The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Creative ways to celebrate Easter
COVID-19 changes Easter celebrations, doesn’t stop them.
Celebrate Easter at home or virtually this year with family traditions like decorating eggs, creating an egg hunt in your backyard and dressing in your best (and fancy) outfits. While activities are modified for social distancing purposes, families can have an egg-cellent time with a little creativity. There’s a spinning egg decorator — an upgrade from the days of just dying eggs and freeform decorating. Opt to watch church services via online streaming. There’s much to do this Easter, so hop to it with the following nine ideas to help make this holiday special for you and your kids.
Decorate it
Here’s a giant leap from the days of boiling eggs in pastel-colored water – an egg decorating kit with a spinner and eight brightly colored quick-drying markers from the EggMazing Egg Decorator. Eggs will still need to be boiled, but afterward, place in the center slot, which features secure rubber wheels, and start decorating. The
spinning action is ideal for creating stripes, squiggly lines or other crafty ideas. $25.99. Amazon, amazon.com.
Golden eggs
Give your little bunny-dressed child a “24-carrot” gift with this gold-colored fillable Easter egg from Party City. The pearlescent plastic finish makes it shiny and egg-stra special. Fill the interior with candy, cash or small favors, and include in an Easter basket or offer as a prize for winning an egg hunt or family game. $1.99 each. Party City, partycity.com.
DIY basket
Customize your kids’ basket by filling it yourself. Pottery Barn Kids offers rattan baskets in gray with flexible, fold-down handles, which are great for candy, bunnies and more. After the holiday, repurpose the basket and store small teddy bears and trinkets year-round. $34. Pottery Barn Kids, potterybarnkids.com.
Jellybeans
Indulge in traditional jellybeans in yummy flavors like cherry, orange, strawberry and pineapple from Jelly Belly. The 7.5-ounce gift bag size features slightly larger and chewier pectin jellybeans. Order a pack for yourself and one for kids since jellybeans make great basket stuffers, scavenger hunt treats or a guessing game — you know, place the candy in a jar and guess how many are in there. $7.99. Jelly Bellies, jellybelly.com.
Colorful clues
Strategically place these seasonally themed yardsticks from the Easter
Egg Hunt Yard Kit from Spritz indoors or in your backyard to give kids a few egg hunt clues. The set of 10 stakes features phrases like
“Over Here,” “Keep Going” and “So Close” on a colorful assortment of arrows, circles and egg-shaped paper. $6. Target, target.com.
Watch it
Since Georgia is under a shelter-in-place order, families can watch television and stream content much more these days. “It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown” is a classic and favorite. Check local listings, Hulu or Netflix. This episode can also be accessed via Amazon for $1.99. Many local churches are offering streaming services so worshippers can stay virtually connected. For instance, The Cathedral of St. Philip will host online service at 6 a.m., 8:45 a.m. and 11:45 a.m.; Ebenezer Baptist Church will do the same at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. And, since it is Easter, families can still dress in their best Easter clothes.
Music playlist
Sign up for a free Spotify account, and make a playlist of Easter songs — or play an existing one. There are songs from children’s and mass choirs as well as gospel music from an array of artists. Get ready for a dance party or a workout. spotify.com.
One for the books
If this Easter feels different, you’re not alone in how you feel. You can still capture joyful family moments like the good old days with a Polaroid Now i-Type instant camera. Besides candid shots, selfies and group photos, each picture can be added to your family’s photo album, which you can share — and show — for years to come. $99.99. Polaroid, us.polaroid.com.