Easy Lenten Crafts for Kids
In most Christian faiths, Lent is the period in the liturgical year that leads to Easter. The normal length of Lent is 40 days, although some denominations calculate the Lenten period differently than others. Lent's traditional purpose is to prepare the faithful for Holy Week, which includes Good Friday and Easter. One way to involve your kids in the preparations is to have them complete easy Lenten crafts.
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Foam Cross
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Have kids cut white art foam -- which can be found at craft or discount stores -- into a basic cross shape. Using smaller pieces of art foam in various colors, cut them into "mosaic" sections and use glue to apply them to the cross. Repeat this step until the cross is covered with an overall mosaic effect. A variation on this is to begin with the white cross background, and reward children for doing good works during Lent by allowing them to add a mosaic piece to the cross.
Stained Glass Cross
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Using wax paper, have children cut two identical cross shapes. Gather old or broken crayons of different colors and have an adult use a knife to scrape shavings off the crayons. Have the children spread the colored shavings in whatever pattern they choose on top of one of the wax paper crosses. Put the second wax paper cross on top of the shavings and have an adult use a warm clothing iron to press the two sections of wax paper together. This will melt the crayon shavings and bind the two papers together. When it has cooled, hang the cross in a sunny spot.
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The Easter Path
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Using a large piece of paper or several pieces of paper taped or glued together, have the child draw a winding path. Divide the path into 40 separate squares, providing one square for each day of Lent. The child can decorate the areas around the path -- but not the path itself -- however he wishes; he can draw trees, grass, birds, flowers and animals with crayons or markers. Help the child think of 40 "good deeds" that she could do during Lent, such as helping a friend or neighbor, doing household chores without being asked or cleaning her room. With each completed deed, the child can color in one of the squares on the path. By Easter, she should have colored all the squares.
Crown of Toothpicks
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To commemorate the suffering of Jesus, have your child create a crown of thorns ... using toothpicks as thorns. While small children may not have the patience or skills for this activity, older kids should enjoy the process. Your child will attach toothpicks to a circular grapevine wreath, which can be found at craft stores. Secure toothpicks to the wreath using a small amount of glue. For a final touch, paint the wreath and toothpicks brown. When a family member performs a good deed, they are allowed to remove one toothpick from the wreath. Hopefully, by Easter, the wreath will have all its toothpicks removed.
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