Celebrating Easter with Your Child: Fun, Inclusive Ideas for Families with Kids with Developmental Delays

Easter can be a joyful time filled with colourful eggs, laughter, and celebration. But for children with developmental delays, it can also be overwhelming—from sensory overload to changes in routine. The good news? With a little planning and creativity, your family can enjoy a calm, inclusive, and meaningful Easter that works for everyone.

At Freedom Therapy Services, we support families in creating accessible, joyful experiences tailored to their child’s unique needs. Here’s how to celebrate Easter in a way that nurtures connection, calm, and fun.

Keep Egg Hunts Simple and Supportive

Traditional egg hunts can be overstimulating or confusing, so try making a few adjustments:

Limit the crowd: A small group or even a one-on-one hunt at home can be more comfortable.
Use visual cues: Try a picture checklist or coloured map to help your child know what to look for.
Set clear rules: Use first-then language or social stories to explain what will happen.
Fill eggs with familiar items: Include safe snacks, stickers, or small sensory toys instead of unknown surprises.

Let your child go at their own pace and celebrate their success—whether they find one egg or all of them.

Create a Predictable Easter Routine

Children with developmental delays often thrive on structure. To reduce anxiety, consider:

Using a visual schedule of the day’s activities (e.g., breakfast, craft time, egg hunt, rest).
Practising transitions with timers or verbal cues.
Rehearsing events ahead of time using pretend play or simple scripts.

This helps your child feel more in control and ready to enjoy the day.

Easter Crafts for All Abilities

Crafts offer a wonderful way to engage in the spirit of Easter while supporting fine motor skills, creativity, and sensory play.

Easy, inclusive craft ideas:

Sponge painting Easter eggs or bunnies
Tactile collage with cotton balls, pom-poms, or stickers
Pre-cut shapes to glue onto Easter cards or baskets

Adapt each activity to your child’s level—there’s no right or wrong way to create!

Easter Fun Foods and Treats

Food is a big part of Easter, but not every child can (or wants to) eat chocolate or traditional treats. Here are festive and sensory-friendly food ideas:

Bunny face snack plates with fruit and crackers
Decorate-your-own biscuits with jam spreads, or allergy-friendly toppings
Mini cupcakes with coloured coconut “grass” and jellybean eggs
Build-your-own trail mix with cereals, dried fruit, and safe treats

Let your child take the lead on choosing and creating their own snacks. It supports independence and enjoyment!

Plan for Downtime and Emotional Needs

Big days can lead to big feelings. Create space for calm with:

A quiet zone filled with comfort items like a weighted blanket or favourite toy
Visuals or emotion cards to help your child express how they feel
Simple “reset” activities like blowing bubbles, water play, or quiet reading

The goal isn’t perfection—it’s connection. When we tune into our child’s needs, Easter becomes more joyful for everyone.

Connect Through What Matters Most

Maybe you’ll skip the big events this year. Maybe you’ll stay in PJs and do a puzzle, decorate eggs, or sing songs. That’s okay. Inclusive Easter celebrations are about making memories that feel right for your family—not copying what others do.

Whether your child is working with therapists, learning social skills, or developing communication tools, Easter can be an opportunity to pause, play, and connect with the people who matter most.

Need Support Navigating Holidays and Routines?

At Freedom Therapy Services, we offer tailored support for families of children with developmental delays, including: