Lenten Activities for Families & Children

Lent is a sacred season of prayer, sacrifice, and renewal. For families, it’s an opportunity to grow in faith together through meaningful traditions and engaging activities. Below are ways to make Lent come alive for individuals, and families with children. Deepen your family's journey toward Easter.

Praying the Stations of the Cross

The Stations of the Cross allow families to walk with Jesus through His Passion in a meaningful way. 

• Swipe & Pray – Short Way of the Cross (Franciscan Mission tradition)
• Way of the Cross at the Colosseum | Meditations by Pope Francis
• Way of the Cross at the Colosseum | Meditations by Pope Benedict XVI
• Way of the Cross at the Colosseum | Meditations by St. Pope John Paul IIBrother Francis - Stations of the Cross for children: Brother Francis: The Stations of the Cross - Stations of the Cross - FORMED
• Pray the Stations of the Cross with Hallow app on your phone
• Praying the Stations of the Cross at home
• For Teens & Children:
  • Stations of the Cross for Teens
  • Brother Francis: The Stations of the Cross (FORMED)

Family-Friendly Lenten Activities

Help children enter into the meaning of Lent through hands-on activities and traditions.

• Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation as a family | Download Confession Card for Children
• Bury the ​Alleluia – A solemn way to say goodbye to a very joyous word until it is said again at Easter.
• Hang the Stations of the Cross in your home – Create a visual reminder of Jesus’ journey
• Try 79 Meatless Meal for Lent ideas 
• Create a Lenten Prayer Chain – Write prayer intentions or acts of kindness on strips of paper and link them together, adding a new one each day. Here's an example
• Start a Sacrifice Jar – Encourage children to place small tokens (beans, beads) in a jar each time they make a sacrifice. On Easter, replace them with treats to symbolize the joy of self-giving. Here's an example
• Follow a Children Lenten Calendar 2025 – Simple daily ideas of Lenten actions.
• Make a Lent Board - Display Lenten goals, sacrifices, and Scripture verses.
  Lenten Arts & Craft Ideas – Check out 40 Ideas for 40 Days for engaging activities that keep Lent meaningful.
• Engage in Daily Lenten Reflections – Set aside time each evening for a short Scripture reading and discussion.
• Pray the Rosary Together – Focus on the Sorrowful Mysteries during Lent.
• Celebrate the Feast of St. Joseph (March 19th)
  • ​Set up a simple St. Joseph’s Altar with candles, bread, and flowers, and share a special family meal.
  • Attend the Jubilee Year's Solemnity of St. Joseph Mass at the Cathedral with Bishop McGrattan on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at 7 pm - where he will give the Apostolic Blessing. More info 

Lenten Series for Children

Formed.org offers a wealth of Catholic content suitable for children, especially during Holy Week and Easter. 

• Brother Francis Series
  • The Bread of Life: Celebrating the Eucharist: This episode provides an engaging depiction of the Last Supper, making it ideal for Holy Thursday. ​
  • The Stations of the Cross: Guides children through the Stations with thoughtful meditations, suitable for Good Friday viewing.
  • He Is Risen! The Power of the Resurrection: Celebrates Jesus's Resurrection, perfect for the Easter season.
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• The Wonderful World of Benjamin Cello
  • O Lamb of God, I Love You: A special episode dedicated to Holy Week and Easter, featuring a shadow puppet show of the Passion. ​
    
    
• The Witnesses Trilogy
  • God with Us: An animated film covering the life, death, and Resurrection of Christ​
  • The Messengers: The Birth of the Early Church: Explores the beginnings of the Church following Christ's Ascension.​
  • To Every Nation: Depicts the missionary journeys of the apostles spreading the Gospel.