Seven Tips to get Older Kids Excited about Lent
1. Make it a Challenge
For most kids, the thought of sacrifice and penance isn’t too exciting. But the idea of succeeding at a challenge is right up their alley. Work with your kids to find a sacrifice that will be a true challenge for both of you. When you’re doing Lent Activities for Older Kids, the group dynamic helps—siblings can motivate, encourage, or sometimes embarrass each other so everyone sticks with their Lenten goals.
2. Teach It
Tweens and Teens want to know WHY. As a teacher, I use this PowerPoint and guided notes to teach our faith. I work with a variety of students–some are firm believers in the faith and are excited to demonstrate it with their sacrifice. Some students are proud to say that they are atheists, but are still shockingly full of questions about our faith. (BTW–as a teacher, I am thankful DAILY that I did the Bible Timeline bible study so I am prepared for many questions.) This week, I was asked if Catholics believe in ghosts. Does anyone know the answer to this? I remember seeing something about it in the Catechism, but I couldn’t find it when I needed it.
3. Track It
I use these goal sheets with my kids and my students so they can see their progress as they fast, pray, and give.
4. Personalize It with a Project
The students make their own Stations of the Cross Presentations. The students create prayers and connections to engage with the Stations of the Cross. Inevitably, at least one student will copy something from the internet, but that’s easy to catch, thanks to Google!
5. Individualize Goals
Help the students come up with their own Lenten Goals. Things that might sound ridiculous to me might be the perfect challenge for my 10yo. I once worked with a 16yo that gave up her hair straightener for Lent. It was difficult, but I was amazed when she made it through! She did celebrate every ‘mini-Easter’ and straightened her hair every Sunday, but she wore the curls proudly throughout the week.
6. Moderation is the Key
Some older kids want to go big with their Lenten goals—fasting for an entire day or giving away all their money to charity. Their enthusiasm is wonderful, but I want them to be successful. If they set goals that are too extreme, they’ll burn out or feel defeated by week two. When planning Lent Activities for Older Kids, help them choose realistic, achievable goals that still stretch them.
7. Teach about Grit and Willpower
Grit is a recent educational buzzword—and for good reason. Some students aren’t strong believers, so they don’t want to give something up to mirror Jesus’ sacrifice. For those kids, I remind them that building grit is essential for success in adulthood. They can use this time (and these assignments) to practice perseverance and prepare themselves for real life. Lent Activities for Older Kids open the door for meaningful growth, even for students who aren’t motivated by faith alone.
Do you want more Lent ideas? Check out these posts…
Great list! I feel like there are so many things for little kids, and not much for teens and tweens.
Regarding ghosts,if ghosts are disembodied spirits, then they are souls of the dead. Obviously, we believe they exist! In terms of apparitions, there seem to be three main possibilities: illusion/hallucination, evil spirits, or a soul allowed to return for a specific reason (usually to ask for prayers).