Lent Activities for Children

 The season of Lent is upon us.   Lent is the 40 days in which we prepare our hearts and minds for the joy of Easter - the rising of Christ.   During this time, we typically sacrifice by giving up certain foods, using our time to do something extra for someone, and giving more of our money to the poor.  These can be difficult ideas for young children to understand and to practice.  The earlier that we are able to help our kids to do these things, the better it will be for them.  We should try to help them understand the "why" of the rules.  Help them to want to be able to do these things instead of feeling like they have to do these things.   I have three children under 5 in my home and we have found some ways of sacrificing during Lent both individually and as a family.  We took sometime to sit down and talk about what things we would like to give up or do and why.   Here are some of the ideas that we came up with.

1.) Each family member will give up something that is important to them.   Some of the things we will be giving up over the next 40 days are desserts, watching sports, puzzles and skittles.  We took the time to talk about what we could give up in order to sacrifice.  We explained to the kids that we do this in order to show God that we care more about Him than the things of this world.  Although we enjoy these things, they are nothing in comparison to God.  We wrote each of these things down and posted them on the refrigerator.

2.) We will also give up something as a family.  We have decided to give up television on the weekends.  This will be very difficult, but because we are doing it together we are able to encourage one another in our goal.

3.)  We have also made a calendar of all the days of Lent.  Each day we are going to do an act of service for someone.  Some days are as simple as giving a compliment to everyone in the family.  Other days include extra chores, baking cookies for our neighbors, writing cards to our grandparents, and cleaning up trash in our neighborhood.  We thought of little things that the kids would enjoy doing, but would also be able to serve someone else.

4.) Because our kids are too young for an allowance, they are not really able to give money to the poor. However, we do have an over abundance of toys.  Each day of Holy Week,  they will choose a toy that we can donate to be given away to a charity.  This will be difficult for them, but we have explained that there are many children who do not have any toys to play with.  We will also go shopping to buy small things to make Easter baskets to give away to the poor.  We know it will be a challenge for the kids to not want to ask for anything for themselves, but we hope they will see the joy in giving.

5.) Prayer is another important aspect of Lent.  We have decided to pray one rosary a week, try to go to Adoration each week and to teach the kids the Act of Contrition. 

Lent is a difficult season, but it can be one in which kids learn so much about their faith.  This can be a time of growth and exciting new opportunities for your children.   Throughout all of Lent, I remind the children of the joy that is coming in Easter.  When things get difficult or hard to maintain, we think of all that Jesus did for us.  We use those moments to thank Him.   When Easter comes, we are sure to include a day filled with all of the things that we have missed.  It will truly be a celebration because of all the work we have put into prepare for it.