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News

Easy Family-Friendly Easter Activities

March 13, 2026

Warmer weather, sunny skies, and the promise of more outdoor fun — spring is the perfect time to reconnect with your family and make some memories together. 

We’ve put together a collection of simple crafts, games, and activities to help you and your family make the most of the season. Whether you’re looking for Easter crafts for kids, fun family bonding activities, or a little springtime inspiration, we’ve got you covered. 

Mother and daughter decorating eggs, showing one easy, family-friendly Easter activity.

Easter Crafts for Kids

Easter Bunny Handprint Card 

Who says cards are just for Christmas? Make your very own cute Easter bunny card using a handprint, some paint, and a piece of paper. This is a sweet keepsake craft that kids of all ages will love. 

Materials: 

  • Construction paper
  • Kid-friendly acrylic paint
  • Paintbrush
  • Googly eyes (optional) 

How To:

  1. Fold your construction paper in half to make a card. 
  2. Paint the palm of your hand in the colour you want your bunny to be, leaving your thumb unpainted.
  3. Press your hand down onto the front of the card, holding your middle and ring fingers apart to make a V shape for the bunny ears. 
  4. Let the paint dry for 5 to 10 minutes. Tip: Use a hair dryer to speed up the process!
  5. Decorate your bunny! Add googly eyes (if you’re using them), and paint in the pink of the ears along with the eyes, nose, mouth, whiskers — whatever you like. 

Get the step-by-step guide here. 

Peep Houses

Your little marshmallow Peeps need a home of their own! Build one out of graham crackers and icing for a fun and (mostly) edible Easter craft. 

Materials:

  • Newspaper or parchment paper
  • Peeps
  • Graham crackers
  • Icing (store-bought or homemade – just make sure it’s thick and firm)
  • Optional: paper grass, mini eggs, rainbow sprinkles or other Easter decorations

How To:

  1. On a clean, dry surface, lay down your newspaper or parchment paper to build on. 
  2. Break three graham crackers in half so you have six pieces per house. 
  3. Use icing to “glue” the floor to three walls, leaving the front open.
  4. Glue the remaining two roof pieces together in a V shape and set aside to dry. You may need to prop them up to help them hold their shape. 
  5. Leave both pieces to dry completely, about one hour.
  6. Once dry, glue the roof onto the walls and let it set.
  7. Decorate the inside with paper grass, mini eggs, and your Peep! 

Paint Plastic Eggs

Have younger kids in your care who aren’t quite ready to paint real eggs? No problem! Plastic eggs are a great alternative that keeps everyone involved in the Easter fun. 

Materials:

  • Plastic eggs
  • Acrylic paints
  • Paintbrushes
  • Optional decorations: Glitter, mini pom poms, etc
  • Paper plates or an art palette

How To:

  1. Cover your table or painting surface with newspaper or a garbage bag. This might get messy! 
  2. Add paint to your paper plates or palette. 
  3. Start decorating! If it’s tricky to hold the egg while painting, take it apart and paint each half separately. 
Teen and child participating in family-friend Easter activities together.

Family Activities for Easter 

Egg Match 

A fun sensory guessing game that’s great for all ages! 

Gather an even number of plastic eggs, divide them into pairs, and fill each pair with different small objects or treats like bunny-shaped graham crackers, mini eggs, small coins, or jelly beans. Mix all the eggs together, then let kids shake them to find the matching pairs. Simple, portable, and surprisingly addictive! 

Easter Sensory Bin 

Looking for an Easter sensory play activity that will keep kids busy? This one’s a winner. 

Grab a large plastic bin, some plastic eggs, the bottoms of two egg cartons, and rainbow rice (instructions below).  

Place the egg carton pieces at either end of the bin and pour the rainbow rice in between. Split the plastic eggs in half and scatter them throughout — some in the cartons, some nestled in the rice. Kids can scoop the rice with the eggs, make rice shakers by putting the egg halves together, or just enjoy the feeling of the rice running through their fingers. 

How to Make Rainbow Rice:

  • 3 cups rice
  • 3 tablespoons white vinegar
  • Food colouring
  • Resealable plastic bag or container

Place the rice, vinegar, and food colouring (one colour at a time) into the bag and shake well. Keep a 1:1 ratio of vinegar to food colouring. Spread the coloured rice on a plate or cookie sheet and let it dry for 1 to 2 hours. 

Get the full step-by-step instructions to make your Easter Sensory Bin here. 

Fizzy Rainbow Egg-splosions 

Easter meets science experiment! If you’re okay with a little mess, this Easter-themed chemical reaction activity is always a hit with kids. A great pick for curious, hands-on learners. 

