Help your kids celebrate the empty tomb of Easter with this easy Easter craft. Children will form the women at the empty tomb of Jesus.
For Christians, the Resurrection of Jesus is a pivotal event in our faith. Consider what Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, ESV:
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.
Jesus died for our sins. He was buried and then rose again. Not only did Jesus rise again, he appeared to many witnesses–over 500, according to Paul.
In 1 Corinthians 15:14, ESV, Paul makes the bold (and true!) statement:
And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.
Help your kids learn the gospel with this free poster and memory card set.
The events surrounding Jesus’ resurrection from the dead are central to our faith. Help your kids learn about the empty tomb with this simple craft and fun Bible lesson.
Empty Tomb of Easter
Before you make your craft, talk about the story of the empty tomb in the Bible.
Choose an event you and your children all experienced together. Have each child give a five (or so) sentence description of the event. Then, you retell the event. (It will be even more fun if your children write out their version or dictate it to you privately, and then you read each story aloud in a group.)
Point out the differences in your stories and the similarities. Explain that you are all eyewitnesses to the moment you’ve each described (meaning you were all at the event and you all saw it with your own eyes). It is unlikely you will all retell the story in the exact same way, but you are each telling a true story–just with a slightly different emphasis.
Each of the four Gospels contains a story of the Resurrection–and of the empty tomb. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John each told their own version of the event.
- Mark’s version was likely a retelling of Peter’s eyewitness account.
- Luke’s researched his story–like a journalist. He spoke to eyewitnesses, maybe the women themselves.
- Matthew and John likely heard about the empty tomb straight from the women at the empty tomb right after it occurred.
Read each rendition of the empty tomb story:
Talk to your kids about the details in each story. Even though some of the details are different (like the number of women named in each story), the main point of the story is always the same. Jesus rose from the dead, an angel (or two) met the women at the empty tomb and told them Jesus is risen!
In a court of law, eyewitness stories are always a little different as well. Those differences are not only to be expected, they’re actually a sign that the story being told is true. If it was an invented story, the storytellers would have to coordinate their versions and the stories would be too similar!
Remind your kids about the stories you each told. Perhaps you mentioned different people at the event–or none at all. Maybe the stories each had a different emphasis. Still, you each witnessed the same event. It would be strange if you all told the same story in exactly the same way!
That’s why Matthew names Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, while Mark names Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome. Matthew just chose not to name Salome in his retelling.
We can trust God’s Word. It’s an amazing truth that we get to read about the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, told by four men who were witnesses to the events of that glorious morning, or who recorded the stories of close friends as they told it to them. Praise God for his love for us!
Empty Tomb Easter Craft
Check out this fun video of the clay empty tomb craft!
Tips for Making Bible Crafts with Kids
Doing art projects with kids can be a challenge. For that reason, many parents forgo this valuable time altogether. As an art major and a parent who has done frequent art projects with my four children, I have a few suggestions for you.
- Cover your space. Use painting drop cloths and plastic to keep your furniture and flooring protected.
- Cover your kids. Grab a couple of your old T-shirts and throw them over your kids, buy them painting aprons, or designate clothes specifically for crafting.
- Do the prep work in advance. Do as much prep work for a project as you can before you get the kids involved. Not everything on the page needs to be their work. It’s OK to help.
- Schedule several short sessions for one project. Children need several days to be able to create larger projects. Art is time-consuming and requires energy.
- Encourage your kids. Children are likely to be frustrated by the disconnect in the artwork they envision and the art they actually create. Remind your kids that they improve every time they create, and tell them how much you love their work (even if you don’t know what it is!). Also, stick figures are fabulous.
- Operate the hot glue gun and X-ACTO knife. Hot glue burns are terrible and X-ACTO knives are razor sharp. Until your kids are old enough to cook, I’d advise you do the hot gluing and razor cutting.
Supplies Needed to Make Your Empty Tomb Craft
You’ll need a few supplies to make your project. You may have a few of these items already. If not, these are all fairly inexpensive and will serve you well for multiple projects.
Terracotta Air Dry Modeling Clay, 2.2 lb.
