Easter is the time for coloring Easter eggs and giving Easter baskets. But this year, why not create a few new Easter traditions for the family to carry on in future years?

Lilies

Buy an Easter Lily and allow it to bloom it’s full course. Once it dies, trim the dead stalk and leaves off, leaving an inch or so connected to the bulb. Once the frost is over, plant outside in a sunny, well-drained spot. It may not bloom again the same year, but the following year it should bloom near the end of summer.

Pussy Willows

Make it a yearly event to go hunting for pussy willows with the kids. Bring them home and have the kids arrange them in vases and place them throughout the house.

Unleavened Bread

If your family practices the Christian faith, try making unleavened bread and then eating it. According to tradition, this is a good reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.

Lambs and chicks

Since Easter time is also the time that animals are being born, see if there is a neighboring farm or petting zoo that you can visit as a family. Your kids are sure to get a kick out of newborn lambs and soft, downy chicks!

Bells

Invest in a hanging bell that rings or in some handbells. On Easter morning, allow your children to ring the bells, helping celebrate the resurrection and hope that spring brings.

Treasure hunt

Don’t just give the Easter basket — turn it into an all-out treasure hunt. If possible, toss in some geo-caching and make it a lesson in how to use a GPS as the kids figure out how to get to their next clue. Watch their excitement when they find their hard-earned Easter basket.

Easter bunny cake

If you’re feeling particularly inspired and energetic, create a cake in the shape of an Easter bunny and let the kids have a blast decorating it. You have the food coloring out for the eggs anyway, so you might as well make some colored frosting and decorate the cake, too.

Cards

Be different than everyone else. Beat the Christmas rush and send out your family picture and newsletter at Easter time, with Easter cards, instead.

Bonfire

When I was researching this article, I came across several sites that said it is an Easter tradition to have a bonfire Easter night. This is done to “welcome the sun and summer” and oftentimes Christmas trees are used to help start the fire.

Cookies and clay

Make lamb, egg, and chick-shaped cookies just like you would Christmas cookies.

Or

Make homemade clay that can be baked into permanent ornaments and have the kids create Easter decorations. Don’t forget to put a hole in the top of each one before baking them so they can be hung with string around the house every Easter.

Egg shell plant pots

I found this adorable idea for using up the shells from Easter eggs — eggshell plant pots. Not only is it fun, it’s the perfect time of year to do something like this if you plan on gardening.

If you have any unique Easter traditions, share them with us on our forum thread. We’d love to hear about them!