DIY Resurrection Eggs

A few years ago, before I found directions on how to make these myself, I had bought a set of Resurrection Eggs from a Christian store (pictured to the left). However, in the name of being frugal, I found the below instructions and wanted to share.





Resurrection Eggs

Many of you have seen the plastic “Resurrection Eggs” that are used to tell the story of the Christian Easter celebration. Did you know that these can easily, and frugally, be made at home?

First, purchase 12 plastic Easter eggs, the kind that you can open and fill. I recommend the size that can fit in a Styrofoam or cardboard egg carton. You can reuse one that you bring home eggs in from the grocery. This makes for easy storage so that you can use these many times without losing any of the bits and pieces.

If possible, try and have each of the 12 eggs a different color. This makes it easier as well. If having 12 different colors isn’t an option, use a permanent marker to write the number 1 through 12 on each egg and then put them in the egg carton.

Into each egg place the item and scripture reference written on a small piece of paper.

Egg #1:
Message -- Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. The people waved palm branches.
Passage -- Matthew 21:1-11
Item -- Piece of palm branch. Another option for those of you with extra Lego parts or plastic novelty beads would be to place a small plastic leaf in the egg.

Egg #2:
Message -- Mary poured expensive perfume on Jesus' feet.
Passage -- John 12:2-8
Item -- Small perfume sample or cloth with perfume or a piece of cotton with cologne on it.

Egg #3:
Message -- Jesus shared the Last Supper with His disciples.
Passage -- Matthew 26:17-19
Item – A piece of Chex cereal; or take clay and make a small bread-like shape.

Egg #4:
Message -- Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.
Passage -- Matthew 27:3
Item -- 3 dimes or plastic “silver” money

Egg #5:
Message -- Jesus carried His own cross.
Passage -- John 19:17
Item – Toothpicks or Popsicle stick cut and glued in a cross form; or, a small plastic cross from a Christmas ornament or necklace.

Egg #6:
Message -- Soldiers placed a crown of thorns on Jesus' head.
Passage -- John 19:2
Item -- Small thorny branch, or a large thorn all by itself.

Egg #7:
Message -- Soldiers parted Jesus' garments and cast lots for His coat.
Passage -- John 19:23
Item -- Swatch of burlap and a nail. I’ve also seen miniature dice used for this one.

Egg #8:
Message -- Jesus was nailed to a cross and pierced in His side.
Passage -- John 19:18,37 & John 20:25-29
Item -- A nail.

Egg #9:
Message -- They gave Jesus vinegar mixed with gall on a sponge to drink.
Passage -- Matthew 27:34
Item -- A small sponge.

Egg #10:
Message -- Spices to prepare Jesus for burial.
Passage -- John 19:40
Item -- 7 or 8 whole cloves, or other whole spices.

Egg #11:
Message -- The stone covering Jesus' tomb was rolled away.
Passage -- John 20:1
Item -- A small rock.

Egg #12:
Message -- The napkin around Jesus' head was lying separately from His linen clothers. He was not there. He has risen!
Passage -- John 20:6-7
Item -- A scrap of linen-type fabric.

Note: I have seen these done slightly differently, or using slightly different items. If you have to substitute and use different items, that’s OK. The point is to get the story across from the point that Jesus rides into Jerusalem riding on a donkey (now celebrated as Palm Sunday) to when it is discovered that He is no longer in His tomb but has Risen (Easter Sunday, also known as Resurrection Day).

Here is a picture of the contents of the Resurrection Eggs we have. (Click on image to make it larger.)

What do you do for Easter? How do you celebrate Christ's Resurrection in your family? For more Easter ideas, visit Keeping the Kingdom First.