Are you ready for the most important week in the liturgical calendar? Holy Week is almost here!
As a Catholic homeschooling mom, Holy Week isn’t just another week on the calendar; it’s an important opportunity to immerse our children in the richness of our faith. Just like we teach our children the seasons of the year, I prioritize teaching my kids about the liturgical seasons. Living liturgically isn’t just a habit for us; it’s a way of life that guides the rhythm of our daily homeschooling routine.
In our home, incorporating lessons about the liturgical seasons and our faith is just as important as teaching the core subjects like math and English. It’s about nurturing their souls as much as their minds. The beauty of integrating Holy Week into our homeschool curriculum is that it involves the whole family, regardless of age! From the youngest to the oldest, everyone can participate in learning about and celebrating the mysteries of our faith.
However, finding resources specifically geared towards liturgical homeschooling can be challenging. That’s why I started creating my own materials tailored to the Catholic seasons and feast days. These resources have become an integral part of our homeschooling journey, enriching our children’s understanding of the faith while fostering a deep connection to God and the Church.
As Holy Week approaches, I encourage fellow Catholic homeschooling families to embrace this sacred time as an opportunity for spiritual growth and learning. Whether it’s through reading Scripture together, engaging in meaningful discussions about the events of Holy Week, or participating in age-appropriate activities and crafts, there are countless ways to make Holy Week come alive in your homeschool.
By prioritizing liturgical living, we not only educate our children academically but also nurture their souls, guiding them on the path to sainthood and ultimately, to Heaven.
Embrace the richness of our Catholic faith this Holy Week and watch as it transforms your homeschooling experience for the better!!
How to Build Your Own Holy Week Unit Study for Your Catholic Homeschool
If you want to keep Holy Week from becoming just another busy week of spring activities, building a Holy Week unit study in your homeschool is one of the most meaningful things you can do. Holy Week is the most sacred time in the Christian calendar, beginning with Palm Sunday and ending with the Resurrection on Easter Sunday. During these days, the Church remembers the final events of Christ’s earthly life, His suffering, His death, and His glorious victory over sin and death.
The beautiful thing about creating a Holy Week homeschool study is that it does not have to be complicated. A simple rhythm of Scripture reading, theological conversation, picture study, and hands-on activities can help children deeply enter into the mystery of the Passion and Resurrection.
Below is a simple framework Catholic homeschooling families can follow to create a meaningful Holy Week Easter study at home.
Step 1: Start with a Daily Holy Week Bible Reading Plan
The backbone of any Holy Week unit study should be Scripture. Walking through the events of Holy Week day by day helps children understand that Easter is not just a celebration. It is the culmination of Christ’s sacrifice and redemption.
Here is a simple Holy Week Bible reading plan that follows the timeline of Christ’s final days.
Palm Sunday – The Triumphal Entry
Read:
Matthew 21:1–11
John 12:12–19
What happens:
Jesus enters Jerusalem riding on a donkey while crowds wave palm branches and proclaim Him king.
Discussion Questions
- Why did Jesus choose to enter Jerusalem on a donkey instead of a horse or chariot?
- What did the people expect Jesus to do as their king?
- Why do you think some of the same people who shouted “Hosanna” later demanded His crucifixion?
Holy Monday – Jesus Cleanses the Temple
Read:
Matthew 21:12–17
Mark 11:15–19
What happens:
Jesus drives the money changers out of the temple and restores it as a place of prayer.
Discussion Questions
- Why was Jesus angry when He saw what was happening in the temple?
- What does this story teach us about reverence for holy places?
- How can we treat our parish church with greater respect?
Holy Tuesday – Jesus Teaches in Jerusalem
Read:
Matthew 22:34–40
Matthew 24:1–14
What happens:
Jesus teaches publicly and explains the greatest commandment.
Discussion Questions
- Why does Jesus say loving God and loving others are the greatest commandments?
- What does it look like for a family to truly love God first?
- How can we practice charity in our home this week?
Spy Wednesday – Judas Betrays Jesus
Read:
Matthew 26:14–16
What happens:
Judas agrees to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.
Discussion Questions
- Why do you think Judas chose to betray Jesus?
- What temptations might lead someone away from Christ today?
- What helps us stay faithful even when it is difficult?
Holy Thursday – The Last Supper
Read:
Luke 22:14–20
John 13:1–15
What happens:
Jesus institutes the Eucharist and washes the feet of His disciples.
Discussion Questions
- Why is the Last Supper so important for Catholics?
- What does Jesus teach us about humility through the washing of feet?
- Why is the Eucharist the center of Catholic life?
Good Friday – The Crucifixion
Read:
John 18–19
What happens:
Jesus is arrested, condemned, and crucified for the salvation of the world.
Discussion Questions
- What does the Cross reveal about God’s love for us?
- Why do Catholics venerate the crucifix?
- How should remembering Good Friday change how we live?
Holy Saturday – Waiting at the Tomb
Read:
Matthew 27:57–66
Discussion Questions
- What do you think the disciples felt on this day?
- Why does the Church spend this day in silence and waiting?
