Easter around the World

Try these Easter traditions from around the world.

Easter Kites

blue and yellow kite

In Bermuda, people fly kites before Easter to celebrate Jesus Christ rising from the tomb. You can make a paper kite and hang it up to remind you of Jesus.

1. Cut a piece of paper into a diamond shape.

2. Draw two lines across the diamond to connect all four points. You could also glue sticks on top of the lines.

3. Inside each of the four sections, write reasons you love Jesus Christ. You can color the kite too.

4. Add string to the bottom, and glue on paper bows if you’d like. Then hang up your kite.

Easter Rugs

brightly colored pattern

In El Salvador and Guatemala, people celebrate Easter by making alfombras (rugs) on the streets. They use sawdust, flowers, and other things to make colorful designs that look like rugs. The rugs are a gift to Jesus.

You can make your own Easter rug! Paint a design on paper or use plants and chalk to make a rug outside.

Egg Painting

child coloring Easter eggs

In Australia, South Africa, Ukraine, and many other countries, people color eggs to celebrate Easter. Eggs can be a symbol of resurrection and new life.

With help from an adult, hard-boil a few eggs. After the eggs are cool, decorate them with markers, paint, crayons, or dye.

Italian Easter Bread

round loaf of bread with colored egg in the middle

In Italy, people make pane di Pasqua (Easter bread). The wreath shape reminds them of the crown of thorns that soldiers placed on Jesus’s head. Use this recipe to make your own bread.

1. Mix together 2 1/4 teaspoons of yeast, 1 1/4 cups of warm milk, 1 pinch of salt, 1/3 cup of softened butter, 2 eggs, and 1/2 cup of sugar. Then add 3 1/2 cups of flour. Knead well. (If the dough is too sticky, add a bit more flour.)

2. Divide the dough into 12 balls. Roll each ball of dough into 14-inch (35-cm) ropes.

3. Twist two ropes together, then attach the ends to make a circle. Make six wreaths.

4. Put the wreaths on a greased baking sheet and cover with a cloth. Let them sit for an hour.

5. Preheat the oven to 350°F (170°C). Whisk an egg with a tablespoon of water and brush it over the wreaths. Add sprinkles.

6. Place dyed eggs (raw) in the center of the wreaths, if you’d like. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

What else could you use to make a wreath? Paper? Leaves?

Send us a picture of what you made! Turn to the back cover to see how.

Page from the April 2022 Friend Magazine.

Illustrations by Mark Robison