Trying to explain a holy day to a hyped-up six-year-old can sometimes feel like trying to herd cats. You want them to understand the meaning and the beauty of the day, but the moment you start using words like “solemnity” or “veneration,” their eyes glaze over and they suddenly remember they left a Lego somewhere that desperately needs their attention. Sound familiar?
I’ve been there more times than I can count. So, over the years, I’ve become a bit of a scavenger when it comes to finding ways to make days like All Saints’ Day both fun and meaningful for my kids. I’ve compiled a list of our absolute favorite go-to activities. These aren’t just things to keep them busy; they’re ways to open up a conversation about faith, virtue, and some pretty amazing role models. FYI, most of these require very little prep, because who has time for that? :/
So, grab a cup of coffee (or wine, no judgment here), and let’s get into it.
Why Bother Making It Fun?
Before we jump into the list, I just want to put this out there: faith should be joyful. If our kids associate All Saints’ Day with boring lectures, we’re doing it wrong. IMO, the goal is to show them that following Jesus and learning about the people who did it heroically is actually pretty awesome. When we make it fun, we’re not just “entertaining” them; we’re building a foundation for a faith that sticks.
10 Fun & Faith-Filled Activities for All Saints Day
Here are the ten activities that have been battle-tested in my own living room. Some are calm and crafty, others are a little more high-energy. Pick and choose what works for your crew!
1. The “Guess That Saint” Game
This is our go-to icebreaker. It’s like a mix of charades and 20 Questions, and it gets everyone giggling.
- How to play: One person secretly picks a saint. Everyone else has to guess who it is by asking yes-or-no questions.
- “Did you live a long time ago?”
- “Are you often pictured with an animal?”
- “Were you a king?”
It’s amazing how much they learn just by trying to remember saint facts. You can even make it harder for older kids by requiring them to ask questions about virtues or specific miracles. The best part? They’re learning without even realizing it. Sneaky, right?
2. Design Your Own Saint Shield
This is a fantastic craft that gets those creative juices flowing and ties into the idea of us all being called to be saints.
- What you’ll need: Cardstock or sturdy paper, markers, crayons, scissors, and maybe some glitter if you’re brave.
- The idea: Have the kids create a shield that represents their “saint name” or the virtues they want to work on. If they could be a saint, what would their symbol be?
- A lion for courage?
- A heart for kindness?
- A book for learning?
They can divide the shield into four quadrants and draw a symbol in each. It’s a great way to talk about how the saints’ symbols tell us their stories. Be sure to hang these up as a reminder that holiness is for everyone!
3. Saintly Costume Parade (Around the Living Room)
Okay, I know what you’re thinking. Another costume? But hear me out. This isn’t about buying expensive, store-bought outfits.
- The challenge: Raid the dress-up box, grab towels, bathrobes, old costume jewelry, and random stuff from the kitchen. The goal is to create a costume for a specific saint using only what you have on hand.
- Why it works: My son once used a colander as a helmet for St. Martin of Tours (he was a soldier, after all!) and a pot lid as a shield. We ended up with St. Joan of Arc wielding a wrapping paper tube sword and St. Therese holding a basket of fake flowers. We then parade around the house or, if the weather’s nice, the backyard. It’s hilarious, creative, and they remember the saint because of the silly object they connected with them.
4. Make “Heavenly” Halos (That You Can Eat!)
Because everything is better with food. This is less of a craft and more of a delicious snack that requires some assembly.
- The simple version: Spread some peanut butter or cream cheese on a round rice cake or cracker. Place a pretzel stick on top for the halo. Instant snack!
- The deluxe version: Use a doughnut (plain or frosted) and gently place a small, circular candy ring or a few white chocolate pretzels on top to form the halo. My kids get a kick out of eating their saintly snack, and it’s a fun, hands-on way to talk about the “crown of glory” the saints received in Heaven. I won’t tell if you have one, too. 😉
5. Saint Story Time, But Make It Dramatic
Reading is great, but reading dramatically is where the magic happens.
