Lent is a season of reflection, prayer, fasting, and giving, observed by many Christians leading up to Easter. It is a time to deepen faith and practice spiritual discipline, while also focusing on acts of service and kindness. While Lent is often seen as an adult observance, it’s important to recognize that kids can participate meaningfully too. Engaging children in Lent activities helps them understand the significance of the season and instills values like generosity, self-control, and love for others.
At The Kids Point, we believe that Lent can be both meaningful and fun for children. By introducing engaging activities that are simple to follow, children can learn the importance of the three pillars of Lent: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Whether through crafts, games, or simple acts of kindness, kids can actively participate in Lent while having fun. In this article, we’ll explore a variety of Lent activities that families can do together to make this season both spiritual and enjoyable for kids.
Understanding Lent: A Brief Overview
Before diving into activities, it’s helpful to first understand what Lent is all about. Lent is a 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, observed by Christians leading up to Easter. It starts on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday. During this period, Christians commemorate the 40 days that Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness, reflecting on his temptation and dedication to God.
The three core practices of Lent—prayer, fasting, and almsgiving—serve as tools for spiritual growth:
- Prayer helps individuals strengthen their relationship with God.
- Fasting is about self-discipline, giving up something to remind oneself of God’s presence and sacrifice.
- Almsgiving involves acts of charity, helping those in need and spreading kindness.
By focusing on these practices, families can make Lent a time of reflection, selflessness, and gratitude. Let’s look at how you can integrate these elements into your child’s daily routine through fun and meaningful activities.
Meaningful Lent Activities for Kids
Prayer Activities
Prayer is the foundation of Lent. It’s a way for kids to connect with God and learn the importance of spending time in communication with Him. Here are some creative ways to make prayer enjoyable and impactful for kids:
Prayer Jars
Create a “prayer jar” for your family. Write down prayer requests, thoughts of gratitude, or people in need of prayers on pieces of paper. Each day, a child can pull out a piece of paper and pray for whatever is written. This can be done as a family or individually. Not only does this activity make prayer interactive, but it also allows children to practice empathy and care for others.
Prayer Chains
A fun way to involve kids in daily prayers during Lent is by creating a prayer chain. Write different prayer topics or scripture verses on strips of colored paper. Every day, children can pick a strip, say the prayer or read the scripture aloud, and then add it to the chain. By the end of Lent, the chain will be a visual reminder of the many prayers offered during the season.
Praise and Worship Dance Party
Introduce your kids to the concept of praise through music. Have a praise and worship dance party where everyone can sing and dance to their favorite Christian songs. This is a fun and energetic way to incorporate prayer and praise into daily life. It’s a great way for kids to learn the joy of worship and expressing their faith through movement.
Daily Lenten Devotional
There are many Lenten devotionals available for kids, which provide a scripture passage and a short reflection or activity for each day of Lent. These can be a great resource to make prayer time more structured and focused. Many devotionals are designed specifically for children, with colorful illustrations and relatable explanations that will keep them engaged throughout the season.
Fasting Activities
Fasting is about giving up something temporarily to practice self-discipline and reflect on God’s sacrifice. While kids may not be able to fast in the traditional sense (e.g., from food), there are many age-appropriate ways to involve them in this practice.
a. Fasting from Screen Time
In today’s digital age, many children spend a significant amount of time in front of screens. One simple and impactful way for kids to fast is by reducing screen time. Challenge them to fast from their favorite TV show, video games, or apps for a day or week, and replace that time with more meaningful activities like reading, playing outside, or spending time with family.
b. Fasting from Sweets
Another idea for fasting is to give up sweets or sugary snacks during Lent. This can be especially impactful for kids who may have a sweet tooth. Explain to them that by giving up something they enjoy, they are practicing self-control and remembering the sacrifices Jesus made. You can even create a “Lenten treat jar,” where every time they refrain from eating sweets, they add a sticker or token to the jar as a visual reminder of their commitment.
c. Fasting from Complaints
Instead of focusing on food or material items, consider challenging kids to fast from negative attitudes or complaints. This could involve being more intentional about gratitude and choosing to focus on the positive aspects of daily life. This type of fast encourages kids to develop a joyful spirit and teaches them the importance of maintaining a positive outlook.
Almsgiving Activities
Almsgiving is about giving to others, especially those in need. Involving kids in this practice helps them develop compassion and empathy, teaching them the value of generosity and kindness.
a. Acts of Kindness Countdown
Create a Lenten “acts of kindness” countdown. Each day, encourage your child to perform a small act of kindness. This could be as simple as helping a sibling with homework, writing a thank-you note to a teacher, or donating a toy they no longer use. At the end of Lent, your child will have a tangible record of the many ways they’ve blessed others during the season.
b. Collecting for Charity
Involve your kids in gathering items for donation. This could include toys, clothes, or food for a local food bank. Set up a donation box in your home, and encourage your children to fill it over the course of Lent. Not only does this teach them the value of giving, but it also provides an opportunity for them to reflect on how blessed they are and how they can share those blessings with others.
c. “Pay It Forward” Challenge
Challenge your kids to “pay it forward” by doing something kind for someone else without expecting anything in return. For example, they could give a compliment to a friend, buy a snack for a classmate, or help a neighbor with a task. As they practice generosity, they will experience the joy that comes from selflessly giving to others.
d. Lenten Charity Walk
Take part in a Lenten charity walk as a family. This could be a walk to raise funds for a particular cause or just a simple walk where the kids can carry donations for a local charity. It’s a great way to combine physical activity with giving back to the community.
Creative Lenten Crafts
Crafting is a wonderful way to help kids visually express their understanding of Lent. Here are a few ideas for fun and meaningful crafts:
a. Cross Crafts
Making crosses is a meaningful Lenten craft. Kids can create crosses using various materials, such as popsicle sticks, yarn, or clay. These can be decorated and displayed as reminders of the season’s significance. As they make their crosses, talk to them about the meaning of the cross and why it’s central to the story of Jesus’ sacrifice.
b. Lent “Sacrifice” Boxes
Create a “sacrifice box” for each child. These can be decorated with stickers, paint, or markers, and each day, they can add something to the box that represents their fast for the day (e.g., a token for fasting from sweets, a note about a kind deed done, or a prayer request). This activity allows kids to physically see their sacrifices and commitments, making the Lenten practices more tangible.
c. Easter Resurrection Garden
An Easter Resurrection Garden is a beautiful way to combine the themes of Lent with anticipation for Easter. Kids can create a small garden using soil, rocks, and miniature crosses, with the empty tomb (a small pot or container) as the focal point. Over the weeks of Lent, this garden can serve as a visual reminder of Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Lent doesn’t have to be a season that only adults observe. With a little creativity, kids can engage in meaningful activities that align with the true spirit of Lent. From prayer to fasting to almsgiving, there are plenty of ways to involve children in these practices, allowing them to grow in faith and learn about the importance of sacrifice, kindness, and reflection. By incorporating fun and hands-on activities, you can help your children understand the deeper meaning of the season while fostering spiritual growth.
At The Kids Point, we believe in making faith both meaningful and enjoyable for kids. By providing engaging activities, we hope that your family can make this Lenten season one of reflection, kindness, and joy. Whether through prayer, fasting, or acts of service, these activities will create lasting memories and teach important life lessons that will stay with your children for years to come. Let this Lent be an opportunity to grow together in faith and love as a family.