At our Urban Forest Preschool, Easter is less about tradition in its conventional sense and more about what it represents to us—new beginnings, renewal, and the quiet magic of growth. Surrounded by trees, soil, and the rhythms of nature, this season offers the perfect opportunity for our children to experience these ideas in ways that are tangible, playful, and deeply meaningful.
This year, we embraced Easter as a celebration of transformation. Just as seeds sprout into new life and fallen leaves nourish the forest floor, we invited our children to explore the concept of beginnings through hands-on discovery.
One of the highlights of our celebration was a sensory exploration activity using real eggs. The children were fascinated as they handled frozen eggs with water, carefully placing tiny “jewels” inside. The experience was rich with curiosity—feeling the smooth shells, noticing the temperature of the water, and watching how the objects moved within. It was a simple yet powerful way to engage their senses while sparking wonder about what can be held, hidden, and revealed.
Our exploration didn’t stop there. After working with the eggs, the children carefully peeled away the shells and moved on to another hands-on experience—using a mortar and pestle to gently pound the shells into small pieces. With guidance, they then returned these crushed shells to a potted plant, sprinkling them as natural fertiliser. In this small but meaningful act, the children witnessed a beautiful cycle: what once protected life could now go on to nourish new growth. It was a powerful, age-appropriate introduction to sustainability and the idea that nothing in nature goes to waste.
Movement and play were also at the heart of our celebration. In the open space of our forest environment, laughter echoed as children rolled like eggs across the ground, experimenting with balance, coordination, and the joy of using their bodies in new ways. Another favorite was our egg-and-spoon activity, where children carefully scooped up eggs and carried them to their own buckets. These playful challenges encouraged focus, perseverance, and a sense of accomplishment—small but meaningful steps in their developmental journeys.
Throughout the day, we saw children not only engaging in activities but also embodying the spirit of Easter in their own ways—trying something new, approaching challenges with curiosity, and delighting in discovery.
In the heart of the urban forest, Easter became more than a celebration. It became an experience of growth, exploration, and possibility. And in the eyes of our children, every moment held the promise of something new beginning.