Children
Children Activities for Easter Sunday (Year C)
Curated children’s ministry resources and sermons (object lessons) for Sunday Readings from SermonWriter, Ministry-to-Children, Religion Teacher and other sources.
Easter Sunday
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MORE EASTER ART PROJECT VIDEOS
SOURCE: Art for Kids Hub
Catholic Resources
YOUNG CATHOLICS
The readings for Easter celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Easter is actually an octave, lasting eight days.
YOUNG CATHOLICS THEMES:
- Death is not the final word
- God never abandons us
- New life from death
- How Easter must change our hearts
SOURCE: Young Catholics
Flower & Butterfly
CHILDREN’S LITURGY SYMBOL
SOURCE: Catholic Children’s Liturgy Program Plans (Used worldwide since 2000)
PDF Handouts
Society of Christian Doctrine (SDC)
S.D.C. is a Catholic Society in the United Kingdom that works in the field of Catechesis and the spreading of the Word of God in different ways. Its website provides catechists and teachers with free resources that can be used in different situations to help passing on the faith to others.
Click on image to view full page
Catholic Kids Bulletin
SOURCE: The Kids’ Bulletin: A fun way for Catholic kids to learn about the Faith every week.
SUNDAY WORDSEARCH
SOURCE: Diocese of Salford Office for Liturgy
Liturgical Activities
THE LITURGY CENTRE
NO RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR EASTER.
SOURCE: the Liturgy Centre, Catholic Diocese of Auckland. Click to download PDF
Family Activities
OUR SUNDAY VISITOR
Easter is a time to celebrate new life. Plan an Easter egg hunt for all ages of the family. Fill plastic eggs with candy and put slips of paper containing uplifting Bible verses in some of the eggs. Have anyone who finds an egg with a Bible verse open it up and share what is written on the slip of paper.- Decorate an Easter candle to reflect the resurrection of Jesus. Let everyone contribute in some way. Use the candle as a table centerpiece and light it every evening during the Easter Season.
- Make Easter bread together as a family. Before placing the bread in the oven, thank God for sending Jesus and for all of the blessings bestowed on your family.
- Color Easter eggs as a family and discuss their meaning. Point out that an egg is hard like a tomb but it also gives new life. As the activity is in process, discuss what is new in your life.
SOURCE: Our Sunday Visitor: Lifelong Catechesis
Word Sunday
Preparing Your House for Easter
Easter is a time of new life. Flowers bloom, the grass is green, the birds now chirp in the air. Spring is here (or is just around the corner). Everything seems to be so new, so fresh.
Many families open the house for a good spring airing. Some throughly clean the house and bring in new plants this time of year. In your preparations for Easter, involve your family in the cleaning and decoration. What can you bring into your home that is new and fresh? Discuss the matter with your family. Then share Matthew 28:1-10 Point to the Risen Jesus as someone completely renewed and fresh. But, unlike the plants or decorations we bring into our homes, Jesus will never die again.
SOURCE: Word-Sunday.com All materials found in word-sunday.com are the property of Larry Broding (©1999-2021). Viewers may copy any material found in these pages for their personal use or for use in any non-profit ministry. Materials may not be sold or used for personal financial gain.
THE RELIGION TEACHER
Non-Denomination
MISSION BIBLE CLASS
Burial and Resurrection of Jesus
Scripture Reference:
Matthew 27:50-28:15 . Mark 15:42- 16:14
John 19:38-20:31 . Luke 23:50-24:44
Suggested Emphasis: Even though everything was bad — God made it good. He can do the same for us when things are bad.
Memory Verse: For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. Romans 6:9 (NIV)
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SOURCE: Mission Bible Class by Mary Nelson ©2011-2022, used by permission
TRUEWAY KIDS
Free Printable Bible Lessons
Free printable at home Bible lesson
SOURCE: TRUEWAYKIDS.COM
FAITHVILLE PRODUCTIONS
Free Sunday School Curriculum – New Testament Lessons | Old Testament Lessons
Preschool Lesson Packet (16 pages – PDF)
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Scripture Clip Art
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A B C D E F G H I J K L M
N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
MATT D’ANTUONO (6:14) – This video is a reading and reflection on the Sunday Gospel for kids for Easter, 2022. Matt is a high school teacher, a Catholic speaker and author of several books. He lives in New Jersey with his wife and eight children. He is working on a MA in philosophy specializing in Christian Wisdom from Holy Apostles College in Cromwell, CT. He blogs regularly at National Catholic Register.
