Seasonal Resources

On this page please find resources for children and young people for each seasonal period: Harvest, Hallowe’en, Remembrance, Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Mothering Sunday, Valentine’s Day, Pentecost…

Environmental Resources 

The Diocese of Leeds have created some super resources linked to Creation you can share with schools and young people.  Or try these Bible study materials.

Moving on

Many children start thinking about new schools and transitions- why not use It’s Your Move or run a Graduation celebration.

Holiday Clubs!

We all know that summer holidays can be very long for parents, and many children do not get the opportunity to get away.  Why not start to plan a Holiday Club for half a day, one day, two days or even a week!  We can help with the planning and also recommend using resources like these from SU. 

More resources – Life Church Kingdom Seekers – and CEF Resources – plus Children’s Ministry Deals


Thy Kingdom Come 2025

New for 2024

Fabulous Cheeky Pandas Resources including videos and activities – amazing and ready to use.

Easter and Lent Outside

From Sun Hats & Wellie Boots: Dotty the Donkey is back with an outdoor trail for Easter! Following the same format as Dotty’s Christmas adventure, this interactive trail takes children through the key events of Holy Week with a range of engaging activities to explore.  Designed for use in churchyards & other outdoor spaces, this trail needs no prep or extra materials, it can simply be printed out & used straight.

In Search of Easter is a trail-based treasure hunt for children and families, using a series of videos and activities to encourage conversation and help crack a code.  Clue posters offer activities and QR codes for accessing videos, as the groups explore the local area.  It is a fun activity to help children and their families explore the Easter story and consider who Jesus really is.

This is a lovely Easter Scavenger hunt to be set up at home to show children parts of the Easter story and remind them that Jesus’ love never ends. Encourage families to use this hunt on Easter morning and share photos of the hunt in action on social media.

Muddy Church have a whole host of trails available for use including: Barefoot Sensory Trails, a window egg hunt, a trial for Palm Sunday, Forty Finds for Lent (40 things for children to spot in the natural world. A nice activity for the Easter holidays?), and much, much more. Here is a video round up of the Muddy Church resources.

Jumping Fish have a great Experience Easter resource which can be purchased here.

The Clipclop Beat Song -Palm Sunday Bob Hartman and Sam Hargreaves.

Palm Leaf Prayers for children to colour for Palm Sunday from Sun Hats and Wellie Boots.

Holy Week

Bethan Fogell, Youth and Children’s Work Adviser from the Diocese of Portsmouth, has produced a fantastic holy week resource called journey to the cross.  Download it from this page and share with families so they can mark Holy Week together in their homes.

Godventure – Holy Week box

Holy Week Resource Pack – Primary Resources – Ages 5-7years

Good Friday

Good Friday for under 5s from Parenting for Faith

This is a short video of Traci Smith offering families a way to talk about Good Friday with children. It’s one of six videos outlining simple faith practices at home.

The Crucifixion in Rocks Video Patti Rokus

New Beginnings with Jesus at Easter assembly BRF

A 4 minute video – Why is Good Friday called Good Friday? The meaning of Easter for children and families

There are a number of resources that can be found through Engage Worship

Easter Sunday

Easter Resurrection in Rocks Video Patti Rokus

For Schools…

Easter in a Box Bristol Schools Connection For children to look at 5 scenes in the Easter story through the lens of creating a movie and is a way of churches engaging with their local schools.

PopUK is offering schools free resources to help them with their teaching of the Easter story – Palm Sunday, Good Friday & Easter Sunday.  The engaging songs & teaching videos help children explore and understand the central themes of Easter.  To access you need to register – this is free.  Each song is taught by a tutor with easy-to-learn actions.  The lesson videos are to be used in sequence, giving children an understanding of the timeline of events.  Register and access the song bank here for a range of free songs and accompanying resources about specific festivals, and to reinforce the ethos and values of your school.

