Easter is a time of renewal, celebration, and family—but it can also come with a surprising amount of mental load. Between coordinating meals, events, crafts, and travel, the joyful occasion can start to feel more like a project than a holiday.
This article walks you through how to plan for Easter without losing your mind—whether you're celebrating with a large group, hosting a modest brunch, or just want a calm weekend with your kids. If you're a list-maker or someone who likes structure, we’ve also included a free Easter planner template in Google Docs to help.
🎯 Step 1: Define What Easter Means for You (and Your People)
Before doing anything else, clarify what kind of Easter you want to have this year.
Ask yourself:
Is it a religious celebration, a spring family gathering, or both?
Do you want to keep it minimal or go all-out?
Will you be hosting, attending, or traveling?
This may seem obvious, but setting clear intentions simplifies every decision that follows.
Tip: Make a one-sentence goal.
“This year, I want Easter to feel joyful but low-pressure, with time outside and easy food.”
📅 Step 2: Plan the Weekend Structure
Easter Sunday is the main event, but many families treat the whole weekend as a multi-day celebration. Start by plotting the flow of your days.
Common Easter Weekend Elements:
Good Friday: Religious service or reflection
Saturday: Travel, egg dyeing, prep day
Sunday: Church, egg hunt, brunch or dinner
Monday (if off): Rest day or family outing
Keep it loose, but try to block time for:
Prep & cleanup
Travel buffers
Downtime (especially with kids)
You can sketch this out on paper, in Google Calendar, or with a printable planner like this free one.
🍽 Step 3: Easter Food Planning
Food is central to most Easter gatherings. The key is to plan a menu that’s seasonal, enjoyable, and not overwhelming.
Brunch or Dinner?
Brunch: Easier for groups, more casual, lighter prep
Dinner: Traditional, especially for larger or formal gatherings
Building Your Menu
Main: Ham, lamb, roast chicken, vegetarian bake
Sides: Deviled eggs, asparagus, potato gratin
Desserts: Hot cross buns, carrot cake, lemon tart
Drinks: Mimosas, iced tea, lemonade for kids
Make sure to note:
Guest dietary needs
Items to make ahead
What others are bringing (if potluck)
If you like structure, you can map this in the menu planner page of the Easter template.
📝 Step 4: Organize the Egg Hunt (If You're Doing One)
Egg hunts are often the highlight for kids, but they can also be chaotic if unplanned.
What to Prepare:
Plastic or wooden eggs (with fillers)
Baskets or bags
Age-appropriate hiding zones
Allergy-friendly treats
Prizes for fairness (optional)
Safety Tips:
Use chalk to draw boundary lines
Keep glass or sharp items away from hunt areas
Double-check outdoor spaces for hazards
Bonus Tip: Add puzzle pieces or LEGO in eggs for a low-sugar option.
🎨 Step 5: Decorations and Crafts
Decor doesn't have to mean pastel overload. Just choose one vibe and build around it.
Simple Ideas:
Fresh flowers in jars (tulips, daffodils)
Dyed eggs as a centerpiece
Natural textures: twine, brown paper, greenery
DIY paper garlands with kids
You can also schedule a relaxed craft session on Saturday if you have children at home.
🛒 Step 6: Consolidate Your Shopping List
Avoid last-minute chaos by listing everything early: groceries, eggs, treats, materials, decorations.
Break into categories:
Food & drinks
Egg hunt supplies
Décor/crafts
Gift/goodie bags
If you're using a shared doc (like the Google Docs planner), you can collaborate on this live with your partner or co-hosts.
🎁 Step 7: Thoughtful Extras (Optional but Fun)
If you want to do a little more:
Goodie Bags or Baskets
Small toys, crayons, stickers, snacks
Books or puzzles for older kids
Personalized tags add a nice touch
Activities
Easter bingo
Cookie decorating
Storytime or a themed movie
Don’t feel like you have to do everything. These are “nice to have,” not must-haves.
📝 Step 8: Plan for Rest
The best Easter celebrations leave space for connection—not just tasks.
Don’t overschedule Sunday
Batch cook where you can
Let go of perfection
Build in time for walks, chats, or quiet reading
📝 Optional: Use a Planner to Keep It Together
If you’re the kind of person who likes things written down, we’ve created a free printable and editable Easter planner in Google Docs. It includes:
A weekend schedule template
Menu planner
Shopping and task lists
Egg hunt organizer
Decoration checklist
Gift/goodie bag tracker
Notes section
You can use it digitally or print it out. It's especially helpful if you're managing multiple moving parts or coordinating with others.
✅ Final Checklist
Here's a simple summary to double-check your planning:
✅ Clear intention or goal
✅ Basic schedule for the weekend
✅ Menu and guest needs
✅ Egg hunt logistics (if doing one)
✅ Shopping lists started early
✅ Optional crafts or activities
✅ Time for rest built in
✅ All shared info accessible to others (email, print, or Google Docs)
