It’s that time of year again when daffodils will soon be in bloom, trees will be budding, and a lot of folks will be anxious to get out and work in their flower beds. It’s called spring! And with spring comes the Easter bunny. An exciting and fun time for both kids and parents.
My all-time favorite Easter candy were those marshmallow peeps. Every spring (to this day), I indulge in a package or two. I love them so.
There are lots of fun activities for kids on this special spring holiday. Go beyond egg decorating and help your little ones decorate cute things for the house. Maybe some homemade crayola pictures to display in the windows or perhaps create an Easter tree. Egg relays are a lot of fun as well. You know the game with the egg and the spoon where teams are paired up and the winners are the ones who carries the eggs from point A to point B? This game can be mixed with children and parents for even more fun!
Cookie decorating can be a fun activity too. Bake the cookies ahead of time and make them in all shapes. Egg shaped, bunny shaped, or anything you wish. Make sure you have plenty of pastel food coloring for the frosting along with lots of sprinkles. Another cool idea…have your kids help you prepare the Easter meal. Put a special, homemade apron on them and they will feel like a real chef. It’s pretty much tradition to prepare a ham for the meal. But what can you make as side dishes and desserts?
Let’s explore a couple of ideas…
Easter Cupcakes
Ingredients
(for basic cake recipe-about 12 cupcakes)
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 cup self rising flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 tbs milk
2 large eggs
12 Easter-themed cupcake liners
frosting
food coloring
sprinkles
cupcake or muffin pan
small chocolate bunnies
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. With a wooden spoon, mix the butter and sugar together until smooth, ( about 2 min). Add the eggs and milk and stir thoroughly.
Gently fold in the flour and mix until completely blended. Divide the batter evenly into the cupcake liners. Place the pan of cupcakes on a shelf just above the center for 15 minutes.
After cooled, frost the cupcakes in the color of your choice. The kids will have fun decorating the cupcakes with the sprinkles and the chocolate bunnies.
Family’s Favorite Potato Salad
Ingredients
2 lb small red potatoes, unpeeled
6 eggs
3 celery stalks
1/4 cup finely diced red onion
For Dressing:
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon mustard seeds
1 green onion, including the tender green tops, finely chopped
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon dry mustard
salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Boil the potatoes and eggs. I always put them in the fridge overnight to prevent the potato salad from turning out mushy. Peel the potatoes and the eggs and cut into small chunks and toss them into a large bowl. Add the celery and red onion and toss briefly to mix. Set aside.
For Dressing: In a small bowl and using a fork, stir together the mayonnaise, mustard seeds, green onion, parsley, dry mustard, salt and pepper, mixing well. Pour the dressing over the potato and egg mixture and mix well.
For best flavor, cover and chill for up to 2 hours before serving. Sprinkle the parsley over the top and serve.
Extra Family Activity
With today’s global economic conditions…there are many children and families in need. Why not make up some special baskets that you can donate? This is something that kids can help with as well. You will be putting smiles on many faces. Share the joy of giving this Easter.
Article Written By Tammy Embrich
You can find more articles and recipes, along with grandparenting and parenting tips at Grandma’s Home Bloggers
Tammy also offers free work at home job leads, work at home articles, tips and more at Work At Home Jobs.
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The lead up to Easter is an exciting time for kids so you may want some fun Easter activities to keep them busy, happy and settled in this exciting time. There are loads of activities that you do with kids that are not only fun but are also educational. When you choose Easter activities for kids at home or at school, you may as well choose something that will not just let them have fun but it will also help them to learn and grow.
There are many, many worthwhile craft Easter activities for kids of all ages. Design an Easter card or get creative with eggs. Try painting eggs, dyeing eggs or even making picture with crushed dyed, crushed egg shells. Decorating egg shapes is also a great Easter activity for kids of all ages. Just cut out an egg shape from card and the kids can cover it with bands of bright, colorful, crumpled pieces of paper. Kids can also be encouraged to decorate an egg shape with bands of patterns and to keep the patterns symmetrical.
