How to Plan Holy Week With Your Family

Holy Week is the week before Easter. It begins on Palm Sunday and ends with Easter Sunday. Families observe it in many different ways, so there is no single right plan. Choose what fits your home and leave the rest.

Check the date first

Easter falls on a different date each year, so look up this year's date and count back to Palm Sunday. Write the days on a calendar where everyone can see them.

Pick a time you will keep

Many families read at dinner or at bedtime. Five to ten minutes is enough. If you miss a day, pick up where you left off.

Give each day one reading

A simple pattern is one short passage a day. Palm Sunday is told in Matthew 21. The Last Supper is in Luke 22 and the garden prayer follows it. Good Friday is told in John 19, and the Easter morning story is in Matthew 28. In the King James Version, Matthew 28:6 reads: "He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay."

Ask one question

After the reading, ask something simple. What stood out to you? How do you think the people felt? What does this story mean for how we treat others? Let children answer in their own words.

Make the days feel different

Wave paper palm branches on Palm Sunday. Share a simple meal of bread and juice on Thursday. Keep Friday quiet. Plan a small surprise for Easter morning.

Add one small act of kindness

Write a note, bring food to a neighbor or give to a food pantry. A short list on the fridge makes it easy to choose.

Say a short prayer

Keep it short and honest. Children often like to name people they are thankful for.

Keep a record

A short journal of what you read, prayed and did gives you something to look back on next year.

Start with pages already made

If you would like daily readings, weekly pages, a prayer list, a gratitude log and Easter plans in one place, the Holy Week And Easter Devotional Planner puts it all in one printable book.