Good Friday Ideas for Kids: Games and Other Activities

Good Friday is usually recognized as a somber remembrance of Jesus Christ's death, a sacrifice He endured for us, to be mourned but also celebrated in its own way. A way of appreciating this day and its meaning to Christians for kids throughout the world can be through teaching, learning and other activities and Good Friday games for kids.

One of the more traditional ways is eating hot cross buns, at least in England and some English-speaking countries. They are eaten there as a symbol of Good Friday, as there is icing crossing the buns. It was interesting to learn about this tradition's origins (which is centuries-old), as described at the website http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art1745.asp. It also includes a recipe if you are interested in baking them, which can be a fun activity in itself! Or, if it's more to your taste, bake cookies and use icing to cross them instead and enjoy with the children afterward.

One of the nicer and more interesting website links for Good Friday activites for kids can be found at: http://www.catholicmom.com/2007_lesson_plans/good_friday.pdf.
They have several activities for children involving games, puppets, songs, crafts and more. For example, you can find puzzles to easily print out for kids.

Another fun learning activity is to color pictures of the Stations of the Cross - you can also use these as decoration for a room or classroom, displaying them in order and then going over what Jesus Christ experienced and why. A printable coloring booklet is available at http://www.catholicmom.com/stations_kids.htm.

Crafts are also an excellent Good Friday idea for kids to spend the time. A good article at http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1528852/good_friday_crafts_for_kids.html?singlepage=true&cat=25 will show you a few, including building a prayer box with nothing but a pack of sticks, glue, and some decorative items!

And, depending on how you prefer to spend your Good Friday, in reflection or more in celebration, there are many activities or games which you could choose to pursue to observe Good Friday with children: reading the Bible, simply enjoying each others' company while observing the day, religious songs, or prayer.

Perhaps your church or one near you is hosting Good Friday activities for kids to enjoy? It does not hurt to ask, or you could suggest creating an event for Good Friday 2009 to your church leaders. However you and any kids in your life choose to observe this Holy Day, there are several ways everyone can both appreciate and learn from it, without hearing any complaining!