Spending time with my kids has always been one of the greatest joys of fatherhood. There’s something magical about getting hands-on, creative, and slightly messy with them. One of my favorite times of the year to unleash our inner artists and build memories together is Easter. There’s just something about the pastel colors, the bunnies and eggs, and the promise of spring in the air that sets the stage for creative adventures.
This year, I decided to go all out with Easter DIY projects. Not only did it give us a chance to bond as a family, but it alsokept the kids away from their screens for a while—an absolute win in any parent’s book. Let me walk you through our Easter-themed DIY adventures and why they were such a hit in our household. If you ever need ideas to make this season memorable, I’ve got you covered.
The Setup: Turning the Dining Room into a Craft Zone
Before we dive into the projects, the first step was setting up the “dad and kids creative headquarters.” Our dining table became the hub of all activities. I laid down a plastic tablecloth (to save myself from hours of cleaning) and gathered all the materials we’d need: paints, brushes, glue, colored paper, scissors, and, of course, plenty of snacks to keep us fueled. I also put on a fun Easter playlist in the background—it’s amazing how music can set the tone.
Now, onto the fun part: the projects themselves.
DIY Easter Egg Decorating
Egg decorating is a classic Easter activity, but we didn’t stick to just dyeing eggs this year. Oh no, we went the extra mile. Here’s what we did:
- Shaving Cream Marbled Eggs: We filled a tray with shaving cream, added drops of food coloring, and swirled the colors together. Once the kids had created their favorite patterns, we rolled the hard-boiled eggs in the mixture. The results? Gorgeous, marbled designs that looked way more professional than I’d expected!
- Glitter Bomb Eggs: Okay, this one got messy fast, but the kids loved it. We painted the eggs with glue and rolled them in glitter. We now have sparkly eggs all over the house—I’m still finding glitter weeks later.
- Funny Face Eggs: We glued googly eyes, pipe cleaner glasses, and felt mustaches onto eggs. The kids couldn’tstop giggling as they created their "egg family."
Bunny Ear Headbands
Every Easter needs a touch of whimsy, and what’s more whimsical than bunny ears? This was one of the simplest yet most enjoyable crafts we did.
- We used plain white headbands as the base. I cut bunny ear shapes out of cardboard, and the kids wrapped them in white cotton batting to make them fluffy. Then came the fun part—decorating! They added little pink centers to the ears, glued on flowers, and even added glitter (because of course they did).
- Once finished, every kid wore their headband proudly. Even I got roped into wearing one. Seeing their little faces light up as they hopped around like bunnies was worth every second.
Easter Egg Hunt with a Twist
Of course, no Easter is complete without an egg hunt. But this year, I decided to shake things up. Instead of the usual store-bought plastic eggs filled with candy, we made the hunt a collaborative DIY project.
- Paper Mache Eggs: We used balloons to create egg shapes, layered them with strips of newspaper soaked in glue, and painted them in vibrant colors once they dried. Inside, we added handwritten riddles for the kids to solve for their next clue. The final clue led them to a hidden basket filled with goodies.
- DIY Prizes: Instead of candy, we placed small homemade treasures in some of the eggs. My daughter created friendship bracelets, while my son wrote “Dad Joke Coupons” for me to redeem later. It was such a refreshing departure from the sugar overload.
Easter Story Jars
When I was a kid, I loved creating little dioramas, so I thought it’d be fun to introduce my kids to the concept with an Easter twist.
- We used mason jars as the base and filled them with mini Easter scenes. There were tiny toy bunnies, chicks, and eggs set against pastel-colored grass. The kids got creative, adding paper rainbows, glittery skies, and even cotton ball clouds.
- Each jar told a story. One was about a bunny preparing for an Easter parade, while another had a chick searching for its favorite egg. Hearing them narrate their “stories” as they worked melted my heart.
Easter Cards with a Personal Touch
We couldn’t let Easter pass without sending cards to family members. But instead of store-bought ones, we made our own.
- Using blank cardstock, we created cards using stamps, stickers, and finger painting. My youngest had a blast turning his thumbprints into little chicks and bunnies.
- The kids also wrote personal messages inside. Watching them think about what to say to their grandparents was a proud parent moment for me. The cards turned out so beautiful that I almost didn’t want to mail them!
DIY Bunny Planters
This was a slightly more advanced project, but it was also one of the most rewarding.
- We turned old tin cans into adorable bunny planters. First, we cleaned and painted the cans in pastel colors. Then, we added bunny faces and glued on cardboard ears.
- Once decorated, we filled the planters with soil and planted small flowers. The kids now water their bunny planters every day, which has turned into a fun responsibility for them.
Lessons Learned Along the Way
As much as I love creating things with my kids, there’s always a learning curve when it comes to DIY projects. Here are a few takeaways from our Easter adventures:
- Embrace the Mess: No matter how carefully you plan, crafts with kids will get messy. Lean into it, and keep wipes or a vacuum handy.
- Let Them Lead: While I guided them through the projects, I tried to let them make their own creative choices. Their ideas often surprised me—in the best way.
- Focus on Fun, Not Perfection: Some of our creations were far from Pinterest-worthy, but that didn’t matter. The joy was in the process, not the outcome.
- Take Pictures: These moments go by fast. I made sure to snap plenty of photos of their messy hands and proud smiles.
Why I’ll Treasure These Moments Forever
At the end of the day, these creative Easter DIY adventures weren’t just about the crafts. They were about the laughter, the teamwork, and the quality time spent together. As a dad, I don’t take these moments for granted. Life can get so busy, but carving out time to engage with my kids in such a hands-on way feels priceless.
If you’re a fellow parent, I hope this inspires you to dive into your own DIY adventures. You don’t need to be an expert crafter—trust me, I’m not. What matters is showing up, being present, and letting your kids see that you’re willing to get your hands (and your house) a little messy for the sake of making memories.
This Easter, may your home be filled with laughter, creativity, and maybe a little glitter (okay, probably a lot of glitter). Happy crafting!