One of the few craft activities that I remember doing myself as a child was actually done after Easter as we needed the beautiful, foil paper that the Easter eggs are wrapped in. We glued pieces of paper all over a jar to cover the outside of the entire jar. We then varnished it when it was dry and the result was a really beautiful jar that could be used for any purpose. This special Easter activity for kids to do after Easter is wonderful way to encourage recycling of jars and Easter egg wrappers.
Once you have tried some craft with the kids there are also loads of puzzles and games that can be tried. Why not make your own Easter board game? The kids can enjoy making the game board and inventing the game and then afterwards they can enjoy actually playing the game. This Easter activity will also bring out their creative side.
Easter Bingo is another fun Easter activity for kids to play again and again. They can make their own bingo cards with Easter words and then play Easter bingo with the cards. The caller can have all of the words on small cards and draw them out one by one.
Next try an Easter puzzle. One that is really simple is to organize is an Easter Bunny Word Scramble. Use the words ‘Easter Bunny’ or the word ‘Chocolate’.
Give each person a pencil and paper and have them write either ‘Easter Bunny’ or ‘Chocolate’. They then write down as many words as they can think of that can be made using the letters contained in the words ‘Easter bunny’ or ‘Chocolate’.
A prize is given to the person who comes up with the most words and also to the person who has the longest word. Off course the best prize for this game is a Chocolate Easter Egg or Easter Bunny!
Another great Easter puzzle is to make your own word search filled with Easter words. The kids can also practice their spelling skills by playing Hangman with Easter words. You might like to change the Hangman to something with an Easter theme like a bunny or an Easter basket.
Well I hope this has given you loads and loads of ideas for Easter Activities for kids. Happy Easter!
Teresa Evans is a teacher and parent who uses games to get kids excited about learning. She shares her favorite Kids Easter Activities including Easter worksheets, board games, card games and game sheets at kids-easter-activities.com. You can receive your own printable Easter Activities for Kids when you visit http://www.kids-easter-activities.com
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Girls’ Easter dresses bring the best of everything to the glorious season of spring. Offering superb fashion, these soft and lovely creations can enhance the religious or secular celebration of Easter. Whether for an Easter service, family meal, or visit with Easter Bunny, girls’ Easter dresses are symbols of joy and renewal.
Looking elegant in Easter dresses with fine fabrics and fantastic shades, little princesses wave good-bye to winter and welcome the joys of spring. Nothing says spring more than apple green embroidered taffeta and lilac organza or dusty rose and sky blue dresses. Pink princesses swirl in pink organza. A white and lilac floral print with a polysilk sash reminds of the beauty and fragrance of new blooms. Ribbon embroidered skirts sway in a light spring breeze.
Sensational stripes, beautiful flowers, and pretty polka dots reflect this fun-filled season. A teal seersucker with a playful pattern is a perfect fit for an afternoon tea party. A pink cotton print pique dress, with flowers and butterflies, picks up the meaning of spring. Blue polka-dot organza adds a touch of whimsy to the Easter Parade.
Easter dresses can be formal gowns or casual choices, long dresses or tea length, traditional styles or contemporary designs. Whether for attending church on Easter Sunday or enjoying an Easter egg hunt, online stores offer a wide variety of dress styles for every Easter occasion. A peach gown with vintage chiffon embroidery is pure Easter perfection. A chic pink sleeveless dress lends a cool, refreshing look to any Easter celebration.
Girls’ Easter dresses can be purchased in countless styles and colors but they should always be age-appropriate, fit the child, and suit the occasion. The dresses must feel comfortable and Easter attire should never interfere with Easter fun. A classic cotton dress with simple lines and a touch of embroidery works well while searching for that elusive Easter egg. Elaborate dresses with lace and ruffles are Easter-perfect in photos.
