“The Easter Bunny came!”
Those words were regularly exclaimed by my sisters and me when we awoke on Easter mornings to find colorful baskets filled with toys and treats. In our young age, we still believed that the Easter Bunny was real – that somehow a large rabbit (probably wearing a waistcoat) magically slipped into people’s houses to deliver goodies to little girls and boys. We held him in the same regard as Santa Claus, who brought us gifts on Christmas.
As a child, I anticipated the gifts and chocolate bunny but did not pay much attention to Jesus’ resurrection. To me, Easter meant a full basket of presents, not an empty tomb. What I heard about Jesus from my mother was drowned out by my enthusiasm for a bouncing rabbit. Then I learned the Easter Bunny was not real. I do not remember the exact age this realization dawned on me, but I remember feeling as if the magic and whimsy had slipped out of the holiday. What was Easter if not a bunny bringing gifts and chocolate?
Not only that, but I felt confused. My parents had told me about the magical rabbit. I had even met him at the mall, though he had terrified me at the time. What purpose did the fictional Easter Bunny accomplish besides giving me fleeting moments of fun that would eventually end in disappointment?
My view of Easter changed when I placed faith in Jesus and understood the true meaning of the holiday. The day became more important than it was before, with no bunnies required. Far more exciting than a basketful of presents was the truth that Jesus was resurrected. Even more than that, His death and resurrection are real and true. The same cannot be said of the Easter Bunny.
Knowing how much the deception of the Easter Bunny can harm children and push them away from Christ, I am strongly against teaching kids about this fictional rabbit. Some parents may have different views or believe their children would enjoy the game of pretending. However, I believe the Easter Bunny causes more damage than benefit to a child’s spiritual growth.
Read on for my five reasons not to pretend the Easter Bunny is real.
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As was shown from my personal experience, the Easter Bunny distracts from the true meaning of Easter. Instead of anticipating a day celebrating the resurrection of Christ, many children eagerly await a rabbit who magically brings them gifts. They are preoccupied with thoughts of chocolate eggs, marshmallow chicks, plush bunnies, and other fun items. The good news of Easter is drowned out by a rabbit.
Some denominations have historically tried to connect Jesus with the Easter Bunny. Although ministries may seek to integrate the rabbit or eggs into lessons about Jesus’ resurrection, these things can distract from biblical truth. Children associate the Easter Bunny with bringing gifts and leaving eggs for them to find. They will think and talk about these things when parents or teachers try to use the symbol of the rabbit and the eggs he brings to connect to the gospel.
On Easter, we remember the wonderful news that Jesus is risen (Luke 24:6). Because He lives, we too will live, even when we die (1 Corinthians 15:20; see also John 11:25). Also, His resurrection is the foundation of our faith and hope (1 Corinthians 15:13-19). A Christian’s focus on Resurrection Sunday should be on Jesus, not on a rabbit. Christ is the One who has saved us and made us new.
By keeping Jesus as the focus of our celebration, we model to children and others what it looks like to love and follow the risen Lord. Getting a rabbit involved only distracts kids from what truly matters.
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Another reason not to pretend the Easter Bunny is real is that there is no biblical significance of a bunny. Rabbits were not physically present at the resurrection. Nor did the early church use a bunny as a symbol of Jesus or His defeat of death. The rabbit is not based on a historical figure either like Saint Nicholas, who can be used to help children learn about the importance of generosity (Acts 20:35). Therefore, a hare bringing presents on Easter is not a biblical concept and is unrelated to Easter.
What is included in the true Easter story is that the women were going to visit the tomb early on Sunday (Matthew 28:1). Scripture includes no mention of a rabbit or eggs on that first Easter. However, the women did see an empty tomb (Luke 24:1-3). Angels appeared to them, telling them that Jesus had risen from the dead, just as He said (Matthew 28:6). They hurried to tell the other disciples the amazing news – Jesus was no longer dead. He is alive (see Matthew 28:7-10; Luke 24:7-9).
Children and adults alike need to hear about the empty tomb on Easter, not a magical rabbit. The Easter Bunny did not die and rise from the dead. A rabbit cannot save anyone from their sins. So, why waste time and energy telling kids about the Easter Bunny and pretending he is real when he is not? He is not present in the gospel message and has no connection to Christ’s resurrection.
As believers, we need to prioritize truth. Teaching children about a bunny bearing gifts in baskets is neither true nor present in the Bible. We need to focus on Christ and what He did that first Easter.
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Reading about fictional rabbits can be fun for children and others. Many well-known books feature memorable characters like Peter Rabbit and his friend Benjamin Bunny. We can enjoy these tales, but we need to keep them in their proper place as stories. The same is true of the Easter Bunny. He is only a fictional figure.