Supplies:

  • Plastic eggs (split in half)
  • Egg tray or carton
  • Eyedropper, squeeze bottle, or meat baster
  • Baking Soda
  • Vinegar
  • Food colouring (optional)

How To:

  1. Place the bottom halves of your plastic eggs into the cartons. Set up in a spot that’s easy to clean. Inside a large plastic bin, a deep sink, or the bathtub all work great.
  2. Optional: Add a few drops of food colouring to each egg. Use different colours to make it a rainbow explosion.
  3. Fill each egg with a spoonful of baking soda.
  4. Fill your eyedropper or squeeze bottle with vinegar, then drop it into the eggs and watch the reaction!

Get the full instructions and learn the science behind it here.

Cook a Traditional Meal Together 

Want to keep older kids and teens involved? Make your Easter dinner a family affair! Pass down a favourite recipe, teach them how to set a proper dinner table, or put them in charge of their own dish or dessert. 

Find more ideas for older kids and teens here.

Happy dog in pink bunny ears beside an Easter basket of eggs.

Wishing Your Family a Happy Easter

Spring and Easter are all about new beginnings. At Crossroads Family Services, we believe every child deserves a safe place to land, room to grow, and someone in their corner. 

Whether you’re spending Easter with your family or thinking about opening your home to a child in foster care in Central Alberta, we’re here to walk alongside you. 

Learn About Fostering 

Get Support For Your Family 

Low-Budget Valentine’s Day Activities for Families in Alberta

January 20, 2026

Valentine’s Day is almost here! This year, it falls on Family Day Long Weekend, making it easier than ever to plan family Valentine’s Day activities. 

Looking for fun, easy, and low-cost Valentine’s Day ideas that keep kids entertained? We’ve put together simple crafts, games, and treats that families across Edmonton and Central Alberta will love – no matter your budget! 

Valentine's Day craft supplies for fun budget and family friendly crafts

Beyond the tried-and-true Valentine’s Day cards, here are our favourite low-cost crafts. 

Valentine’s Day Crafts 

Heart-Shaped Stamps 

Make your own heart stamps! You only need three things: an empty toilet paper roll, tape, and paint. 

Materials: 

  • Empty cardboard toilet paper roll
  • Your favourite colour of paint (tip: dollar store paint works great!)
  • Tape 

How to: 

  1. Take your toilet paper tube. Press down on the top to make a dent. Pinch the bottom to create a heart shape. 
  2. Wrap some tape around the heart-shaped tube to help it keep its shape. 
  3. Dip the heart-shaped stamp in your favourite colour of paint, and stamp away! 

See the step-by-step process. 

Watercolour Surprise Paintings 

Send the kiddos in your care a secret message of love with this fun craft! 

Materials: 

  • White wax crayon
  • White paper
  • Watercolour paints (tip: check out your local dollar store)

How to: 

  1. Write secret messages to each other using the white wax crayon on white paper. 
  2. The recipient of your hidden message can then paint over your writing with watercolours to reveal what you wrote! Ask an adult to help if needed.

Paper Heart Stuffies 

These adorable heart-shaped stuffies can be stuffed with tissue or candy. Easy and no sticky glue hands required! 

Materials: 

  • Construction paper
  • Markers
  • Stapler and staples
  • Stuffing: Tissue paper, candy, Valentine’s… whatever you want! 

How To: 

  1. Cut out two large hearts (same size) from construction paper, or download and print the free template from here.
  2. If you want to give your heart stuffie some arms and legs, cut out four rectangles, two longer ones for the legs and two shorter ones for the arms. 
  3. Design the fronts and backs of your stuffie using the markers. Ideas to try: Cute faces, sweet messages of love, etc. 
  4. If you have arms and legs, tape them to the inside of one of your hearts. 
  5. Use the stapler to staple your front and back hearts together, leaving a large gap at the top. 
  6. Stuff your stuffie! You could stuff it completely with crumpled tissue paper and staple up the top, or use it as an envelope to carry your Valentine’s Day candies or cards. 

See the step-by-step process.

Two die with hearts for family-friendly Valentine's Day games and activities

Once you’ve finished crafting, try these fun games and activities.

Valentine’s Day Games & Activities 

Crossroads Valentine’s Day Scavenger Hunt

Kids of all ages love the thrill of a treasure hunt, and it makes getting their Valentine’s treats even more memorable and special! 

Hide clues around your house. Each clue leads to the next one. The last clue leads to a treat! 

Write your clues on paper and hide them around the house. They shouldn’t be too difficult to figure out or find. For example, your first clue could send them to the fridge where they’ll find the next clue under a magnet on the door. 

To make it even easier to play, download and print this Crossroads Valentine’s Day Scavenger Hunt!

You can continue on your Valentine’s Day scavenger hunt journey with this Things I Love Scavenger Hunt worksheet! 

