Looking for some Easter activities to do during Holy Week? Here is a guide of fun ideas you can do with your family to prepare them for Easter!

Easter is such a unique holiday. There are so many elements to it. Not only is it springtime and the end of winter, but we get to celebrate the resurrection of our saviour! We have new life because of His sacrifice.

It can be a difficult topic to explain to young children though. Death is complicated enough without adding a resurrection story to it. But it is a story they need to hear because it is the foundation of our faith.

That’s why it’s good to have little activities to do with your children to help explain the hard details of the story.

The week leading up to Jesus’ death was full of activity, with different things happening each day. Use my free activity guide to have a Holy Week for yourself and your family to get ready for Easter!

If you haven’t started reading Ann Voskamp’s book “Loved to Life,” grab it and start now. It is a 40-day devotional that takes you through the book of John, but not just another recap, it will speak to your soul and remind you about the greatest love that ever lived, and died, for you! Grab your copy on Amazon.

Holy Week Easter Activities

Palm Sunday – Jesus Arrives in Jerusalem

John 12:12-19

The day Jesus arrived in Jerusalem and palm branches were laid down before him. A fun day filled with singing and dancing!

Make palm branches out of paper and lay them down on the floor leading from your front door into your home. Wave some in the air and shout “Hosanna in the highest!”

Monday – Jesus Cleanses the Temple

Matthew 21:12-17

The story of Jesus cleaning the temple isn’t a fun fairy tale where there are animals singing while they work and everyone is happy to pitch in. Jesus overturns tables and takes a whip to those who were abusing the holy space for their own gains.

If it isn’t a good reminder that we need to clean our Christian homes and remove unholy things, I don’t know what is!

So take some time with your children to help clean your home. Wipe cupboards, or windows, or get them to help you clean the bathtub (grab a spray bottle and fill it with water so they can help). Talk about how we also need to prepare our hearts for His coming and be ready to receive His gift.

Teaching Tuesday – Jesus Teaches at the Temple

Matthew 21:23-27

On Tuesday Jesus spent time telling parables at the temple.

Take your kids for a walk and do a scavenger hunt for items that will help you tell the story of Easter. See the attached download for the list of items to look for.

If you have more time or it’s raining, read some of the parables that Jesus was telling and talk about the Greatest Commandment (Matthew 22:36-40).

Spy Wednesday – Betrayal by Judas

Mark 14:10-11

A sad part of the story but a good reminder about walking in the light and seeking forgiveness when we make mistakes.

Have your children be “spies” for the day. But instead of looking for bad things, have them search out good things that have happened! Encourage them to do acts of kindness because they don’t know who might be watching.

Get some magnifying glasses from the dollar store so they can really play the part and have them be on the lookout for acts of kindness, goodness and love all day long!

If you want to make this more fun, have your kids report to you about acts of kindness they’ve seen and give them a heart to give to the person!

Maundy Thursday – Last Supper

John 13:1-17

The last meal Jesus shared with His disciples was significant in many ways. Jesus also washed the feet of His disciples, much to their shock and dismay.

Have your children wash each other’s feet and hands and talk about being humble. It’s important to do things for others with a heart of love because God asks we serve one another!

Good Friday – Jesus’ Death

Matthew 27:27-56

The saddest day of the week. Reading through the scriptures it is a painful reminder of what our sinful nature caused. While we know what is coming, Jesus’ friends and family did not and we can only imagine the pain they endured.

Take your children out for another walk and collect some sticks. Use string to tie the sticks and make a cross.

Alternatively you can make crosses out of paper and have your children colour them.

Saturday – Jesus in the Tomb

Matthew 27:62-66

This is a day of waiting. Jesus was dead, His body was laid in a tomb and covered with a heavy rock and then protected by a guard. No one was getting in or out of that tomb, no human anyways!

Take your children into a dark room of your house with a candle or flashlight and talk about what it’s like to wait for something. If they’re anything like my kids they will hate waiting!

This also is a good day to decorate Easter eggs in preparation for tomorrow, when new life appears!

Easter Sunday – The Resurrection

Matthew 28:1-10

The day we have all been waiting for! The end scene of a movie where the hero saves the day and in this case, He literally saves the day.

Jesus rose, the stone was rolled away and death was conquered!

Wake your children in the morning with a “He is risen!” and have an Easter egg hunt filled with empty eggs. Remind them the eggs are empty because the tomb was empty and Jesus rose again!

Don’t forget to make the “Empty Grave” snack!

Holy Week Download

Get the download with scriptures as well as the list for your scavenger hunt!

Make Your Holy Week Memorable

Make your Holy Week memorable so your children know the story backwards and forwards. Pray that your Heavenly Father would fill you with His love and that it would overflow into your children so their love cups can be filled and they would feel His presence!

Download now!

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