50 Simple & Meaningful Ways to Live Lent with Your Kids
Lent is a sacred time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, preparing our hearts for Easter.
As Catholic parents (and grandparents), we have the beautiful opportunity to guide our children in growing closer to Jesus during these 40 days.
Whether through small daily sacrifices, acts of kindness, or meaningful traditions, here are 50 ways to make Lent special for your family.
Prayer & Spiritual Growth
-
Create a family prayer space with a purple cloth, a crucifix, and a candle.
-
Pray one decade of the Rosary together each evening.
-
Say a special morning prayer for Lent, asking God to help you grow in holiness.
-
Attend daily Mass at least once a week as a family.
-
Go to Confession together before Easter.
-
Pray the Stations of the Cross on Fridays at home or at church.
-
Light a candle and have one minute of silent prayer each evening.
-
Read a Gospel story daily and reflect on how it applies to your life.
-
Sing Lenten hymns like "Were You There?" or "Jesus, Remember Me."
-
Visit an Adoration chapel and spend time with Jesus.
Fasting & Small Sacrifices
-
Give up sweets or snacks as a family and donate the money saved.
-
Choose one meal a week to eat simply, like rice and beans.
-
Fast from complaining—replace complaints with gratitude.
-
Give up screens for a certain time each day and spend it in prayer or family time.
-
Let each child choose a personal sacrifice, like giving up a favorite toy or treat.
-
Have a "Silent Hour" where the whole family avoids unnecessary noise.
-
Skip a meal or snack intentionally and pray for those who are hungry.
-
Fast from unnecessary spending and give the money to charity.
-
Pray the rosary while you're in the car together
-
Make a sacrifice jar—each time someone makes a sacrifice, add a small stone or bead.
Almsgiving & Acts of Kindness
-
Create a "Lenten Kindness Jar" and fill it with daily good deeds.
-
Donate food to a local pantry and let kids help pick out the items.
-
When you're in the drive-thru, secretly pay for the person behind you
-
Do a secret act of kindness for a family member each day.
-
Make blessing bags for the homeless with toiletries and snacks.
-
Visit a nursing home and bring small gifts or drawings.
-
Give away one toy or book per week to someone in need.
-
Donate part of your allowance or earnings to a Lenten charity.
-
Pray for a different person each day and tell them you’re praying for them.
-
Make an Easter card for your priest and thank him for his ministry.
Creative Lenten Activities
-
Make a Lenten paper chain—remove one link each day as Easter gets closer.
-
Create a Resurrection Garden with a small tomb and flowers.
-
Craft a salt dough crown of thorns and remove a "thorn" each time a sacrifice is made.
-
Make a prayer jar with intentions to pray for throughout Lent.
-
Read a children's book about Lent or a saint’s life each week.
-
Decorate a wooden cross and place it in a prominent spot - each kid can even do their own
-
Draw or paint a picture of Jesus and talk about His love.
-
Reenact Bible stories like the Last Supper or Jesus calming the storm.
-
Make a "What Would Jesus Do?" bracelet to remind kids to follow Christ.
-
Bake unleavened bread together and talk about the Last Supper.
Holy Week Traditions
-
Make a palm cross from Palm Sunday palms.
-
Wash each other’s feet on Holy Thursday to teach humility.
-
Attend Holy Week services together at your parish
-
Read the Passion of Christ from the Bible as a family.
-
Keep silent from 12-3 p.m. on Good Friday, the hours Jesus was on the cross.
-
Make a small wooden cross and carry it like Jesus did.
-
Bake "Resurrection Rolls" together (marshmallow-filled rolls that disappear when baked, symbolizing the empty tomb).
-
Have a candlelit prayer night on Holy Saturday and reflect on Jesus in the tomb.
-
Do a “Resurrection Scavenger Hunt” where kids find symbols of Easter (cross, stone, empty tomb, etc.)
-
Make "Alleluia" banners or signs and display them around your home on Easter Sunday.
By incorporating these simple yet powerful activities into your family's Lent, you’ll help your children grow in faith while making this season meaningful and memorable.
One last thing - another beautiful way to celebrate the true meaning of Easter is by filling your children’s Easter baskets with Catholic gifts that inspire their faith.
Instead of just candy and toys, consider adding meaningful items that remind them of Jesus’ love and the joy of the Resurrection! Here are some of our customers’ favorite Easter gifts from Lily & Lamb:
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Ave Maria Cosmetic Bag
Leave a comment