First off, my mom sent me the link to that crocheted necklace pattern.
I thought some of you might like to try it.
**
Okay, it's Spring! Finally! Hooray!
My friend, Alisa (hi, Alisa!) asked for some creative ideas for Easter for her kids. She said they're going to watercolor paint some wooden eggs and use those for an egg hunt and maybe trade in the eggs for their easter basket but wanted more ideas. Specifically activity-type ideas as opposed to gift-type.
Um, Alisa?
You blew my mind with the watercolor egg idea.
We're doing it tomorrow - will post soon.
I never know what to do for Easter - we're pretty lame about it quite frankly. Just like Christmas, there's the religious and the secular traditions, but for Easter they seem way more disparate. It's much more of a stretch, isn't it? For Easter, I'm not so comfortable doing the whole 'Easter bunny' thing since it's so far from the real meaning of Easter. We usually do an egg hunt (not hidden by the bunny), get new outfits, and make some yummy food for dinner.
This year I remembered the
grassy eggs idea soon enough!

Well, maybe. We planted them last week and now have one puny green shoot so far. Hopefully it works.
It was nice to plant them and think about Spring when it was snowy last week!
Last year I tried to step it up a little for Easter and made them all Softies. I'm hoping to get something handmade in their baskets again this year - but haven't thought about that at all. I also really liked the year we did a joint gift of Pop beads instead of individual baskets. We definitely don't do major gifts for Easter.
Here's a really fun idea for felted eggs - they would be great for a centerpiece or nature table... or just for fun!
The Crafty Crow always has great Easter ideas.
Amanda's perfect baskets were really inspiring to me - still are.
I will definitely be getting some fresh flowers again. Very Springy.
What about making a tradition to go somewhere (zoo, botanical gardens, hike?) on Easter weekend?
Easter 'paperdolls' to decorate.
Weather permitting you could fly kites (make kites?).
I've always wanted to make yarn eggs. Wouldn't they be fun to hang up?
I don't hate the idea of Washcloth bunnies. You could take it apart and use it after - it would be something fun to put in a basket without becoming more... stuff.
***
This year is an interesting Easter year for us LDS folk as well, as General Conference
falls on Easter Sunday. So we'll be staying at home listening to the
broadcast instead of going to church (still making new outfits I think,
though). So this combines two 'holidays' for us.
There are lots of fun conference traditions. One of my neighbor's kids' traditions is to make blanket forts to listen to conference in (a la King Benjamin). On Conference weekends we
usually make cinnamon rolls or our very favorite blueberry muffins for Sunday breakfast.
There are tons of great conference printables to keep kids entertained, too - usually people update them every year.
Last Spring we had a great conference weekend with the kids. Just because we
prepared them and thought ahead, I think. We talked about conference
for Family Night,
then I printed and laminated Apostle Cards and put them on a ring - the
kids enjoyed finding the speakers' cards and reading about them while
they listened.

We also posted the picture of the General Authorities from the previous conference issue of the Ensign near the TV to identify speakers.

Growing up, my dad used to make a conference bingo sheet for us kids - putting
'church' words in the squares. We'd get a piece of candy when we
marked off a whole row. Shoot, we liked that as teenagers even.
Sometimes it's good to keep your hands busy to help you listen. Putting together a puzzle or Lego set, building with blocks, learning how to crochet or fingercrochet, squishing playdoh, stringing beads (or using melty beads) might be a good idea. Actually, something to do together, with your hands, would be a great joint Easter gift this year, huh?
Some Easter-themed printables would be fun to do during conference, too.
What about dying eggs during conference?
Go for a walk (or everyone take a nap? I wish!) in between conference sessions.
**
Okay, that's a long post. If you've made it through, please comment with what your favorite family Easter and/or General Conference traditions are! Do you have anything fun palnned? I'd love some new ideas, myself!