Younger Primary Lesson Plan: Easter

Happy Opening (2 minutes): “Empty Egg Surprise!” (Object Lesson)
Materials: 1 plastic Easter egg (empty), 1 small picture of Jesus (optional)

1. Show the children a closed plastic egg. Let them guess what’s inside.
2. Open it—surprise, it’s empty!
3. Say: “This empty egg helps us remember something happy about Easter: Jesus is alive!”
   Connect: “Today we will learn that Jesus died for us and was resurrected for us.”

Simple Scripture Story (5 minutes): “Jesus Did This for Me” (Interactive Story + Actions)
Materials: Two simple pictures (or printed images): Christ in Gethsemane (Harry Anderson) and The Crucifixion (Harry Anderson)

1. Show Christ in Gethsemane. Ask: “What do you see?” Let them point.
   • Say simply: “At Easter time, we remember Jesus suffered for us.”
2. Show The Crucifixion. Ask: “How do you think His friends felt?”
3. Then say the joyful part: “And then—Jesus was resurrected! That means He lived again.”
4. Invite actions:
   • “Hands on heart” = “Jesus loves me.”
   • “Arms wide” = “Jesus helps everyone.”
     Connect to opening: “Just like our egg was empty, Jesus’s tomb was empty—He is alive.”

Big Idea (repeat often)
Jesus Christ was resurrected for me, and He gives me peace and joy.

Wiggle and Learn Activities (12–15 minutes total)

1) “Picture Walk: From Sad to Glad” (Physical Activity)
Materials: Tape; 3 simple face papers: sad face, worried face, happy face

1. Tape the faces on the floor in a little path.
2. Children step to each face as you say: “Sometimes we feel sad… sometimes worried… but Jesus can help us feel peace and joy.”
3. At the happy face, everyone gently jumps once and says: “Jesus is alive!”
   What to say: “Easter is joyful because we celebrate Jesus Christ.” (March 30–April 5: “He Will Swallow Up Death in Victory”: Easter, CFM OT 2026)
   Connection: “Now let’s play a game to help us remember what Jesus helps us with.”

2) “Jesus Helps Me Overcome” Toss (Game)
Materials: Soft ball/beanbag; 4 signs/papers on the wall: “Sin,” “Death,” “Trials,” “Weaknesses” (use simple drawings)

1. Toss the beanbag to a child; say one word: “sad,” “scared,” “sick,” or “mistake.”
2. The child chooses a sign that matches best and gently places the beanbag under it.
3. Everyone repeats: “Jesus helps me!”
   What to say (from the bundle idea): “Jesus Christ has the power to help me overcome sin, death, trials, and weaknesses.” (Because of His Atonement… section, CFM OT 2026)
   Connection: “Now we’ll make something to share peace and joy—just like Easter messages!”

3) “Peace & Joy Easter Heart” (Hands-On Craft)
Materials: Paper hearts, crayons, stickers (optional)

1. Each child colors a heart.
2. Teacher writes (or says as you write) on each heart: “Jesus gives me peace and joy.”
3. Invite them to give it to someone at home.
   What to say: “We can spread the Savior’s peace and joy this Easter.” (Jesus Christ offers me peace and joy, CFM OT 2026)
   Connection: “Let’s use our bodies to sing about Jesus!”

4) “Freeze-and-Rise” (Music & Movement)
Materials: None

1. Children crouch down very still when you say “freeze.”
2. When you say “rise,” they stand up tall and reach up.
3. Repeat 3 times, softly: “Jesus was resurrected—He lives!”
   What to say: “Easter is a time to celebrate the Savior’s Atonement and Resurrection.” (Jesus Christ offers me peace and joy, CFM OT 2026)
   Connection: “Now we’ll look at a special picture together.”

Picture Time (3 minutes): Gospel Art Book
Use: “Why Weepest Thou” by Simon Dewey (detail) (listed in the bundle)
Ask:

1. “What do you notice in this picture?”
2. “How do you think someone feels when they learn Jesus is alive?”
3. “What can we do to help someone feel peace and joy this Easter?”
   Repeat Big Idea: “Jesus Christ was resurrected for me, and He gives me peace and joy.”

Song and Actions (3 minutes): Children’s Songbook
Song: “Gethsemane” (Gospel Library; listed in the bundle)
Simple actions (keep gentle and reverent):

• Hands on heart: “Jesus loves me.”
• Hug self: “Jesus helps me.”
• Point upward: “He lives!”
  Invite: “When we sing about Jesus, we can feel peaceful inside.” (Teaching children section encourages noticing spiritual feelings while singing, CFM OT 2026)

Jesus Loves Me Moment (2 minutes)
Gather close. Hold up the empty egg again.
Say: “At Easter we remember Jesus suffered and died for us, and He was resurrected for us.” (Teaching children: “Jesus Christ suffered and died for me” / “Jesus Christ was resurrected for me,” CFM OT 2026)
Invite each child to finish one sentence (help as needed):

• “I can feel Jesus’s love when I ______.”
• “I can be like Jesus when I ______.”

Take-Home Hug (this week)
Give your paper heart to someone and say: “Jesus gives peace and joy.”

Teacher Survival Tips

1. Keep turns fast: let every child do one quick action (one toss, one step, one sticker).
2. If wiggles spike, go back to “Freeze-and-Rise” for 20 seconds, then continue.
3. Use the Big Idea phrase often—short and steady: “Jesus is alive. He gives me peace and joy.”