Pretty pastels look lovely at Easter but don’t shy away from bright, vibrant shades. Since spring is synonymous with new life, a touch of lively color belongs on an Easter dress. Add an extra hint of fuchsia in a satin sash and exquisite hair bow or add a huge splash of color with a fuchsia Easter dress. A fuchsia or turquoise satin bubble dress adds a rich elegance to Easter fashion.
Every little girl would appreciate more Easter chocolate. Extend her enjoyment by giving a chocolate treat which lasts the entire summer. Wearing a chocolate and turquoise taffeta, she can look and feel delightful at every special occasion during the coming summer.
If parents don’t want their little princesses to be always reminded of chocolate, they can choose a ‘healthy’ alternative. A beautiful ‘banana’ style with a sleeveless bodice and adorned waistline is quite a treat for a girl’s Easter dress!
Mary Teresa Fowler is a Canadian freelance writer. She writes articles, web content, press releases, newsletters, children’s personalized e stories, and children’s general stories. She created the network - ‘Kind Classes’ - Help Stop School Bullying!
Find Easter ‘Chocolate’ And Scrumptious ‘Banana!’
http://www.pinkprincess.com/easter-dresses.html.
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Why is the egg the symbol of Easter?
Hens will only lay eggs when they’ve received at least 12 hours of light a day. Before electric lights, this meant hens only laid eggs in the six months of the year when the earth gets the most sunlight, from the spring equinox to the fall equinox. Fresh eggs were a natural sign of spring in the time when they were only available during the warm months of the year. Like seeds, the egg is also a symbol of the beginning of life.
According to some historians, the egg was adopted as the symbol of Easter because Christians traditionally abstained from eating eggs during Lent. On Easter, they could break their egg-fast and eat them again. Eggs, according to St. Augustine, are also a symbol of hope, because the egg, like hope, is something that has not yet come to fruition.
Another connection Christians make with the egg is the phoenix. This mythical bird builds a funeral pyre for itself and dies. From its ashes, an egg emerges, and the phoenix is reborn. Because of its death and resurrection, the phoenix became a symbol for Jesus.
Many cultures consider the egg a symbol of rebirth and reincarnation. In Asia, eggs dyed red are given at births and funerals. In some parts of Africa, and also in the Appalachian Mountains in the United States, eggs are buried near cemeteries to encourage the souls of the dead to be reborn.
The Easter egg hunt became popular in the United States only during the Civil War, when Abraham Lincoln brought the practice to the White House lawn. The practice of hunting hidden eggs in spring predates Lincoln by thousands of years, though. It originated in Asia, where the hunt for the icon of reincarnation symbolized the individual’s personal responsibility for his or her own karma. It’s emblematic of the hunt for new life for the soul.
In ancient Europe, the custom was to place eggs under the barn to increase the fertility of the animals…or under human beds to increase our own fertility. Planting eggs in a field or garden was also thought to make the plants more fruitful.
Eggs, in many ancient mythologies, played an important role in the creation of the world. In Hindu and Phoenician mythology, the world is formed from an egg which emerges from the primordial waters and splits in two. One half becomes the earth, and the other half becomes the sky. The Finnish creation story tells of the world forming from eggs laid in the lap of the water-mother. Hawaiians also have a legend about the big island of Hawaii forming from an egg laid on the water. It’s unknown if there is any historical connection between these early creation stories and the Easter egg, though.
Eggs play a role in the Jewish Passover meal, the seder. They represent mourning for the destruction of the Temple. The Jewish celebration of the ancestors’ escape from Egypt may have borrowed the symbol of the egg from Egyptian mythology.
Some European superstitions concern an egg laid by a hen on Good Friday (the Friday before Easter, commemorating the day Jesus died). It is said that such an egg is a powerful amulet against sudden death, or that it protects orchards from blight. The yolk of an egg laid on Good Friday, if kept for a hundred years, is said to turn into a diamond.