Easter Crafts

A video on using playdoh to explore the Easter story. Flame: Creative Children’s Ministry: Play Dough Mats

Bead and Clay Crosses That Artist Woman

Pinterest Lent & Easter Messy Church

U5s Easter Crafts Let Their Light Shine

Easter Pinterest Debbie Hill

Shaving foam marbling for Easter Eggs Messy Church

Easter bracelet Engage Worship

The Craft Train

Baker Ross have some lovely Holy week craft supplies

Have fun sharing the Easter story using easy-to-make puppets

Easter Telling the Story / Films and Animations

Printed and digital resources are available from Lifewords to help you share the Easter story with your church and community.

Godventure: toys to tell the Easter story 

Easter Story cards Flame Creative

Sensory story talk and activity Flame Creative

Resurrection Eggs Spiritual Child Network

Interactive Holy Week Building Faith

The Easter Donkey God Who Speaks

The story of Easter beautifully told by the children of Christ Church Tunbridge Wells.

The picture story book, The Story of Easter by Alexa Tewkesbury, is  good for younger children.

Jesus Died For Me? is a poetic retelling of why Jesus died, how he rose from the dead and how he did it all for us. It features stunning line illustrations for children to colour in while reflecting on the words.  There is a downloadable resource pack designed to help you easily and effectively incorporate the Jesus Died For Me? book and animation into your activities with children this Easter!  Your FREE pack will include: Suggestions for using Jesus Died For Me? at your Easter celebration event (for children aged 8 to 11); A Jesus Died For Me? group session outline (aimed at children aged 5 to 11, with suggestions for including under-5s); A Jesus Died For Me? assembly outline (for children aged 8 to 11); A PowerPoint to compliment your event / activities

Jerusalem Free Download Go Chatter

The Easter Story Video J.John

The Easter Poem Video Bob Hartman

Easter Song -Remember Me! Friends and Heroes

The Christian Story of Easter

The Easter story in sand

The Story of Easter (Jesus’ Sacrifice)

Animated the Easter Story

The crucifixion of Jesus

The Easter Story told from Palm Sunday to Easter Day using pictures, music and puppets.  A simple but effective way of getting a good overview of the whole Holy Week story.

Dave the Donkey is a fun take on the story of Jesus, told from the perspective of an old donkey who was there when Jesus was born and a younger donkey who carries Jesus into Jerusalem.

The Way of the Cross is a simple telling of the Easter passion story, using the stations of the cross as a structure. It’s not gruesome, and very suitable for young children.

An excellent 4 minute Animation of the Easter Story using Lego

Toddler Resources

This is a super Easter Toddler service which you could share with your networks created by Claire Nichols (Children and Families worker from Uffculme).

Toddler crafts from Happy Toddler Playtime

Mainly Music – Are you wondering how to bring the MESSAGE of Easter into your toddler group environment?  Using the song and story of 5 Little Ducks (a modern parable), or the story of This Big, This Much, each package provides you with THREE sessions. Each session plan includes prompts for Circle Time and the Craft Activity. You’ll also find in this package three songs you can use for the sessions and generally for your group. Each pack contains five copies of the book ensuring you use one for reading and four to give away to families at Easter.  You’ll receive Session Plans, with suggestions for three sessions focusing on the message of Easter, Craft Activity suggestions for each session, Three song files (5 Little Ducks: 5 little ducks, Where is Thumbkin?, Skinnimarinki) (This Big, This Much: What shall we do when we all go out?, Thank You God, Skinnimarinki), Five copies of the book, 5 Little Ducks or This Big, This Much.  Click here to buy.


All things Harvest have creative ideas for celebrating harvest at home or church, Click here.

Young Church Mag have produced a harvest edition with word searches, colouring activities and prayers for children available to printhere.

Sun Hats & Wellie Boots have created an autumnal Bible-based trail for children all about scarecrows!  Read more and find out how to set up a trail in your parish.


It can be hard to know what to feel about Hallowe’en – is it just harmless fun, or are there aspects of it that don’t fit in with how we want to see the world?
The Church of England have these ‘Share a little light’ ideas that will bless others as well as being fun too.

