Holy Week Activities For Kids: 8 Ways To Enrich Their Faith While Having Fun

Anong gagawin ninyo this Holy Week? 

If you are like me, who is choosing to stay home with my family during the Holy Week, it doesn't mean that we are spending these days any less. Even though we didn't plan an out-of-town trip, or we aren't participating in an Easter Egg Hunt this year, there's still a lot of ways to make the most of these sacred days, and really, make these all about commemorating the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Nevertheless, if you are finally going on a much-awaited vacation with your family, you can still do these activities too!

We asked parents over at the Smart Parenting Village, a Facebook group of over 104k moms and dads, on what Holy Week activities for kids they are planning to do this year. 

8 Holy Week activities for kids according to Pinoy parents

1. Introduce your kids to Visita Iglesia.

This is probably one of the most common traditions during Holy Week that us parents grew up with, and may want to share with our kids. Visita Iglesia involves visiting seven churches to pray the Stations of the Cross as a form of penance and meditation on the sufferings of Jesus Christ. Read our list of Metro Manila churches you can visit with your kids here.

If you need a guide for the Stations of the Cross prayers for children, you may check out this online resource here. It was adapted from the method of Saint Alphonsus de Liguori.

2. Give them workbooks.

Some parents at the Smart Parenting Village said that they will take the opportunity to let their kids take a break from school, given how some school days have taken a toll on their health. 

However, if on the second or third day, your preschoolers tell you that they already miss school, grab the chance to teach them about Bible stories by sharing with them print-outs from online resources. You may purchase a bundle of curated online materials about Bible stories from Digital Nook PH for only Php 99 here. All you have to do is print them out and you'll have enough activities for the entire week!

What's more, there are themed books that can make learning about Holy Week more interesting. There's Minecraft, sports, fruits, and more! Mommy Mae Azarcon of the Digital Nook PH said, "This is actually the first product that I released in the shop because I felt the need because we are a Christian family and I would like my kids to get busy and reflect more in knowing Jesus."

3. Book a staycation trip.

If you and your kids also want a breather from the city, but don't want to go too far, there's still time to book a staycation in hotels near Metro Manila. We found this hotel in Pampanga that has Holy Week activities for kids lined up starting Palm Sunday on March 24.

Among the activities in the Quest Plus Conference Center Clark include handprint palm making, puzzle making, easter basket making, and egg decorating. You may book your stay via Klook here.

4. Watch Bible stories on YouTube together.

Thanks to improved internet access, we no longer have to wait for our favorite Bible stories to air on our TV channels so we can watch with our families. YouTube has a lot of Bible stories to offer, and we've listed six ones you can watch with your kids here. Plus, we threw in some bonding ideas you might find helpful!

5. Enjoy the outdoors.

One mom at the Smart Parenting Village shared how her kids would be spending their Holy Week, since they will be all on a holiday break.

"Magpalipad ng saranggola dahil may malapit na bukid sa amin. Maglaro sa labas, magsimba, manood ng prusisyon at mga namamanata (hampas-dugo, nagpapapako sa krus), at bumisita sa mga lolo at lola," Mommy EJ Nieves shared.

"Naka-leave sa work and school kaming buong mag-anak kaya we'll spend time with family and less with our vices, katulad ng mag-gadget, kumain sa labas, etc."

Other moms meanwhile shared one common outdoor activity that they want to do with their kids this Holy Week, "Mag-swimming sa garahe, hehe!"

If you are looking to buy an affordable kiddie pool, check out options for as low as Php 120 on Lazada here. 

6. Reenact Holy Week traditions at home. 

For mom of seven Tina Santiago-Rodriguez, she suggests that parents and kids reenact some of the important Holy Week moments at home. For example, on Holy Thursday, you may commemorate the Washing of the Feet at home with the family. After the act, you may want to have a discussion about how important it is to serve God and others, just as Jesus Christ did.

On Good Friday, if you have a crucifix at home, you can actually do the veneration of the cross with your kids, especially if they are too young to go to church with you. You may also try this online Lenten Recollection for Families here.

While there are a lot of activities that you can do with your kids this Holy Week, Mommy Tina recommends choosing a few activities that you can do with your family, and build on them every year. 

7. Take part in the service and celebrations in the church.

For some moms in the Smart Parenting Village, their kids will be part of their church's activities. Mommy Coleen Sitchon-Bundal's 6-year-old daughter will be singing as one of the angels for the Salubong. For Summit Media publisher and mom of one Iza Santos Cuyos, it has been their yearly tradition to join the Easter Egg Hunt in their church. You can check with your parish what activities are available for kids, so that they can also take the opportunity to get to know and socialize with the kids in your community. 

8. Have your Easter celebration at home or nearby.

Smart Parenting editor-in-chief Ronna Capili Bonifacio shared that her three kids are looking forward to their Easter egg hunt at home, after a week of watching their favorite movies, devotions, and attending Holy Mass. 

Back at the Smart Parenting Village, Mommy Sherrymei Capili Valeza meanwhile shared that she will use her kids' existing egg toys for their do-it-yourself Easter egg hunt celebration. "Since maraming egg toys ang anak ko, balak ko po magpa-Easter egg hunt kasama ang mga pinsan niya. Lalagyan ko na lang ng kung ano pwede ilagay sa loob ng egg." Mommy Rox SJ meanwhile will decorate Easter cookies with her kids instead.

Mommy Joselle Ona of the Smart Parenting Mom Squad meanwhile shared this yummy carrot cake she baked with her kids three years ago.

^{Want to do something other than an easter egg hunt? Why not bake a carrot cake instead? Idea from Mommy Joselle Ona}

Meanwhile, parenting section editor Em Cruz will try to look for Easter egg hunt activities near their home. Check out a list of Easter egg hunt activities (with cost and inclusions) in and around the metro here.

Indeed, there's a lot of ways to mark this year's Holy Week with your kids. What matters the most is that we never lose sight of the true reason behind the season.

On Easter Sunday, you might want to take out your kids for an outdoor pasyal in this newly opened rainforest park in Pasig! Read here.