We’re smack dab in the middle of Lent. Have you entered into the beautiful practice of the Stations of the Cross with your children? Whatever your answer, here are some creative ways to enter into this beautiful practice in our Church in family-friendly ways!
1. Go to an Empty Church
My kids are… squirmy and loud! And I LOVE them for that! Going to an empty church and slowly walking through the stations, looking at each image, explaining what’s happening in an age-appropriate way, is a wonderful way to introduce littles to the Passion of Christ. AND you won’t be self-conscious about their beautiful, God-given wiggles, fast feet, and comments! This booklet is a great resource to lead children through a prayer and reflection for each station in an age-appropriate way.
2. Coloring Pages
Using coloring pages to learn about the Stations of the Cross is a wonderful way to involve littles. You could work your way through each station of the next several weeks and hang them in a certain room or hallway in your home to then pray through as a family. Here’s a great coloring book of the Stations of the Cross. Get 10% off with code: INTOTHEDEEP
3. Tea Lights
Use 14 tea lights or candles to represent the different stations. Light all 14 candles to begin. After a simple prayer or reflection on each station, your children can take turns blowing out one candle.
4. Gather Symbolic Items from Around your Home
Below are some ideas for each station that you could gather to aid in your prayer as a family. Gather each item and as you pray and reflection on each station, hold the object, pass it around, and talk about how it relates to the station. Feel free to be creative here! These are just some suggestions for common items around the home to get you started.
1st Station: Jesus is condemned to death
Piece of string, rope, or yarn
2nd Station: Jesus carries His cross
A cross - You can make one from popsicle sticks, sticks from outside, or pencils with glue or rubber bands.
3rd Station: Jesus falls the first time
Bandaid or ice pack
4th Station: Jesus meets His Mother
Mary statue, miraculous medal, Rosary
5th Station: Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry his cross
Broom, sponge, or washcloth to represent an act of service or helping someone
6th Station: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
Rag or washcloth
7th Station: Jesus falls the second time
Bandaid or ice pack
8th Station: Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
Tissue or tissue box
9th Station: Jesus falls a third time
Bandaid or ice pack
10th Station: Jesus clothes are taken away
A piece of clothing
11th Station: Jesus is nailed to the cross
Nail or hammer
12th Station: Jesus dies on the cross
Crucifix
13th Station: The body of Jesus is taken down from the cross
A blanket or an image or statue of the Pieta
14th Station: Jesus is laid in the tomb
Rock, wooden block, or pillow
5. Be bold! Go to a service at your local parish.
Of course, the Church will only benefit from the witness of Catholic families attending Stations of the Cross services. Even if you are fulfilling requests for books and potty breaks the whole time, your children are sure to glean something from your commitment and effort of taking the time to be there.
If you’re finding it difficult to explain the events of the Passion to young children. Check out our blog post with 3 concrete ideas for how to explain Holy Week in an age-appropriate way.
I hope these ideas help you and your family take part in some way in this sacred practice in our Church this Lenten season.
If you have other ideas or ways you’ve prayed together as a family, I would truly love to hear from you in the comments!
Ready to dive deeper?
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1. Memorize Bible verses with your children easily with our FREE guide: Stocking the Storehouses
2. Make your dreams of family prayer a reality with The Daily Feast framework, making it possible in just a few minutes a day. This free guide shows you how.
3. Want to steward your own prayer life? Check out this Scripture prayer journal we made just for you.
4. Looking to level-up in your family faith formation? Join over 10,000 families that use our resources. We make open-and-go, family-style resources to make your role as primary catechist easy AND delightful. Click here to browse!
