Holy Week is one of the most important times in the Christian calendar. It’s a special week that leads up to Easter Sunday and celebrates the last days of Jesus’ life, his sacrifice, and his resurrection. For kids, Holy Week might seem like a complicated story filled with big words and deep meanings. But don’t worry—The Kids Point is here to break it down into a simple and kid-friendly daily guide that makes it easier to understand and appreciate.
This daily timeline will help children of all ages learn the meaning of each day in Holy Week through easy explanations, fun facts, and engaging ideas to help them reflect on this sacred season.
What is Holy Week?
Holy Week is the week that starts on Palm Sunday and ends on Easter Sunday. It includes many important events that happened to Jesus during the last days of his life. Christians all over the world remember and honor these events with prayers, church services, special meals, and reflections.
Holy Week includes:
- Palm Sunday
- Holy Monday
- Holy Tuesday
- Spy Wednesday
- Maundy Thursday
- Good Friday
- Holy Saturday
- Easter Sunday
Let’s explore each day of Holy Week with simple language and easy-to-understand activities!
Palm Sunday: Jesus Enters Jerusalem
What Happened:
Palm Sunday is the first day of Holy Week. It celebrates the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, and people greeted him like a king. They waved palm branches and shouted “Hosanna!” which means “Save us!”
Kid-Friendly Explanation:
Imagine someone important coming to town and people cheering with excitement. That’s how it was when Jesus came to Jerusalem!
Symbol: Palm branches and the donkey
Fun Ideas for Kids:
- Make palm leaves out of green paper and act out Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem.
- Draw a picture of Jesus riding a donkey and people cheering.
Message:
Jesus is a humble king who brings peace.
Holy Monday: Jesus Clears the Temple
What Happened:
On this day, Jesus visited the temple in Jerusalem and found people using it to sell goods and make money instead of praying. He became angry and flipped the tables, reminding everyone that God’s house should be respected.
Kid-Friendly Explanation:
Jesus saw people doing the wrong thing in church, and he reminded them to treat God’s house with care and respect.
Symbol: Table or coins
Fun Ideas for Kids:
- Talk about how we should behave respectfully in places of worship.
- Create a mini temple using building blocks and imagine making it a quiet place for prayer.
Message:
We should always honor places where we worship God.
Holy Tuesday: Jesus Teaches in the Temple
What Happened:
Jesus spent the day teaching people in the temple. He told stories called parables to help them understand how to love God and each other.
Kid-Friendly Explanation:
Jesus was like a teacher who told amazing stories that helped people learn how to live kindly and wisely.
Symbol: Scrolls or books
Fun Ideas for Kids:
- Read a simple parable like the “Good Samaritan” and talk about being kind to others.
- Make a “kindness list” of things you can do this week for your family and friends.
Message:
Jesus teaches us how to love and care for others.
Spy Wednesday: Judas Plans to Betray Jesus
What Happened:
This day is also known as “Spy Wednesday” because Judas, one of Jesus’ disciples, agreed to betray him for 30 silver coins.
Kid-Friendly Explanation:
Judas made a very bad choice and planned to hurt Jesus by telling the enemies where to find him.
Symbol: Silver coins
Fun Ideas for Kids:
- Talk about the importance of honesty and loyalty.
- Draw a picture of a coin and write one way you can be a good friend.
Message:
We should always choose to be truthful and loyal.
Maundy Thursday: The Last Supper
What Happened:
Jesus had a special meal with his disciples called the Last Supper. He shared bread and wine and told them to remember him through this meal. He also washed their feet, showing humility and love.
Kid-Friendly Explanation:
Jesus shared dinner with his friends and taught them how to serve others by washing their feet. He wanted them to remember him in a loving way.
Symbol: Bread, wine (or juice), and a bowl of water
Fun Ideas for Kids:
- Have a simple meal with bread and juice and talk about what Jesus did.
- Wash each other’s hands or feet as a family to practice being humble and helpful.
Message:
Serve others with love and remember Jesus through kind actions.
Good Friday: Jesus Dies on the Cross
What Happened:
This is the most solemn day of Holy Week. Jesus was arrested, put on trial, and crucified on the cross. He died to take away the sins of the world.
Kid-Friendly Explanation:
Jesus did something very brave—he gave his life for us because he loves us so much.
