Good Friday Activities, Crafts and Games for Kids

Good Friday presents an excellent opportunity for parents and church teachers to engage children in activities and games that focus on the true meaning of the Easter holiday...the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. Good Friday is the Friday directly before Easter on which Christians believers remember the death of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. When selecting Good Friday activities and games for teaching kids about the holiday, it's important to remember two things: most children prefer a hands-on approach to learning and they also learn best through activities that incorporate the lesson's meaning into them. The ideas provided below address the need for significance as well as action.

Good Friday Activities, Crafts and Games for Kids - Create a Popsicle Cross Craft

This Popsicle cross craft is an easy-to-make, quiet project to make with children of all ages on Good Friday. I was able to create one of these crosses in less than ten minutes. While working on the craft, parents have the opportunity to discuss the crucifixion story with their kids and answer any questions they may ask. Also, once it's completed, the cross makes an excellent Easter decoration.

Materials needed to make this project:

2 Popsicle sticks per cross

Green modeling clay or play dough

Red felt (or scrap material)

Small artificial flowers

Brown marker

Craft glue

Scissors

1. Color the two Popsicle sticks with the brown marker.

2. Form a cross with them by placing one stick perpendicular to the other and gluing them together. Allow the glue to dry before handling.

3. Mold a small ball out of the clay and flatten it on the bottom so it sits level on a surface.

4. Cut a small, thin strip (approximately 10 inches long and ½ inch wide) out of the red felt. Drape it over the cross and secure it on both sides with small amounts of the craft glue.

5. Place the cross in the center of the clay base while the clay is still moldable and add a few small artificial flowers around the cross. Allow the clay and glue to dry before handling.

Good Friday Activities, Crafts and Games for Kids - Have a Resurrection Egg Hunt

A resurrection egg hunt is a religious variation of the conventional Easter egg hunt. This is a holiday tradition for my family which serves as a hands-on way to learn about and reflect on the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ with my kids. The resurrection eggs may be purchased at Christian bookstores, in the Easter section of some superstores or online. The kit I use is made by FamilyLife Publishing and can be purchased here.

Materials needed for this activity:

Bible

Resurrection eggs (comes in a set of 12)

Basket or container to collect the eggs

Hide the resurrection eggs in the same manner as for a traditional egg hunt and have the children find and collect them. Sit the children down to discuss the contents of the eggs one by one. The content in the resurrection eggs includes a donkey, silver coins, a Passover cup, praying hands, a leather whip, a crown of thorns, a cross of nails, dice, a soldier's sword, a small piece of linen, a stone, and an empty egg. Each egg is numbered and color coded to coordinate with the booklet included with the kit. Follow the booklet and read the provided scriptures and explanations for each object. You decide how in depth of a discussion to have. Resurrection eggs are a practical illustration for sharing the resurrection story and Bible scriptures as a family and are a great choice for a Good Friday activity for kids.

Good Friday Activities, Crafts and Games for Kids - Make a Cross Box

This cross box is a fun, yet meaningful activity to share with kids on Good Friday. It is a reminder of the gift of love Christ gave on the cross for all human beings.

Materials needed for this activity:

Cross box template (choose the NIV verse or the KJV verse)

Cardstock (or paper)

Gift bow

Tape

Scissors

Markers and stickers to decorate

Print the template on a sheet of cardstock or paper. Cardstock will work better because it makes a sturdier final product. Cut out the cross template and fold it on the dotted lines until it forms a small box. Tape the sides together gently with tape. Place a small gift bow on top and let the child decorate the outside with markers and stickers.

This Good Friday activity is an excellent way to help children understand the gift God gave to the world through His Son, Jesus Christ. While explaining the Easter story, have the child open up the box to reveal the Bible verse hidden inside. When the box is completely unfolded it forms a cross bearing the scripture found in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His One and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Good Friday Activities, Crafts and Games for Kids - Prepare Resurrection Cookie Dough

Resurrection cookies are another excellent Good Friday activity for kids. These cookies are also sometimes called Easter Story cookies.

Materials needed for this activity:

Bible

1 cup whole pecans

1 teaspoon vinegar

3 egg whites

A pinch of salt

1 cup sugar

A baggy (one that zips or seals tight)

A mixing spoon

Tape

Each ingredient in this recipe represents a part of the crucifixion or resurrection of Christ. As the child measures and mixes the dough, discuss the significance of each one. You may choose to wait until the night before Easter to complete the activity. If so, simply place the mixed dough for the resurrection cookies in the refrigerator until Saturday. When you're ready to finish the cookies, preheat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20-30 minutes. Then turn it off and insert the cookies into the oven. Seal the oven door with the tape and go to bed. The next morning, give each child a resurrection cookie and have him or her take a bite. They will find the cookie is hollow, just like the tomb Christ was buried in was empty on the day of His resurrection. The complete recipe, explanations and Bible scripture references can be found here.

For more ideas on games, activities and crafts to help kids learn and celebrate Good Friday and Easter also read Free Fun and Educational Easter Printables for Kids by Jo Brielyn.

Sources:

http://www.teacherhelp.org/easter.htm

http://www.annieshomepage.com/resurrectioncookies.html

http://www.familylife.com/