Here's a simple, frugal and fun activity to do in preparation for Easter.
We tried this last year and it was so easy and fun for all that I wanted to share it here. I first saw this idea at FIAR mom
Julie's site.Remembering the First Passover10 days before Good Friday (that's this coming Wednesday!) begin the following activities to represent each of the 10 plagues the Lord sent to the Egyptians in the Exodus account. We remember the first passover and celebrate Jesus our passover lamb!
After each activity, I read to the boys that portion of the account that begins in Exodus 7.
Note: What makes these activities work is the element of surprise. I tried to do these when they least expect it. Some are done in the morning, some later in the day. They just never know when the "plague" will show up but look forward to it every day.
I've included both what Julie suggested in her site to do, as well as what I'm planning to do this year. You just have to choose one or create something new.
Day 1- Niles water turns to bloodPut red coloring drops into glasses of water.
Server cranberry juice for breakfast.
Day 2- FrogsUse cut out/clip art of frogs and paste in different places (doorknobs, cereal boxes, chairs, doors, shower curtain, inside shoes, inside drawers, etc. )
Last year I found a few sets of tiny plastic frogs at the dollar store and scattered them around the floor)
Day 3- LiceUse hole puncher to make small white dots with white paper. Sprinkle or tape over kids while sleeping. Put some on their stuff animals too or baby dolls. (this was a bit messy to clean afterwards but it was fun to watch their reaction).
Day 4- FliesMake tiny balls with black construction paper (the kind that you wrinkle with your fingers. Put in a bowl and dump flies on kids while they are not looking. Sprinkle from a higher surface (like they are flying down toward them). Could from second floors stairs or balcony.
You can make the dots with hole puncher as well but be ready to sweep or vacuum afterwards. : )
Day 5- Livestock's diseaseThis one made them laugh a lot last year. Take all the kids stuffed animals and lay them upside down around the house (like dead).
Day 6- BoilsTape red circle stickers or small construction paper or hole punchers or draw with red marker or red lip liner (or anything washable) in their pajama's or arms and legs while sleeping.
Day 7- HailstormPut ice cubes or crushed ice around the outside or your home(porch, patio, sandbox, driveway, etc). We did last time just in the windowsill of their bedroom and the grass area that they could see from there.
Day 8- LocustsUse clip art of if you can find the plastic grasshoppers at the dollar store and just like you did with the frogs paste them in different places around the house.
Day 9- DarknessThis was was the hardest for me to do. I had Brad assist on turning of all the lights while I was reading the portion of the story when the plague takes place. We turned on the light afterwards to finish reading, of course. : )
Other idea is to have the kids try to do some things with no lights like changing clothes or walking to the bathroom or eating a snack.
Day 10- Death of FirstbornPut red ribbon on the sides and top of doorpost. Wouldn't it be great if one of your neighbors sees the ribbon and asks what that is all about? You or your kids can share what they've learned about the ten plagues and how Jesus is our passover lamb and how His blood shed for us is our covering.
We do this last activity on Good Friday and talk about Jesus' sacrifice for us in preparation for Easter Sunday.
We will sing "Nothing For The Blood" and "Jesus Paid It All" and I will also recite for them portions of Isaiah 53 that I've been memorizing this month.
