ELI5: What is heaven and hell according to Christianity?

Heaven and hell are, according to Christianity, the places people go after they die, based on how they lived their lives.

Imagine your life is like going to school. You have choices every day about how to act:

• Heaven is like graduating with honors and getting to go to a super fun party forever! You did your best to be good, kind, and follow God's rules (like being a good student). You treated others well, helped when you could, and tried to learn and grow. Because of this, when you "graduate" (die), you get to be with God in Heaven, a place of perfect happiness, peace, and love. It's like the best vacation ever, but it never ends! You're surrounded by people who love you, and you feel completely safe and joyful.

• Hell is like skipping class all the time, not doing your homework, and being mean to other kids. It's the opposite of heaven. If you consistently choose to do bad things, ignore God, and hurt others, it's like failing school and not getting invited to the graduation party. Hell is a place of separation from God, where there is sadness, suffering, and regret. Imagine being alone in a dark room forever, knowing you messed up and missed out on all the good stuff. It's not a party; it's the opposite of a party.