Easter Eggs Object Lesson for kids
KIDS ENJOYING EASTER (9:33) – This free Easter egg object lesson for kids uses an interactive matching game to teach kids that Jesus is alive! During this Easter lesson kids will see pictures of animal eggs and learn some of the history behind Easter eggs while they hear the true story of Christ’s death and resurrection! Kids will enjoy seeing pictures of eggs from dinosaurs, butterflies, frogs, and more as they guess which animal came from each egg. Download a free printable copy of this Easter eggs object lesson for kids.
Use your own judgment in adapting Lesson when including it in your children’s ministry.
Easter Special!
VIRTUAL SUNDAY SCHOOL (8:16) – Today we’re looking at Easter – from Good Friday – Easter Sunday!
Use your own judgment in adapting Lesson when including it in your children’s ministry.
SBC Kids (9:48) – Happy Easter Sunday from Sierra Bible Children’s Ministries! We wish we could be celebrating Resurrection Sunday with you in person but we hope you enjoy this video until we can meet again.
Use your own judgment in adapting Lesson when including it in your children’s ministry.
CROSSROADS KID’S CLUB (18:12) – The Easter story is full of Easter eggs you probably missed! Join Chris on a wild ride through all the crazy events leading up to Jesus’ death….and resurrection! After you’ve watched the video, use these convo starters to talk about it. Plus, find coloring pages and activity sheets here: https://rb.gy/h7yvf9.
Use your own judgment in adapting Lesson when including it in your children’s ministry.
MINISTRY TO CHILDREN (13:57) -Easter is here! It’s always fun to celebrate this spring holiday with crafts that feature the typical chicks, flowers, or bunnies…but even more important is recalling the glory of the resurrection! Jesus came back to life after being crucified. This is our great hope and joy, on Easter and always. Here are a couple of creative ideas to celebrate Easter. A “sensory cross” uses a variety of decorations on a cross to recall Christ’s sacrifice. A “New Life Butterfly” symbolizes the resurrection with a happily colorful butterfly.
Use your own judgment in adapting Lesson when including it in your children’s ministry.
DOLLAR STORE CHILDREN’S SERMONS (5:24) -This video is presented by John Stevens, a Lutheran (ECLA) pastor; Use your own judgment in adapting it when including it in your children’s ministry.
Text: Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-18
Dollar Store Item: Foam Sheets, Deck of Crass, Gum, Paper Bags, Empty Eggs
Take Away: New Life starts today! One side of the tomb is death, and the other side is life! The tomb is empty. Christ is Risen! He is Risen, Indeed.
LOYOLA
PRESS
LOYOLA PRESS
Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord
Making the Connection
1️⃣2️⃣3️⃣
Grades 1-3
Although the disciples are slow to recognize the significance of Jesus’ empty tomb, they come to realize that Christ is still with them. Help younger children understand that we feel joy at Easter because Jesus has given us the gift of salvation and the peace that comes in knowing we can be saved.
SOURCE: SUNDAY CONNECTION (LOYOLA PRESS) – All Rights Reserved
Making the Connection
4️⃣5️⃣6️⃣
Grades 4-6
During Lent we invited our young people to reflect upon and enter into the Paschal Mystery through their Lenten sacrifices of almsgiving, prayer, and fasting. Now we must invite the children to reflect and meditate on Jesus’ Resurrection and the gift of eternal life that he gives to us.
SOURCE: SUNDAY CONNECTION (LOYOLA PRESS) – All Rights Reserved
Making the Connection
7️⃣8️⃣
Grades 7 and 8
During Lent we invited our young people to reflect on the Paschal Mystery by their Lenten sacrifices of almsgiving, prayer, and fasting. Now we invite them to reflect on Jesus’ Resurrection and the gift of eternal life that he gives to us.
