Let's begin by celebrating "Resurrection Sunday!"
If your church does not celebrate with a Sunrise service--how about doing one just for your family? If "Easter Sunday" is too busy for your ministry family--how about doing it on Saturday? This might be a good time to invite a neighbor or two to join you!
Research what time the sun will rise in your specific area. Find a quiet, special place in which you can see the sunrise. If the weather is too cold--how about a room with a east facing window? Prepare a simple picnic breakfast: perhaps hard boiled eggs, hot cross bun rolls and juice would be a nice themed meal. If it is chilly bring some warm drinks. Prepare as much as possible the night before and schedule your early morning rising to give you enough time to get to your special place just before the sun comes up. Dress warmly and informally--you can go home and change before church! You might even pack it all in a fancy "Easter basket!" Begin with some simple Easter songs which declare the joy of the Resurrection. Share the Easter story by either reading it straight from the Bible or from an age appropriate story book. Close with prayer and another song. You have created a memory! During your meal guide the conversation to include a discussion about the women rose up early to go to the tomb and what they experienced and felt.
Easter Story Cookies
This is a great recipe to teach your children the REAL story of Easter. The Lord Jesus Christ our Savior is not dead but has Risen. We serve a Risen Savior......
This activity can be done as a "family" or for Sunday School. In order to use it for Sunday School you would need to send it home to be used as a at home activity.. Perhaps Grandparents would be interested in using it too.
Supplies Needed:

• 1 cup whole pecans
• 1 teaspoon vinegar
• 3 egg whites
• a pinch salt
• 1 cup sugar
• a zip lock bag
• 1 wooden spoon
• scotch tape
• Bible

Instructions:
These are to be made the evening before Easter.
Preheat oven to 300F. (this is very important --- don't wait until you are half done with the recipe).
Place pecans in zip lock bag and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 teaspoon vinegar into mixing bowl.
Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar to drink. Read: John 19:28-30
Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read: John 10:10&11
Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read: Luke 23:27
So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1-cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read: Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16
Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read: Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3
Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoon onto waxed paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read: Matthew 27:57-60
Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.
Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus tomb was sealed. Read: Matthew 27:65-66
GO TO BED!
Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight.
Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read: John 16:20&22
On Resurrection Sunday (Easter) morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read: Matthew 28:1-9