Lamb’s wool easter craft

Last week we invited a few families over to enjoy a simple Easter experience together. My husband donned a makeshift tunic and linen head covering, and greeted the children with a staff in hand. We read a retelling of the easter story and led them through various activities representing memorable moments from that very first Easter, 2000 years ago.

Our schedule was simple and went something like this:

A reading time; followed by an introduction to “Jesus” in person.

An opportunity for each child to cut their own palm branch, from a small palm tree; followed by singing “Hosanna” and laying their branches on the ground for “Jesus” to walk across.

A foot washing ceremony, where each child dipped their feet in a bowl of soapy water (with a drop or two of essential oils) while “Jesus” gently washed them.

A communion meal, where we talked through the night before Jesus’ death, when He broke bread and shared wine to represent His body and blood.

And finally a small craft, to remind each child that Jesus took our sin upon the cross, and through His death, our sins are covered and we are made “as white as snow”.

We finished our time together talking about the resurrection, the beautiful, sacred morning when Mary found the tomb empty and her Savior alive.

It was such a joy to see our children respond to “Jesus” and to the simple activities that drew them into the story. One sweet friend told her mom, “I am a real disciple!” which is music to my ears, because that was our intent for the gathering! To instill in these sweet ones the idea that they are Christ’s disciples is such a gift.

These handcrafted crosses are such a beautiful reminder of why we celebrate Easter, and would be the perfect addition to your festivities this weekend! Please, let me know if you give them a try with your little one!

Lamb’s Wool Easter Craft

cream/white yarn

sticks from outside

a hot glue gun (optional, but helpful!)

red craft paint

Begin by trimming your stick to 6-8″ pieces, and hot gluing them into a cross. This is simply to help them hold their shape, but not essential.

Next, help your child dip their finger in a bit of red paint and touch it to the center of the cross. This is not pictured above, but is something we added to the craft when we shared it with friends. While the paint dried, we talked about how our sin is the reason that Jesus had to go to the cross, and why He shed His blood for us.

Next you will want to tie yarn to the middle of the cross, making a firm knot and cutting the tail end. Then wrap the yard snugly around the middle, first one way, and then the other, essentially securing the middle of the cross and covering the red paint, representing our sin.

Then, turning as you go, wrap the yarn once around one of the sick ends and stretch it to the next stick, turning it counterclockwise. Wrap it once, and stretch it to the next one. Wrap, stretch, wrap, stretch, etc.

When the whole cross is blanketed in white, tie the yarn in a knot around one of the stick ends and trim the end of the yarn. Gently tuck it in to the other woven yarn to hide the knot and you are finished!

This sweet craft holds so many possible narratives to talk through Christ’s sacrifice with your child. You could explain how crosses were made out of cypress trees, and how He died a criminal’s death He did not deserve. You could explain how His great love for us is what kept him on the cross as He took our sin on his shoulders. You could talk about how Jesus is the “Lamb of God” and how sacrificial lambs were part of ancient tradition leading up to Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice. You could talk about how His blood has washed us as white as snow!

More than anything, my prayer is that you feel encouraged to talk with your little ones about who Jesus is and how He loves us.

Happy Easter, friends!