40. Host a Special Needs Easter Party
The egg hunt was part of a special needs Easter party at Guts Church on the Saturday before Easter. Beeping eggs were hidden for visually impaired children, roped-off quiet sections were created for children with autism, and magnetic eggs with retrieval poles were provided for children in wheelchairs. This kind of intentional, inclusive design ensures every child can experience the joy of Easter fully and with dignity. Read more…
41. Distribute Butterfly Chrysalises on Good Friday
During Easter, purchase butterfly chrysalises online and give them away; it’s even possible to purchase chrysalises that can be timed to hatch within a day or so of your target. The butterfly is often seen as a symbol of the resurrection of Christ. Death, transformation and life are all found in the chrysalis. Distribute the chrysalises on Good Friday, with a special connection card, and the butterflies will emerge on Easter Sunday. Find butterfly breeders in your state at ButterflyBreeders.org.
42. Where’s Jesus?
Kids will make Jesus disappear from his tomb and learn that Jesus’ real disappearance was no illusion. This hands-on activity sparks curiosity and opens the door to a meaningful conversation about the resurrection in a way that young children can grasp and remember. Best for ages 5 to 9.
43. Sunrise Magnets
Kids will make fun magnets as a reminder that Jesus rose, just as the sun does each day. These simple take-home crafts double as a conversation starter when children share the good news with church visitors and family members. Best for ages 3 to 9.
44. Community Garden
This spring, help kids start an outreach to feed the hungry in your community. A church garden project connects the resurrection message to real-world service, teaching children that Easter isn’t just something we celebrate — it’s something we live. Suitable for all ages.
How to Welcome & Retain Easter Visitors (Themes 45–53)
churchleaders.com offers these field-tested ideas for connecting with Easter visitors:
45. Include a Meal: Slow Down Easter Guests With Food and Fellowship
Easter guests are the hardest to assimilate. Slow them down by offering lunch afterward.
Most moms don’t really want to cook on Easter, so if you can offer them an alternative, they’ll jump on it.
We invite local restaurants and food trucks to set up in our parking lot. Add some tables, chairs and hosts, and you have the makings of a feast and a chance to get to know your guests.
46. Throw a Party: Inflatables and Carnivals That Draw the Neighborhood
People like to party around the holidays. Provide them one by hiring in jumpies and other inflatables.
For the past three years, we’ve hosted a carnival in our atrium. It includes inflatables and also simple games where kids can win toys.
Add a cotton candy booth, popcorn and some music, and you’ve got a great excuse to invite the neighborhood.
Host this on Saturday, and guests are likely to return for church. Host this immediately before or after your services, and guests are very likely to attend your service.
47. Entice With Eggs: Why an Easter Egg Hunt Fills Seats
We know the Easter bunny has nothing to do with Jesus, but years ago I did a survey of our pre-Christian neighbors and discovered that they were far more likely to attend Easter services if their kids could participate in an Easter egg hunt there.
Our church doesn’t have a lawn area, so we promise eggs in all our promotions, but skip the hunt. Instead, we hand each child a bag of eggs (with candy enclosed) at the end of their Sunday School class.
The kids go home happy. Which means parents go home happy, too.
RELATED: Easter Follow Up
48. Make Sure Every Easter Guest Has a Great First Experience
This is the best thing you can do, in my opinion. If we spent more time up front making people feel welcome, we wouldn’t have to spend as much time afterward trying to get them to come back. If people have a bad experience, it doesn’t matter how many times you call them or write them, they are not going to come back. Meet and exceed their expectations on their first visit. Create irresistible environments and they will return. This includes everything from parking to directional signage to children’s ministry to greeters to worship and more.
49. Send a Personal Handwritten Note Within 48 Hours
We live in the day of digital communication with email, text, video, Twitter and generated form letters. A simple, personal, handwritten note can have an even bigger impact than a letter created by mail merge or an email with a cool video attached.
50. Give Easter Guests a Personal Phone Call (If They Ask)
Give them the option to request a phone call on the guest card and if they check “yes,” call them by Wednesday. The phone call should be relaxed and not come across as a “sales pitch.” Ask them if they enjoyed the service, if they have any connections at the church, and if they have any questions about the church. Listen a lot more than you talk. Sincerely thank them for coming and let them know they are welcome to come back any time. Offer to help them get connected if they are interested.
