Coronavirus: Observe Easter while social distancing with these at-home, virtual activities

Most children would consider the Easter Bunny an essential worker.

Despite Easter falling in the thick of the new coronavirus outbreak and Gov. Ron DeSantis' stay-at-home order, families can still observe the holiday with these at-virtual activities. 

Online church services

Religious services conducted in churches, synagogues and other houses of worship were deemed essential and are exempt under DeSantis' stay-at-home order. But many churches have made services accessible online. 

The Catholic Diocese of Palm Beach airs its Mass from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on CW34 WTVX, on its Facebook page and on its website diocesepb.org. Ten local Catholic churches throughout the Treasure Coast are also hosting their own live stream masses, and the complete list can be found on the diocese's website. 

Christ Fellowship will have its Easter service broadcast on its website (gochristfellowship.churchonline.org), Facebook and YouTube pages. It also can be viewed on Roku, Apple TV or Amazon Fire Stick devices. 

Church-goers can even experience services throughout the nation. St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City will live stream its 10 a.m. Easter Sunday service, which viewers can access on its website (saintpatrickscathedral.org). The Washington National Cathedral also will host its 11:15 a.m. holiday webcast on its website (cathedral.org). 

Dye Easter eggs

Grocery stores are still open to buy the necessary ingredients.

If you can't find the all-inclusive dye kit, other household items work just fine. Did you know Kool-Aid can be used as a dye substitute? The most common recipe, however, is mixing one teaspoon of vinegar and 20 (or more) drops of food coloring with a cup of hot water. If worse comes to worse, Publix may still have colored eggs.

No eggs? No worries. Parents can create makeshift eggs out of papier-mache that can last forever. Or opt for a natural alternative such as a rock or pine cone.

Easter baskets

The Easter Bunny may not be able to make it out to stock up on goodies needed to fill up baskets this year, but Amazon Prime has pre-made Easter baskets that you can receive before Sunday. 

Backyard Easter egg hunt

It's no community-wide event, but children still thrill in the excitement of searching for and finding hidden treasures in their own yard. No yard? Parents can scatter eggs throughout the house. And if you don't have dozens of those plastic eggs stowed away in the attic, turn the game into a scavenger hunt for one, larger prize. 

Easter dinner

The physical family get-together may not be allowed, but that doesn't mean loved ones can't virtually gather. Video chat apps including FaceTime, Google Hangout, Zoom and Houseparty make it easy for extended families to stay connected while social distancing.

Not only can everyone converse, but screen-sharing capabilities make it possible for everyone to watch the same online church service. 

Whether the family is gathered for breakfast, lunch or dinner, maintain the mealtime. Cook the Easter dish that you've looked forward to all year, sit around the table (whether in-person or virtual) and enjoy the traditional aspects of the holiday. 

Begin a new tradition

Because why the heck not? It's easy to lament all the aspects of Easter that will be different this year. Instead of dwelling on the missed experiences, use the stay-at-home holiday to create a new tradition or memory with family. 

Catie Wegman is a community reporter who also produces "Ask Catie," an occasional feature to find answers to your burning questions about anything and everything — the more bizarre the better. Support her work with a TCPalm subscription. Contact her at catie.wegman@tcpalm.com or 772-221-4211 and follow her @Catie_Wegman on Twitter and @catiewegman1 on Facebook.