Pumpkin Heroes is a free pack of Christian resources designed to help children aged 4-10 in your church, group or school enjoy alternative Halloween crafts, activities and games. Pumpkin Heroes can be held as an online event. Click here.

Light Trail

Over the years many parishes have held light parties in October bringing light and joy to many families. As an adaption, you could host a ‘Light Trail’, it is a simple way to invite families in your community to follow a trail of light around your neighbourhood, reflecting on the light of Christ in a gentle, fun and accessible way. It is perfect for sharing with Sunday School, Children’s Groups and Messy Church Families.

Create up to 10 simple light stops in windows or gardens to bring fun and joy in the darkness. All you need to do: 5 or 10 households in a walkable distance from each other create a light display in a front window or garden, using the simple templates. Each light stop links to a Bible verse.

Use the template to create a downloadable booklet, and invite families to take part. In the resource: All the templates you will need to create a customisable light trail A draft risk assessment for you to customise A ‘how to stay safe on your light trail’ (PDF) All the information you need to get going.

To get the resource: Contact Emma Sargeant at emmas@cofebirmingham.com

Advent General Resources

Follow the Star: Join the Song – Resources for Churches The Church of England
Collection of ideas CPAS
Prepare for Jesus Diddy Disciples
Advent resources The Reflectionary
10 ideas Sunhat and Wellie boots

Advent Calendars & Wreaths

Living Advent Calendar Gotherington (2020)
Advent wreath template Inclusive Church

Prayers for an Advent Wreath

General Christmas Resources

Nativity Story stick puppet templates Sunhat & Wellie Boots

Twelve days of Christmas Song BRF
A Peruvian Christmas BRF

Collective Worship-Angels Blackburn Diocese-6 simple assembly outlines for Collective Worship
Collective Worship-Paintings Blackburn Diocese-7-8 class assemblies based on specific paintings(provided with a link)
Legend of Poinsettia Spiritual Child Network
The Star of Bethlehem assemblies.org.uk
The First Christmas Assembly KS1 BBC teach (with 3 minute VT)
A traditional Christmas? Assemblies website
Christmas Hope Assemblies website

Readings and star craft activity Engage Worship

Christmas in a Box from Bristol Schools Connection

Resources from the Go Team 

All free to download and use/adapt from this website

Christmas Trails and Outside Resources
Outdoor Trail with 12 interactive stations Sunhat & Wellie Boots
Journey of the Kings-Epiphany Muddy Church
Outdoor Church Blackburn Diocesan Board of Education

Three activity sheets to explore Christmas outside as a Family Blackburn Board of Education

Christmas films
U5s VT Happyland Nativity
Here’s here! The Jesus Storybook bible
Narrated Christmas Story With Playmobil

Christmas Plays
The Cross and Crib BRF
No Rehearsal Nativity Mary Hawes
The Christmas Participation Nativity Paul Osborne
An action packed nativity(very short) Carole Marsden
The Gingerbread Man’s Adventure  Rachel Gotobed
It Begins in Bethlehem  2020 Bible Society
The Christmas Promise (BSL) Go Chatter to buy £6.50

Epiphany Resources
Epiphany Sunhat & Wellie Boots
Resources from Going for Growth Mary Hawes
Gently humorous video from 2021 Triknity
Epiphany session resources free download Illustrated Ministry

The meaning of Epiphany SPCK
What is Epiphany? SPCK
You are a Star! SPCK


The Children’s Society have produced a wealth of resources which include an array of ideas to suit you and your setting.  These include: a ‘Virtual Christingle’ outline, a creative ‘Scavenger Hunt Christingle’ (for those who do not have all the materials in their home), ‘A Messy Church Christingle’, an ‘Assembly Pack and Collective Worship’ resource, support on planning for a ‘dementia inclusive service’ as well as a ‘service for a care setting’.  In addition to these documents (and more) there are also a range of materials available to buy including; candles, stickers, balloons and red tape to go around the orange.
Christingle shop

