Children and Families

Resources and information for those working with 5-11s

These resources are aimed at supporting parishes and deaneries to engage with children and families. They are set out roughly in date order that follows the Church’s Year. 

Follow the Star Advent calendar from the Church of England

The Church of England has released its first ever printed Advent Calendar, inviting people to put the birth of Jesus at the heart of their Christmas preparations.

Follow The Star Advent Calendar goes beyond the conventional countdown, offering a creative and interactive experience focused on the Nativity. It is available online and in bookshops.

Children and adults are challenged to find the right sticker for each of the 24 days of Advent and then add it to an overall scene. They are then invited to go further with short story episode for each day, and free themed activities including a ‘scratch’ nativity play script.

Nativity QR Code Trail for young children

Christmas Story Powerpoint

This can be used in schools or churches to give an overview of the Christmas story. The pictures are the same style as the Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh resources so that they can be used together.

If you would like the powerpoint version so that you can adapt it for your context, please email: childrenandyouth@yorkdiocese.org

Various Other Resources

Palm Sunday Script

PDF / 146 KB

Story of Matthew 21, Mark 11, Luke 19 and John 12 from the Donkey keeper’s perspective

Palm Sunday

PDF / 529 KB

Mothering Sunday @ Home – ideas for family worship

Holy Week

Exploring Easter

This flexible resource is designed to be used in a variety of ways by churches and schools. For each session there are a variety of resources available – use the guidelines document to see what might work best in your context.

The Easter story has been divided into seven sessions which can be delivered over days or weeks or all together.

  • Session One – Serve – Jesus washes the disciples feet
  • Session Two – Feast – Jesus shares the Passover meal with his friends
  • Session Three – Fearful – the Garden of Gethsemane
  • Session Four – Betrayed – Peter denies he knows Jesus
  • Session Five – Innocent – Jesus is put on trial
  • Session Six – Sadness – Jesus dies on the cross
  • Session Seven – Joy – Jesus is alive!

Please see the guidelines and notes document to help you decided which downloads would work best for your context.

We are delighted that we have been given permission by Imaginor to use the artwork of Nebiyu Assafa, and hope that you find them a helpful stimulus for exploring the Easter story in more depth.

Session One – Serve – Jesus Washes the disciples feet

Serve – Reflection

PDF / 958 KB

Larger version of the picture by Nebiyu Assafa with questions to encourage reflection on the picture and its themes

Serve – Engage Sheet

PDF / 805 KB

Activities, information and prayer ideas to encourage engagement with the story and faith

Session Two – Feast – Jesus shares the Passover meal with his friends

Feast – Reflection

PDF / 1 MB

Larger version of the picture by Nebiyu Assafa with questions to encourage reflection on the picture and its themes

Feast – Engage Sheet

PDF / 916 KB

Activities, information and prayer ideas to encourage engagement with the story and faith

Session Three – Fearful – the Garden of Gethsemane

Fearful – Reflection

PDF / 334 KB

Larger version of the picture by Nebiyu Assafa with questions to encourage reflection on the picture and its themes

Fearful – Engage Sheet

PDF / 789 KB

Activities, information and prayer ideas to encourage engagement with the story and faith

Session Four – Betrayed – Peter denies Jesus

Betrayed – Reflection

PDF / 1 MB

Larger version of the picture by Nebiyu Assafa with questions to encourage reflection on the picture and its themes

Betrayed – Engage Sheet

PDF / 789 KB

Activities, information and prayer ideas to encourage engagement with the story and faith

Session Five – Innocent – Jesus is put on trial

Innocent – Reflection

PDF / 937 KB

Larger version of the picture by Nebiyu Assafa with questions to encourage reflection on the picture and its themes

Innocent – Engage Sheet

PDF / 802 KB

Activities, information and prayer ideas to encourage engagement with the story and faith

Session Six – Sadness – Jesus dies on the cross

Sadness – Reflection

PDF / 986 KB

Larger version of the picture by Nebiyu Assafa with questions to encourage reflection on the picture and its themes

Sadness – Engage Sheet

PDF / 3 MB

Activities, information and prayer ideas to encourage engagement with the story and faith

Session Seven – Joy – Jesus is alive!

Joy – Reflection

PDF / 990 KB

Larger version of the picture by Nebiyu Assafa with questions to encourage reflection on the picture and its themes

Joy – Engage Sheet

PDF / 721 KB

Activities, information and prayer ideas to encourage engagement with the story and faith

Pentecost

Mini-Pilgrimages

A range resources for children and young people to accompany Gavin Wakefield’s book ‘Saints and Holy Places’. Each pilgrimage pack will include materials to help families, children’s groups or youth groups find their way (and just as importantly find the toilets!) and consider sacred people and places with activities and prayers.

Rievaulx – Helmsley: Friendship

A beautiful walk from the lovely town of Helmsley to Rievaulx Abbey, or vice-versa – beautiful surroundings for considering the theme of friendship. A shorter version is recommended for younger families.

Hull: Justice

A short walk in Hull with plenty of opportunities to explore the many attractions of Hull and wonder together about the theme of justice.

Whitby: Wisdom

A hilly walk from stunning views at the Abbey and St Mary’s church down to the harbour

‘Being Light’ Family Resources

A set of downloadable resources to help families explore what it means to ‘be light’ based on reflective prayer.

Light prayer
Children of light song
Children of light teaching song

Black Lives Matter resources for use with children

Many people might be struggling to know what is best to say to children about the Black Lives Matter issues and protects.

This helpful video explains some of the issues clearly and calmly (albeit from a white perspective) and makes the really important points that no-one is too little to make a difference, and that it is really important to talk to your grown-ups about what you are feeling.