Rolling Pins and Mat with Star & Heart Cookie Cutters2 Wooden Handle Clay ToolsClay Needle Tools
- Air Dry Clay (Terracotta)
- Rolling Pins and Mat
- Clay Cutting Knife
- Clay Shaping Needle
Make Your Easy Easter Craft
Here are the steps for your clay empty tomb scene:
1) Create your empty tomb.
Use the clay cutting tool to cut a 2 ounce piece of clay.
Roll the clay into a ball, then use the rolling pin to flatten the ball. Make your clay tomb base 1/4 inch thick in the shape of an elongated oval.
Next, roll another chunk of 2 ounce clay into a round(ish) shape, as shown above.
Hand shape the flattened roundish clay into a tomb shape with an entrance on one side as shown.
Press the top of the clay empty tomb onto the base. Use a clay shaping needle to push the bottom side of the clay tomb onto the base. This will attach the clay tomb to the base. Shape a small, round piece of clay to create the stone for the front of the tomb. Be certain the stone is large enough to cover the entrance hole of the empty tomb.
Cut a bigger piece of air dry clay to form a 1/2 inch thick rectangular base for the empty tomb and two figures.
Place the empty tomb on one side of the clay platform and gently press it into the base.
Books Make Great Gifts!
Help Your Kids Learn and Love the BibleWho was Martin Luther? (Who What Why)What was the Gutenberg Bible? (Who What Why)Why did the Reformation Happen? (Who What Why)When Lightning Struck!: The Story of Martin LutherWonderfully Made: God’s Story of Life from Conception to Birth
2) Create the women at the empty tomb.
Roll a ball of clay into a flat arch. Lay the upright body on the arched clay as shown above.
Wrap the arched clay piece around the standing figure. Leave the face area visible.
Next, place the kneeling figure on a second arched piece of clay.
Wrap the clay around the kneeling figure, leaving the face area visible.
3) Assemble the pieces of your empty tomb scene.
Place the female figures on the clay base next to the empty tomb. Carefully press each clay figure onto the base.
Allow your clay empty tomb scene to dry overnight somewhere safe and warm.
Your kids can place their empty tomb Easter craft somewhere they’ll see it often and remember the wonder of what Jesus did for us!
Books Make Great Gifts!
Help Your Kids Learn and Love the BibleWho was Martin Luther? (Who What Why)What was the Gutenberg Bible? (Who What Why)Why did the Reformation Happen? (Who What Why)When Lightning Struck!: The Story of Martin LutherWonderfully Made: God’s Story of Life from Conception to Birth
Help Your Kids Learn and Love the Bible
Looking for a family discipleship book that will give you a crash course in leading your kids through God’s Word? I’ve got you covered.
You want your kids to learn and love the Bible.
You want to teach the Bible…
As parents, we deeply desire the best for our kids. We look for the right schools, we make them eat right and exercise, and we get them involved in extracurricular activities. We take our job as parents seriously.
But are we also putting our time and energy into
teaching them the Bible? Giving them the life-changing, soul-nourishing words of Scripture is not only doable, it’s an essential part of parenting kids for Jesus. And the good news is, studying God’s Word as a family doesn’t have to be difficult!
2 Timothy 2:15, ESV, says:
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved,
a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
Our job, as parents who love Jesus, is to help our kids become approved workers, unashamed and rightly handling the word of truth.
The good news? Teaching the Bible isn’t hard. Your family can learn the Bible together.
…and you can!
A Crash Course in Teaching the Bible to Your Kids
Danika Cooley’s book, Help Your Kids Learn and Love the Bible, will give you the tools and confidence to study the Bible as a family. It will help you identify and overcome your objections and fears, give you a crash course in what the Bible is all about and how to teach it, and provide the guidance you need to set up a family Bible study habit.
You will finish this book feeling encouraged and empowered to initiate and strengthen your child’s relationship with the Lord through His Word.
Help Your Kids Learn and Love the Bible will equip you with everything you need to know to teach the Bible to your kids!
Grab the autographed Reformation Family Bundle!
More Thinking Kids Posts You’ll Love!
Join the newsletter
Get the Family Prayer Box Project FREE!
Teach your children to pray with this fun project that includes 7 printable sets!
Leave a Reply