Preparing for Easter with your child

With its eggs, chickens, bells and bunnies, Easter is a source of joy and wonder for children. They can start enjoying this spring celebration from a very young age: take inspiration from our activity ideas to gently introduce your baby to Easter traditions! FROM 3 MONTHS: COLORED EGGS Get a series of eggs in plastic or polished wood in bright colors, decorated with friezes or designs. When you buy them, make sure they are safe if your baby puts them in his mouth. During Easter, place them around the changing table. Easy to hold in hand, these eggs will keep him busy during changing: give them to him successively and let him observe them at leisure before offering him another one. FROM 3 MONTHS: THE SHOW OF NATUREEaster is the time of full bloom of spring. Place your baby in a baby carrier and take him to discover nature: in the middle of the forest or simply in a park, let him listen to the song of birds, the blowing of the wind, the murmur of a river. Suggest that they touch the bark of a tree, the softness of the grass, the crunch of the leaves... Admire the colors of the flowers together and breathe in their scent... Even if your child doesn't seem to like it. interested in it, be sure that he appreciates the atmosphere of the nature that surrounds him. FROM 6 MONTHS: PRETTY CHIMES From a very young age, babies are very sensitive to the sounds around them. At Easter, bells are in the spotlight: try to find several small bells with different sounds and ring them gently in front of your baby, then offer to take them in hand. He will probably try to shake them in turn to reproduce these pretty noises. FROM 6 MONTHS: THE TREASURE BASKET Fill a small basket with soft straw and hide different objects related to Easter in it: small bells, figurines of rabbits, chickens or chicks stuffed animals, decorated eggs... Offer this basket to your baby and let him gradually discover all the surprises it contains, commenting with him on each of the objects. Amazement guaranteed! FROM 1 YEAR OLD: SPRING BOUQUETEnjoy a walk in nature with your baby to pick a few flowering branches. When you get home, place them in a large vase and hang colorful eggs, small bells, chicks and other Easter decorations. Have your child admire the result and together detail each of the suspensions of your bouquet. Like the tree at Christmas, the Easter bouquet is a fascinating tradition for little ones. FROM 1 YEAR OLD: THE EGG HUNT If your baby has already taken his first steps, you can offer him a simplified egg hunt on Easter Day . In your house or garden if you have one, place Easter eggs wrapped in shiny paper on the ground. Form a sinuous, clearly visible line that will lead your child to their Easter surprise (chocolates or a small toy, depending on their age): they will take great pleasure in collecting all these treasures. The older your child gets, the more you will be able to hide the eggs that he will have fun looking for. FROM 18 MONTHS: SURPRISED EGGS Buy a few cardboard or plastic eggs that separate into two halves. Place small objects there: small cars, figurines or other small toys. Then offer them to your child and show him how to open the first one. He will be delighted to discover the contents of all the following ones, then to close and reopen the eggs. FROM 2 YEARS OLD: PAQUESA DECORATIONS 2 years old, your child has sufficient dexterity to start offering him creative activities: drawing, finger painting and simple collages amuse him a lot. Cut out shapes of chickens, eggs, rabbits or bells from thick cardboard and start decorating. Provide your little one with paint, stickers, large felt-tip pens, crepe paper to tear off, feathers, cotton balls, etc. If necessary, help them glue certain elements to the supports. Admire the result together and use it to decorate their room in Easter colors! FOR 2 YEARS OLD: THE EASTER BASKETSuggest that your child make an Easter basket together with recycled materials. First find a cardboard box: carton of milk or fruit juice, small shoe box, large box of compotes in gourds or other. Cut out and discard the top of the box, then glue a handle cut out of cardboard. Your child can then decorate his basket with paint, felt-tip pens, stickers, tissue paper, etc. He will then use it to collect his eggs on Easter Day. FOR 2 YEARS OLD: THE LITTLE CHICKAsk your child to place his hand on a yellow piece of cardboard, thumb well apart from the other fingers. Trace the outline of his handcuff then cut out the shape. Draw an eye and a beak on the thumb, and glue together small white or yellow feathers on all the other fingers: here's a little chick in the shape of your child's hand! Find many other ideas for activities with baby by downloading the free Mustela & Moi application.