Lesson

Easter Sunday School Lesson for Kids: Jesus Is Alive

A free Easter Sunday school lesson (Matthew 28; Luke 24) in four age levels, preschool to preteen: a game, Bible story, questions, memory verse and take-home.

Preschool–Grade 6

Easter Sunday School Lesson for Kids: Jesus Is Alive

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Free to print and copy for your church, classroom, VBS and home. Please don't resell or re-post our files; link to the page instead.

Ages: Preschool (3–5), Early Elementary (K–2), Upper Elementary (3–5), Preteen (5–6)
Time: 20–60 minutes (depends on the age level)
Scripture: Matthew 27:57–28:10; Luke 24:1–12, 36–43
Bible story: Jesus Is Alive! (The Resurrection)

What you need

A Bible (mark Matthew 28:6 and Luke 24:39)
Bibles for the kids to look up verses (3rd grade and up)
4–5 paper bags (one left empty) and a few small classroom items (kindergarten to 2nd grade opening game)
3–4 plastic cups and a few small toys (preschool opening game)
A blanket over a table for a "tomb" and a pillow or gray blanket for the "stone" (optional, great for preschool)
A chair labeled "disciples" (Run and Tell relay)
Paper and pencils (3rd grade and up)
Printed take-home sheets, one per child
Printed Jesus Is Alive word search and crayons for early finishers

This free Easter Sunday school lesson teaches kids that Jesus died for our sins and rose again, just as He said. It comes in four age levels, each a separate printable teacher lesson, plus one take-home sheet for families. Pick the one that fits your class. Everything is in the order you teach it.

Choose your age level

Preschool (ages 3–5), 20–30 minutes, 2 pages: a short story with hand motions and repeat-after-me lines, a blanket "tomb" with a stone the kids roll away, three simple questions, a shortened memory verse ("He is not here: for he is risen") with motions, and an empty tomb drawing activity.
Kindergarten to 2nd grade, 45 minutes, 3 pages: the story in simple words, five recall questions with answers, the Come and See motions for the memory verse, and the no-prep Run and Tell relay.
3rd to 5th grade, 45–60 minutes, 3 pages: kids look up verses in their own Bibles during a fuller story (the seal and the guards, the earthquake, the women and Peter at the tomb, Jesus eating with His disciples), five thinking questions and three recall questions, and a Bible look-up race.
Preteens (ages 11–12), 45–60 minutes, 3 pages: students read Matthew 27:57–28:10 and Luke 24:36–43 out loud themselves, then discuss the proof Jesus gave, doubt and faith, and telling others. Six discussion questions, a journal page, and two memory verses (Matthew 28:6 and Romans 6:4).

Lesson at a glance

Bible passage: Matthew 27:57–28:10; Luke 24:1–12, 36–43
Main point: Jesus died for our sins and rose again, just as He said. He is alive!
Memory verse: Matthew 28:6 (KJV), with Romans 6:4 added for preteens
Ages: preschool to preteen, in four versions

Lesson outline (the same in every version)

Opening game: a short game that sets up the empty tomb or the proof that Jesus is alive.
Bible story: Jesus is laid in the tomb, the stone is sealed and guarded, the earthquake and the angel, the women run with great joy, and Jesus shows His friends His hands and feet. Every fact has its verse reference so you can check it.
Questions to ask: with answers, at the right level for each age.
Memory verse: a game or motions to help kids learn Matthew 28:6.
What this means for us: Jesus' death, burial and resurrection, the gospel (Acts 2:38), and a "go and tell" challenge for the week.
Activity: the Jesus Is Alive word search, the Run and Tell relay, a Bible look-up race or a journal page, depending on the age.
Prayer.

Tips for teaching the resurrection

Keep the cross short and reverent. One or two sentences is enough for young kids; the lesson spends its time on the empty tomb.
Read Matthew 28:6 straight from your Bible. "As he said" is the heart of it: Jesus kept His word.
Kids love the earthquake and the angel. Let your voice show the surprise and the joy.
Short on time? Do the story, three questions and the memory verse. That is a solid 25-minute lesson.

Frequently asked questions

How long does this Easter Sunday school lesson take?

It depends on the age level. The preschool lesson takes 20 to 30 minutes, the kindergarten to 2nd grade lesson about 45 minutes, and the 3rd to 5th grade and preteen lessons 45 to 60 minutes. For a short class, do the story, three questions and the memory verse.

What age is this Easter lesson for?

All ages from preschool to preteen. The lesson comes in four separate teacher PDFs: preschool (ages 3 to 5), kindergarten to 2nd grade, 3rd to 5th grade, and preteens (ages 11 to 12). Each one tells the same Bible story at the right length and reading level, with its own questions and activity.

What is the main point of the Easter story for kids?

Jesus died for our sins and rose again, just as He said He would. The angel told the women, "He is not here: for he is risen, as he said" (Matthew 28:6), and Jesus showed His friends He was really alive (Luke 24:39–43).

Who went to Jesus' tomb on Easter morning?

Matthew names Mary Magdalene and "the other Mary" (Matthew 28:1). Luke adds Joanna, Mary the mother of James and other women (Luke 24:10). Peter ran to the tomb after the women told the disciples (Luke 24:12).

How do I teach the crucifixion to young kids?

Keep it short, simple and reverent: Jesus died on the cross at a place called Calvary (Luke 23:33, 23:46), and He did it for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3). Skip graphic details and spend most of the time on the empty tomb and the joy of Easter morning.