What Is Easter?
Quick Answer
Easter is the most important holiday in Christianity, celebrating the belief that Jesus Christ rose from the dead three days after he was crucified. For Christians, the Resurrection is the foundation of their entire faith, because it means that death is not the end. Easter is celebrated each spring with church services, family gatherings, and traditions like Easter eggs and the Easter Bunny.
Explaining By Age Group
Ages 3-5 Simple Explanation
You know how in spring, flowers pop up out of the ground and baby animals are born? Everything feels fresh and new! Easter is a holiday that happens in spring, and for Christians, it is all about something fresh and new too: they believe Jesus came back to life after he died.
Christians believe that Jesus was a very special person sent by God. Some people who did not like what Jesus was teaching had him put to death. His friends were so, so sad. But then, three days later, Christians believe something amazing happened: Jesus was alive again! That is what Easter celebrates.
At Easter, you might color eggs, hunt for eggs hidden in the yard, or get a visit from the Easter Bunny with a basket full of candy. These fun things are all part of how people celebrate spring and new life, even if they are not part of the church story.
Easter is a happy holiday! It is about believing that even after something really sad happens, something wonderful can come next. Families go to church, have a big meal together, and enjoy the beautiful spring weather.
Ages 6-8 More Detail
Easter is the most important holiday in the Christian religion, even more important than Christmas. It celebrates what Christians believe was the greatest miracle of all: Jesus coming back to life after he died. This event is called the Resurrection.
The Easter story starts with a sad part. Jesus was arrested and put to death on a cross, which happened on the day Christians call Good Friday. His friends and followers were heartbroken. They wrapped his body and placed it in a tomb, which is like a cave sealed with a big stone.
On the third day, which was Sunday, some of Jesus's followers went to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away. The tomb was empty! An angel told them, "He is not here. He has risen." Christians believe Jesus truly came back to life that day, and this is why Easter Sunday is the most celebrated day in the Christian calendar.
For Christians, the Resurrection means that death is not the end. It gives them hope that there is life after death and that God's love is more powerful than anything. This belief is at the very center of the Christian faith.
Easter also has fun traditions that are not directly from the Bible story. Easter eggs are a symbol of new life. Egg hunts, the Easter Bunny, and baskets full of candy are popular traditions, especially for kids. These spring-themed additions make Easter a celebration of new beginnings for everyone.
Easter falls on a different Sunday each year, usually in March or April. Many families spend the day at church in the morning and then gather for a big meal with family. Whether your family celebrates the religious meaning, the cultural traditions, or both, Easter is a day full of joy and hope.
Ages 9-12 Full Explanation
Easter is considered the most important holiday in Christianity, even more central to the faith than Christmas. It celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the belief that Jesus rose from the dead three days after being crucified. For Christians, this event is the foundation of everything they believe: it means that death has been conquered, that God's power is greater than anything, and that there is hope for eternal life.
The events leading up to Easter are marked by a period called Holy Week. It begins with Palm Sunday, when Jesus entered Jerusalem to cheering crowds. On what is now called Maundy Thursday, Jesus shared a final meal with his disciples, known as the Last Supper. On Good Friday, he was arrested, tried, and executed by crucifixion, a brutal Roman form of punishment. His body was placed in a tomb sealed with a heavy stone.
On Sunday morning, according to the Gospels, women who went to tend to the body found the tomb empty. An angel told them that Jesus had risen. Over the following weeks, the Gospels report that Jesus appeared to his followers multiple times before ascending to heaven. This Resurrection is what gave the early Christians the courage to spread their faith around the world, even when it put their own lives at risk.
The timing of Easter changes each year because it is calculated based on the lunar calendar. It falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox, which is why it moves between late March and late April. The 40 days before Easter, called Lent, are a time when many Christians give up something they enjoy, like sweets or video games, as a way of preparing spiritually for the holiday.
Many popular Easter traditions have roots outside the biblical story. Easter eggs symbolize new life and the sealed tomb. The Easter Bunny likely comes from German immigrant traditions in America. Egg hunts, baskets, and candy are cultural additions that make the holiday especially fun for kids. Some families focus on the religious meaning, others on the spring celebrations, and many enjoy both.
Easter matters to Christians because it answers the biggest question anyone faces: what happens after death? The Resurrection gives Christians confidence that death is not the final word, that love and life are stronger. Whether or not you share that belief, Easter's message of hope, renewal, and the possibility of new beginnings after dark times is one that speaks to people of many backgrounds, especially when it arrives each year alongside the first signs of spring.
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Tips for Parents
Easter can be a challenging topic to discuss with your child. Here are some practical tips to help guide the conversation:
DO: Follow your child's lead. Let them ask questions at their own pace rather than overwhelming them with information they haven't asked for yet. If they seem satisfied with a simple answer, that's okay — they'll come back with more questions when they're ready.
DO: Use honest, age-appropriate language. You don't need to share every detail, but avoid making up stories or deflecting. Kids can sense when you're being evasive, and honesty builds trust.
DO: Validate their feelings. Whatever emotion your child has in response to learning about easter, acknowledge it. Say things like 'It makes sense that you'd feel that way' or 'That's a really good question.'
DON'T: Don't dismiss their curiosity. Responses like 'You're too young for that' or 'Don't worry about it' can make children feel like their questions are wrong or shameful. If you're not ready to answer, say 'That's an important question. Let me think about the best way to explain it, and we'll talk about it tonight.'
DO: Create an ongoing dialogue. One conversation usually isn't enough. Let your child know that they can always come back to you with more questions about easter. This makes them more likely to come to you rather than seeking potentially unreliable sources.
Common Follow-Up Questions Kids Ask
After discussing easter, your child might also ask:
Why is Easter on a different date every year?
Easter is set by a formula based on the moon. It falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox (around March 21). This means it can be as early as March 22 or as late as April 25. Orthodox Christians sometimes celebrate on a different date because they use a different calendar.
What is Good Friday?
Good Friday is the day Christians remember the crucifixion and death of Jesus. It is called "Good" because Christians believe that through Jesus's death and resurrection, humanity was saved. It is a solemn and serious day, with many churches holding special services. Some Christians fast or attend church between noon and 3 PM.
What do Easter eggs have to do with Jesus?
Easter eggs are not from the Bible, but they became connected to Easter as a symbol of new life and resurrection. Just as a chick breaks out of an egg, Christians see the egg as a reminder of Jesus emerging from the tomb. Decorating and hiding eggs became a popular tradition over hundreds of years.
What is Lent?
Lent is the 40-day period before Easter when many Christians prepare spiritually for the holiday. People often give up something they enjoy, like candy, social media, or a favorite food, as a way of practicing self-discipline and focusing on their faith. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter Sunday.
Do all Christians celebrate Easter the same way?
No. Different Christian traditions have varying Easter practices. Catholic and Orthodox churches have elaborate services and rituals. Protestant churches may be simpler. Some communities have sunrise services outdoors. In many countries, Easter has unique cultural traditions, like egg-rolling contests in the United States or water-splashing in Poland.
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