Other traditions say it’s the Easter rabbit that lays the eggs. This custom supposedly arrived in the United States with Pennsylvania Dutch settlers. German children prepared a nest for the “Oschter Haws” (Easter hare) on Easter eve and found it filled with colored eggs the next morning. The association of Jesus with the Easter bunny may have come about because the rabbit emerges from its burrow in the ground like Jesus emerging from his tomb.
Some say the rabbit is also a form of the ancient Germanic goddess of the spring (sometimes called Eostre or Ostara, but this name may not be historically accurate), whose is a shape-shifter and can take on the form of any animals. Like the Greek goddess Artemis, the Roman Diana, or the Eastern European veela, she’s the Lady of Wild Things, the huntress-goddess who serves as an intermediary between human beings and their game.
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Chocolate and Easter go together as much as Easter eggs and baskets. Why not combine the different elements and learn how to make your own chocolate Easter candy? Your children can help make and decorate the chocolates. Making your own chocolate Easter candy is a great Easter activity to hep you enjoy more time with your kids.
Chocolate Easter candy can be made with any type of chocolate. Using dark or milk chocolate may be the easiest. However, if you would like to try your hand at making pastel eggs, choose white chocolate and add food coloring to create the shades you like. You can also purchase pre-colored white chocolate to make things easier. The colored chocolates are great for decorating, even if you prefer to make your candy out of dark or milk chocolate. You can also add extra ingredients such as nuts, fruit pieces, or peanut butter to make your chocolate candy even more custom made.
Getting Started
There are a few basic ingredients that you will need in order to make your chocolate Easter candy. Using higher quality chocolate will result in better tasting chocolate eggs; however, you can use any type you have. I find that it is easiest to purchase candy disks that were made specifically for melting and molds. Here is a short list of the basics you will need:
* Whatever chocolate you want to use
* Double boiler or microwave oven in which to melt the chocolate
* Heatproof bowl
* Candy molds in the shape of eggs, or a deviled egg tray
* Rubber spatula to stir the chocolate
* Pastry bag or plastic bag with a hole in the corner for piping chocolate
* Any decorations or extras you want to include
Now all you have to do is melt the chocolate, pour it into the molds, and release! There really is no end to how creative you can get depending on the molds and colors you choose. You can go as simple as solid colored eggs to three dimensional bunnies and more! Have fun with your choices!
Choosing the Right Chocolate Mold
When you first decide to start making chocolate Easter candy from chocolate molds, of course the first thing you must do is purchase a mold. While it is possible to use other types of food molds you may have around the house, for the best results, select a mold that was made specifically for chocolate.
Another mistake that people often make when they select their candy molds, is they go for the cutest molds with the most intricate details. In many cases this may be their first and last attempt at making their own chocolate Easter candy. As simple as making chocolate Easter candy from molds is, there is still an art and level of skill required. So for your first chocolate making endeavour, try to select molds that are of moderate size (no smaller than a quarter, no larger than a couple of inches) and that have few details, or at least those with large details as opposed to smaller finer details. The one from Fuzzy Bunny shown in the picture is a great starter mold for both variety, size and cuteness!
Use the manufacturers recommendations when using the chocolate molds, however, I often will rub a little vegetable oil on the molds before I use them (using very little oil - it should not pool in the bottom of the mold, only give the mold a shiny appearance.) You can get some great candy mold making tips here. Also, since you will be refrigerating your molds as they harden, I clean out my refrigerator of aromatic leftovers - that garlic smells good in the stew, but it won’t be so great smelling on your chocolate. Also, make sure you have plenty of space to place the molds while they harden. Some people recommend hardening chocolate in the freezer to reduce the occurrence of smells as well as to speed the process, but I think the best results occur when using the refrigerator.
Article by Stefani Padilla, author, entrepreneur, home based business owner, wife and mom. For more great family holiday ideas and crafts visit Momprovement.com
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