Introduction:
Palm Sunday, the day that marks the beginning of Holy Week, is a great opportunity for families to engage in meaningful activities together. For middle school children, it is essential to keep activities interesting and enjoyable while still teaching them about the significance of this special day. Here are 24 Palm Sunday activities for your middle school child to enjoy and learn from.
1. Palm leaf weaving – Teach your child how to weave palm leaves into crosses, hearts, or other shapes.
2. Resurrection Eggs – Create a set of resurrection eggs with symbols related to the Holy Week events.
3. Bible story scavenger hunt – Organize a scavenger hunt using clues based on bible stories.
4. Palm Sunday procession – Join or organize a local Palm Sunday parade within your community.
5. Jesus’ footsteps craft – Help your child make a craft representing Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem.
6. Donkey craft – Create a donkey craft symbolizing the humble animal that Jesus rode on.
7. Bible trivia challenge – Put together Bible trivia questions about the Easter story for your kids to know more about the event.
8. Lenten promise jar – Encourage your child to make special promises during Lent and put them in a jar.
9. Songwriting – Write and perform an original song as a family based on the Palm Sunday story.
10. Holy Week timeline project – Illustrate the events of Holy Week in chronological order as an art project.
11. Dramatize the story – Organize or participate in a play or skit to act out the events of Palm Sunday.
12. Bake Hosanna bread- Learn how to bake traditional Hosanna bread with your children.
13. Palm Sunday word search- Create or find a word search featuring vocabulary from the Easter story.
14. Make a Holy Week banner- Design a banner with symbols relating to Palm Sunday and Holy Week.
15. Watch a movie – Choose a family-friendly movie that portrays the Easter story to watch together.
16. Create a prayer journal – Encouraging your child to keep a prayer journal during the Lenten season.
17. Learn about Palm Sunday traditions around the world – Educate your child on how different cultures and countries celebrate Palm Sunday.
18. Serve at a soup kitchen – Volunteer as a family at a local soup kitchen or shelter to practice the spirit of service.
19. Paint rock art – Paint palm branches, donkeys, or other symbols related to Palm Sunday on rocks and display them.
20. Scripture reading- Read the biblical account of Palm Sunday and discuss its significance with your child.
21. “Hosanna” praise dance- Choreograph a dance with your children based on the “Hosanna” theme of Palm Sunday.
22. Attend church service together- Make it a point to attend Palm Sunday mass with your family, focusing on the spiritual aspect of the day.
23. Create Easter cards with palm leaves– Make handmade cards for friends and family with palm leaves attached as decorations.
24. Reflect and discuss- Share personal reflections about Palm Sunday and Holy Week with your middle school child, encouraging open dialogue.
Conclusion:
These 24 Palm Sunday activities will not only keep your middle school child engaged but will also teach them about the importance and meaning behind this significant religious day. Encourage participation and open communication as you explore these activities, creating memories that will last for years to come.