Easter Charades Ideas for Home, Classroom or Sunday School

Press Play a 1-minute round and pass the actor the phone: 173 Easter cards, from egg hunt to Easter story.

Easter Charades Ideas for Home, Classroom or Sunday School

Wearing new shoes that pinch

Next step The full deck of charades ideas

All 173 Easter charades ideas

The egg hunt 17

  • A teenager pretending not to care about the egg hunt Stroll with your hands in your pockets and scoop one up when nobody is looking.
  • A toddler who stops to open the first egg Everybody else runs past. Sit down and work on the two halves.
  • An egg hunt by flashlight Sweep the beam across the yard and pounce on every glint.
  • An egg hunt in the rain An umbrella in one hand, a basket in the other, and no hand left for the egg.
  • Counting the eggs in your basket Point at each one, lose count and start again.
  • The dog finds the egg first Be the dog: sniff it out and trot away with it in your mouth.
  • Finding an egg behind a flowerpot Tilt the pot, gasp and drop the egg into your basket.
  • Finding last year's egg Pick it up, sniff it and carry it off at arm's length.
  • Forgetting where you hid the last egg Count the basket, count on your fingers and search your own yard.
  • Hiding eggs before the kids wake up Tiptoe across the lawn in your robe, tucking eggs into the bushes.
  • Hinting at the egg nobody has found Cough, nod toward the bush and look innocent.
  • Hunting for Easter eggs Basket on one arm, part the grass and hold one up high.
  • Racing across the lawn when the hunt starts Crouch at the line, wait for the word and sprint with your basket flying.
  • Reaching for an egg on a high branch Stretch, jump, then look around for somebody taller.
  • Shaking an egg to hear what is inside Hold it to your ear, rattle it and grin.
  • Sharing eggs with a little sister who found none Look at your full basket, look at her empty one, sigh and hand some over.
  • Two kids spotting the same egg Look at the egg, look at your rival, look at the egg, and go.

Dyeing and decorating eggs 15

  • Blowing on a wet egg to dry it Turn it by the ends and puff.
  • Blowing out a raw egg Poke a hole in each end and blow until your cheeks ache.
  • Boiling eggs Lower each one into the pot on a spoon and watch the clock.
  • Cracking the egg you just finished Hold it up to admire, squeeze a little too hard and watch it go.
  • Dipping an egg in dye Lower it in on a wire loop, wait, and lift it out to look.
  • Drawing on an egg with a wax crayon Hold it steady between finger and thumb and draw tiny zigzags.
  • Dropping an egg into the dye with a splash Let go from too high, jump back and look down at your shirt.
  • Dye all over your fingers Hold up ten stained fingers and look for somewhere to wipe them.
  • Dyeing an egg two colors Hold it half in one cup, wait, turn it over and dip the other half.
  • Knocking over the cup of dye Catch it with your elbow, grab for it, and chase the spill with paper towels.
  • Peeling a hard-boiled egg Tap it on the table, roll it and pick off tiny bits of shell.
  • Putting stickers on an egg Peel a tiny sticker, get it stuck on one finger, then on the other.
  • Setting eggs in the carton to dry Lower each one in with two fingers, best side up.
  • Stirring a dye tablet into a cup Drop it in, stir and watch the water change color.
  • Wrapping an egg in rubber bands for stripes Stretch each band over without letting it snap.

The Easter bunny and spring animals 18

  • A bee visiting flowers Hover, dip in headfirst, back out and zigzag to the next one.
  • A bird building a nest Fly in with a twig in your beak, tuck it in and press the nest round with your chest.
  • A bunny wiggling its nose Hands up as paws, and nothing moving but the nose.
  • A butterfly coming out of a cocoon Wriggle out, unfold crumpled wings slowly and pump them dry.
  • A caterpillar crawling along a leaf Inch along the floor, stop and take a bite.
  • A chick hatching Curl up small, peck through the shell and push the top off with your head.
  • A chick that does not want to leave the egg Push the lid up, look around and pull it back down.
  • A duckling following its mother Waddle along behind an invisible duck and hurry to catch up.
  • A frog jumping into a pond Squat, spring and swim off with big kicks.
  • A hen sitting on her eggs Settle down with a wiggle and peck at anyone who comes close.
  • A lamb skipping in a field Little stiff-legged jumps and a shake of the tail.
  • A rabbit nibbling a carrot Hold it in both paws and turn it as you nibble fast.
  • A rabbit thumping its back foot Sit up tall, freeze, and drum one foot on the floor.
  • A robin pulling up a worm Tilt your head to listen, stab the ground, then lean back and pull.
  • The Easter bunny Two fingers up for ears, a twitchy nose and a basket on one arm.
  • The Easter bunny hiding eggs Hop, look both ways, tuck an egg behind a bush and hop on.
  • The Easter bunny with a basket that is too heavy Hop once, drag the basket. Hop once, drag the basket.
  • Someone in a bunny suit at the mall Wave a huge paw, pose for a photo and lift the head off for air.