Conversation Heart Stories

Use candy hearts to make funny sentences. Each person picks hearts and reads them in order. The sillier the story, the more fun you’ll have! 

Kind Words Jar 

During the weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day, have everyone in your household add one positive message a day into a jar. The notes could be something good that happened that day, a kind word someone said to them, or a moment that brought them joy. Read them together on Valentine’s Day! 

Valentine's Day treats and heart-shaped cookies

After all that playing, everyone will be ready for these easy Valentine’s treats. 

Valentine’s Day Treats 

Tic-Tac-Toe Graham Crackers 

Delicious, festive, and fun to make! These graham cracker snacks are the Valentine’s Day gift that keeps on giving. 

Materials: 

  • Graham crackers
  • Icing
  • Candy hearts (use whatever your family likes, such as cinnamon hearts or conversation hearts)
  • Plastic sandwich bag or piping bag 

How To: 

  1. Lay out your graham crackers as your tic-tac-toe board game base. 
  2. Put icing in a plastic sandwich bag. Cut off one corner. Now you have a piping bag! 
  3. Use your piping bag to draw two vertical lines and two horizontal lines on each graham cracker to create a tic-tac-toe board. 
  4. Let them dry for 5 to 10 minutes. 
  5. Let the games begin! Using your candy hearts, play tic-tac-toe on the crackers. First player to get three of their hearts in a row wins! 

See the step-by-step process.

Strawberry Hearts

Easy and healthy! Put a little extra love into your child’s lunchbox by cutting strawberries in half, then cut out the green stem in a small V to make it look like a heart. 

Valentine’s Pancakes 

Start February 14th off strong with heart-shaped pancakes! Use some red food colouring in your batter for an extra sprinkle of love, then pour your batter in the pan in the shape of a heart. Tip: a large heart-shaped cookie cutter could come in handy here! 

Child putting together Valentine's Day treats

Valentine’s Day and Family Day are perfect times to celebrate connection and love. At Crossroads Family Services, we believe every child deserves to feel this warmth year-round.  

Whether you’re spending the day with your own family or considering opening your home as a foster caregiver, these simple activities remind us that love is what makes a house a home. 

Learn About Fostering

Get Support For Your Family

Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: Honoring Indigenous Culture in Sylvan Lake

September 30, 2024

On September 30th, communities across Canada will observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day. This solemn yet hopeful occasion provides an opportunity to listen, learn, and celebrate Indigenous culture while reflecting on the painful legacy of residential schools. 

This year, the town of Sylvan Lake is hosting a series of events to commemorate this important day. The organizers have put together a thoughtful program that encourages community participation and education: 

6:00 PM – The event kicks off with a gathering at Lions Park. This will be a chance for community members to come together in a spirit of unity and remembrance. 

6:15 PM – Participants will march to Centennial Park, a symbolic journey that represents our collective path towards reconciliation. 

6:30 PM – A special ceremony will take place at the “Let Them Play” mural. This artwork likely holds significance for the community and its message of hope for Indigenous youth. 

7:00 PM – The evening concludes with a Round Dance, followed by Tipis and Tea. This celebration of Indigenous traditions offers a way to end the day on a note of cultural appreciation and community bonding. 

The image promoting the event features an orange t-shirt with the poignant message “Every Child Matters.” This simple yet powerful statement reminds us of the thousands of Indigenous children who suffered in the residential school system and affirms the value of every young life. 

By participating in these events, residents of Sylvan Lake and surrounding areas have the opportunity to actively engage in the process of truth and reconciliation. It’s a chance to acknowledge the past, celebrate Indigenous resilience and culture, and work together towards a more just and inclusive future. 

Whether you’re able to attend in person or commemorate the day in your own way, September 30th serves as a vital reminder of our shared responsibility to listen, learn, and support Indigenous communities across Canada. 

 

Purpose

August 20, 2024

Marny Traverse from Crossroads Foster Care shares a story of challenge in her journey as a foster caregiver for teens.  

A teen who desperately wants freedom and doesn’t want to wait. This teen is chafing under our basic rules and pushing boundaries. They are vulnerable to the suggestions of others and starving for the admiration and acceptance of peers. All of this has led to risky behaviors. 

We have had some tough conversations and implemented some new restrictions for our teen, but our teen is angry and frustrated and often spouts threats of leaving, never speaking to people again or staying in their room forever. I think to myself, I’m sure when there is some distance from the situation, it will be funny.  

However, right now, I am incredibly sad about the choices our teen is making and the possible consequences if they continue with the path they’re on. The tension in our house is thick, and that is not what we want.  

Then we have another teen come to stay with us for a night. With our current teen feeling hostile and a new unhappy teen, we anticipated things might be rough… but, to our surprise, we witnessed both parties displaying their best sides to each other! 

