10 Bible-Based Items to Fill Your Child’s Easter Basket

1. Magnifying Glass (Luke 1:1-4)

Detectives and scientists use magnifying glasses to study objects and to view items as small as a fingerprints in order to uncover or discover truth. Train your child how be a truth detective like Luke. 

“Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.” (Luke 1:1-4)

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2. Flip-flops (Luke 3:15-16)

Talk with your kids about Jesus as king. John the Baptist, Jesus’ cousin, said he wasn’t the Messiah; he wasn’t even worthy enough to perform a lowly task like untying Jesus’ sandals. The flip flops remind us that Jesus is king. 

“The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. John answered them all, ‘I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.’” (Luke 3:15-16)

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3. Water Squirter (Luke 3:21-22)

Have some fun with water when recalling the baptism of Jesus. The baptism marked the beginning of Christ’s ministry. 

“When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’” (Luke 3:21-22)

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4. Bible (Luke 4:14:21)

The best Easter gift to give your kids is the Bible. Both the Old and New Testament point to Jesus as the Messiah. The portion of Scripture Jesus read in the synagogue describes and confirms his ministry. 

“Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him. He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: ‘The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.’ Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began by saying to them, ‘Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.’” (Luke 4:14-21)

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5. Jelly Beans

Talk about the different colors of the jelly beans and what they represent after reading the different verses.

6. Legos (Luke 6:46-49)

Build a house with the Legos. Discuss why a firm foundation is important both practically and spiritually. 

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” (Luke 6:46-49)

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7. Hairbrush or Comb (Luke 12:6-7)

Jesus knows us so well and cares about us so much he even knows the number of hairs on our head. 

“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (Luke 12:6-7)

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8. Gardening Tools (John 20:11-18)

The gardening tools remind us of when Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene. As Mary wept, a person she thought was the gardener asked her why she was crying. To her amazement, she realized it was Jesus with whom she was speaking.  

“Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, ‘Woman, why are you crying?’ ‘They have taken my Lord away,’ she said, ‘and I don’t know where they have put him.’ At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. He asked her, ‘Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?’ Thinking he was the gardener, she said, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’ She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni!’ (which means ‘Teacher’). Jesus said, ‘Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: ‘I have seen the Lord!’ And she told them that he had said these things to her.” (John 20:11-18)

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9. Goldfish Crackers (John 21:4-14)

Discuss how Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. His third appearance occurred when the disciples went fishing. 

“Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, ‘Friends, haven’t you any fish?’ ‘No,’ they answered. He said, ‘Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.’ When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’ As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, ‘It is the Lord,’ he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, ‘Bring some of the fish you have just caught.’ So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ None of the disciples dared ask him, ‘Who are you?’ They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.” (John 21:4-14)

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10. Bubbles (Acts 1:7-11)

The bubbles are a reminder of Christ’s ascension into heaven and his expected return. 

“He (Jesus) said to them: ‘It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. ‘Men of Galilee,’ they said, ‘why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.’” (Acts 1:7-11)

Parents, we can encourage our kids to remember Easter every day by creating a fun and faith-filled basket that can be enjoyed beyond Easter Sunday.

Lori Wildenberg, licensed parent and family educator, co-founder of 1st Corinthians 13 Parenting, and national speaker. Her 4th book, Messy Journey: How Grace and Truth Offer the Prodigal a Way Home will be published May 2017. Contact Lori at www.loriwildenberg.com to schedule her for a seminar, retreat, or speaking event. Go to www.loriwildenberg.blogspot.com to subscribe to her Eternal Moments blog.

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