SOURCE: SUNDAY CONNECTION (LOYOLA PRESS) – All Rights Reserved
Lectionary Resources
Catechist Background and Preparation
Primary Session
Intermediate Session
Junior High School
Catholic Doctrine
“On the third day he rose again, in fulfillment of the scriptures…”
PRIMARY SESSION – The resurrection of Jesus reveals God’s great love for us. That powerful Divine love did not end with the death of Jesus on the cross. Rather, God broke the chains of death forever and raised Jesus to new life. The resurrected Jesus is present with us even now. His light shines throughout the world. We believe that God raised Jesus from death to new life. The first disciples gradually came to understand that Jesus was raised from the dead, and in understanding that, they were willing to suffer and die in order to tell the good news of the resurrection.
SOURCE: LECTIONARY RESOURCES (RCL Benzinger) – All Rights Reserved
Easter!
CATHOLIC KIDS MEDIA – Easter 1C (2019).
CATHOLIC KIDS BULLETIN
Teacher and mom, THERESA, creates Kids’ Bulletins, a resource for Catholic kids about the readings for Sunday’s Mass every week. More resources.
Holy Week starts for Big Al
FATHER JOE & BIG AL – Palm Sunday C (2022).
SERMONS 4 KIDS – GOSPEL
Surprise!
Objects suggested: A toy Jack in the Box.
EXCERPT: (Start the sermon by slowly turning the handle on the Jack-in-the-Box. When Jack pops out, make a big production of it acting as if you were really surprised.)
Have you ever played with a Jack-in-the-Box? I’m sure you have. The Jack-in-the-Box has been around for hundreds of years and most children have either had one or played with one. When I was a child, the Jack-in-the-Box was one of my favorite toys. I can remember sitting and turning the handle, waiting for the moment when the lid would open and Jack would pop out. Even though I knew what was going to happen, I was always surprised, and perhaps even a little frightened, when Jack popped out of the box.
The Jack-in-the-Box reminds me of a story in the Bible — a story about a very special surprise.
Early in the morning, on the Sunday after Jesus was crucified, two women went to the grave where Jesus had been buried. When they arrived, they found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance and the grave was empty. They were surprised to find an empty grave and wondered what had happened to Jesus.
While they were wondering about this, suddenly, two men in dazzling bright clothes appeared to the two women. Now they were not only surprised — they were also afraid. The men spoke to the women and said, “Why are you looking for the living among the dead? Jesus is not here, he has risen just as he told you he would.”
Group Activities › Coloring Page › Crossword › Maze › Word Search
SOURCE: SERMONS 4 Kids – All Rights Reserved; Click on title to read entire sermon.
SERMON WRITER – Gospel READING
A Resolution for the Heart
Objects: None.
EXCERPT:
Have you ever heard of a New Year’s Resolution? Maybe you’ve even made one?
A resolution is a kind of promise – and as we begin each new year on January 1, many people make resolutions – or promises – to themselves. Maybe they promise that during the coming year they’ll exercise more? That’s a popular one! Or maybe they have a special project they’re promising to finish at last? I’ve had plenty of those kinds of resolutions myself.
You see, January is a time of new beginning on the calendar and a great time to plan ahead for the coming year.
I like to think of Easter in the same way – it’s a day of new beginnings – most importantly, in our hearts.
Today’s Gospel story begins in a very sad place. Jesus has died and his followers are hurting so badly inside. But Easter marks a new beginning – and just as he promised them, Jesus comes back to let them know that he is still with them!
Sermon Writer: Children’s Sermons – All Rights Reserved | © 1997-2020 Richard Niell Donovan; Click on title to read entire sermon.
SERMON WRITER – Gospel READING
Celebrate God
Objects: None.
EXCERPT: Today we celebrate. Who knows what the word “celebrate” means? [Listen respectfully to all answers]. One thing we can say is that celebrate means to be happy about something good that has happened.
What are some of the things we are doing to celebrate Easter today? For instance, I see some people wearing new or fancy clothes. What else are we doing? [Accept all answers].
Easter is when we celebrate something very important, very powerful, very amazing that God did. God made Jesus alive again after people who did not like Jesus killed him. Now things like that just do not happen. God does not usually do that. But this one time God did it! We celebrate that because we love Jesus and it is good that he is alive with God forever.
Sermon Writer: Children’s Sermons – All Rights Reserved | © 1997-2020 Richard Niell Donovan; Click on title to read entire sermon.
