraying it with polyurethane.
Lamb Popcorn Balls
You'll need:
Popped Popcorn
Your Favorite Popcorn Ball Recipe
Licorice Pieces
Whipping up a batch of popcorn balls is a sticky good time for a family. It becomes even more fun when you add a holiday flair to a favorite snack. All you need to do is follow your favorite recipe and shape into a wooly lamb while warm. Add licorice pieces for eyes and nose.
Variations: Tint the popcorn and create eggs, bunny heads, or even baskets.
Online Basket Extras
Instead of filling baskets to overflowing with candy that, hopefully, hangs around for at least a month, give your child an additional bonus by searching the net for mazes, puzzles, coloring pages, and more. Bind them all together and include the package for the hunt. Not only is it free, but it gives your child some entertaining, seasonal things to do.
Related Reading Time
In the week leading up to Easter, select several books with an Easter type theme such as The Velveteen Rabbit or Peter Cottontail. It's a wonderful way to spend some time with your children as well as familiarize them with childhood classics.
Explore Easter History
Where did the Easter bunny come from? Why do we decorate eggs? Why is the lily a symbol of Easter time? When did Easter parades begin? Does Easter pre-date Christianity?
All questions you can explore with your child. Turn the holiday into a learning event. Find the answers to all the questions you or your children have ever wondered about Easter and discuss what you discover with each other.
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