We should not pretend that the Easter Bunny is real because children could conflate the rabbit with Jesus. At first, kids might enthusiastically embrace Jesus as they do the Easter Bunny. Later, though, as they find out that their beloved rabbit is not real, they may think the same of Christ and the events of Easter. There is danger in teaching children about a fictional rabbit because they could wrongly believe that Jesus’ resurrection is fictional too.
Even if parents honestly tell their children that the Easter Bunny is not real from the start of their game of pretend, the kids could still associate Jesus with the bunny. It would be easy to confuse what is real and what is not, especially since the bunny is so interwoven with Easter in secular society. In a child’s world of pretend, he or she might think Jesus is just another addition to their playtime. Scripture places a significant responsibility on parents to raise their children in the knowledge of the Lord and to train them in the right way to go (Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Proverbs 22:6). Children need careful guidance and a steady diet of truth. Believing parents should, thus, want to raise their kids with the knowledge of Jesus and what He did.
The same is true of children’s ministry workers and teachers. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them” (Matthew 19:14, NIV). Teaching kids about a made-up rabbit and associating it with the day that Jesus was physically raised from the dead could hinder them from placing faith in Him. We should not take this matter lightly. Parents and children’s workers should not want to confuse children about the truth of Jesus’ resurrection by associating it with a fictional rabbit.
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Jesus’ resurrection is the foundation of the Christian faith. As Paul wrote in his letter to the church in Corinth, “[I]f Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15:17, NIV). We are saved because Jesus died to pay for our sins and rose to life on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). One day, we will be physically resurrected because our Lord and Savior was resurrected (1 Corinthians 15:20, 23).
Sadly, the celebration of the most important event in history that is the basis of our faith and future has become commercialized. This is largely due to the Easter Bunny. Parents purchase gifts and chocolate for their children to place in bright baskets so children can wake up to a surprise “from the Easter Bunny.” The influence that this rabbit has had on making Easter into a money-making day is another reason to not pretend the Easter Bunny is real.
During Jesus’ earthly ministry, He denounced the priests for allowing the temple courtyard to become an area for merchants and moneychangers who often took advantage of the temple worshipers. In His anger, He even turned over their tables. They had made the temple into a den of robbers (Matthew 21:12-13).
The Lord did not tolerate the accumulation of money at the expense of the sacred, and neither should we. To turn a holy day into a commercialized celebration requiring a basketful of gifts and candy misses the intent of Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection. He came to give His life as a ransom for many, not to accumulate wealth and power for Himself (Mark 10:45).
Followers of Jesus should not want to participate in turning a celebration of Christ’s resurrection into a day of commercial gain. We can avoid this by removing any mention of a gift-bringing rabbit from our Easter celebrations.
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A fifth and final reason not to pretend that the Easter Bunny is real is that Easter does not need any additions to make it more fun or exciting. The good news of Jesus’ resurrection is more joyous and exciting than any story of a made-up waistcoat-wearing hare. Individuals might think that adding the Easter Bunny into their celebrations will keep children preoccupied, but the events of the first Easter can stand solidly on their own.
An earthquake. The appearance of angels wearing clothes as white as snow. A stone rolled away. All these things led to the central event when the women discovered the empty tomb. He appeared to them in His resurrected body, directing them to go and tell the disciples the good news: He is alive (Matthew 28:1-10).
What could be more exciting than the true event of Jesus conquering death by rising from the dead? We do not need embellishments for Easter by sprinkling in a rabbit who delivers eggs and toys. The resurrection of Christ, a historical event central to our salvation, is already exciting and interesting enough.
Also, to think that kids are only interested in silly, fantastical characters underestimates them. Children can understand and appreciate biblical truths, including the joyous occasion of Jesus’ resurrection. When a child finally understands and places faith in Jesus, his or her new life in Christ will bring joy – an enduring joy that far exceeds the temporary happiness of receiving a gift from a made-up bunny.
In eternity, no one will speak of or grow excited about a rabbit carrying a basket. Our focus will be on the living Lamb. We will sing praises to the resurrected Lord, exclaiming: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” (Revelation 5:12, NIV).
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Learn more about the meaning and significance behind the Easter holiday and Holy Week celebrations:
What is Lent? and When Does Lent Start?
What is Ash Wednesday? and When is Ash Wednesday?
What is Palm Sunday?
What is Maundy Thursday?
What is Good Friday? and When is Good Friday?
What is Holy Saturday?
What is Easter? and When is Easter Sunday?
Easter Bible Verses
The Resurrection of Jesus
Easter Prayers
Originally published Monday, 25 March 2024.