Baskets, candy and Easter dinner 17

  • A chocolate bunny that turns out to be hollow Bite down hard, look inside and feel cheated.
  • A jelly bean flavor you do not like Chew happily, stop, and look for a napkin.
  • Biting the ears off a chocolate bunny Peel back the foil, admire it and start at the top.
  • Carrying an Easter basket Swing it on one arm and peek under the grass.
  • Carving the Easter ham Steady it with a big fork and lay thin slices on a plate.
  • Decorating a bunny cake Spread the frosting, press on coconut and stand up two ears.
  • Eating jelly beans one color at a time Sort them into piles on your palm and save the best color for last.
  • Egg salad for a week Open the fridge to a wall of boiled eggs, sigh and start peeling.
  • Licking chocolate off your fingers One finger at a time, then check your shirt.
  • Making deviled eggs Halve them, scoop out the yolks, mash, and pipe the filling back in.
  • Opening a plastic egg and finding it empty Twist it apart, look into both halves and shake them.
  • Plastic grass on everything Pull a strand off your sleeve, then your hair, then your tongue.
  • Setting the table for Easter dinner Shake out the cloth, lay the plates and stand a tiny chick at each place.
  • Sneaking candy from someone else's basket Look both ways, lift the grass and move one piece to your pocket.
  • Squishing a marshmallow chick Pinch it, watch it spring back and bite off the head.
  • Trading candy from your basket Hold up one piece, point at one of theirs and haggle.
  • Unwrapping a foil egg Pick at the foil with a fingernail and smooth it flat afterward.

Easter Sunday 15

  • A hat so big that nobody can see past it Be the person in the row behind, leaning left and then right.
  • Arranging lilies in a vase Trim each stem, place it, step back and sneeze.
  • Falling asleep during the sermon Nod, jerk upright, look around, and nod again.
  • Getting up for a sunrise service An alarm in the dark, a coat over everything, and a big yawn toward the horizon.
  • Giving your brother bunny ears in the photo Two fingers up behind his head, and an innocent smile for the camera.
  • Hugging relatives you have not seen since last Easter Open your arms, get your cheeks pinched and get measured against a shoulder.
  • Keeping your good clothes clean until lunch Hold your arms away from everything and sit down very carefully.
  • Looking for your other good shoe One shoe on, hop around the room lifting cushions.
  • Making an Easter bonnet Glue on flowers, a chick and an egg, and try it on before it dries.
  • Marching in an Easter parade Walk tall, hold your hat on against the wind and wave to both sides.
  • Posing for the family photo Squeeze in, smile, hold it, and keep on holding it.
  • Putting on an Easter bonnet Set it on, tie the ribbon under your chin and tilt your head at the mirror.
  • Ringing church bells Pull the rope down with both hands and let it lift you onto your toes.
  • Singing in the choir Hold the folder open, watch the conductor and swell on the high note.
  • Wearing new shoes that pinch Walk proudly for three steps, then on the sides of your feet.

