If you're hunting for some creative he is risen craft ideas to celebrate Easter this year, you've come to the right place. Easter is such a beautiful time, and while the chocolate eggs and bunny ears are definitely fun, many of us want to bring the focus back to the core story of the holiday. Getting the kids involved in some hands-on projects is honestly one of the best ways to make those meaningful lessons stick. Plus, let's be real—it keeps them busy while you're trying to get the ham in the oven!
Whether you're a Sunday school teacher looking for something low-prep or a parent wanting to make some memories at the kitchen table, these ideas are designed to be simple, affordable, and actually fun to make. You won't need a degree in fine arts or a hundred dollars' worth of supplies from the craft store to pull these off.
The Classic Paper Plate Empty Tomb
This is probably one of the most popular he is risen craft ideas out there, and for good reason. It's interactive, it's cheap, and it clearly illustrates the story of the resurrection.
To get started, you'll need two paper plates, some gray or brown paint, a brass fastener (those little gold brad things), and some cardstock. Start by cutting one paper plate in half. This half-circle is going to be the "stone" that rolls away. Paint the other full plate a dark color on the inside to represent the hollow tomb, and paint the half-plate gray like a rock.
Once the paint is dry, use the brass fastener to attach the "stone" to the full plate. The trick is to pin it near the bottom so the stone can swivel back and forth. You can even print out a little "He is Risen" sign or a small figure of Jesus to glue inside the tomb area. Kids love moving the stone back and forth while they retell the story. It's a simple visual that really makes an impact.
Resurrection Sun Catchers
There is something so peaceful about the way light hits a sun catcher in the window on a bright spring morning. These are super easy to make with materials you probably already have in your junk drawer.
You'll need some contact paper (that clear sticky shelf liner stuff), black construction paper, and lots of colorful tissue paper scraps. Cut the black construction paper into the silhouette of a hill with three crosses, or just a simple circular tomb shape with the stone rolled away.
Lay a piece of contact paper sticky-side up on the table. Place your black paper silhouette down first. Then, let the kids go wild sticking small bits of colored tissue paper all around it. Once the space is filled, lay another piece of contact paper on top to seal it all in. Trim the edges, tape it to a sunny window, and watch the colors glow. It's a great way to talk about how the light of the resurrection changed everything.
The "Living" Resurrection Garden
If you want a craft that actually grows over time, this is the one for you. It's a bit more "science project" meets "holiday decor," and it's always a huge hit.
Grab a shallow planter or even just a large plastic drip tray from a flower pot. You'll need a bit of potting soil, some fast-growing grass seed (like rye or wheatgrass), a small terra cotta pot to serve as the tomb, and a large flat stone.
Lay the small pot on its side in the middle of the tray and cover the back of it with dirt so it looks like a cave built into a hill. Plant the grass seed all around the "hill" and give it a good misting of water. Within a few days, you'll have a lush green garden growing around the tomb. On Easter morning, you can roll the stone away from the opening of the pot. It's a beautiful, living reminder of new life. Just remember to keep it watered, or your "new life" might look a little wilted before the big day arrives!
Painted Resurrection Stones
Rock painting has been a huge trend for years, and it fits perfectly into the category of he is risen craft ideas. This is a great outdoor activity if the weather is starting to turn nice.
Take the kids on a "nature walk" to find some smooth, flat stones. Once you've got a good collection, give them a quick wash and dry. You can use acrylic paints or even those fancy paint pens if you want to keep the mess to a minimum.
Encourage the kids to paint scenes from the Easter story. One rock might have an empty tomb, another might say "He is Risen," and another might have a bright yellow sun or a cross. These are wonderful because they're durable. You can even hide them around your neighborhood or local park for others to find, spreading a little bit of Easter joy to your neighbors.
Interactive "Empty Tomb" Rolls
Okay, this one is technically a "kitchen craft," but it's so cool that I had to include it. It's an edible way to teach the resurrection story, and kids find it absolutely magical.
You'll need a can of crescent roll dough, some large marshmallows, melted butter, and a cinnamon-sugar mixture. Tell the kids that the white marshmallow represents Jesus. Have them dip the marshmallow in butter and then roll it in the cinnamon sugar (representing the oils and spices used for burial).
Wrap the marshmallow tightly inside a piece of crescent roll dough, making sure there are no holes. This is the "tomb." Bake them according to the package directions. When they come out of the oven and you take a bite, the marshmallow has completely melted away, leaving the inside of the roll hollow. The tomb is empty! It's a yummy snack that doubles as a pretty powerful object lesson.
Handprint Keepsake Art
If you have toddlers or preschoolers, you know that anything involving their handprints is an automatic win for the grandparents. It's also just a sweet way to see how much they've grown from year to year.
One simple idea is to paint their palm and fingers brown and press them onto paper to create the shape of a cross. Alternatively, you can use yellow and orange paint to make a sun rising behind a silhouette of the empty tomb. Write "He is Risen" at the bottom with the date. It's a simple, low-stress craft that doesn't require a lot of "perfect" lines, which is great for the little ones who aren't quite ready for detailed drawing yet.
Why Crafting Matters at Easter
Sometimes it feels like we're just making more "stuff" to sit on the counter, but these he is risen craft ideas are actually about more than just glue and glitter. They create a space for conversation. While you're sitting there painting a paper plate or crumbling tissue paper, it's the perfect time to talk about what the holiday actually means to your family.
Kids often learn best when their hands are busy. They might not remember a long sermon or a story read from a book, but they'll remember the time they made a tomb with a rolling stone or the time the marshmallow "disappeared" in the oven. It makes the abstract concepts of faith feel a little more tangible and real to them.
Keeping it Stress-Free
My biggest piece of advice for any of these he is risen craft ideas is to let go of perfection. If the "stone" on the paper plate is lopsided, or if the "empty tomb" garden has a few bald spots where the grass didn't grow, it's totally fine. The goal isn't to create a Pinterest-perfect masterpiece; it's to spend time together and reflect on the joy of the season.
So, grab some supplies, clear off the kitchen table, and have some fun with it. Easter is a celebration, after all! Whether you're making something edible, something for the window, or something for the garden, these crafts are a wonderful way to say "He is risen" in a way that the whole family can enjoy.