Ten Ideas for Lent With Children

By Caitlin Bootsma
Consultant to the VIRTUS^® Programs

Compared to Easter and Christmas, Lent can be a challenging liturgical season for children to understand. Unlike babies born in a manger or the celebration of new life, Lent teaches us that love can often mean sacrifice, and even suffering. 

Fortunately, as parents and educators we can take advantage of all that our rich, colorful faith tradition has to offer. Consider some of the following ideas to help you as you invite the children in your life to enter more deeply into Lent.

1. Ash Wednesday Mass: What could be a more tangible expression of how God raised us from nothingness than the ashes spread on our foreheads on Ash Wednesday. The symbolism that so clearly marks the beginning of the Lenten season and the words “Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return” make a lasting impression on children and adults alike. If you did not have a chance to attend this year, then definitely consider it for next year. 
   
   
2. Stations of the Cross: Whether you attend a Stations of the Cross service or follow something similar to my “small children version” of the Stations (an Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be in front of each station), images of the Stations will provide a teaching opportunity as the images both tell the story of the Passion and prompt children to ask questions.
   
   
3. The Sacrament of Confession: All Catholics are encouraged to receive the Sacrament of Penance during Lent. If the children are old enough, take them as a family or class. Remind them that Christ suffered and died so that they could be set free from their sins. That great feeling they have when the priest absolves them of their sins? That is God’s redemptive love! If the children are too young for the Sacrament, you can talk with them about the importance of showing love and contrition by saying, “I’m sorry” to people they have hurt.
   
   
4. Passion Plays: Your parish may put on a Passion Play that children can participate in or attend or perhaps you’ll choose to put together a simple one in your religious education classroom, living room, or youth group. Playing the roles of those involved in the Passion fosters a deeper understanding of the significance of those important events.
   
   
5. Lenten Art: There are some beautiful examples of art that depict not only the suffering and Crucifixion of Christ, but also the love He has for each one of us. Show children various images and ask them what they see—you may be surprised what they instinctively understand about Christ’s redemptive love!
   
   
6. Cooking: Yes, lessons about Lent can even take place in the kitchen! Invite children to help you with cooking simple dishes for Lenten Fridays. They can learn a bit not only about abstinence and fasting, but also about serving others by putting a meal on the table. Also, find out if your parish hosts Lenten dinners or helps with soup kitchens during Lent – what a wonderful way to show love for others.
   
   
7. Penance: There is perhaps no better Lenten lesson for kids or adults than giving something up for forty days. Encourage children to think ahead of time about something that they would gladly give up because of their desire to show love to Jesus. Remind them that even if they slip up one day, they can always continue the next, offering each sacrifice as a gift to God.
   
   
8. Almsgiving: As children, we were each given a Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl at the beginning of Lent. It was—and continues to be—a great way to remember to give to the poor every day during Lent. By giving up some allowance or money earned from extra chores, children learn how to imitate the selfless love of God for those in need. You may also encourage children to choose a charity of their choice to give to, so that they can spend time learning about the many people in our world who need our help.
   
   
9. Good Friday Silence: The hours from 12 to 3 p.m. on Good Friday are the most solemn ones in the liturgical year. To help children recall the suffering of Christ, you may choose to establish a few hours of silence. Children may read religious books, visit church, or perhaps even watch a movie about the Passion, but all attention should be on Christ, rather than our own individual pursuits.
   
   
10. Divine Mercy Novena: Good Friday marks the beginning of the Divine Mercy Novena. The Novena stretches through Easter and ends the following Sunday, Divine Mercy Sunday. This powerful novena—which also is short enough for even young kids to pray along—reminds us of the connection between Christ’s suffering and death and His incredible mercy that touches each one of us.

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