Easter Classroom Snacks

Place candy-shell coated Easter eggs inside small containers.

Easter marks the Christian celebration of Christ's resurrection, but also has symbolism predating Christianity, when various cultures held festivals in honor of their respective spring and fertility deities. Easter-themed snacks are especially helpful when teaching children about Easter from either a historical or religious perspective. Incorporate both the traditional and the modern so all of your students will enjoy the Easter snacks.

Hot Cross Buns

Ancient Anglo-Saxon cultures in Europe made hot cross buns as a special treat for their spring festival long before Christianity. Centuries later, the people of England spiced up these doughy treats using nutmeg, cinnamon and sugar. For many centuries, the Church of England prohibited hot cross buns on any day besides Good Friday. Today, these flaky pastries can be found around Easter at most grocery stores and bakeries.

Eggs

Allow the children to dye and eat hard boiled eggs. Asian and Eastern European cultures dyed eggs a variety of colors and gave them as gifts to represent longevity. Many cultures also consider eggs a symbol of rebirth and fertility, making them an appropriate addition for spring holiday that also celebrates the rebirth of Jesus Christ.

Chocolate Easter Bunnies

German candy makers first made delicate candy eggs from sugar-paste. Over the years, this candy concept spread to other mediums and symbols, resulting in the chocolate bunnies prevalent in modern Easter celebrations. Many ancient cultures recognized the rabbit as an unusually fertile creature, making it an appropriate symbol for a spring holiday which celebrated rebirth.

Peeps

Brightly colored peeps offer a completely modern adaptation of a traditional spring symbol. The chick symbolizes rebirth and rejuvenation, much like its egg counterpart. Peeps are chick-shaped candy with sticky, granulated outsides and buoyant marshmallow insides, making them a favorite treat among young children. Provide a variety of colors, such as blue, pink and yellow, and allow the children to choose their favorites.

References

• Religous Tolerance: Pagan Origins of Easter
• Food Time Line: Easter Foods