5 Lenten Traditions for Children
As we go through Lent, it’s important to spend time focusing on our faith in preparation for Easter and the coming of Christ, and implementing new Lent traditions for children will help you do just that. This is especially important for the little ones in our lives since they look to us for spiritual guidance. With that in mind, I have a few suggestions on easy activities to help your child understand the importance of Lent and prepare for Easter.
Lent traditions for Children
Tradition 1: Read the Bible with your kids and make extra space for discussions
Reading the Bible with your kids is an excellent way to incorporate faith into your daily routine. Choose age-appropriate Bible stories and discuss them with your child. Encourage them to ask questions and share their thoughts about what they've learned. This can be done at bedtime, mealtime, or during any other part of your daily routine.
One great way to do this is to read the story of the week leading up to Easter. You could start with the triumphal entry into Jerusalem and then read about the Last Supper, the betrayal and arrest of Jesus, his crucifixion, and resurrection. As you read each story, encourage your child to ask questions and share their thoughts.
If you want to really go for gold, I have resources that lay out daily Bible readings for the entire season of Lent.
Tradition 2: Light Lenten candles
A Lenten candle can be a meaningful way to mark the season with your children. You can use a special candle, such as a purple or white pillar candle, and light it each day during Lent. You can use this time to talk with your child about the significance of the candle and the season of Lent.
Each Sunday, you can also light an additional candle to mark the progression of the season. For example, on the first Sunday of Lent, you can light one candle, on the second Sunday, two candles, and so on. This can be a visual representation of the journey towards Easter and the coming of Christ.
As you light the candle(s) each day, you can pray together or read a passage from the Bible related to Lent. This can be a simple yet powerful way to incorporate faith into your daily routine during Lent.
Tradition 3: Almsgiving box
Encourage your child to give back during Lent by creating an almsgiving box. This box can be decorated and placed in a visible location in your home. Every time your child wants to buy something or receives money, encourage them to place a portion of it in the box. This is a great way to teach your child about the importance of giving and helping those in need.
You can also take this a step further and involve your child in choosing a charity or cause to donate the money to at the end of Lent. This is a great way to show them that their small contributions can make a big difference in the lives of others.
Tradition 4: Wash your child’s feet on Maundy Thursday
On Maundy Thursday, consider washing your child's feet as a way to teach them about the significance of the day. This is a way to demonstrate the love and humility that Jesus showed his disciples when he washed their feet.
You can make this into a special activity by setting up a basin of water, towels, and some essential oils for a foot soak. Encourage your child to relax and enjoy the soak while you wash their feet. Talk to them about the significance of the act and the love that Jesus showed his disciples.
Tradition 5: Bake unleavened bread during Holy Week
Baking unleavened bread is a fun and meaningful activity to do with your child during Holy Week. This is a traditional food eaten during Passover and is a reminder of the Exodus story. It's a great way to teach your child about the history and meaning behind the food we eat.
You can involve your child in the whole process from mixing the ingredients to shaping the bread. Talk to them about the significance of the bread and the story behind it.
Lent is an important season in the Christian calendar, so be sure to include your kids in your preparations for Easter with new Lent traditions for children.
While preparing for Easter spiritually, it’s also a good idea to begin preparing for the activities you want to do with your little ones during the Easter season, like finding Easter baskets and reusable Easter eggs for Easter egg hunts!
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