Holy Week is one of the most significant times of the year for Christians, marking the final days of Jesus Christ’s life, his crucifixion, and his resurrection. It is a time for reflection, prayer, and celebration. While the adult observance of Holy Week often involves church services, fasting, and other religious practices, Holy Week is also a great time to involve kids in activities that help them understand and appreciate the meaning behind the season. At The Kids Point, we believe in creating fun and meaningful learning experiences for children, so we’ve put together a collection of Holy Week activities that will engage their hearts and minds while helping them connect with this important period in the Christian faith.
Holy Week Timeline Craft
A great way to help kids learn about the events of Holy Week is by creating a visual timeline. This activity will guide children through the important events, from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday.
Materials Needed:
- Construction paper or poster board
- Markers or crayons
- Stickers or printed images (optional)
- Scissors and glue
- A ruler (optional)
Steps:
- On a large piece of paper or poster board, draw a straight line from left to right. This will be your timeline.
- Divide the timeline into seven sections, representing each day of Holy Week (Palm Sunday, Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday, Spy Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday).
- Write the name of each day above or below its respective section on the timeline.
- Help the children draw or paste images and words that represent the events of each day. For example:
- Palm Sunday: A picture of palm branches and a donkey.
- Good Friday: A cross and a crown of thorns.
- Easter Sunday: An empty tomb and a risen Jesus.
- Once complete, hang the timeline on a wall for reference, so kids can see the flow of events during Holy Week.
This simple yet educational craft helps children visualize the significant events of Holy Week while providing an opportunity for creative expression.
Palm Sunday Craft: Palm Branches
Palm Sunday marks Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, where the crowds waved palm branches to honor him. Creating palm branches with your kids can be a fun way to connect with this event.
Materials Needed:
- Green construction paper
- Scissors
- Glue or tape
- A popsicle stick or straw (optional)
Steps:
- Cut out several large leaf shapes from the green construction paper.
- Arrange the leaves in a fanned shape, as if they were palm branches.
- Glue the leaves together at one end and attach a popsicle stick or straw to act as the branch handle.
- Encourage kids to wave their palm branches in a small procession, mimicking the crowds from Palm Sunday.
This activity not only helps kids understand Palm Sunday but also allows them to feel a part of the celebration.
The Last Supper Reenactment
Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper, when Jesus shared a meal with his disciples before his crucifixion. This can be a powerful moment for children to learn about Jesus’ love and sacrifice.
Materials Needed:
- A table
- Plastic cups and plates
- Bread and grape juice (or any simple meal)
- Paper or fabric for robes (optional)
- Props for the “disciples” (optional)
Steps:
- Set up a table with plastic cups, plates, and simple foods such as bread and grape juice.
- Explain to the children that the Last Supper was a special meal Jesus shared with his friends before he was arrested.
- You can invite them to dress up as Jesus and the disciples using simple robes or fabric.
- Take turns reenacting the conversation between Jesus and his disciples, where he broke the bread and shared it with them, telling them it was his body, and the wine as his blood.
- Conclude the reenactment by discussing the importance of the meal and what it means for Christians today.
By reenacting this significant event, children can better understand the concept of communion and the importance of love and sacrifice.
Resurrection Eggs
Resurrection Eggs are a popular activity that helps children understand the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Each egg contains an item that corresponds to a specific event in the Holy Week narrative.
Materials Needed:
- 12 plastic eggs (available in stores or online)
- Small items that represent key events (e.g., a small cross, a coin, a piece of cloth, a nail, etc.)
- A cardboard egg carton or basket
Steps:
- Gather the items that will represent the following events:
- Palm Sunday: A small piece of cloth or a palm leaf.
- Holy Thursday (The Last Supper): A small piece of bread.
- The Arrest: A toy soldier or a coin.
- The Crucifixion: A small nail.
- The Burial: A stone or a piece of cloth.
