Creative Easter Fun

Overview

• Duration: 60 minutes
• Class Size: 28 students
• Year Group: Year 4 (Key Stage 2)
• Subject: Art and Design
• Theme: Easter Egg Decorations

Curriculum Link

Northern Ireland Curriculum
Area of Learning: The Arts
Subject Strand: Art and Design
Key Stage: Key Stage 2

According to the Northern Ireland Curriculum, at Key Stage 2, children should:

• Develop their ability to express ideas, thoughts and feelings through a growing range of art and design techniques.
• Explore and reflect on ideas through design processes.
• Use a range of media creatively to design and make images and artefacts.
• Talk about their own and others' work using appropriate vocabulary.
• Engage with stimulating and enjoyable creative activities that offer opportunities for personal expression.

This lesson addresses the following Learning Intentions:

• Pupils will explore the shape, patterns and symbolism of Easter eggs.
• Pupils will experiment with decorative patterns.
• Pupils will express personal taste and creativity in their designs.
• Pupils will use a variety of media including paint and card.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils will:

• Understand the significance of decorative Easter egg designs across cultures and traditions.
• Be able to plan and sketch their own Easter egg decoration using card.
• Transfer their design onto a template and paint their Easter egg with attention to detail and colour.
• Refine their final decorated egg with embellishments (glitter, stickers, ribbon, etc).
• Reflect on and talk about their peer’s creative work using positive language.

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Resources Needed

For the teacher:

• Music player and Easter-themed instrumental playlist
• Display projector/visualiser for showing examples
• Set of real or illustrated Easter eggs for inspiration

For each child:

• A4 white card (pre-cut into egg shape: approx 15cm high)
• Drawing pencils and erasers
• Rulers
• Paint (poster or acrylic), assorted colours
• Paintbrushes (fine and medium)
• Palettes or small containers for paints
• Water pots
• Paper towels
• Glitter, sequins, stickers, ribbon (optional embellishments)
• Glue
• PVA glue and brushes
• Protective apron or old shirt

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Lesson Structure

Starter – 10 minutes

Introduction to the Theme

• Begin with a short, engaging slide presentation or visual demonstration showcasing Easter egg designs from different cultures (Ukrainian Pysanky, modern illustrated eggs, Fabergé eggs, and traditional UK Easter eggs).
• Ask: “What shapes and patterns do you notice?” “How do the colours make you feel?”
• Encourage pupils to focus on repeated patterns, symmetry and symbolic shapes (hearts, stars, swirls, crosses).

Learning Objective Review

• Share today’s objectives clearly. Ask: “Who has painted on card before?” “What kind of designs do you want to see on your egg?”

Background music begins (nursery-friendly instrumental Easter playlist to promote calm creativity).

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Main Activity – 40 minutes

Part 1: Designing the Pattern (10 mins)

• Pupils will take a plain sheet of A4 paper and sketch out their Easter egg design. Encourage use of geometric shapes, repetition, and symmetry.
• Discuss strategies for fitting designs to the oval shape: "Keep details bigger at the top/bottom," "Repeat patterns along the sides."
• Encourage children to plan at least 3 colours into their design.

Part 2: Painting the Egg (20 mins)

• Pupils collect their pre-cut card egg shapes and paint their designs based on their sketches.
• Reinforce brush care rules, how to mix secondary colours, and how to avoid overloading the brush.
• Teachers and classroom assistants circulate and provide guidance, praising personal creativity and problem-solving.

Part 3: Decoration and Embellishment (10 mins)

• Once painted designs begin to dry, pupils use glue to add decorations like glitter, sequins, and ribbon.
• Tip: Use ribbon to create a hanging loop at the top for display after the lesson.
• Allow more confident pupils to assist peers in fixing embellishments.

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Plenary – 10 minutes

Art Gallery Walk

• In pairs or small groups, children walk around the classroom to admire the work of others.
• Encourage use of ‘Two Stars and a Wish’: two things they like, one idea they might add next time.

Whole Group Sharing

• Ask for volunteers to describe their piece: “What was your favourite part?” “Did you change anything from your sketch design?”

Reflection

• Display three questions on the board and allow a few voices:
  • What did you enjoy most about the process?
  • What surprised you about your design?
  • What would you do differently next time?

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Extension Opportunities

• Higher-ability: Add layered paper elements to give a 3D effect (e.g. raised patterns or borders).
• Early finishers: Decorate a second smaller egg or create a card backdrop for their egg using leftover paints.
• Cross-curricular link to Literacy: Write a short paragraph or poem inspired by their Easter egg’s design.

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Differentiation Strategies

• Support: Offer pre-drawn templates for children who need help with symmetry or inspiration.
• Challenge: Encourage more able pupils to include specific cultural motifs or unique shapes.
• SEN/EAL: Teacher or Assistant works one-on-one or in small groups. Use visuals prominently and model each step clearly.

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Assessment for Learning

• Observational assessment as children design, paint and decorate—monitor decision-making and use of materials.
• Pupils will self-assess and peer-assess using the ‘Two Stars and a Wish’ protocol.
• Photographic evidence of completed work for portfolios or display.
• Teacher checklist: Have pupils demonstrated use of design, colour, and pattern? Have they reflected on their work?

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Follow-up Ideas

• Create a class display tree or ‘Easter egg wall’ featuring pupils’ finished creations.
• Connect to RE or World Around Us by exploring Easter traditions in different cultures.
• Introduce digital art in future lessons—use tablets to redesign the egg digitally based on today’s hand-painted idea.

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Final Thoughts

This lesson combines festive creativity, cultural appreciation, and fine motor skills in a calm, engaging atmosphere. The live background music enhances a studio-like environment, encouraging focus and imagination. Pupils leave with a sense of joy and accomplishment, taking pride in their unique creation—ready to be celebrated in the classroom or at home.