The Easter story 20

  • An earthquake at the tomb Matthew 28:2.
  • Carrying spices to the tomb at dawn Mark 16:1 and Luke 24:1.
  • Cooking breakfast on the beach A fire of coals, with fish and bread. Come and eat breakfast. John 21:9 and 21:12.
  • Doubting Thomas The disciple who is told to reach out his hand and believe. John 20:27.
  • Finding the tomb empty They found the stone rolled away and went in. Luke 24:2-3.
  • Fishing all night and catching nothing John 21:3.
  • Hauling in a net too full to lift They cast on the right side. The net held 153 great fish and was not torn. John 21:6 and 21:11.
  • Hearing a rooster crow and bursting into tears Peter remembers what he was told, goes out and weeps bitterly. Luke 22:60-62.
  • Hiding behind locked doors The disciples on the first evening. John 20:19.
  • Jumping out of the boat to reach the shore first Peter cannot wait for the boat and throws himself into the sea. John 21:7.
  • Mistaking someone for the gardener Mary Magdalene, at the tomb. John 20:15.
  • Recognizing a friend when he breaks the bread Luke 24:30-31.
  • Riding a donkey into the city Matthew 21:7.
  • Rolling away a very big stone They asked who would roll it away, for it was very big. Mark 16:3-4.
  • Running to tell the others They ran to bring his disciples word. Matthew 28:8.
  • Spreading your coat on the road The crowd spread their clothes on the road. Matthew 21:8.
  • Two friends racing to the tomb The other disciple outpaced Peter and got there first. John 20:4.
  • Walking beside a friend without recognizing him The road to Emmaus. Luke 24:13-16.
  • Washing a friend's feet A towel around the waist and water poured into a basin. John 13:4-5.
  • Waving palm branches as a king rides in The crowd took palm branches and went out to meet him. John 12:13.

Easter around the world 15

  • An all-day water fight On Dyngus Day, Easter Monday in Poland, people douse each other with water from morning on.
  • An Easter bilby delivering eggs In Australia, the Easter Bilby is an alternative to the bunny. A bilby has very long ears and a long muzzle.
  • Baking hot cross buns Knead, shape the buns and pipe a cross on the top of each one.
  • Carving a lamb out of butter A butter lamb sits on the Easter table in Poland.
  • Church bells flying off to Rome In France, Belgium and the Netherlands, the bells are said to fly to Rome and return with eggs and chocolate.
  • Dancing among eggs without breaking one The egg dance is an old Easter game, sometimes played blindfolded.
  • Decorating an egg with very fine patterns Work slowly, with a steady hand and your tongue out. Pysanky are the decorated Easter eggs of Ukraine.
  • Dressing up as an Easter witch In Sweden and Finland, children dress as witches and go door to door for candy.
  • Flying a homemade kite Kite flying is an Easter custom in Bermuda.
  • Pushing an egg across the lawn with a long spoon At the White House, children race their eggs over the South Lawn grass every Easter Monday, each with a long spoon.
  • Rolling eggs down a grassy hill Pace-egging: decorated eggs are rolled down hills such as Avenham Park in Preston, England.
  • Sprinkling perfume on a friend In Hungary the day after Easter is Watering Monday, when visitors sprinkle water or perfume.
  • Tapping eggs to see whose cracks first Two players knock the tips of their eggs together, and the egg that stays whole wins. Louisiana calls it egg-knocking.
  • Warming your hands at an Easter bonfire Easter fires are lit in northern Germany on Holy Saturday.
  • Wearing an Easter bonnet down the avenue The Easter bonnet is tied to New York's Easter parade on Fifth Avenue.

Egg games and races 13

  • Balancing an egg on its end Steady it with two fingertips, let go slowly and hold your breath.
  • Bunny hop race Feet together, paws up, and hop for the line.
  • Catching a raw egg that breaks in your hands Soft hands, but not soft enough. Look at your palms.
  • Dropping the egg in the egg and spoon race Watch it fall, look at the judge and scoop it up with the spoon alone.
  • Egg and spoon race One arm out, eyes on the egg, tiny fast steps.
  • Finding the golden egg Hold it up over your head and run a lap.
  • Guessing the number of jelly beans in the jar Walk around it, count with a finger and write down a number.
  • Juggling three eggs Start well, speed up, and finish with your hands over your head.
  • Passing an egg from spoon to spoon Two spoons, no hands. Tip it across slowly and breathe out.
  • Pin the tail on the bunny Blindfold on, get turned around, and pin the cotton tail on the wall.
  • Rolling an egg with your nose On hands and knees, nudge it along the grass.
  • Sack race Hold the sack up at your waist and jump.
  • Tossing a raw egg to a partner Catch it with soft hands, take one step back and throw again.

