Growing up, I couldn't wait for the Easter Bunny!! To find new bubbles, fresh sidewalk chalk, and a pair of sandals in my basket. But even with all that joy, I didn't fully grasp the depth of the Good News.
Later, as I moved into ministry, Easter shifted from baskets to "business." It became the season of prepping for the highest guest counts and perfecting every detail of the service. In the middle of all that preparation, I realized I was still missing the simplest, most profound truth: that Jesus came and died for me because He loves me so much.
Now, as a mom, I don’t want my kids to miss the heart of the story in the midst of the excitement. I want them to understand the sacrifice of the cross and the power of the Resurrection in a way that sticks with them forever.
By using simple crafts, everyday activities, and scriptures, we follow Jesus from His triumphal entry all the way to the empty tomb. I’m sharing our family tradition for every day of Holy Week in hopes that it encourages your family to create meaningful memories and draw even closer to the Savior this year.
Join Us This Easter!
If you’re looking for a place to celebrate the Resurrection in St. Louis, I’d love to personally invite you to join my family at New Life St. Louis. We’ll be gathering on April 5th at 10:00 AM, and we would be so honored to have you there!
Palm Sunday: The Triumphal Entry
The Focus: Jesus is greeted as a King as he enters Jerusalem.
Scripture Reading: Matthew 21:1–11 or Luke 19:28–40
Craft: Handprint Palm Fronds
Supplies: Green construction paper, pencils, scissors, wooden craft sticks or green pipe cleaners, tape/glue.
How-To:
- Trace your child’s hand 4–6 times on green paper.
- Cut out the handprints.
- Overlap and glue the handprints onto the craft stick or pipe cleaner, taped securely to the back, to form a fan-like palm branch.
Activity: The Hosanna Parade
After reading the story, grab your coats and the handprint palms. Have one person pretend to be Jesus, sometimes the kids pretend to be the donkey, too while everyone else lays their coats on the floor, waves their palms, and shouts, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”
Holy Monday: Cleansing the Temple
The Focus: Jesus shows righteously angry love by clearing the Temple to make it a pure place of worship.
Scripture Reading: Mark 11:15-19, Matthew 21:12-13
Activity: The Holy Week House Clean
Talk to the kids about how Jesus wanted God’s house to be clean and holy. Explain that our hearts are also temples for God! Use this day to do a family "Spring Cleaning."Task: Assign everyone a job (dusting, picking up toys, wiping baseboards). While you clean, talk about "cleaning out" things in our hearts that don’t belong, like unkindness or disobedience.
Holy Tuesday: Parables and Warnings
The Focus: Jesus teaches through stories, warning us to be ready and faithful.
Scripture Reading: Matthew 25:1–13 (The Parable of the Ten Virgins)
Activity: Living the Parable
To illustrate the parable of the lamps, do an activity that requires preparation. Before bed, have the kids prepare everything they need for the next morning (clothes laid out, backpacks packed, breakfast dishes set). Talk about how being prepared for morning is like being prepared for Jesus to return.Craft: DIY Paper Lanterns
How-To:
- Decorate a sheet of paper.
- Fold the paper in half lengthwise.
- Cut straight lines from the folded edge towards the open edge, stopping about 1 inch from the margin.
- Unfold the paper. Roll it into a cylinder and staple the narrow ends together.
- Cut a strip of paper for a handle and staple it to the top. Place an electric tea light inside.
Wednesday: The Betrayal Plan
The Focus: We remember the sad choice Judas made to betray Jesus for money.
Scripture Reading: Matthew 26:14–16
Activity: The Sad Exchange
Give the kids a bag of chocolate gold coins (or real dimes/quarters). Have them count out exactly 30. Talk about how sad it is that Judas traded his friendship with Jesus for these coins. While they eat them later, remind them that Jesus’ love is worth more than any treasure.Craft: Coin Rubbing Art
How-To:
- Place several coins under the paper.
- Rub the side of the crayon gently over the paper. The image of the coins will magically appear.
- Have them try to collect "30 pieces" of rubbed silver on their page.
Holy Thursday: Feet Washing
The Focus: Jesus shows the ultimate example of humble service
Scripture Reading: John 13:1–17
Activity: Family Feet Washing
This is often the most impactful activity of the week. Gather a basin of warm water, soap, and towels. Have the parents wash the children’s feet first, explaining that Jesus, the King of Kings, did this to show us how to serve others. Then, let the kids wash each other's or their parents' feet.
Good Friday: The Passover & The Sacrifice
The Focus: Jesus is our Passover Lamb. We look at the ancient traditions of the Seder to see how they point directly to His sacrifice on the cross.
Scripture Reading: Exodus 12:1–13 (The First Passover) and Luke 23:44–49 (The Crucifixion)
Activity: The Family Seder Meal
If you choose not to do the full Passover Haggadah, explain what each component of the Seder represents in the story of the Exodus and how it points to Jesus. While you eat, talk about how the Israelites were saved by the blood of a lamb on their doorposts, just as we are saved by the blood of Jesus.
Karpas (Green Vegetable/Parsley): Represents new life. Dip it in salt water (tears) to remember the sorrow of slavery and the sorrow of the cross.
Maror (Bitter Herbs/Horseradish): Represents the bitterness of slavery to sin.
Charoset (Apple/Nut Mix): Represents the mortar used by slaves, but it's sweet—reminding us that even in hard times, God’s redemption is sweet.
Zeroah (Shank Bone): Represents the Passover lamb. Explain that Jesus is the "Lamb of God" who takes away the sins of the world.
Beitzah (Roasted Egg): Represents mourning and the festival sacrifice.
Matzah (Unleavened Bread): Bread made without yeast (sin). Notice the holes and stripes on the Matzah—Jesus was "pierced" and "striped" for us.
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| These coloring pages are from Elle Madison Education. You can purchase this coloring sheet and so many more, here. *I don't get commission for this - I just use them yearly. :) |
Holy Saturday: The Tomb
The Focus: Jesus is in the tomb. This is a day of waiting and preparation for the joy of Easter.
Scripture Reading: Matthew 27:57–66
Activity: Making Resurrection Rolls
This is a delicious, edible object lesson that "magically" teaches the story of the empty tomb. You bake them today, but don’t eat them until Easter morning!Supplies: Canned crescent roll dough, large marshmallows, melted butter, cinnamon sugar.
Marshmallow = Jesus’ pure body.
Butter/Spices = The oils and spices used for burial.
Crescent dough = The burial clothes/tomb.
How-To:
- Dip a marshmallow in butter, then cinnamon sugar.
- Wrap it tightly inside a crescent roll triangle, sealing all edges (this is the tomb)
- Bake according to dough instructions
- Do not reveal the secret until Easter morning!
Easter Sunday: He is Risen!
The Focus: CELEBRATION! Jesus has conquered death and is alive.
Scripture Reading: Luke 24:1–12
Activity: The Reveal
When kids wake up, shout, "Christ is Risen!" Cut open one of the Resurrection Rolls you made yesterday. The marshmallow has melted away, leaving the roll empty inside! This symbolizes Jesus’ empty tomb. Now, eat them for breakfast!Join Us This Easter!
