Faith Activities

Faith Activity If you’re looking for a simple way to journey through Lent as a family, the 40-Day Lent Guide for Kids from Crosswalk is a wonderful (and free!) resource.   Each day includes: The guide begins on Ash Wednesday and walks children through the weeks of Lent all the way to Easter Sunday. Activities encourage kindness, service, prayer, forgiveness, and reflection. Each day is designed to help children grow closer to Jesus in a meaningful, age-appropriate way.  You can use it at breakfast, bedtime, or even just a few times a week if daily feels too busy. It’s a beautiful, easy way to help children understand the true meaning of Lent — and it’s completely free! 

I often find myself searching for simple, creative, and meaningful activities to do with my children—or with children at Church—especially as we prepare for special celebrations or our summer Bible Camp in July. Recently, a video popped up on my social media feed showing beautifully painted peg dolls—the same kind many of us remember from the 80s and 90s, or still use in classrooms today. A growing trend connected to these is the peg doll exchange. In this activity, participants paint wooden peg dolls based on a shared theme—such as the Nativity, Easter, Saints, or Bible stories—and then exchange them with others in the group. Each person paints one assigned figure, often praying for the recipient, and in return receives a full set created by the community. Peg doll exchanges are simple, affordable, and accessible for all ages, making them a wonderful option for families, classrooms, and parish groups. They encourage creativity, prayer, and connection, while leaving children with a meaningful, handmade faith keepsake. If you’re interested in learning more or hosting your own Catholic peg doll exchange, resources and inspiration can be found through sites like Catholic Icing, along with other Catholic family and parish blogs that share ideas, planning tips, and faith-based craft inspiration. Links for more information:  Catholic Kids & Craft Resource Sites

Pope Leo XIV has officially proclaimed a Franciscan Jubilee Year to mark the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi. The special year runs from January 10, 2026, to January 10, 2027.  Key details regarding this proclamation include:

St. Nicholas was a kind and caring man who lived a long time ago in a place called Myra. He became a bishop, which means he was a leader in the church. People loved him because he was very generous and always helped those in need. One famous story tells how he secretly gave bags of gold to a poor family so their daughters could have a better life. Because of his kindness, people started celebrating him on December 6, his feast day. Over many years, stories about St. Nicholas grew and changed, and he became the inspiration for Santa Claus! Today, when we think about giving gifts and helping others, we are following the example of St. Nicholas. Here are some fun, kid-friendly activities to celebrate St. Nicholas Day: 1. Kindness Challenge 2. St. Nicholas Shoe Surprise 3. Story Time & Discussion 4. Giving Tree 5. Art & Craft 6. Letter of Thanks Activity: Write a thank-you letter to someone who has shown kindness to them, connecting to St. Nicholas’ spirit of gratitude.

St. John Paul II was born in Poland in 1920 and became pope in 1978, serving until 2005. He was known for his deep spirituality, love for young people, and efforts to promote peace and human dignity around the world. He played a key role in the fall of communism in Eastern Europe and was a tireless advocate for the sanctity of life and the importance of family. He was canonized in 2014 and is the patron saint of youth and families.  To Celebrate St. John Paul II 1. Create a “Be Not Afraid” Poster 2. Watch a Short Documentary or Video 3. Polish-Inspired Dinner Night 4. Prayer Time 5. Family Journal Activity 6. Visit a Church or Shrine