Signs of spring 16

  • A rainbow after the rain Shake off the rain, draw a big arc overhead and point to where it lands.
  • A tulip opening in the sun Start closed, with your hands together over your head, and open slowly.
  • Blowing the seeds off a dandelion Pick it, make a wish and puff until the stem is bare.
  • Changing the clocks forward Wind the hands on by an hour, yawn and look at the bed.
  • The first lawn mowing of the year Push through long grass and stop again and again to empty the bag.
  • The first picnic of the year Shake out the blanket, sit down and find the ground is still wet.
  • Hay fever Watery eyes, three sneezes in a row and a hunt for a tissue.
  • Jumping in puddles Both feet, a big splash, and check who got wet.
  • Opening an umbrella in a sudden shower Hold out a hand, look up and pop it open.
  • Picking daffodils Snap each stem low and gather the bunch in your other arm.
  • Planting flower bulbs Dig a small hole, set one in and pat the soil over it.
  • Putting the winter coats away Fold a fat coat, push it into a box and sit on the lid.
  • Smelling a flower Bend down, breathe in and sneeze.
  • Washing the winter off the car Soap it in circles, hose it down and spot the patch you missed.
  • Watching a nest through the window Tiptoe up, peek, count the beaks with one finger and back away.
  • Watering the flowers Tip the can over each pot and shake out the last drops.

Egg and spring sayings 27

  • A bad egg Someone who cannot be trusted.
  • A good egg A kind person you can depend on.
  • A spring in your step A lively, happy way of walking.
  • All your eggs in one basket Risking everything on a single plan.
  • April showers bring May flowers A rhyme about rainy days leading to better ones.
  • Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed Wide awake and eager.
  • Busy as a bee Working hard without a pause.
  • Come out of your shell To stop being shy.
  • Counting your chickens before they hatch Relying on something good before it has happened.
  • The early bird catches the worm Whoever starts first has the advantage.
  • Egg on your face Looking foolish after a mistake.
  • Egghead A very studious person.
  • Empty nest A home after the children have grown up and left.
  • Fly the coop To leave home, or to slip away.
  • Going down a rabbit hole Getting lost in a subject for hours.
  • Hatch a plan To think up a scheme.
  • Hopping mad Very angry.
  • In like a lion, out like a lamb A saying about March weather: wild at the start and mild at the end.
  • Like a duck to water Learning something new with no trouble at all.
  • Mad as a March hare Wildly excited or silly.
  • Nest egg Money saved for the future.
  • No spring chicken Not young any more.
  • Pull a rabbit out of a hat To produce a surprise answer just when it is needed.
  • Rule the roost To be the one in charge.
  • Spring fever A restless feeling when the warm weather comes.
  • Walking on eggshells Being very careful not to upset somebody.
  • Which came first, the chicken or the egg? A puzzle with no starting point.

How it works

Easter charades ideas in 10 groups: 173 cards from the egg hunt and the dye cups to 27 egg and spring sayings. The Easter story is a group of its own, so you decide whether it plays.

Read the full guide

Ten groups, and you choose which one plays

For a family party, leave the topic on All. For a class that leaves religion out, pick The egg hunt, Signs of spring or Egg games and races. For Sunday school, pick The Easter story: 20 cards, most written from the side of the people who were there, such as Two friends racing to the tomb. The crucifixion is not a card.

The line under each listed card

Every card in the full list has a line under it, mostly a staging hint. Under A toddler who stops to open the first egg: Everybody else runs past. Sit down and work on the two halves. Story cards carry a Bible reference, and in Easter around the world the line is the custom.

  • Press Easy for a small child: 40 cards of one animal or motion, such as A bunny wiggling its nose.
  • All 27 sayings are Hard. Act All your eggs in one basket eggs first.
  • Easter around the world doubles as a quiz: Dressing up as an Easter witch comes from Sweden and Finland.

Questions and answers

Are these Easter charades ideas religious?

Mostly not. Eight groups are eggs, bunnies, candy, customs, spring and sayings. Easter Sunday has a few church scenes, such as Falling asleep during the sermon, and The Easter story holds 20 cards. A class that wants neither plays one topic at a time.

What do the Easter story cards cover?

They run from Waving palm branches as a king rides in to Cooking breakfast on the beach. None is Easy, because guessers need to know the passage. The reference in the full list, such as John 20:15, lets a teacher read it aloud.

What is here for the adults?

The Hard level. Its scenes have a turn in them: A chocolate bunny that turns out to be hollow, A teenager pretending not to care about the egg hunt. Forgetting where you hid the last egg belongs to whoever did the hiding this year.

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