Easter Resources for the Whole Family

As busy parents and caregivers, sometimes Easter can sneak up on us. Coming out of rounds of winter sickness, planning for spring break, and feeling ready for summer vacation, it's easy to be disoriented by the time we're worshipping at church on Resurrection Sunday.

One way we can intentionally lead our families into this special time of remembrance and celebration in the church calendar is by meditating together on the work and life of Christ. To that end, we've gathered a list of some of our favorite books—some read-alouds, others that can be used as devotionals— that will help prepare your hearts for Easter.

Toddlers (0-3 year olds)

The Garden, the Curtain, and the Cross Board Book (Tales That Tell the Truth)

Using simple sentences and stunning illustrations, this 16-page board book takes the truths of The Garden, the Curtain and the Cross and makes them accessible for very young children.

Jesus Rose for Me: The True Story of Easter

This beautifully illustrated book begins with Palm Sunday and ends with Easter, when Jesus rose for us. Children will learn that Jesus is our king, and that everyone who trusts in him is part of his forever family. 

Young Children (4-7 year olds)

Good News of Easter: Celebrating the Glory of the Resurrection Story

This charming and colorful lyrical book tells of the events surrounding the death and triumphant resurrection of Jesus Christ as told in the gospels. From Palm Sunday to Jesus's ascension, the Easter story is told in a way that will come alive for all ages.

The King of Easter: Jesus Searches for All God's Children (A Fatcat Book)

Follow as Jesus journeys to the cross, finding and saving people— from his mother, Mary, at his birth, to the thief on the cross beside him. But the Easter story doesn't end at the cross—Jesus is risen! From Mary Magdalene, who searched for him at the empty tomb, to Saul, who killed Jesus's friends, Jesus continues to save.

Darkest Night Brightest Day: A Family Devotional for the Easter Season

This beautifully illustrated “upside down” book includes fourteen Bible stories for Passion and Easter weeks. Begin on Palm Sunday with the first side, Darkest Night, which has seven stories that recount the events of Passion week, ending with Christ’s crucifixion and burial. Flip the book over on Easter morning and continue by reading Brightest Day, featuring seven more stories that progress from Christ’s resurrection to his ascension and Pentecost.  

Middle Graders (8-10 year olds)

Why Easter? Children's Devotional

This illustrated devotional contains 28 lessons—one for each day of the four weeks leading up to Easter—in a short, focused format designed to help parents show the Christ of Easter to their children.

Mission Accomplished: A Two-Week Family Easter Devotional

Starting on Palm Sunday, your family will spend two weeks (fourteen devotions) walking in time with Jesus as he finished the work his Father had given him. Extending your devotional time into the week beyond Easter Sunday will encourage your family to follow the risen Jesus as he calls his disciples on a Spirit-filled mission to spread the good news to all nations. 

Who Is Jesus?: 40 Pictures to Share with Your Family

Forty pictures of Jesus--twenty stories from the Old Testament and twenty stories from the New Testament--will guide family devotions and encourage rich conversations about who Jesus is, why he came to earth, and how we can get to know him now. The pictures tell stories about arks, rams caught in a thicket, snakes, sticks, rocks, shepherds, sheep, water, bread, and so much more.

Family Devotionals (for a wide age range)

The Risen One: Experiencing All of Jesus in Easter

Through this short and sweet devotional (especially helpful if you're teaching little ones with short attention spans), Scott James brings to light the many things that Christ's life and resurrection means for us not only through the season of Lent, but all year long. 

A Jesus Easter: Explore God's Amazing Rescue Plan

This 30-day devotional starts from Genesis and takes families through the Old Testament to see how Easter was always part of God's amazing plan for his people, then looks at the Easter story itself, helping families to experience the full joy of our resurrection hope. Each day there is a passage to read together, questions to think about, an explanation and a prayer. There are also age-appropriate application questions and a journalling space for family members.

O Sacred Head, Now Wounded: A Liturgy for Daily Worship from Pascha to Pentecost

Jonathan Gibson presents a 48-day devotional liturgy to help readers effectively prepare their hearts from Pascha to Pentecost. Each daily reading includes applicable Scripture readings, hymns, prayers, creeds, and prompts for petition and confession to enrich personal meditation and family worship. 

Shop these titles here: Easter Resources For the Family or browse our full collection of Lent and Easter Devotionals.