If you haven’t read the introduction to this series yet I recommend going here.
Gospel Era:
(Early Life / Early Ministry / Late Ministry / Death & Resurrection)
For more ideas check out my Pinterest Board: HERE
Storyline Summary: Jesus comes in fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies of a savior and offers salvation and the true kingdom of God. While some accept Him, most reject Him, and He is crucified, buried, and resurrected.
Books of Bible: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John
EARLY LIFE:
Birth of Jesus Quiz:
HERE
Jesus in the temple Game:
Play “hide and seek Jesus.” Designate a place to be the “temple” – it could be a certain room, under the table, a fort, etc. Have your child hide there and then wander around “looking for him/her.” Make a big production of it when you find him/her in the “temple.”
Jesus in the Temple Quiz:
HERE
EARLY MINISTRY:
Miracles of Jesus Quiz:
HERE
LATER MINISTRY/DEATH&RESURRECTION:
Palm Sunday:
"Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the Highest."
Matthew 21:9
Media:
Hands-On Activities:
Donkey Craft
I let my kids pick out special rocks and we glued googly eyes and drew mouths on them.
This was a great object lesson about how "if they keep quiet, the rocks will cry out..." Luke 19:40
We kept them out all week as a reminder to praise God
Cut out palm branches to use while acting out the story
Acting out the Story:
Jesus' Triumphal entry into Jerusalem
Coats on ground
Wave palm branches saying "Hosanna!"
My church is amazing and does a dramatization of Palm Sunday for the kids.
Since we had been discussing it all week it made Sunday more meaningful.
"He is not here for He is risen as He said."
Matthew 28:6
Media:
Most of the activities we did for Holy Week were from "A Sense of the Resurrection". I would HIGHLY recommend investing in this resource. For $7.99 you have access to 12 fun, hands-on, easy, meaningful activities that help your kids come face to face with Easter.
Below are a just couple of the activities we did this year.
There is a banner that goes with each day's activity
Washing friends feet
Talked about serving others as Christ
Making special bread together
Benjamin was proud of the final product
Discussed what it meant for Jesus die on the cross for our sins
(Yes, I know the nails were actually in the wrist)
Tasting vinegar and talking more about sin
Toddler Version of Resurrection Eggs:
This is a simple timeline of the Holy Week:
1. Bread - Jesus ate bread with his friends
2. Cross - Died on the cross
3. Cloth - wrapped in cloth and placed in a tomb
4. Rock - tomb sealed with a stone
5. Nothing - Empty tomb
6. Prize - "Jesus is Alive!" the sweet surprise of Easter
Every morning the kids would have to go around the house and find the eggs then we sat down and walked through the story as above. They wanted to do it multiple times a day but I think that had more to do with the bread and jellybeans than the story - ha!
This was a craft given to us by our church but you could make your own Holy Week wreath to highlight the timeline of events:
Journey into Jerusalem
Palm Sunday
The Last Supper
Jesus Prays
Jesus Dies on the Cross
Jesus is Resurrected
Jesus Ascends into Heaven
The kids wanted to hang it on our tree outside
Empty Tomb Rolls:
Ingredients needed: Marshmallows, butter, cinnamon/sugar, crescent rolls
Dip marshmallow in butter and cover in cinnamon/sugar which represents Jesus' body prepared for burial. Then wrap the marshmallow in the crescent roll which represents them wrapping Jesus body in cloth. Oven = Tomb. Cook for 8-10m at 350...
The Tomb is Empty!
He is Risen!
Our church also does a walk through Resurrection Journey the day before Easter.
It was a wonderful way to lead up to Easter Sunday.