- What does it mean to trust God even when we cannot see the outcome?
Easter Sunday – The Resurrection
Read:
John 20:1–18
Discussion Questions
- Why is the Resurrection the foundation of our faith?
- What changed for the apostles after they encountered the risen Christ?
- What does the Resurrection promise to us?
Step 2: Add a Holy Week Picture Study
The Last Supper, created in the late 15th century by Leonardo Da Vinci.
One of the most powerful additions to a Holy Week homeschool unit study is a Holy Week picture study. Sacred art helps children visualize the events of the Passion and invites deeper reflection.
Choose one piece of sacred art each day and spend a few minutes observing it together.
Ideas for Holy Week picture study:
- The Entry into Jerusalem – Giotto
- The Last Supper – Leonardo da Vinci
- The Agony in the Garden – Bellini
- The Crucifixion – Velázquez
- The Resurrection – Raphael
Ask simple observation questions:
- What do you notice first in the painting?
- What emotions do you see on the faces of the people?
- What part of the Gospel story is being shown here?
This practice slows children down and allows them to meditate visually on the mysteries of Holy Week.
Step 3: Include Meaningful Holy Week Homeschool Activities
Hands-on, Montessori-inspired learning helps children truly absorb and remember what they are studying. These Holy Week homeschool activities can gently bring the events of the Passion to life in a meaningful, tangible way.
The Montessori method is especially fitting during Holy Week because it invites children into quiet, intentional encounters with the mysteries of our faith. Through simple, purposeful materials and real-life activities, children are given space to contemplate, observe, and engage at their own pace. Rather than rushing through lessons, this approach allows them to slow down, use their senses, and encounter Christ in a way that feels personal and deeply rooted in truth. This is especially helpful for neurodivergent kids.
Ideas to include in your Holy Week unit study:
- Make palm branches for Palm Sunday
- Bake unleavened bread while learning about the Last Supper
- Create a simple Stations of the Cross walk in your backyard
- Draw or watercolor scenes from the Passion narratives
- Build a resurrection garden on Holy Saturday
The goal is not to fill every minute with projects, but to help children enter the story of salvation with their hearts and imagination.
Step 4: End the Week with Celebration
After the silence and solemnity of Good Friday and Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday should feel joyful and victorious.
Ideas for celebrating the end of your Holy Week Easter study:
- Attend Easter Mass together
- Ring bells and sing Alleluia again
- Share a special Easter meal
- Reflect together on what each child learned during Holy Week
The Resurrection reminds us that the Cross was not the end of the story.
Christ has conquered death, and that truth is the foundation of everything we teach our children.
Of course, you can absolutely build your own Holy Week unit study at home using Scripture, sacred art, and meaningful conversations. But if you would rather not spend hours researching readings, planning activities, and gathering resources, Bear Good Fruits Season of Dawn was created to do that work for you. Every week is thoughtfully planned with Scripture, theological discussion, hands on activities, recipes, nature study, and even sacred art picture study that helps your children enter deeply into Lent, Holy Week, and the joy of Easter. It brings the whole family to the table with one shared lesson that forms both the mind and the soul. If you are looking for a Catholic liturgical homeschool curriculum that makes living the seasons of the Church simple and beautiful, you can explore Bear Good Fruits Season of Dawn here.
bear good fruits
Catholic Homeschool Curriculum
Season of Dawn begins the week of Ash Wednesday and ends on Pentecost. (14 weeks of lessons)
Every single week is rooted directly in the Sunday Mass readings along with the solemnities and feast days of the Church. You are never left wondering what to teach or how to connect it all. Everything flows from the life of the Church and leads your whole family deeper into the rhythm of the liturgical year.
FREE Catholic Printables for Holy Week!
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The Last Supper Was The First Mass!
You don’t need to do a full Catholic Holy Week Unit Study for Homeschool Families in order to teach children about the importance of this sacred time.
You can easily teach your children just by having meaningful conversations with them. One thing you can discuss it how the Last Supper was the first Holy Mass and the significance of the Eucharist. These are essential truths to help nurture their understanding of the core beliefs of the Catholic faith.
At the Last Supper, Jesus gathered with His disciples to share a meal before His crucifixion. During this sacred event, He instituted the Eucharist by blessing bread and wine, declaring them to be His body and blood. By teaching children about this pivotal moment, we help them grasp the profound mystery and reverence surrounding the Eucharist, which we know is the true presence of Jesus Christ.
Understanding the significance of Jesus’ words, “This is my body,” goes beyond mere words; it delves into the heart of Catholic theology and spirituality. Through the Eucharist, we believe that Jesus becomes truly present—body, blood, soul, and divinity—under the appearances of bread and wine.
Teaching children about the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist instills in them a deep sense of awe and reverence for this sacrament. It emphasizes the importance of the Mass as the central act of worship in our Catholic faith and underscores the profound connection between the Last Supper, Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, and the ongoing celebration of the Eucharist in the Church today.
By nurturing children’s understanding of the Eucharist, we lay a solid foundation for their spiritual growth and relationship with Christ!
