Pascha preparations

Here are things we’ve done during Lent to help the kids understand what we prepare for, why our routine is different and why food is different.

Hymn from Sunday of the Blind Man

I thought this may be especially helpful this Pascha season

Lord of the Powers

We are all feeling the stress and chaos. My kids are looking forward to coloring this. They like to put their prayers on the wall next to their beds. May this help your little Sparks feel calm in these Times of Distress!

PASCHA EGGS!

-Usually I strain the onion peel tea and then boil the eggs- the color comes out more evenly.
-If you over boil the tea, you’ll get more of a brown color. Simmer about 5mins and strain.
-I often leave the eggs in the tea water overnight, for a bolder color.
-Some years we add herbs or flowers tied in my daughter’s old tights!
-Rubbing oil over them gives them a shine and also makes them airtight to stay fresh better.

Other Natural Colors~

garlic, turmeric, purple onion skins, and cabbage have made wonderful additions!

***I preboiled the eggs and then let the kids draw on them with crayons***
Then soaked them overnight in the onion “tea” and then used a warm cloth to rub off the crayon and reveal their designs… -Rub with oil for shine and to seal that porous shell.

The Empty Tomb

Empty tomb centerpiece

Supplies-
small pot
planter tray (larger than the pot)
floral foam- to keep pot still
Filler to decorate-
pebbles/rocks/sand
glass bead/marbles
moss
***stickers, puff paint or markers can also be used to decorate the tray or cross
angel and cross decorations (could be made another day)

Add an angel to whatever tomb craft you make… God’s messengers are all around us.

You will need-
piece of cardboard (base), green paper, scissors, 2 paper plates, angel printout/drawing, paint/markers, glue, paper for “stone”
Cut about 1/3rd off plate in a straight line. Cut opening for tomb door. Sometimes I staple the plates- but super glue works well too. *The back plate should not touch the edges of the front, curve it to create the cave* Let the sparks decorate and glue the cave to the cardboard base. Crumple a paperball for the stone. Let the kids roll in open for Pascha!

Simple Projects

We label the calendar– with all the changes to routine for the kids to see. We mark the kinds of food weekly. We also put a cross on the days we go to church, a music note for nights we listen to church music and a book for nights to read the Bible.
Undying Flowers – We cut apart a cardboard egg carton, poked a hole in the bottom, added a pipe cleaner and let the Sparks paint their “flowers”
P is for prayer– Something to keep their hands busy while we talk about prayer.