Christingle Debbie Pinterest
The First Christingle Spiritual Child Network
Christingle Animation Go Chatter
Christingle Animation (lego) 2
Christingle talk from Reflectionary
Christingle Assembly Flame
Safe Christingle Under 5s Sun Hat and Wellieboots
Edible Christingle Sunhat and Wellieboots
Christingle Cube template  Jonathan Andrews
Christingle Trail Muddy Church
Christingle reimagined Hazelnut Community Farm
Chocolate orange Christingle Real chocolate company (£72 for case of 24)
Christingle talk with giant sized visual aid BRF
Christingle Treasure Hunt Reflectionary
Christingle Video Big Kids Boro

Christingle Assembly Flame


Valentine’s Day
Many Valentine’s day resources can be adapted to share the simple message that God loves us.
Valentine’s Day Pinterest Debbie Hill
Agape LoveTrail  Muddy Church 
Heart Bomb Trail Muddy Church 
Craft ideas for U5s Sunhat & Wellie Boots
Love Pinterest Messy Church 


A Pinterest board of craft ideas

Ideas from the BRF

Gift ideas for teens to make

A whole compilation of craft and card ideas on this site

Mothering Sunday Resources from Home for Good

Today is about You Free video from Go Chatter

Mothering Sunday Resources from the Mothers’ Union

U5s Mothering Sunday Card  Let Their Light Shine

Decorate a Votive Hearts and Crafts

Salt Dough Candle Holders Learning and Exploring through Play

Mothering Sunday Pinterest Debbie Hill

Mothering Sunday Special People Assembly  SPCK

The Children’s Society has released a free Mothering Sunday resource for churches

Nick Harding has written this prayer for Sunday 27 March, fourth Sunday of Lent:

Loving, caring, and nurturing God, we know your love in our lives,
and we give thanks for all that your love means.
We thank you for mothers who have loved and cared,
nurturing their children and covering them in hope and protection;
Giving them confidence, hope, and faith.
We seek your help for all mothers who, for whatever reason, feel they failed,
and did not care and nurture as they hoped;
Give them a will to seek forgiveness and wholeness in you.
We seek your help for all who were not mothered well,
and whose experience of being loved is limited and mixed with pain;
Give them security, vision and healing.
We thank you for those who have taken on responsibility for children,
through fostering and adoption, support and projects;
Give them the desire to help the young through their dark times of memory and pain.
Loving, caring, and nurturing God, we know your love in our lives,
and we give thanks for all that your love means. Amen

Telling the Story
Lego Events of Pentecost (stop go motion) BHCM Schools team 2 minute video
Blowing Wind & Tongues of flame Song Rhyming Bible (tells the story of Pentecost)
Animated video of Acts 2 (read from bible) Catholic Kids Media
The Journey of the Early Church in 3 and a half minutes Bible Society
Story of Pentecost Re:quest
Reflective Story of Pentecost BRF

The Power Cut is the final Cheeky Pandas session and it’s based around Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2:1–4.  Watch here.

Prayer & reflection ideas
Imaginor Painting
Pentecost Lego Youtube
Prayer Stations for Church BuildFaith

Assorted craft and session ideas
Simple Make-Gyrocopters  The Reflectionary
Games and Craft ideas Children and Youth.co.uk
Make an Origami dove Youtube video Tavin
Lord’s Prayer Using Rainbow Point Kids Video idea for using the colours of the rainbow for praying the Lord’s prayer during Thy Kingdom Come

Trails
Pentecost Trail Muddy Church
Pentecost trail 2 (indoors) Spiritual Child   Designed for school classes but can be adapted
Find the symbols trail  Messy Church

Service ideas
Pop Up Interactive All Age Service Bible Society

For Schools…
Understanding the symbolism of the dove  SPCK
Class assembly-tell the Pentecost story using percussion instruments BRF
Seven signs of the spirit-a reflective story BRF
You won’t believe what happened at this Pentecost party! BBC
Pentecost and the apostles BBC

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