How to Make Religious Easter Art for Kids

When it comes to celebrating Easter with kids, there are SO many beautiful egg and bunny art activities out there. And believe me, I love making those too. However, if you are looking for an art project for kids that celebrates the true meaning of Easter and its significance to our Catholic faith, this one if for you.

This project is great for ages 5 and up.

Follow along with this quick video tutorial:

THE BOOK

The Gospel of Matthew for Little Ones by Sarah Beth Meyer and illustrated by Allison Hsu from Marian Press is the beautiful inspiration behind this Easter project.

I have been reading pages from this book most nights during this season of Lent to focus more on the Gospels with my girls (ages 7, 5, and 3). And WOW! This book is quite a treasure! I adore the brilliant rhyming and simplified text that flows beautifully when reading it to children.

As an art teacher who studied art history, I am in love with watercolor illustrations and the sketchy simplified figures. And they are actually inspired by classic Christian fine art. 

And the last page makes for a wonderful lead in for this Empty Tomb art project to help children focus on the glory of Christ’s resurrection this Easter (or any time of the year!).

PREP

Download the Free PDF below that includes templates, a supply list and more!

Here are the supplies you need to make this project:

• 11″ X 15″ or 9″ x 12″ watercolor paper
• Angel template printed onto card stock (included in free project download above)
• Oil pastels
• Crayons
• Black sharpie
• Watercolors
• Large brush
• Cup of water
• Scissors & glue
• Optional: Butterfly & flower foam stickers

STEP 1:

Turn your paper to landscape or horizontal orientation. Take a black oil pastel or crayon and draw a horizontal straight line across the bottom fourth of the paper.

Draw a large curved line above the horizon line that was just drawn (line that separates the ground from the sky) for the tomb, leaving plenty of room to paint the sky above it.

STEP 2:

Draw a curved square shape on the right side of the tomb. Add an upside down curved “L” line to the left that connects to the square rounded stone. That will be the opening in the tomb. Using a black and white oil pastel, add some texture marks to the tomb.

Using green oil pastels, add repeating short vertical lines for grass.

STEP 3:

First, paint the opening to the tomb with yellow watercolor. Then, paint the grass with green and yellow mixing together for a bright green. Then paint the tomb with watered down black and brown.

STEP 4:

To paint the sky, use a wet-on-wet watercolor technique. Begin my painting the white space for the sky with plain water. Then add a turquoise toward the top, followed by a violet, then red violet allowing the colors to mingle and bleed together a bit.

Set aside to dry.

Download the Free PDF below that includes templates, a supply list and more!

STEP 5:

Color the head of the angel template (printed onto card stock) with a skin-toned crayon. Use a black Sharpie marker to add details to the face, wings and body. Color the hair and the halo. Cut out.

STEP 6:

Once the background is dry, glue the angel over the tomb. Then you can add some embellishments like sparkly foam butterfly and flower stickers that is a sweet nod to spring!

Also be sure to check out this Holy Week Emotions Cross Art, which is a wonderful project to make before this one during Holy Week.

I would love to hear how this project worked out for you. Feel free to comment below and let us know what you thought! Also, give us a shout out on Instagram and tag us using @littleholyhearts so we can celebrate you and your artists!

PIN FOR LATER!