MARKKULA CENTER
Virtue of the Week
Conviction
FIRST READING
In this passage from the Acts of the Apostles, we see that Saint Peter developed such a strong conviction and faith that, despite opposition and persecution, he was willing to proclaim Jesus as Messiah. Through the resurrected Christ, the divine Spirit has come upon the disciples and given them such faith and conviction that they boldly move away from their fear to proclaim the risen Christ to the ends of the earth. The resurrection of Christ not only brings new life to Christ, but also invigorates and creates such conviction that the fearful doubters now enter into and become fearless witnesses to the Risen Christ.
SECOND READING
While Saint Paul did not establish the Church of Colossi, he was informed that individuals there were deviating from the foundational beliefs and practices established by the founder, Epaphras. Saint Paul seeks to correct these deviations and clarify the truths about Jesus. He reminds the people about the true identity and work of the one who they are following. In doing so, he reminds them of their conviction and faith in the true Christ.
GOSPEL
In this passage, we encounter Mary Magdalene coming to the tomb while it was still dark. The movement out of darkness into light is the starting point from which Mary and the other disciples come to a conviction that something spectacular has occurred. Upon seeing the empty tomb, she runs to Peter and the beloved disciple and they investigate the scene. The Gospel account reports that when they see the empty tomb, the beloved disciple saw and believed. The beloved disciple is not named, and so can be anyone who places their trust and conviction in Jesus as the Messiah.
SOURCE: Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University; “Build. Plant. Grow.” = a free faith formation resource which aligns with the Liturgical Year of the Roman Catholic Church. The accompanying video is NOT associated with Markkula Center.
WORSHIPING WITH CHILDREN
Lectionary Notes by Carolyn C. Brown
Good News! He is Alive! Alleluia!
The “good news” of Easter is somewhat different for children and for adults. For most children victory over death is not very interesting. The lucky ones have little experience with death, beyond maybe the death of a pet. Those who have experienced the death of someone very near to them know that even on Easter the missed person is still gone. Though most have absorbed some of the culture’s fear of death, few worry about it very often.
Similarly, since for children all of life is new every day, Easter claims of new life are not exactly good news. Butterflies, lilies, and eggs that are often presented as new life symbols really make more sense to children as Easter surprise symbols. You don’t expect a butterfly to emerge from a dead-looking cocoon, a flower to grow from a clumpy old bulb, candy to come from an egg, or a dead body to come out a tomb alive again. But on Easter they do. For children, all are good news because they are surprises about what God can do rather than because they are signs of new life.
SOURCE: Worshiping with Children: A blog by Carolyn C. Brown, a Certified Christian Educator in the Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA).
READ ALOUDS WITH MISS MARTHA (9:44) – Dear Pope Francis: The Pope Answers Letters from Children Around the World
Dear Pope Francis
Faith is about seeking understanding, and that is why asking questions is so important. Gathered from more than 250 submissions, Dear Pope Francis is a collection of 30 letters from children all over the world. The handwritten letters and illustrations are reproduced on the lefthand pages, along with English translations and photos of each child. The pope’s answers appear on the opposite page. The letters and responses will make you laugh and cry, and will help you continue to trust in the fact that God loves you.
SOURCE: Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University; “Build. Plant. Grow.” = a free faith formation resource which aligns with the Liturgical Year of the Roman Catholic Church. The accompanying video is NOT associated with Markkula Center.
Word-Sunday
Violet Finds New Life
John 20:1-9
Opening Questions: What new life have you found this spring?
Just like Violet found new life in her puppy, the women who visited the tomb of Jesus found new life. They found Jesus alive, never to die again. Easter celebrates more than candy and eggs and new puppies. Easter celebrates a season of spring that will never end. Happy Easter.
SOURCE: Word-Sunday.com; Used with permission.
Jesus appears to Mary
BIBLE BLOCKS (2:21) – After Jesus rose from the dead, the Bible records that He first appeared to Mary Magdalene. The gospel accounts differ slightly on details.
The Sealed Tomb
THE ACTION BIBLE (4:51) – After His crucifixion, Jesus’ followers discover something amazing. Based on Matthew 27:51–28:20; Luke 23:50–24:12; John 19:38–20:18; Acts 1:1-11
Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
SHAREFAITH KIDS (5:12)
