Lent can feel like a bit of a drag for little ones, right? Forty days of “giving stuff up” sounds about as fun as a spinach smoothie when you’re craving a milkshake. But what if we flipped the script?
I used to dread this season with my own kids. It felt like I was spending all my energy just policing their candy intake instead of actually, you know, preparing our hearts. Sound familiar?
But over the years, I’ve learned that the secret isn’t about making Lent super serious. It’s about making it tangible and interactive. It’s about swapping the “you can’t have that” for a “let’s do this instead!” So, grab a cup of coffee (or wine, I don’t judge), and let’s chat about 20 fun, meaningful ways to help your kids prepare for and reflect during Lent. No guilt trips included.
Section 1: Preparing Their Hearts (and Your Home)
Before we dive into the big countdown to Easter, it helps to set the stage. Think of this as the “getting ready” party, but, you know, holier.
1. The Lenten Paper Chain
This is my go-to for younger kids who struggle to grasp the concept of “40 days.” It’s so simple.
- What to do: Cut 46 strips of paper (40 for Lent, plus 6 Sundays, which aren’t counted in the fasting days). On each strip, write a simple prayer intention, a small act of kindness, or a thing to thank God for.
- Why it works: Every morning, the kids get to tear off a link, and we do whatever it says. It’s a visual countdown that builds anticipation instead of dread. Plus, tearing paper is deeply satisfying for a six-year-old. 🙂
3. Create a “Sacrifice” Jar
Okay, I know “sacrifice” sounds heavy, but hear me out.
- How it works: Decorate a simple mason jar. Whenever your child does something kind, gives up a toy, or helps without being asked, they put a pom-pom, a marble, or a dry bean in the jar.
- The Payoff: On Easter morning, all those little sacrifices can be swapped for a sweet treat from the “Risen” Jesus. It teaches them that their small acts of love add up to something big and beautiful.
3. Set Up a Simple Prayer Table
You don’t need a fancy home altar. A small corner of the kitchen counter works perfectly.
- What to include: A purple cloth (the liturgical color of Lent), a small Bible, a candle, and maybe a cross the kids helped color.
- Personal confession: I used to overthink this, thinking it needed to be Pinterest-perfect. But honestly, the kids love it more when it’s their crayon masterpiece on display. It makes prayer time feel special and “theirs.”
4. Ashes to Go (The At-Home Version)
Can’t make it to church on Ash Wednesday? Or maybe you went, and the kids are fascinated by the “dirt” on your head.
- The Activity: Talk about what the ashes mean—a way to say “I’m sorry” and start fresh. You can even use a bit of burnt toast crushed up (works in a pinch!) to trace a small cross on the back of their hand while you pray together.
- Rhetorical Question: Isn’t it funny how a little bit of dirt can spark the biggest questions about faith?
Section 2: Doing Good (The “Alms” Part)
Giving to the poor doesn’t just mean writing a check. For kids, it’s about hands-on action. FYI, these activities might just change your heart, too.
5. The “Go & Do” Challenge
Instead of just giving up candy, why not give to others?
- The List: Once a week, brainstorm one concrete action.
- Week 1: Bake cookies for a neighbor.
- Week 2: Go through old toys and pick 5 to donate.
- Week 3: Draw pictures for residents at a local nursing home.
- Week 4: Let a sibling choose the movie for family night. (Now that’s a sacrifice!)
6. Sponsor a Child (Digitally)
We talk to our kids about children in other countries, but it can feel abstract.
- How to do it: Use a site like Compassion International or Unbound. Pick a child around your kid’s age. Let your kids see their photo and read their story.
- The Impact: Whenever you skip that expensive coffee or that toy they wanted, you can say, “Instead of buying this, we’re going to send that money to help our friend, Maria, get school supplies.” It connects “giving up” with “lifting up.”
7. Little Free Pantry Patrol
You’ve seen those little community pantries popping up, right? The ones that look like giant birdhouses for food?
- The Mission: Make it a weekly mission. Before you go to the grocery store, have your kids pick out one or two non-perishable items to put in the pantry.
- The Best Part: They get to actually place the items in the box themselves. It’s instant gratification for a generous heart.
Section 3: Praying Together (Without the Eye Rolls)
I know, I know. Getting kids to sit still and pray for 40 days straight is like herding cats. Let’s keep it moving.
8. Prayer Rocks
This is so dumb (in a good way) and my kids absolutely love it.
- The Craft: Find a smooth rock. Let the kids paint it or just write a word on it with a sharpie—something they want to pray for, like “Grandma” or “sick friend” or “no nightmares.”
- The Routine: Place the rock on the prayer table. Every time they walk by and see it, it’s a reminder to say a quick prayer for that person or thing.
9. Meatless Friday Food Fun
If your family abstains from meat on Fridays, don’t let it be a battle. Make it an adventure!
- The Twist: Let the kids pick the new meatless recipe to try each week. It could be fancy grilled cheese, homemade mac and cheese, or breakfast for dinner!
- Why: It turns a rule into a tradition. IMO, pancakes for dinner on a Friday feels like a feast, not a fast, and it still counts!