Our teen sat and patiently taught and encouraged the visiting teen the complexities of their football video game. Our teen cheered the teen on through the learning and then proceeded to play the game for the rest of the evening!   

There was no animosity or anger, just a helpful and encouraging individual that we haven’t seen in ages. Our teen had a purpose and in the midst of fulfilling it … shone!! 

I lingered at my computer, needing to just absorb the pleasant chatter and the incredibly positive interactions happening in front of a video game. It was peaceful and positive…it was healing and gave me hope. 

Perhaps our purpose, providing safety and love for teens affected by trauma, will help them find a way to their own purpose. 

Marny Traverse 

Family Valentine’s Day Activities

February 11, 2022

Valentine’s Day is almost here and we’re feeling the spirit of love! Take some time this month to share in the love with your family by trying these fun activities, crafts, and games!

Valentine’s Games

Valentine’s Scavenger Hunt

Give your kids a challenge this Valentine’s Day with a scavenger hunt! To plan this activity, first choose a treat as the hunt’s prize (Valentine’s chocolates are a fan favourite!). Second, write a set of clues and hide them around the house (TIP! The clues should be connected to help your child find the prize. For example, the first clue might lead your child to the living room couch, while the second clue may lead to the bathroom, and the third clue leads to under your child’s pillow, where the child finds the hunt’s prize!). Another option is to download our Valentine’s Scavenger Hunt worksheets!

Crossroads Valentine’s Scavenger Hunt

Crossroads Things I Love Handout

Hearts Hopscotch

If you have paper and pens, you have enough for this fun indoor game! Check out Toddler Approved’s tutorial to make your own Hearts Hopscotch!

Candy Dice Game

Satisfy any sweet tooth with this free printable dice game from Cupcake Diaries! Even teens will want in on the action!

Cupid’s Arrow Toss

Paper plates, straws, hot glue, and cardstock are all you need to make this fun game suitable for the whole family! Check out Playground Parkbench to learn how to make it yourself.

Valentine’s Treats

Valentine’s Pancakes

Make breakfast extra special with one extra ingredient: red food colouring! Dye your pancake batter and pour it in the shape of hearts to get your family in the Valentine’s Day spirit.

Chocolate Chip Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

If you’ve got a baker in your home, they won’t want to miss this one! With simple ingredients like boxed cake mix and cream cheese, this easy recipe is bound to be a hit. 

Strawberry Hearts

Add some flair to your kids’ lunch bags with this hack. Simply cut a strawberry in half and remove the leaves with a V-shaped cut to create strawberry hearts!

Heart Sandwiches

If you have a heart-shaped cookie cutter lying around, now’s the time to pull it out. Use the cookie cutter to pop out heart-shaped sandwiches for lunches and dinners!

Valentine’s Crafts

Rainbow Heart Suncatchers

All you need is coloured tissue paper, white glue, scissors, a clear page protector and a foam paint brush to make this craft! Visit Fireflies and Mudpies for a tutorial. 

Heart-Shaped String Art

If you have string, a hammer and nails, and a piece of wood available, you can make this creative craft! String art can be done by kids of all ages and is a great activity to practise fine-motor skills! Learn more in this post by Reality Daydream.

Cardboard Lacing Hearts

If your kiddos are learning to lace up shoes or skates, this craft is for them! Using a hole punch, create holes in a heart-shaped piece of cardboard, and let your kids try lacing thick string through each one! Visit Our Kid Things for a guide.

Handprint Flower Bouquet

This fun activity makes a great valentine’s gift and can be completed with supplies from any craft store. Check out this post by Not Toy Gifts to learn how to make your own with your kids!

Watercolour Surprise Heart Paintings

Write your kids a secret Valentine card this year using a white wax crayon on white paper! Then, have your kids paint over the page with watercolours to reveal the message.

 

Whichever way you decide to celebrate love this season, we at Crossroads wish you a happy Valentine’s day and February! Make sure to visit our Facebook and Instagram accounts to see more Valentine’s content and ideas!

 

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Land Acknowledgement

Crossroads Family Services respectfully acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 and Treaty 7 territories, a traditional gathering place for diverse Indigenous peoples including the Cree, Blackfoot, Metis, Nakota Sioux, Iroquois, Dene, Ojibway and Saulteaux (Anishinaabe), Inuit, Tsuut'ina, Stoney Nakoda peoples and many others whose histories, languages, and cultures continue to influence our vibrant community. As an organization serving Indigenous peoples and communities, Crossroads Family Services is dedicated to ensuring the spirits of Treaty 6 and Treaty 7 are honoured and respected. Crossroads is committed to building relationships based on trust, respect, and understanding.

Crossroads Family Services

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