Lenten Activities for Children

Lent is a wonderful season during our liturgical year to share the concepts of prayer, fasting and almsgiving with our children.  Consider as a family how you might help others in need by giving of your time or resources.  Even very young children can understand and will enjoy participating in the process.  As a mother, carve out time in your day for your own special prayer time.  This may involve early rising or time spent away from a favorite hobby or activity.  We invite you to share your suggestions, ideas and Lenten devotions.  Emai lisa@catholicmom.com with your submissions.


Helpful Resources:

• Message of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI for Lent 2009
• USCCB Lenten Resources
• Lent and Easter Products from Our Catholic Company Store

Family Activities for Lent from CatholicMom.com:

• Engaging Your Children in the Way of the Cross Devotion
• Family Lenten Calendar
• Puppet Show Scripts for Lent – suggested: Liturgical Year, Three Days, Palm Sunday, Preach the Gospel, The Redeemer
• Jelly Bean Prayer
• Mosaic Crosses
• Easter Story Cookies
• Lenten Grapevine
• Resurrection Eggs
• Palm Crosses

Printable Activities from CatholicMom.com:

• Ash Wednesday:
  • Readings for Ash Wednesday
  • Ash Wednesday Coloring Page
  • Ash Wednesday Crossword Puzzle
  • Ash Wednesday Crossword Puzzle Answers
  • Ash Wednesday Lesson Plan
  • Ash Wednesday Word Search
• Lent:
  • Lent Lesson Plan
  • Stations of the Cross for Children – Find our printable Stations of the Cross coloring pages, book and CD Stations of the Cross recommendations for children, and more!
  • Lent Crossword Puzzle
  • Lent Word Search Puzzle
  • How Much Do You Know About Lent (True or False Quiz)
  • How Much Do You Know About Lent (Quiz Answers)
  • Garden of Gethsemane, Judas, Peter
  • Stations of the Cross Bingo
  • Stations of the Cross Lesson Plan
  • Stations of the Cross Word Jumble
  • Palm Sunday Lesson Plan
  • Palm/Passion Sunday Word Jumble
  • Palm/Passion Sunday Worksheet – fill in the blanks with a word from below
  • Holy Week Lesson Plan
  • Holy Week Quiz
  • Holy Week Quiz Answers
  • Holy Week Worksheet
  • Holy Week Worksheet- The following days of Holy Week are in the wrong order. Number them so they are in the right order. Then draw a line to what happened on that day.
  • Easter Triduum Lesson Plan
  • Holy Thursday Lesson Plan
  • Holy Thursday Worksheet – fill in the blanks with a word from below
  • Good Friday Lesson Plan
  • Good Friday Worksheet – fill in the blanks with a word from below
  • “Lenten Helper” – help the kids focus on doing one good deed per day – Contributed by Erin R., Denver, CO (print the “Lenten Helper” and trim 2/5 inches off the bottom and fold according to directions.
• Lenten Games:
  • Stations of the Cross File Folder Game
    • Directions – Print out Directions, cut it out, and glue on front of file folder.
    • Game Board - Print out Game Board, trim, and glue on the inside of the file folder. Make sure the directions are on the front of the file folder. Laminate or cover file folder with clear contact paper to make it last.
    • Station of the Cross Questions - Use these or make your own.
    • Spinner - Make spinner according to the directions. Keep inside file folder
  • Resist the Temptation File Folder Game (For Matthew 4:1-11)
    • Directions- Print out Directions, cut it out, and glue on front of file folder.
    • Game Board- Print out Game Board, trim, and glue on the inside of the file folder. Make sure the directions are on the front of the file folder. Laminate or cover file folder with clear contact paper to make it last. (2 Game Boards to choose from).
    • Temptation Cards- Print Temptation Cards out on card stock. Cut out Temptation Cards. Laminate or cover with clear contact paper to make them last
  • Journey Through Lent Game
    • Directions: Print directions and questions for the game. Print “Cube Signs”, cut out and glue on die.
  • Holy Week File Folder Game:
    
    • Directions – Print out Directions, cut it out, and glue on front of file folder.
    • Game Board – Print out Game Board, trim, and glue on the inside of the file folder. Make sure the directions are on the front of the file folder. Laminate or cover file folder with clear contact paper to make it last.
    • Holy Week Questions – Use these questions or make your own. Use only the questions that reflect your student’s abilities.
    • Spinner - Make spinner according to the directions. Keep inside file folder.
  • Holy Week Spin the Bottle Game:
    • Holy Week Spin the Bottle Game - directions
    • Holy Week Spin the Bottle Question Cards - Print Question Cards out on card stock. Cut out Question Cards. Laminate or cover with clear contact paper to make them last.

Additional Lenten Activities and Links for Children:

• Top Ten Lenten Observances for Children
• Salt Dough “Crown of Thorns” Craft
• Stations of the Cross for Children