Palm Sunday: hosanna flags
You will need: one paper plate and sheet of coloured A4 paper per child, pens, pencils, stapler, glue, sequins, collage materials
This idea allows children to engage with the joy of welcoming Jesus and works best after some discussion of Palm Sunday. Fold the paper plate in half and staple it to the paper to make a ‘handle’ to hold when waving the paper ‘flag’. Ask children to use the collage items and pens to decorate their flag so that it reflects what they think the people might have been feeling when they welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem like a king or hero. They might want to pretend that they are a person in the crowd. When the flags are finished, use them as palm leaf replacements and act out Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem.
Maundy Thursday: prayer-light jar
You will need: battery-operated tea lights, clear plastic cups, tissue paper cut into small squares, PVA glue, glue spreaders or paintbrushes
On Maundy Thursday, as well as the events of the Last Supper, we also remember Jesus going into the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. This craft allows children to make something they can use themselves in reflection and prayer.
Use a glue spreader or paintbrush to paint the outside of the cup with PVA glue. Do this one section at a time. Let children cover the glue with squares of tissue paper. Don’t worry about overlapping the tissue paper because this looks quite good when the project is finished! Children might want to use colours that reflect their feelings about this part of the Easter story, or even colours that remind them of Jesus or of prayer. When the glue is dry, put a battery-operated candle inside and see the stained glass window effect of the tissue paper. Allow some reflection time, giving space for the group to look at the candle light and think about Jesus in the garden, or pray for people who are facing hard times. For older children, this craft also works well with a glass jam-jar instead of the plastic cup and a real tea light instead of a battery-operated one.
Good Friday: scratch-art pictures
You will need: white card cut into A6 size pieces, wax crayons of various colours, black paint, washing-up liquid, paint brushes, toothpicks
Scratch art is readily available to buy, but there is something very satisfying about the process of making your own! This craft helps to explore the concept of light overcoming darkness in the crucifixion. Ask the children to colour the card quite heavily with wax crayons, making any design they want to. Mix a dash of washing up liquid into the paint and paint over the wax design. Let the paint dry and paint on another coat until you can no longer see the wax. Let the paint dry and then encourage the children to use toothpicks to scratch away the dark paint to reveal the bright colours underneath.
Easter Sunday: cotton-bud resurrection cross
You will need: cotton buds, card, brightly coloured paint
This craft will give children the chance to reflect on the joy of the resurrection and the significance of the empty cross. Cut the card into a cross shape or simply draw a faint cross shape on a sheet of card. Dip cotton buds into the paint and make dots of colour to cover the cross shape. You will need lots of cotton buds so that colours don’t accidentally mix together! Children can use colours and patterns that resonate with their understanding of the events of Easter Sunday. The main idea is to make the picture as colourful and joyful as they can. Give time for children to share and talk about their creations if they would like to.
Mina Munns is the founder of Flame: Creative Children’s Ministry
