Ascension Day Ideas For Families

As Christians we all know about Jesus ascending to sit at the right hand of the Father, but how often do we consider this day within our annual calendar? I know as a family we never gave this day a second thought. We would celebrate Christmas, Easter and then possibly celebrate Pentecost which is 50 days later - but Ascension was left forgotten. 

This year we made sure to celebrate this day with our little boys, as it is such a good feast with a root directly in the Bible.

What Is the Ascension?

We all know Easter Sunday - the day we rejoice In Jesus conquering sin and death leaving an empty tomb. As Easter changes date annually so does this feast.

The Ascension was 40 days after the resurrection,( Acts 1:3  He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.). This means that we also celebrate this date 40 days after whatever date Easter falls in the year. 

It is the day we commemorate Jesus rising into heaven, and also the day we see Jesus again, preparing the way for the Holy Spirit's arrival 10 days later on the day of Pentecost.

Why make a big deal of the Ascension?

Why not? 

We have found as parents not to disregard truths even little ones can experience - from 2-year-olds saying the Lord's Prayer and Psalm 23, to a 1-year-old coming up to you for healing prayer when they fall and hurt themselves. 

So why not set apart a special day to remember Christ the King Ascending?

The aim is to form ourselves as parents, focusing on Jesus, but also to help our children learn and have fun. We want our house to be a place of joy and devotion to God - that He is first, but not in a rigid, dull way. 

We want to provide ramps for our children to interact in more ‘adult’ devotions and create more child friendly ones as well.

The aim is to form ourselves as parents, focusing on Jesus, but also to help our children learn and have fun.

How to Celebrate the Ascension?

There is not one way of celebrating the this moment as a family. It can be simple, quiet, playful or all mixed up together depending on your family’s life and stage. For us we are still testing out rhythms and ways of making them fit our regular life.

Where and When 

Keep this simple and realistic for your family life. This year we kept ours at home, staying indoors. 

Food

As a family we had an indoor picnic of egg sandwiches with a cross squirted inside with ketchup from our oldest (3). We would have gone out, but in the postpartum stage with a newborn. (Be flexible)

Many traditions have going up hills.

Games

Fly an Ascension Balloon, we aimed to have a little Jesus float up on a helium balloon (unfortunately the helium ran out, so we didn’t get there in the end—but it is a super fun idea).

Did cloud hopping to use up energy - pillows on the floor, jumping between while worship music plays, then freezer when it pauses. Good for using up energy for little ones. Crafts

Made clouds sticking cotton wool to paper and hanging them up.

I did some Ascension art myself reminding us that Jesus is king forever and put it in our window.

Prayer Structure

Holy Spirit Novena - began a 9-day prayer structure typically found in the Catholic Church, but really good. (Various Novena’s can be found online)

We also focused on praying Holy Spirit Come as breath prayer

Made a prayer den the day before for our boys to chill in and focus on God - an unused cupboard.

Bible Readings

Read the account in Acts 1: 1-11 and found a more kid-friendly interactive version too. Allowing our son to do actions repeat words and answer questions

Role Play Storytelling

Did role play of Jesus’ crucifixion, resurrection and ascension.

Our 3-year-old led, and wanted to play Spider-Man, 1 year old Jesus, myself as Pontius Pilate, mum as centurion and Mary Magdalene.

A fun creative way of doing it is also making a mini tomb from sofa cushions.

Reflections 

For us, this is still something we are learning and shaping as a family. It doesn’t need to be perfect or complicated, just real and rooted in Christ as we grow together with our children.

The Ascension has become a reminder that Jesus is not absent, but reigning—and that our everyday family life can be shaped around that truth.

In the future we may try more food ideas that look like clouds, whipped cream, meringues, popovers/yorkshire puddings or even lamb, which we have read is a tradition in some places to make the celebration more involved with all the senses.

It doesn’t need to be perfect or complicated, just real and rooted in Christ as we grow together with our children.