- How to do it: Pick a short, engaging picture book about a saint. Instead of just reading it, ham it up. Do different voices for different characters. Get the kids to act out the scenes as you read. If you’re reading about St. George and the dragon, have one kid be the brave knight and another be the fearsome (but not too scary) dragon. It gets the wiggles out and makes the story come alive in a way that just looking at pictures can’t do.
6. Host a Saint-Themed Trivia Night
Turn off the TV, gather some treats, and have a family trivia night. This works best for slightly older kids, but you can mix in easy questions for the little ones too.
- Categories you can use:
- Martyrs & Miracles: “Who was thrown to the lions but wasn’t eaten?” (St. Perpetua and St. Felicity, or St. Blandina!)
- Animal Friends: “Which saint talked to the birds?” (St. Francis, of course!)
- Royalty: “Which saint was a princess and is now the patroness of missions?” (St. Therese of Lisieux)
A small prize for the winner (like choosing the movie for family night) adds to the fun. This is a sneaky way to review everything they’ve learned.
7. Plant a “Garden of Saints”
This one is a bit more of a long-term project, but it’s beautiful.
- What to do: Pick a few saints who are associated with flowers or gardens. For example:
- St. Rose of Lima – roses
- St. Therese – roses (she’s a popular one!)
- St. Joseph – lilies
- The activity: Plant seeds for these flowers in small pots or a corner of your garden. As you plant them, you can talk about the saint and how their virtue “bloomed” in their life. It’s a tangible reminder that growing in holiness, like growing a garden, takes time and care. Plus, who doesn’t love an excuse to play in the dirt?
8. “Saint for a Day” Skits
This is a step up from the dramatic story time and gives the kids a chance to be the directors.
- How it works: Assign each child (or let them choose) a saint. Give them 10-15 minutes to come up with a short skit about a key moment in that saint’s life. They don’t need scripts; just the general idea. Then, they perform it for the family. It’s incredible to see what details they pick up on and include. You might get a historically accurate masterpiece, or you might get a hilarious retelling where St. Patrick uses a stick to chase snakes made of stuffed animals out of Ireland. Both are wins.
9. Create a “Litany of the Saints” Playlist
Music speaks to kids in a way that words sometimes can’t.
- The idea: Sit down together and find different songs or hymns about saints. You can find everything from traditional Gregorian chants to contemporary worship songs about specific saints. Create a playlist together on Spotify or YouTube.
- Include “For All the Saints,” “I Sing a Song of the Saints of God,” or maybe a fun, kid-friendly song about St. Patrick.
- Why it’s cool: Now you have a soundtrack for your All Saints’ Day celebration. Play it during dinner or while you’re doing the other activities on this list. It sets a beautiful and joyful mood.
10. Prayer Pals with the Saints
This is a quieter, more reflective activity that I love for winding down at the end of the day.
- How to do it: Write the names of several saints on small slips of paper and put them in a bowl. Have each family member (yes, parents too!) draw a name. This is your “prayer pal” for the next week or month.
- What to do: Take a few minutes each day to learn one new thing about your saint and say a quick prayer asking them to pray for your family. It personalizes the communion of saints in a really powerful way. My daughter drew St. Kateri Tekakwitha once and spent the whole week fascinated by her life. It sparked conversations we never would have had otherwise.
Making It Work for Your Family
Look, I’m not suggesting you do all ten of these in one day. That’s a recipe for a parental burnout smoothie. Pick one or two that resonate with you and your kids. Maybe you do the shield craft one year and the saint skits the next. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s connection. It’s about carving out space to celebrate these incredible people together.
Ever notice how when you loosen up and have fun with your faith, your kids are way more likely to be into it? It’s like magic. Or maybe it’s just grace. 😀
So, this All Saints’ Day, don’t stress. Just pick an activity, grab your kids, and make some memories. You might just find that you learn something new, too. Happy All Saints’ Day, friend!
