Whether your grandchildren live nearby or miles away, you can make Easter week extra special with a fun and meaningful 7-day countdown. (Get your free printable version below.) This simple Easter tradition is designed for grandparents to enjoy with their grandkids through connection, creativity, and celebration—whether you’re close by or connecting across the miles.
Each day of this Easter week countdown features a simple activity that can be done together in person or adapted for long-distance fun. Choose what works best for your family, and don’t worry about being perfect—the magic is in the moments you create together.
Day 1: Easter Book Day
Read an Easter-themed book together. If you’re nearby, snuggle up and read aloud. If you’re long-distance, use FaceTime or Zoom to read the story to your grandkids. Or, you can record a video of yourself reading the story and send it to them.
You can choose a secular or religious Easter book. You know best what your grandchild would like. I am going to make a couple of suggestions that are fun to read together in person or via video chat. While one is secular and the other is more religious in nature, they are both fun books to read together.
I Spy Easter Eggs – a great I Spy book for little ones. They get to help the Easter Bunny find the eggs he lost. (Click the title to read more about the book.)
He Is Risen: Rocks Tell the Story of Easter – This book uses rocks to depict scenes from the Easter story of Jesus. This book takes the reader through the last days of Jesus’ life. It’s very unique and a great way to re-tell the story of Easter week to your grandkids. (Again, click the book title to read more about the book.)
Bonus idea: Mail a book to them ahead of time so they can follow along with you. (The best way to do that is through Amazon. The links above will take you to Amazon.)
Day 2: Egg-ceptional Memories
Share your favorite Easter memory from when you were a child and ask your grandchild to share theirs. You can write them down in a little keepsake journal or create a digital memory book together.
Day 3: Craft Together
Make an easy Easter craft to celebrate Easter week together. Some fun options include decorating paper eggs, making bunny bookmarks, or creating a cross from sticks and string. For long-distance fun, mail a small craft kit ahead of time or choose a craft that uses simple household items.
Day 4: Easter Kindness Challenge
Choose one act of kindness to do together or individually. Bake treats for a neighbor, write a note of encouragement to someone, or pick up trash at a local park. Share your act of kindness with each other during a call. You may even choose to do a service everyday to mark Easter week.
Day 5: Easter Game Day
Play a simple Easter game together! In person, try a jellybean toss, egg-and-spoon race, or bunny hop relay. For long-distance fun, play printable games like Easter Bingo, Would You Rather, or a scavenger hunt via video call.
Day 6: Easter Basket Surprise
Help your grandchild create or fill an Easter basket for someone else—a sibling, neighbor, or even a stuffed animal. If you’re long-distance, send a small surprise in the mail or help them brainstorm thoughtful items to include in a basket for someone they love.
Day 7: Resurrection Celebration
Wrap up your Easter week on Easter Sunday by sharing in the joy together. Attend a service in person or watch one online at the same time. Then talk about the meaning of Easter, sing a song, or simply express gratitude for your family and the time you’ve spent together.
As grandparents, we have a unique and powerful role in shaping the hearts and memories of our grandchildren. These small, daily moments during the Easter countdown—reading a story, making a craft, sharing a prayer—might seem simple, but they lay the foundation for something far more lasting: faith, connection, and cherished traditions that children will carry into their own lives.
Passing down the joy and meaning of Easter isn’t just about celebrating a holiday—it’s about building a legacy. Through these shared experiences, we’re not only making memories, we’re sharing our values, our stories, and our love in ways that will be remembered long after the chocolate bunnies are gone. Whether you’re together or apart this season, these countdown moments can help you nurture a deeper bond and pass on the traditions that matter most.
