Children's Activities for Ash Wednesday
In Catholicism, Ash Wednesday is a significant day that marks the beginning of Lent. Traditionally, mass services are held where practitioners receive ashes on their foreheads in the sign of a cross. For children learning about Ash Wednesday and Lent, games and activities help to educate them on the significance of this traditional Catholic celebration.
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Coloring Pages
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Children, especially young children, learn by using their imaginations and coloring. Give children coloring sheets about Ash Wednesday, Stations of the Cross and Easter. Ash Wednesday coloring sheets can teach children about what happens at church on that day, so they will understand what to do when they receive their own ashes. Stations of the Cross and Easter sheets illustrate the Lenten process.
Baking Cookies
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Gather children in the kitchen to bake cookies before going to Ash Wednesday service. Ask the children to help roll out the dough and use a cross-shaped cookie cutter to make cookies. Explain that they will receive ashes in a cross shape, just like the cookies, on their foreheads that evening to mark the beginning of Lent.
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Lenten Calendar
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Print blank calendar pages or make a felt calendar with children to visually illustrate the 40 days of Lent. Mark Ash Wednesday as the first day, and note other important dates like Good Friday, Palm Sunday and Easter using stickers or stencils. Making calendars is a great way for kids to be creative and keep track of all the important days of Lent.
Crossword Puzzles
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Create crossword puzzles for children to complete on Ash Wednesday. Make all the words Lenten-themed, such as ashes, Palm Sunday, Jesus, cross, Lent, Easter and resurrection. Explain what each word signifies for Catholics during the Lenten season.
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