Crafts and Activities for Good Friday
Every year during Good Friday, Fourth Church hosts a children's program built largely around various crafts and activities that are inspired by different Good Friday traditions around the world. I hope that you'll choose an activity or two and talk a little about the meaning behind each practice - it's a great way to reflect on what this day means while not making it overwhelming, particularly for younger children:
Making Hot Cross Buns - England
Hot Cross Buns are a beloved Good Friday tradition in many parts of England; the shape of the cross on top is the obvious connection, but there is also some evidence that they were given out to the poor as charity during Good Friday as well. That act of charitable giving matches up with an important aspect of the tradition: no one is meant to eat an entire bun themselves - you have to share part of your bun with someone else!
There are a variety of Hot Cross Bun recipes out there (or you can always do the easy version and just buy icing to spread over Hawaiian rolls), but here's a homemade version: https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/hot-cross-buns/
Making Kites - Bermuda
Flying kites is a very common Good Friday tradition throughout Bermuda and a few other Caribbean islands, namely because of the bracing that holds the kite's shape is typically a cross, and the kite's ascension into the sky is meant to represent Jesus' spirit raising up into heaven. You can try to create your own kite, but it may be worth ordering one online.
Making Pretzels - Germany, Austria
Although more common during the entire season of Lent, making homemade pretzels can easily be re-purposed for Good Friday usage. When flipped upside down, the shape of the pretzel resembles someone crossing their arms across their chest - which was once the most common way to pray prior to folding one's hands, and it's also American Sign Language for 'love'. There's evidence that people were making pretzels for religious reasons as early as the 6th century!
Here's one example of a homemade pretzel recipe: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/homemade-soft-pretzels-recipe-1948242
Making Alfombras - Central America
Alfombras (or "Sawdust Carpets") are an elaborate series of designs created with sand, and they are a tradition on Good Friday throughout much of Central America. Your family can get as elaborate as you want, but the easiest way to do this is to create a pattern on a sheet of paper with glue, and then sprinkle glitter or colored sand on top.
You'll need to create your own, but feel free to read more and see designs on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sawdust_carpet
Planting Seeds - Many Countries
While not connected to any particular part of the world, the practice of decorating pots and planting either flower or grass seeds is a common Good Friday craft. Just as Jesus was buried and rose from the dead, so too these seeds give birth to new life despite being buried underneath the ground.
Making Hot Cross Buns - England
Hot Cross Buns are a beloved Good Friday tradition in many parts of England; the shape of the cross on top is the obvious connection, but there is also some evidence that they were given out to the poor as charity during Good Friday as well. That act of charitable giving matches up with an important aspect of the tradition: no one is meant to eat an entire bun themselves - you have to share part of your bun with someone else!
There are a variety of Hot Cross Bun recipes out there (or you can always do the easy version and just buy icing to spread over Hawaiian rolls), but here's a homemade version: https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/hot-cross-buns/
Making Kites - Bermuda
Flying kites is a very common Good Friday tradition throughout Bermuda and a few other Caribbean islands, namely because of the bracing that holds the kite's shape is typically a cross, and the kite's ascension into the sky is meant to represent Jesus' spirit raising up into heaven. You can try to create your own kite, but it may be worth ordering one online.
Making Pretzels - Germany, Austria
Although more common during the entire season of Lent, making homemade pretzels can easily be re-purposed for Good Friday usage. When flipped upside down, the shape of the pretzel resembles someone crossing their arms across their chest - which was once the most common way to pray prior to folding one's hands, and it's also American Sign Language for 'love'. There's evidence that people were making pretzels for religious reasons as early as the 6th century!
Here's one example of a homemade pretzel recipe: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/homemade-soft-pretzels-recipe-1948242
Making Alfombras - Central America
Alfombras (or "Sawdust Carpets") are an elaborate series of designs created with sand, and they are a tradition on Good Friday throughout much of Central America. Your family can get as elaborate as you want, but the easiest way to do this is to create a pattern on a sheet of paper with glue, and then sprinkle glitter or colored sand on top.
You'll need to create your own, but feel free to read more and see designs on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sawdust_carpet
Planting Seeds - Many Countries
While not connected to any particular part of the world, the practice of decorating pots and planting either flower or grass seeds is a common Good Friday craft. Just as Jesus was buried and rose from the dead, so too these seeds give birth to new life despite being buried underneath the ground.