Easter is celebrated in many ways around the world. For some people, it’s an important religious festival, while for others it’s a time to welcome the changing season, spend time with family and enjoy long-standing traditions.
For those working in early years settings, Easter can be a lovely opportunity to introduce children to different cultures and traditions. Learning about how people celebrate in other countries can spark curiosity, encourage conversations about the wider world and inspire creative activities.
While chocolate eggs and Easter bunnies may be familiar to many children in the UK, the ways people celebrate Easter across the globe can be wonderfully varied.
Easter in the United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, Easter is closely associated with chocolate eggs, family time and the arrival of spring. Eggs have long symbolised new life, which is why they play such a big role in the celebrations.
One of the most popular traditions is the Easter egg hunt. Eggs are hidden in gardens, parks or homes, and children search for them with great excitement. Many early years settings organise their own egg hunts, which children love. As well as being fun, these hunts can also help develop problem-solving and teamwork skills.
Another familiar tradition is the Easter bonnet. Children decorate hats with flowers, ribbons, chicks and colourful eggs before showing them off in a bonnet parade. It’s a simple but creative way to celebrate the season.
Hot cross buns are also traditionally eaten on Good Friday, making them a familiar sight in shops and homes during Easter.
Easter in Spain
In Spain, Easter is marked by a series of striking events known as Semana Santa, meaning Holy Week. Throughout the week, towns and cities hold large processions through the streets.
Participants carry beautifully decorated statues and candles while bands play music. Many people wear traditional robes with tall, pointed hoods.
Although some of the events are reflective, Easter is also a time for families to gather and celebrate together. In many places, children enjoy special cakes decorated with eggs or chocolate figures.
Easter in Italy
In Italy, Easter combines religious traditions with joyful family gatherings. Many families attend church services before sharing a special meal.
Food is an important part of the celebrations. One traditional treat is Colomba di Pasqua, a dove-shaped cake that symbolises peace and is topped with sugar and almonds.
Children in Italy are often given large chocolate eggs with a surprise toy hidden inside. Discovering what is inside the egg makes it especially exciting for children.
Easter in Greece
Easter is one of the most important celebrations of the year in Greece. Families come together to attend church services and share meals.
A well-known tradition involves dyeing eggs bright red to symbolise life and renewal. Families then play a simple game where they gently tap their eggs together. The person whose egg doesn’t crack is said to have good luck.
Another traditional treat is Tsoureki, a soft braided sweet bread that is sometimes decorated with red eggs.
Easter in Poland
In Poland, Easter celebrations often begin with the preparation of a special basket called a Święconka. Families fill the basket with symbolic foods such as bread, eggs and cake before taking it to church to be blessed.
Decorated eggs, known as pisanki, are also an important part of Polish Easter. These eggs are painted with colourful patterns, many of which have been passed down through generations.
On the Monday after Easter, some people take part in a playful tradition called Śmigus Dyngus, or Wet Monday, where water is splashed to symbolise cleansing and the arrival of spring.
Easter in Australia
In Australia, Easter takes place during their autumn rather than their spring because the seasons are reversed in the southern hemisphere. Despite this, many traditions are similar to those in the UK, including chocolate eggs and Easter egg hunts.
However, Australia has its own unique Easter symbol known as the Easter Bilby. The bilby is a small native animal that has been promoted as an alternative to the Easter Bunny to raise awareness about protecting wildlife.
Easter in Sweden
Sweden has one of the most colourful Easter traditions. Children dress up as Easter witches, wearing bright scarves and painted cheeks. They visit neighbours to exchange drawings or cards for sweets.
It’s a little like Halloween, but it takes place at Easter and celebrates the arrival of spring.
Homes are decorated with colourful feathers, eggs and branches, creating cheerful displays.
Easter in the United States
In the United States, Easter celebrations often include large community egg hunts. Parks, schools and community centres sometimes organise events where hundreds or even thousands of eggs are hidden for children to find.
Alongside these activities, many families attend church services, enjoy parades and gather for meals.
Bringing Global Traditions into Early Years Settings
Learning about celebrations around the world can help children understand that people have different traditions and ways of celebrating.
Easter offers a great opportunity to explore art, food, music and storytelling from different cultures. You might try decorating eggs inspired by different countries, creating Easter hats from around the world or sharing stories about how families celebrate elsewhere.
It’s also important to remember that not every child celebrates Easter, and traditions can vary from family to family. Exploring global celebrations helps create an inclusive environment where children learn to respect and appreciate different cultures.
Celebrating New Beginnings
Although Easter traditions look different around the world, many share similar themes of renewal, hope and togetherness.
Whether it’s decorating eggs in Poland, sharing sweet bread in Greece, dressing up in Sweden or hunting for chocolate eggs in the UK, these traditions all celebrate the joy of coming together and welcoming a new season.
For early years practitioners, sharing these traditions with children can open the door to creativity, curiosity and a greater understanding of the world around them.
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