A Meaningful Good Friday Activity for Kids
Looking for a powerful and engaging craft to do with kids on Good Friday? This Three Crosses Craft creates a striking silhouette of the Three Crosses of Calvary against a radiant sunrise. Use this theme as ’s a chance to pause and reflect on the meaning behind the three crosses and the message of redemption and hope they represent.
Whether you’re crafting in a classroom, Sunday school, or at the kitchen table, this project makes a beautiful sun catcher or wall decoration to honor the spirit of Easter.
Want a visual? Check out this video tutorial to follow along step by step!
Supplies You’ll Need for the Three Crosses Craft
- White printer paper
- Black construction paper
- Coffee filter
- Washable markers
- Spray bottle with water
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- Three Crosses Template (printed on white paper)
Let’s Get Crafting: Step-by-Step Instructions
- Print and Prep
Start by printing the Three Crosses template onto white printer paper. Then fold the page in half vertically, so the printed side is on the outside. Fold a sheet of black construction paper in half and sandwich it inside the folded template.
Tip: For younger kids, you can lightly glue the edges of the folded white paper to the black sheet to keep everything in place. Just be sure not to glue over the design itself! - Cut Out the Cross Silhouette
With the white template on the outside and the black paper inside, carefully cut along the template lines. This creates a dramatic silhouette of the three crosses. Older elementary children will enjoy the precision challenge, but little ones may need a grown-up to help with this part. - Create the Sunrise
Take your coffee filter and place it on a protected surface (newspaper or paper towels work great). Use washable markers to color the filter in bright, bold colors—think sunrise tones like red, purple, green, and blue.
Once colored, lightly spritz the coffee filter with water. This allows the colors blend together like a painted sky. Set it aside and let it dry completely. - Putting it Together
Once the coffee filter is dry:
>Apply glue stick to the back side of your black silhouette.
>Press it gently onto the colored coffee filter.
>Trim any excess filter that extends beyond the silhouette circle.
This Three Crosses Craft is more than a holiday project—it’s a chance to talk with kids about the story of Calvary, the significance of each cross, and the hope that Easter brings. Plus, the finished piece makes a stunning classroom window display or at-home keepsake for the season.
Alternate Crafting Ideas
Though not a difficult craft, the cut- out does require a little bit of skill and is designed more for Elementary aged children instead of preschoolers.
An easier option would be to simply cut the pieces apart as shown then glue the pieces in place on the colored coffee filter.
For a second version of this craft, save the cutout white template. While it’s not needed for the main craft, you can color it and use it on a black background for a different, but equally lovely visual effect.