I love using the Decade Rosary Board (pictured above) for helping little ones pray the rosary and learn about the Mysteries of the Rosary as well. (Use code raisingsaints10 for 10% off!)
One of my favorite books for teaching the significance of the Mass to young children is Gracie Jagla’s book, Jesus and the Miracle of the Mass.
10 Holy Week Homeschool Activities for Kids
For families with younger children, I wanted to offer you ten engaging Montessori-style activities for Holy Week that are specifically designed to help you integrate religious teachings with hands-on experiences and sensory play. You already know how much I love play-based learning and Montessori method in my homeschooling and I want to make sure you know how easy it is to combine that with faith-based homeschooling.
From reenacting Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday to reflecting on His sacrifice through meditative sensory experiences, each activity is designed to immerse children in the solemnity and joy of Holy Week, guiding them on a journey of faith and discovery.
This is a great way to ease into liturgical homeschooling, weaving together faith, learning, and family in a celebration of the most sacred time in the Catholic calendar, Holy Week!
- Palm Sunday Procession: Begin Holy Week by reenacting Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem with a palm procession around your home or yard after Mass. Let the children wave palm branches they received during Mass or make their own from construction paper. Engage their senses by playing joyful music. (Here’s a Spotify playlist from my friend Danielle!)
- Washing of the Feet Sensory Experience: Set up a sensory station to recreate the humility and service of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet. Fill a basin with warm water, add a few drops of scented oil (like lavender or rosemary), and let the children take turns washing each other’s feet. This tactile experience fosters understanding and empathy while reinforcing the importance of serving others.
- Holy Thursday Last Supper Meal: Prepare a simple meal reminiscent of the Last Supper. Encourage the children to participate in meal preparation, setting the table, and sharing in the meal together. Use this time to discuss the significance of the Last Supper and the institution of the Eucharist. Include foods like bread and grape juice to symbolize the body and blood of Christ. Alternatively, take our your Mass Play Set and recreate a Last Supper dramatic play opportunity for your children.
- Garden of Gethsemane Sensory Meditation: Create a calming sensory space in your backyard or a quiet corner of your home to reflect on Jesus’ agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. Scatter fragrant flowers or herbs, such as roses or lavender, for children to touch and smell while meditating on Jesus’ suffering. Play soft instrumental music and encourage them to close their eyes and pray. Read aloud passages from the Gospels recounting Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, such as Matthew 26:36-46 or Luke 22:39-46. Encourage children to listen attentively and reflect on the words, allowing them to deepen their understanding of Jesus’ suffering and sacrifice.
- Stations of the Cross Sensory Walk: Set up a series of stations around your home or yard representing the Stations of the Cross. At each station, provide sensory elements related to the station’s theme. For example, at Station 3 (Jesus falls the first time), place soft pillows for children to kneel on, symbolizing Jesus’ pain and exhaustion. Encourage them to reflect quietly or say prayers as they move through each station. For older kids, use the Stations of The Cross cards from Catholic Family Crate or posters from Holy Heroes to pray the Stations of The Cross at home.
- Paschal Candle Making: Utilize a Paschal candle making kit from Holy Heroes to create your own Paschal candle. Follow the instructions provided in the kit and involve the children in the process of decorating the candle. Discuss the symbolism of the Paschal candle as a representation of Christ, the Light of the World, and its significance in the Easter liturgy.
- Holy Saturday Garden Tomb Sensory Bin: Create a miniature garden scene representing Jesus’ tomb. Use a shallow tray or container filled with soil, rocks, and small plants or flowers. Hide a small figurine of Jesus inside the tomb. Encourage children to build and explore the elements of the garden while discussing the anticipation and hope of Jesus’ resurrection.
- Resurrection Egg Hunt: Host a Resurrection Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday to celebrate Jesus’ triumph over death. Fill plastic eggs with symbols representing different parts of the Easter story, such as a small cross, a piece of linen cloth, or a mini Bible verse. Hide the eggs around your home or yard and let the children hunt for them. Afterward, gather together to open the eggs and retell the story of Jesus’ resurrection.
- Holy Week Sensory Bin: Create a Holy Week Sensory Bin incorporating purple elements to symbolize Lent. Use a variety of sensory materials such as lavender scented barley, purple loose parts, glass beads, rocks, and small crosses or religious figurines like Shining Light Dolls. Allow children to explore the textures and colors while discussing the significance of each item in the context of Holy Week. I love using the Holy Week book for this activity. For instructions on making the DIY lavender barley sensory bin filler, visit this post.
These hands-on Catholic Holy Week activities for kids, enriched with sensory experiences, offer meaningful opportunities for children to engage with the solemnity and joy of Holy Week, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of their Catholic faith.
If you want to add in some gentle math, consider our Montessori Catholic Count & Clip Cards in the shop.
Want more hands-on activities for kids and sensory play ideas?
- Fall Sensory Play Ideas For Your Mud Kitchen
- Making A Thankful Tree with Jack & Link Flisat Table Inserts
- Why Every Homeschool Needs a Mud Kitchen (Yes, Really! Even Yours!)
Complete Guide To Catholic Sensory Play
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