10. Listen to the “Hallelujah” Song
During Lent, we usually don’t sing “Alleluia” in church. It’s saved for Easter.
- The Idea: Pick a favorite recording of the “Hallelujah” chorus (Handel’s Messiah is the classic). Don’t listen to it at all during Lent. Put it away.
- The Big Reveal: On Easter morning, blast it while everyone is eating breakfast. The joy and excitement will be palpable. It’s a musical celebration of His resurrection!
11. The “Silent” Game (A Prayer Twist)
Ever played the quiet game with your kids? It’s hilarious how competitive they get.
- How to play: Set a timer for 2-3 minutes. Challenge everyone to sit in total silence. The goal isn’t to “pray” formally, but just to listen. Afterwards, ask, “What did you hear? What popped into your head?”
- The Lesson: It’s a baby step toward teaching them contemplative prayer—just being still with God.
Section 4: Reflecting Through Holy Week
Holy Week is intense. It’s a rollercoaster from palm branches to a cross to an empty tomb. These activities help kids process the whiplash.
12. Palm Branch Parade
Don’t just bring those palms home and shove them behind a picture frame.
- The Fun: Reenact the entrance into Jerusalem! Have the kids wave the palms, grab some coats to throw on the floor (Jesus rode a donkey, remember?), and march through the living room shouting “Hosanna!”
- Why it matters: It makes the story active. They are the crowd cheering for Jesus.
13. Spy Wednesday “Betrayal” Talk
Okay, “betrayal” is a big word. But Judas’s story is relatable to kids.
- The Conversation: Talk about a time someone told on them, or a time they broke a promise. How did it feel?
- The Point: It opens the door to talk about how Jesus understands when we feel hurt by friends, and how he still loved Judas anyway. It’s deep, but kids get it.
14. Holy Thursday Foot Washing
This is a messy, giggly, and profound tradition.
- At Home: On Holy Thursday evening, fill a basin with warm water. As a family, take turns washing each other’s feet. Parents wash the kids’ feet, and kids wash the parents’ feet.
- The Feels: It’s awkward at first, but it’s a powerful lesson in serving one another. Just have towels ready—and expect a lot of splashing. :/
15. Map Out Good Friday
The Stations of the Cross can be long for little ones.
- The Short Version: Walk through your house or yard and set up 14 “stations” with simple drawings or toys. A rock for the garden, a cross made of twigs, a soft cloth for Veronica. Walk with them and tell the story in very simple sentences.
- Keep it Brief: The goal is familiarity, not theological depth. Let them lead the pace.
16. The Empty Tomb Craft
This one is a classic for a reason.
- What you need: A paper plate, some glue, a small stone, and a little figure of Jesus (or just draw him on paper).
- The Trick: On Good Friday, put the “Jesus” figure in a “tomb” (like a small box or under a bowl) and seal it with the stone. On Easter morning, the stone is rolled away, and Jesus is gone!
Section 5: Creative Countdowns & Calendars
Because who doesn’t love a good chart?
17. Resurrection Eggs
You can buy these, but making them is way more fun.
- DIY: Grab an egg carton and 12 plastic eggs. In each one, put a small symbol that tells part of the Easter story: a tiny donkey, a piece of bread, a thorn from the bush, a small rock, etc.
- How to use: Open one each day during Holy Week and read the matching Bible verse. By the time you get to the empty egg on Easter, they know the whole story by heart.
18. The Jelly Bean Prayer
This is a super sweet (pun intended) way to use everyone’s favorite sugary treat.
- The Concept: Assign a meaning to each color of jelly bean.
- Green: (Growing in faith) – Palm leaves
- Red: (Jesus’ love) – Blood of Christ
- Purple: (His kingship) – His royal robe
- Yellow: (The light of the world) – The joy of Easter
- Black: (Our sin) – The darkness before the dawn
- The Activity: Put a little baggie together for a friend with a note explaining the colors. Spreading the Word and spreading candy? That’s a win-win.
19. The Crown of Thorns
This sounds intense, but it’s actually a beautiful visual.
- Make it: Form a simple circle out of play-dough or salt dough. Stick toothpicks or small twigs into it to represent the thorns.
- The Transformation: Every time someone does a good deed or says a kind word, they can pull out one “thorn.” By Easter, all the thorns are gone, and you can replace them with little flowers. It shows how our love can transform sorrow into joy.
20. Plant Something
Lent falls during spring for a reason. It’s all about new life.
- Get your hands dirty: Plant some fast-growing seeds in a pot. Grass seed works great, or even bean seeds in a clear cup so they can see the roots.
- Connect the dots: Water it and care for it during Lent. Talk about how the seed has to “die” in the ground to become a new plant—just like Jesus had to die to bring us new life.
So, there you have it. Twenty ways to make Lent less of a “punishment” and more of a purposeful journey with your kids. You don’t have to do them all—please don’t try, you’ll burn out by March 10th! Pick one or two that resonate with your family and your kids’ ages.
The goal isn’t a perfect Lent. It’s about creating little moments that point their hearts—and yours—toward the incredible joy of Easter morning. And if all else fails, there’s always the jelly beans. 🙂
Got a favorite Lenten tradition I missed? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below! Let’s share the wisdom.
