Lenten Ideas for Kids

The Religious Education Coordinator at my church (Blessed Sacrament in Harrisonburg) gave these calendars out this past weekend for the children. There are 42 ideas of things to do during Lent. Some of them involve giving something up for the day, some of them are Bible readings or prayers and some of them are kind gestures toward others.  They are not necessarily meant to be done chronologically and they will not last you all the way through Lent (because some of them are meant to be done on Sundays and Sundays are not counted in the 40 days of Lent).
You can see a copy of the PDF here.  I will also list the activities so you can make you own for your family.  I made a photocopy of the calendar and then will cut it up and let my kids pick out of the jar every morning. Then we will glue it back onto the original and try to fill up the calendar.
Here are the activities:

• Help your Mom or Dad with something without being told.
• Sit quietly for a few minutes and talk to God. Listen to God too
• Give up something you like today (TV, dessert)
• Add some of your own money to your Rice Bowl to help those who have little
• Say a prayer or World Peace
• Attend Stations of the Cross at your chuch
• Read KLuke 4:1-13
• Participate at Mass. Sing the songs and pray the prayers
• Say something nice about each family member at the dinner table
• Pray for all the people who may need a job
• Read Mark 1:12-15
• Call your Grandparents just to say "hello"
• Make a special treat and share it with someone else
• Say a family rosary together
• Read Matthew 18:21-35
• Tell family members you love them...out loud
• Write a letter to your Mom and Dad to thank them for their love for you
• Give up watching TV today
• Attend your parish's reconciliation service
• Forgive someone who had hurt you
• Play a game with your fmaily
• Shake hands with the priest or deacon after Mass
• Hug someone today
• Read a story about a Saint today
• Do not complain todya
• Help clean up after dinner
• Read John 8: 31-42
• Skip a favorite treat today
• Take a walk with your family
• Thank God for your family and your life
• Read John 5:1-18
• Draw a picture of Jesus and hang it on the refrigerator
• Do not yell or raise your voice in anger or frustration today
• Pray for the homeless
• Take out the trash without being told
• Attend Palm Sunday Mass. Talk with your family about what will happen to Jesus this week
• Smile at everyone you meet today...make a new friend
• Pray before you eat and ask God to take care of hungry people too. How can you help them?
• Take cookies to a neighbor
• Sleep without your pillow tonight. Pray for those who have no bed to sleep in or pillow to use
• Read Psalm 23 with your family-remember the Lord is your shepherd
• Make Easter cards to share with family and friends

 Any other ideas?  Share them in the comments.