Last Updated: February 17, 2022

Holy Week & Easter Pageant Ideas

Holy Week is an extremely important week in the Church year! It is a time to celebrate the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Holy Week provides us time to remember all that Jesus did, reflect on His messages, recommit to living as His disciples, and share Jesus in the world today. The ideas below are not only great activities during Holy Week, but also are great Sunday School crafts and activities for kids too!

Easter Program Ideas for Church

The Easter Pageant Script, "Easter Is…", was written to help us all remember the reason that we celebrate Holy Week. Be sure to download the Free Easter Pageant Script here! The script provides for diversity in how it can be presented and who will be called to perform. It can be used to tell the whole Easter story at one time or to tell specific scenes from the Easter story on specific Church days. For example, the script could be divided into scenes to be used at services on Palm Sunday/Triumphal Entry, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday. Children or adults, or a combination of children and adults, could be involved in the performance. You can find our full assortment of Religious Easter Pageant Supplies here!

Essential Easter Program Costumes:

Holy Week Activities Easter Pageant

Essential Easter Program Backdrops & Stand-Ups:

Holy Week Activities Easter Pageant

Palm Sunday Activities & Ideas

The story of Palm Sunday is told in the Gospel of Matthew 21:1-17. The gospel tells the story of Jesus’ triumphant ride into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey. As Jesus rode towards Jerusalem, people laid cloaks and palm branches on the road in front of Him, shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David," "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord," and “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” The laying down of cloaks and palms was a sign of honor. The gospel clarifies that Jesus knew that this would be His last trip into Jerusalem.

Holy Week Palm Sunday

Here are some fun and engaging Palm Sunday Crafts & Activities for Kids!

Holy Week Palm Sunday

Maundy Thursday Activities & Ideas

The last meal Jesus shared with His disciples is described in all four canonical Gospels (Mt. 26:17–30, Mk. 14:12–26, Lk. 22:7–39 and Jn. 13:1–17:26). This meal later became known as the Last Supper. The Last Supper is celebrated on Maundy Thursday, the Thursday before Easter Sunday. Jesus shared his bread and wine with the disciples. He told them that it was more important to serve someone else than to be served. After the meal was over, Jesus wanted to be alone to pray. Guards appeared a short time later and Jesus was arrested.

Here are some fun and engaging Maundy Thursday Crafts & Activities for Kids!

Holy Week Maundy Thursday

Good Friday Activities & Ideas

Good Friday marks the day when Jesus Christ, Son of God, was nailed to the cross and died. The crucifixion of Jesus is described in all four canonical Gospels (Mt. 27:27-56, Mk. 15:16-41, Lk. 23:26-49, and Jn. 19:16-37. It was on this day that Jesus was beaten, tortured, and killed because He claimed to be the Son of God. He was forced to carry His own cross and wear a crown of thorns on His head. Then, He was forced to carry His own cross to the top of a hill, where He was nailed to the cross. Jesus suffered for hours, and took His last breath as the sky turned dark as if mourning.

Here are some fun and engaging Good Friday Crafts & Activities for Kids!

Holy Week Activities Good Friday

Easter Sunday Activities & Ideas

Easter Sunday is the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus from the tomb on the third day after his crucifixion. Easter is the fulfilled prophecy of the Messiah who would be persecuted, die for our sins, and rise on the third day. Remembering the resurrection of Jesus is a way to renew daily hope that Christians have victory over sin. Jesus, the Son of God, fulfilled prophecy and through His life and death, has given the gift of eternal life in heaven to those who believe in His death and resurrection.

Here are some fun and engaging Easter Sunday Crafts & Activities for Kids!

Holy Week Activities Easter Sunday

Be sure to check-out all of our Religious Easter Ideas here and find all of our Religious Easter Supplies here!

Steve is the faith specialist for Oriental Trading Company. He has experience as both Director of Christian Education and Sunday School Superintendent with his church. In addition to 30 years volunteering with children’s ministry, Steve also is a former 4th grade teacher. He loves finding ways to engage and make faith education both fun and interactive. When not at work, Steve loves time with family and time at the gym.

View Steve's Profile See All Contributors