Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting and reflection for Catholic Christians around the world. It’s a time to reflect on the past year, consider areas of personal growth, repentance, and prepare for the coming of Easter and Christs’ resurrection. In this post, I will share 10 Ash Wednesday activities for preschoolers to help them understand the meaning of this special day.
10 Ash Wednesday Activities for Preschoolers
- Make Ash Wednesday crosses – Using a mixture of ashes and water, have your child paint a cross on their forehead to symbolize the start of Lent.
- Read a story – Choose a children’s book about Ash Wednesday to help your child understand the significance of the day.
- Create a Lenten calendar – Have your child draw pictures or write words to represent each day of Lent, counting down to Easter Sunday.
- Play a game – Play “Find the Cross”, where you hide a small wooden cross around the house and have your child find it, learning about the importance of the cross as a symbol of Easter.
- Teach a lesson about Ash Wednesday – Check out our preschool lesson plan for Ash Wednesday which includes an activity, coloring page, prayer, and more.
- Plant seeds – Plant some seeds in a small pot and water them every day, discussing with your child how the seeds represent new life and growth. Tie this concept into how we are preparing for Easter and the new life Christ brings to us.
- Make a sacrifice box – Create a box where your child can place small items that they want to give up for Lent, such as candy or toys.
- Cook a special meal – Prepare a simple meal, such as soup and bread, to reflect the tradition of fasting during Lent.
- Do a kindness project – Encourage your child to perform random acts of kindness for 40 days, to help them understand the importance of selflessness and giving during Lent.
- Attend Ash Wednesday mass – If possible, attend an Ash Wednesday mass with your child, to help them experience the meaning of the day in a community setting.
By participating in these Ash Wednesday activities, preschoolers can begin to understand the significance of this special day and start their own journey of self-reflection and growth. What does your family do for Ash Wednesday?
Looking for a lesson plan on Ash Wednesday?
Check out our new one for Preschoolers:
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