Christ Centered Easter Craft Devotional

One of the biggest surprises of my blogging life was when the Christ Centered Christmas Advent, created by my best friend Lorene, went absolutely crazy. I often forget there are people looking for ways to help their children understand the meaning behind the holidays as much as I am.

Every year, during the week leading up to Easter (Holy Week), my husband and I do a small devotional each night reading to our children what happened each of the days leading up to the resurrection. It is a beautiful experience and after the positive reaction I received to the Christmas version, I wanted to share this Easter version.

This Holy Week Craft Advent is a perfect way to get your children involved in the story of Easter, every day from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. My kids have loved it. If you are looking for more Christ Centered Easter ideas, you can find Resurrection Eggs here.

Each day includes:

a short scripture selection
pictures and/or videos
a very simple craft that uses common craft supplies and requires very little time to create

Palm Sunday – The Triumphal Entry

Read: Matthew 21:1-11
Picture: Gospel Art Book #50
Activity: Palm Leaves
Supplies:

Green construction paper
Pipe cleaner
Scissors
Tape

Draw a long leaf on an entire piece of green construction paper. Cut the leaf out. Draw a line down the center of the leaf and let the children cut fringe into the leaf, telling them to not cross the line. Add a pipe cleaner to the back of the leaf to give it some stability so the children can wave it.

Monday – Cleansing the Temple

Read: Matthew 21:12-13
Picture: Gospel Art Book #51, 52
Activity: Animal Cages

Supplies:

Construction paper
Tape
Scissors
Pipe cleaners
Animal stickers

Fold a piece of construction paper in half. Draw a large square on the front of one of the halves and then cut out that rectangle. Tape pipe cleaner halves to the inside of the square and then add animal stickers on the paper behind the pipe cleaners.

Tuesday – Widow’s Mite, 10 Virgins

Read: Mark 12:41-44 , Matthew 25: 1-12
Picture: Got Oil?
Activity: Clay Oil :amps
Supplies:
Model Magic or Salt Dough

Shape the dough into a vessel that resembles an oil lamp. Allow it to air dry over night.

Wednesday – Judas Betrayal

Officially, nothing is recorded of the events of the fourth day, but the third day has a lot happening so we split the third day into two parts. The Judas betrayal isn’t completed until later in the week, but this is when Judas covenants with the Jewish leaders to betray Jesus.

Read: Matthew 26:4-75
Picture: online
Activity: Coin Purse with 30 pieces of Silver
Supplies:

Felt in your desired color
Yarn
Yarn needle
3 dimes for each purse

Cut a sheet of felt in half. Fold the half sheet into almost half and use yarn to whip stitch up the sides. I used an awl to pierce holes in the felt so it was more like a lacing craft, but you can leave out that step if you want.

Thursday – Last Supper and Washing of Apostles’ Feet

Read: Luke 22:14-20, John 13:4-15
Picture: Gospel Art Book #54, 55, online
Activity: Foot Prints
Supplies:

Cardstock
Brown paint
Blue paint
Foam brush

Use the foam brush to brush the brown paint onto your child’s foot. Have your child stand on the paper. Repeat with the other foot. Draw a basin around the feet with paint and add blue paint to resemble water.

Good Friday – Crucifixion

Read: Luke 23:33-46, 50-56
Picture: Gospel Art Book #57, 58
Activity: Painted Cross
Supplies:

Heavy watercolor paper
Paints
Masking tape

Use the masking tape to make a cross on the paper. Let your child finger paint all over the paper, specifically around the edges of the tape cross. When the paper is completely dry, peel off the tape.

Saturday – Christ in the Tomb

Read: Luke 22:14-20, John 13:4-15
Picture: Tomb Images
Activity: Tomb
Supplies:

Construction paper in brown, black, blue and green
Scissors
Glue stick

Create a sky and grass background by cutting a piece of blue paper in half and gluing one half to the top of a green paper. Cut a tomb out of brown paper and the large stone out of black paper. Glue both to the background.

Easter Sunday – Resurrection

Read: Matthew 28: 1-7
Picture: Christ at the Tomb
Activity: He is Risen Sunshine
Supplies:

Paper
Crayons
Yellow Washi Tape

Draw a large yellow semi circle on a piece of paper. Let the children pick different types of yellow washi tape to put the rays on the sun. Write “He is Risen” in the middle of the semi circle.

These simple devotionals have helped our children take their focus off Easter Eggs and move it towards the savior and his sacrifice for us. I am so grateful for these amazing resources and videos!