Symbol: The cross
Fun Ideas for Kids:
- Create a cross craft out of sticks or paper and talk about Jesus’ sacrifice.
- Light a candle and sit quietly for a few minutes to reflect on how much Jesus loves you.
Message:
Jesus gave everything for us. His love is endless.
Holy Saturday: A Day of Waiting
What Happened:
After Jesus died, his body was placed in a tomb. His friends were sad and waited, not knowing what would happen next. It was a quiet day of mourning and hoping.
Kid-Friendly Explanation:
It was a day of waiting and sadness, but also hope. Jesus’ friends missed him so much.
Symbol: A closed tomb or stone
Fun Ideas for Kids:
- Decorate a box like a tomb and talk about waiting with hope.
- Do a quiet activity like coloring a picture of the empty tomb with the stone rolled in front.
Message:
Even in sadness, we can have hope.
Easter Sunday: Jesus is Alive!
What Happened:
This is the happiest day of all! Jesus rose from the dead and showed his friends that he is alive. It proves that love and life are stronger than death.
Kid-Friendly Explanation:
Jesus came back to life! It’s a joyful day because it means he defeated death and we can always be close to him.
Symbol: Empty tomb, sunrise, Easter eggs
Fun Ideas for Kids:
- Have an Easter egg hunt to celebrate new life.
- Make a “He is Risen” banner and decorate it with bright colors.
Message:
Jesus is alive! We can celebrate love, hope, and new life.
Holy Week Summary for Kids (Quick Recap)
| Day | Name | What Happened | Main Message |
| Sunday | Palm Sunday | Jesus enters Jerusalem with cheering crowds | Jesus is our peaceful king |
| Monday | Holy Monday | Jesus clears the temple | Respect God’s house |
| Tuesday | Holy Tuesday | Jesus teaches parables in the temple | Learn and love others |
| Wednesday | Spy Wednesday | Judas plans to betray Jesus | Be honest and loyal |
| Thursday | Maundy Thursday | Last Supper and washing feet | Remember Jesus and serve others |
| Friday | Good Friday | Jesus is crucified | Jesus loves us deeply |
| Saturday | Holy Saturday | Jesus rests in the tomb | Waiting in hope |
| Sunday | Easter Sunday | Jesus rises from the dead | New life and joy |
Activities to Celebrate Holy Week as a Family
Here are a few additional ideas for families to make Holy Week more meaningful for kids:
Create a Holy Week Calendar
Draw a simple chart with each day and add a symbol and short explanation. Let kids color it and hang it up. Use bright markers, stickers, or cut-out shapes to make it visually appealing. Each day, revisit the calendar together and talk about what happened and why it’s important.
Daily Storytime
Read children’s Bible stories for each day of Holy Week. Use picture books or kid-friendly story Bibles. After reading, ask a few simple questions to help your child reflect on the story’s meaning. You can also act out parts of the story to make it more interactive and fun.
Prayer Jar
Each day, let kids pull out a slip of paper with a prayer prompt. For example: “Pray for someone who is sad,” or “Thank Jesus for his love.” Write the prompts on colorful paper and keep them in a decorated jar or basket. At the end of the week, review the prayers together and talk about how it felt to pray daily.
Simple Crafts
Make simple crafts like palm branches, crosses, or the empty tomb. Use items you have at home for creativity and fun. Talk about the meaning behind each craft while making it, so the activity connects with the day’s message. Display the finished crafts in a special Holy Week corner at home.
Holy Week Music
Play worship songs or hymns that match the theme of each day. Kids can dance, sing, or simply listen quietly.
Create a Holy Week playlist together with songs your child enjoys. Encourage kids to share how the music makes them feel and which song is their favorite.
Holy Week is a beautiful time to help children grow in their faith, reflect on love and sacrifice, and celebrate the joy of Easter. By using this simple and engaging daily guide, kids can walk through the story of Jesus’ final days with understanding and wonder.
At The Kids Point, we believe that spiritual growth should be fun, meaningful, and accessible to all children. Holy Week offers a perfect opportunity to share the love of Jesus in a way that stays with them for a lifetime. So grab your crayons, open your hearts, and walk through this sacred week with joy and discovery.
Happy Easter!