7 Joyful ways to celebrate Easter after Sunday

The Easter season is a time of profound joy for Christians, intended to last far beyond Easter Sunday. 

We celebrate the feast for even longer than we prepare for it. While Lent drags on for 40 days, Easter is a full 50-day season of rejoicing. 

How can we enter fully into the joy of this season and celebrate the Resurrection? Here are a few ideas.

Easter decorations—especially symbols like the empty tomb or spring flowers—can be daily reminders of Christ's victory. Even a simple homemade garland or bouquet of wildflowers can bring the celebratory spirit into your home. Check out some fun Easter crafts here.

During Lent we set aside this joyful word, but Easter brings it back in abundance. Make a point of saying “Alleluia” during family prayers or create an “Alleluia jar” to place notes of thanksgiving and small victories throughout the season. I can picture my kids going around the table at dinner sharing their “Alleluia” of the day, something for which they praise God … I’ll try it out and see how it goes!

We call it “Sunday fun day” in our house, because as I tell my kids, “Every Sunday is a mini-Easter.” That’s even more the case during the Easter season! 

Your Sunday dinner table can be a continuation of the Easter feast, perhaps a time to set the table with extra care, encourage the children to prepare the meal or table, or invite guests to join you. 

The Easter season is perfect for exploring and enjoying God's creation as it awakens. You might plant a resurrection garden, take nature walks to observe new growth, or start seedlings on your windowsill. I tell my kids to “look for signs of spring,” and each sign of spring can be a reminder of God’s new life in our souls.

Holy Water reminds us of our baptismal promises renewed at Easter. The Easter season is the perfect time to use it to bless family members at bedtime or before leaving the house in the morning. If you’ve got a holy water font by your front door, this season is a great time to replenish it.

Reading aloud some relevant stories is always my favorite way to share the season with my kids. Here are some of my favorites, and you can’t go wrong with reading the Resurrection story in a good children’s Bible. Older kids might enjoy reading the Acts of the Apostles, which chronicles the early Church's experiences right after the resurrection. 

Getting together with friends for special adventures feels especially appropriate during this joyful season. And the warmer weather makes it easier to visit new playgrounds and parks. You might consider an Easter “park hop,” visiting a new-to-you playground every weekend. Invite a few friends and these outings become a celebration!

Hopefully these ideas will help you and your family extend the joy of Easter beyond just one Sunday. Happy Easter!