- The Resurrection: A small empty egg or a figure of Jesus.
- Place the items in each egg and number them from 1 to 12.
- During Holy Week, open one egg each day and explain the corresponding event using the items inside.
- On Easter Sunday, open the final egg to reveal the empty egg, symbolizing Jesus’ resurrection.
This activity offers a tactile, hands-on experience of the Easter story, and children will enjoy discovering the hidden surprises inside each egg.
Good Friday Cross Craft
Good Friday is a day to remember the crucifixion of Jesus. Kids can create their own cross craft to reflect on this solemn day while also discussing the significance of the cross.
Materials Needed:
- Popsicle sticks or wooden craft sticks
- Glue
- Markers or paint
- Small beads or buttons (optional)
- Ribbon (optional)
Steps:
- Lay out the popsicle sticks and glue them together to form a cross shape.
- Allow the children to decorate the cross with markers, paint, or any other craft materials available.
- You can also add beads or buttons to the cross for added decoration.
- Tie a small ribbon at the top of the cross and hang it in the house as a reminder of Good Friday.
This craft is a great way to explain the significance of the cross while allowing kids to be creative and reflect on the event.
Easter Egg Hunt with a Twist
Easter egg hunts are a beloved tradition, and while they are fun, you can add a meaningful twist by using the egg hunt to help children reflect on the resurrection.
Materials Needed:
- Plastic eggs filled with small treats or messages
- Small clues or Bible verses (optional)
Steps:
- Fill plastic eggs with treats, such as candy or small toys.
- Write Bible verses or clues related to the resurrection, such as “He is risen!” or “The tomb is empty!”
- Hide the eggs around the house or yard, just like a typical Easter egg hunt.
- As the children find the eggs, read the verses or clues aloud to help them reflect on the meaning of Easter.
This modified egg hunt brings both fun and spiritual reflection into the tradition.
Create an Easter Garden
An Easter garden is a beautiful way to teach children about the burial and resurrection of Jesus. This activity can also be a meaningful craft that can be kept as a visual reminder of the Easter story.
Materials Needed:
- A shallow container (such as a pie pan or large bowl)
- Soil or moss
- Small stones or pebbles
- A small plastic or paper figure of Jesus (optional)
- A large stone (optional)
- A flower or plant (optional)
Steps:
- Fill the container with soil or moss to create a small garden base.
- Arrange the small stones around the garden to create a “tomb.”
- Place a large stone in front of the tomb to represent the stone that was rolled away when Jesus rose from the dead.
- You can add a small figure of Jesus inside the tomb, or simply leave it empty to signify the resurrection.
- Finish the garden with a small plant or flower to symbolize new life.
This simple but meaningful craft can serve as a daily reminder for children of the resurrection story.
Holy Week Story Time
Reading Bible stories is an excellent way to teach children about the events of Holy Week. There are many wonderful children’s books that tell the story of Jesus’ last days, his crucifixion, and his resurrection in ways that are easy for young children to understand.
Materials Needed:
- A children’s Bible or age-appropriate Holy Week storybooks
- A comfortable reading space
Steps:
- Choose a few stories to read with your children, such as “The Easter Story,” “The Last Supper,” or “The Crucifixion and Resurrection.”
- Read the stories aloud, making sure to explain any difficult concepts or words.
- Afterward, discuss the stories with the children, asking them what they think about the events of Holy Week and why they are important.
Story time is a great way to deepen children’s understanding of the events leading up to Easter in a calm and reflective way.
Holy Week is a time for reflection, remembrance, and celebration of the greatest gift of all—Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection. The activities listed above are not only fun but also meaningful, helping children understand and appreciate the significance of this holy season. At The Kids Point, we hope that these activities will create lasting memories and deepen the spiritual connection your children have with Holy Week. Whether through crafts, storytelling, or outdoor hunts, there are plenty of opportunities to make this week a meaningful learning experience for kids of all ages.