How To Celebrate Easter While Social Distancing

This year, Easter likely takes place during the lockdowns. During a pandemic, it may be hard for kids to understand why they cannot celebrate as usual with friends and family. Sadly, this year Easter celebrations require caution and planning. Many parents are trying to figure out how to celebrate safely with their kids. Which is a tough feat when we need to stay 6 feet apart from others?

This past year I learned to make the best of a terrible situation. I celebrate any holiday I can with my kids to give them something to look forward to and break up the monotony.

So this year I plan on making Easter extra special. I plan on making sure we celebrate and have the best Easter we’ve had. Are you looking for ways to celebrate without socializing? Then I have some brilliant ideas for you.

• Try having an Easter scavenger hunt. Fill a basket and give your kids clues so they can find or win the basket of goodies. A few clues are easier for toddlers. For older kids, you can always use a pre-made printable scavenger hunt. Happiness is Homemade has a great printable for an Easter Scavenger hunt.

  This is the funnest way to give the kids candy or small gifts. The scavenger hunt makes it fun and helps the kids feel that they earned the candy.

• You could rally the neighborhood and host a social distancing Easter parade. Everyone puts together a small goody bag or Easter eggs in a bowl and leave some hand sanitizer next to it. Put on your Sunday best or an Easter Costume. From afar they watch as families take their turn, stopping at their house to collect eggs or Easter candy and to show off their costumes. This way the kids get Easter eggs and can show off their costumes or Easter clothes.

  For a parade to work at least 4-5 neighbors need to take part. Second, an organizer must coordinate a time for each family to stroll the neighborhood. Everyone would have to observe from 6 feet away.

  I am thinking of doing something similar with my local homeschooling group similar to a trunk or treat. We will leave a bowl with pre-filled Easter eggs 6 feet away from the car as each family takes turns collecting candy. This way my youngest can see the kids from her homeschooling group safely and show off her Easter dress.

• The less complicated option is to buy candy and have family movie and game night. There are so many wonderful family movies you can watch like Hop or It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown. Playtivites has some brilliant game suggestions. So does A Grande Life.

• Use Facetime, Zoom, Or Facebook chat to host a virtual party. You can let the kids show off their baskets and then watch movies. It’s a zero contact option with little to no prep.

• Have a bonfire and make Peeps s’mores. The bonfire is a great option if you have a backyard fire pit. A fireplace will work too! An adult should roast the Peeps. Then search for Easter eggs with the kids. If having an egg hunt at night add glow in the dark stickers to the eggs!

• Have family Easter themed craft night. I love Pinterest because you can find so many fun and simple craft ideas there. Pinterest is my go to for Easter craft ideas.

• Baking night is another great option. I purchase pre-made sugar cookies from the grocery store bakery or ready to make ones. We also bake cupcakes. I let the kids frost and decorate the cookies and cupcakes. Cupcakes decorated as chicks, sheep, lambs, bunnies, and even carrots in dirt are perfect for Easter. There are dozens of ideas for this on Pinterest and Google.

• You could also drop some goodies on the doorsteps of friends and family to spread cheer.

• Another option is to purchase an Easter themed pinata and fill it with candy! A pinata is a simple way to celebrate if you don’t feel up like hiding eggs this year. Or you can have a pinata to be extra fancy, it’s up to you!

• If your children are still babies, dress them up and read Easter stories with them. High Low Baby has a list of books for babies and toddlers!

• For older kids and teens, I would keep it simple. Opt for a Honey Baked Ham, snacks, and a movie or tv marathon. Thrillist has a substantial list of Netflix shows to binge with your teen.

Hopefully these ideas will help you celebrate Easter safely this year. I think celebrating Easter is a brilliant way to help kids who feel stressed and sick of being indoors. Easter gives us the chance to create fun to help the kids get through a tough time. It may just help mom and dad get through a tough time too. What are you doing this year? If you have any other safe ideas to celebrate, please leave a comment below.