Celebrate Easter in lockdown with crafts, egg hunts and virtual church services

The Christian festival is a time when friends and family come together for a long weekend of celebrations, including meals with extended family, Easter egg hunts with friends, long country walks, church services, or even weekends away.

While many of us will have had to cancel plans this year, there are still ways we can celebrate.

If you usually make a trip to church at Easter, you can enjoy a service from your own home. Many churches are having services daily and have seen congregation numbers soar.

click here to see how some churches in the county are handling the current crisis and their plans for Easter.

Penny-pinching experts from NetVoucherCodes.co.uk have suggested six ways to celebrate the Christian festival at home.

By hiding eggs throughout the house, the whole family can take part in a traditional Easter egg hunt, and treats such as Simnel cakes and chocolate nests can still be enjoyed from home.

A spokesperson from NetVoucherCodes.co.uk said: “Many people will have had to cancel Easter plans, whether they were going to visit family or had booked a table for Easter lunch.

“To celebrate as well as you can, it’s all about trying to replace what you would have done with similar activities inside the home.

“This will certainly be an Easter to remember – even if it’s for the wrong reasons – but if you follow some of our suggestions it will hopefully be as fun as possible.”

Here are their tips for having an Easter to remember, especially if you have children:

Easter Bonnets

A great way to spend some time with children and do some arts and crafts is to create Easter bonnets. If you have any hats in the house which you were planning on throwing out, grab some scissors and remould them to create a different design. Use paint and glitter to create the ultimate Easter bonnet.

Egg hunt

If you’ve been shopping and have some little Easter eggs or chocolate you can hide these around the house and in the garden. Both adults and children alike will enjoy spending some time trying to find the chocolate and the competitive spirit needed will help blow off some steam and energy.

Easter lunch

The traditional Easter lunch is one which is normally spent with all the family around the table, which unfortunately won’t be happening this year. You can consider eating lunch at the same time as family members and video calling to try and give the same effect, or why not make an Easter themed quiz to test your family’s festive knowledge.

Easter Eggs

For many, especially children, Easter eggs are the items which are most linked with Easter. Although there’s been some controversy over whether Easter eggs are essential items, if you pick one or two up whilst you’re doing a bigger grocery shop everyone is happy. Make sure you still adhere to social distancing.

Church Service

For some, Easter is the time that we remember the Easter story, including Jesus’ crucifixion and how he rose from the dead. This is normally marked by a trip to church. Instead, some Churches are offering virtual services, meaning the essence of Easter can still be remembered and celebrated. Find out abut your local services by searching for your church online and via Facebook and You Tube.

Easter cakes

Traditional Easter food such as Simnel muffins and chocolate nests can be made at home. Chocolate nests specifically are easy to make and a great idea to help get children involved. Simply melt down chocolate and stir in cornflakes to then put in cake cases. Decorate with mini eggs or little birds.

After two weeks of home schooling, the Easter holidays will feel rather different this year – for children and parents.

Former primary school teacher Catherine Lynch, now works with lesson plan provider PlanBee, has a selection of easy and fun activities to enjoy at home. They will keep children occupied and having fun while teaching them about this important celebration.

Catherine said: “Easter is a Christian festival but it can be easy for children to think it is just about chocolate eggs and Easter bunnies. At this time of year, Christians remember the last week of Jesus’ life and reflect on his death and resurrection. Share the Easter story with your children to help them understand the origins of the festival.

“Challenge your children to design and decorate an Easter basket or box using their imagination.”

Easter can also be a time for learning, while keeping it fun and seasonal.

Catherine said: “Put numbered eggs in a basket and challenge your children to work out the total value of the basket.

“Or extend the challenge by giving your children a basket with a total and ask them to place eggs equalling the total into the basket.”

Parents can also create a more challenging Easter egg hunt to pass the time.

Catherine suggests adding an extra element by making a treasure map that reveals a route to the chocolate goodies.

She said: “This gives you the opportunity to hide the eggs in more obscure places which will lengthen the hunt and develop your children’s orienteering skills.” With window decorations becoming a popular way to lift the spirits of the community, with families placing rainbows in their window to spread hope, Catherine says giving your next window a display an Easter theme could keep the children engaged.

She suggests making a stained glass window using black paper, tissue paper and glue. Children could make eggs, rabbits, chicks, religious crosses or flowers.