Seven Easy Lent Activities for Little Kids
1. Fat Tuesday and a King Cake
The day before Lent begins, we clear the house of all the junk food and treats we’ll be giving up. We usually have pancakes or gumbo for dinner (Mardi Gras) and enjoy a king cake for dessert. I usually put a ring in the cake, though I think they look kind of weird. This year, I plan to make something a bit fancier, but honestly, anything sugary and colorful works. I might even order some to add a little extra flair to the evening.
2. Bulletin Board
During the first week of Lent, I like to create a quick bulletin board while the kids watch a video of the Stations of the Cross. I print letters on card-stock and have the students color them. This is a simple and painless project that I can finish and hang up with minimal prep. Another great option for Easy Lent Activities!
3. Goal, Goals, Goals
Small children don’t always understand long-term goals, so we reinforce them throughout Lent. I focus on prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, following Matthew 6, and help the kids choose something in each area. For almsgiving, I encourage daily acts of kindness. I might get these to help kids practice giving. For fasting, each child can pick one thing to give up that works for them.
I also make sure my kids know my goals so they can help keep me accountable. A stern reminder from a 5-year-old is surprisingly effective at curbing my extra snack cravings!
I created a Lent Countdown packet with worksheets for all ages. It focuses on Matthew 6 and goal setting, and even includes a follow-up worksheet for Fridays to review successes and challenges. You can check it out on Teachers Pay Teachers—another fun option for Easy Lent Activities.
4. Stations of the Cross
Last year, while teaching a Kindergarten Faith Formation class, I created an Active Stations of the Cross. The PowerPoint gives students a pose to hold while I explain each station. It was so much fun seeing them act out small parts and physically engage with the prayer. A creative and interactive Easy Lent Activity!
5. Meatless meals on Fridays and Ash Wednesday
This one’s simple but worth mentioning. I love this picture of Mady enjoying these ribs! Remember: meat is off-limits, but meat stock, eggs, and milk are fine. If you’re worried about a meatless meal, a veggie soup or chili with beef stock can still feel filling and hearty—even with the sacrifice. A classic and easy Easy Lent Activity!
6. Crown of Thorns
Each year, we make a crown of thorns using play-doh or salt dough topped with a bunch of toothpicks. Each time a child makes a sacrifice, they break off a toothpick. My go-to play-doh recipe is:
- 1 cup flour
- 1/2 cup salt
- 1 tsp oil
- 1 tsp cream of tartar
- Food coloring
- 1 cup water
Heat on the stove while stirring and watch the magic happen! I like to change the color each year; this year I’ll use black food coloring. In a past year, I even used cinnamon because I was out of all the Lenten colors. A fun, hands-on Easy Lent Activity!
7.I Have, Who Has
I’m so excited to play this game again this year! I used to think “I Have, Who Has” was pointless, but now that I’ve tried it, I love it. The students think through Lenten information with a collaborative game.
