Helping Kids Understand the Ascension: What It Means + Why It Matters

The Feast of the Ascension often sneaks up on us. It falls 40 days after Easter—sometimes on a Thursday, sometimes transferred to Sunday—and it can feel like a “quiet” feast sandwiched between the joy of Easter and the fire of Pentecost.

But it’s rich with meaning.

And while we may understand its theological weight as adults, for our children, the Ascension can sound like Jesus just… left.

So how do we help our kids understand what really happened—and what it means for them?

Here’s a guide to making the Ascension come alive in your domestic church, with a free printable activity to help your little ones reflect on how they are part of God's plan.

So… what is the Ascension?

The Ascension marks the moment Jesus, after spending 40 days with His disciples following the Resurrection, was taken up to Heaven in glory.

He didn't disappear into the clouds to leave us behind. He ascended to go before us—to open the gates of Heaven, to intercede for us, and to send the Holy Spirit to guide us.

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses... to the ends of the earth.”
— Acts 1:8

Before He left, Jesus gave His disciples a mission:
Go, teach, baptize, and spread the Gospel.

That mission? It still belongs to us.

Why it matters for our kids

The Ascension is a chance to show our children that faith isn’t just about knowing Jesus—it’s about living for Him.

It’s a reminder that He trusts them—even at a young age—with a role in His story.

That can be something as small as helping a sibling, praying for someone who’s sick, or speaking up when something’s wrong. It can also look like dreaming big, using their talents for good, or simply learning how to love well.

When kids understand that Jesus believes in them and calls them to something greater, it builds a spiritual confidence that sticks.

How to talk about the Ascension with kids

Here are a few ways to explain the Ascension in language that resonates:

• “Jesus went to Heaven to make a place for us.”
  This helps kids understand that Heaven is real and meant for them.

• “He gave us a job to do while He’s gone.”
  This ties in the Great Commission—our mission to love, serve, and share His light.

• “He’s still with us through the Holy Spirit.”
  You can point ahead to Pentecost and the gift of God’s presence in our hearts.

You don’t have to over-explain. Keep it simple, and let wonder do the rest.

Printable Activity: “My Mission from Heaven” Scroll

To help your children reflect on the Ascension, we created a printable scroll that invites them to imagine what Jesus might be asking them to do today.

They’ll be prompted to complete sentences like:

• “Today I will love like Jesus by…”

• “I can be brave by…”

• “I want to help others by…”

There's also space for a drawing of themselves “on mission”—maybe with a cape, a cross, or even a favorite saint beside them.

Download the Printable Scroll Here

This is a great activity to:

• Add to your morning basket or religious education time

• Discuss during family prayer

• Use as a reflection leading into Pentecost

Final Thoughts

The Ascension is not the end of the story—it’s the launching point for everything that comes next.

As parents, we have the privilege of forming little apostles right in our own homes. And we don’t have to do it perfectly. We just have to show up, speak truth, and let the Holy Spirit do the rest.

May this feast stir something new in your family—and may your children always know that they were made for Heaven.