DISCLOSURE: Affiliate links are used on this site and may be used in this post.
30 Ways to Celebrate the Lenten Season in Your Homeschool
Today marks the beginning of the Lenten season for those of the Christian faith around the world. Originating as an annual Catholic tradition, Lent has evolved into a widespread custom for many Christian faiths in observance of the time preceding Easter Sunday. Beginning on Ash Wednesday, the Lenten season is a time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Lent is an exceptionally important time of year for Christians to draw closer to their faith and to God in thanksgiving for His ultimate sacrifice.
What is Ash Wednesday?
Ash Wednesday, in the Christian church, marks the first day of Lent. It is commonly observed with the placing of ashes on one’s forehead and fasting. In accordance of scripture, God says to Adam in Genesis 3:19, “By the sweat of your face will you earn your food, until you return to the ground, as you were taken from it. For dust you are and to dust you shall return.”
Ash Wednesday remains an earnest reminder of our mortality and the need for reconciliation with God for forgiveness of our sins.
As a Catholic homeschooling mother, helping my children to grow in love and in faith is a critical part of our daily educational activities.
Here are some great ways to incorporate an educational lesson on Christ’s teachings into your child’s learning during Lent:
Lenten Activities and Lesson Plans
- Visit USCCB for updated Lenten resources, including a detailed Lenten calendar.
- Receive daily Lenten activities by signing up for free with Holy Heroes.
- Download Lenten resources, activities, and prayers made possible with help from a Loyola Press consultant.
- Utilize lesson plans, coloring pages, and additional activities from Ministry-To-Children.
- Check out these amazing and FREE resources from various contributors on Teachers Pay Teachers.
- Download My Lenten Journey: Daily Scripture Journal & Activity Book for Kids from Mom for all Seasons.
- Have the “best Lent ever” through daily inspirational videos from Dynamic Catholic.
- Kick off Ash Wednesday and the Lenten season with these inspired creations from Catholic Icing.
- Enjoy a daily reminder to “Pray, Fast, Give” with this beautiful printable activity from Look to Him and Be Radiant.
- Take a virtual tour of the Holy Land.
- Make jelly bean prayer treats for your next youth group event or homeschool co-op meeting.
Lenten Crafts and Projects
- Enjoy this simple Lenten cross.
- Make an Easter story wreath!
- Create an empty tomb craft from a variety of resources found around your homeschool.
- Get artistic with this crucifixion cross painting project.
- Construct beautiful works of art with this DIY TP Cross project.
- Wear a visual reminder all Lenten season with this good deeds bracelet.
- Have an extra egg carton lying around? Celebrate Holy Thursday with this Last Supper craft.
- Simple items like paper plates are all you need to create this Easter Triduum craft.
- Make a crown of thorns while discussing the sacrifice that Jesus made for us.
- Make Resurrection Eggs as a family.
- Simple and gorgeous – create stained glass tissue paper crosses.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: PEEPS EASTER ACTIVITIES HOMESCHOOL EDITION
Other Things You Can Do to Honor Lent
- Attend a Stations of the Cross event in your area.
- Gather with family and/or friends at your local fish fry to support your church and community.
- Take on a new challenge — 40 days of letter writing, 40 acts of kindness, 40 phone calls to the important people in your life.
- Pick a habit or vice of yours and give it up for Lent to grow closer to God.
- Attend a weekday service in addition to Sunday service during Lent.
- Volunteer at a local charity.
- Donate canned goods and/or clothing to a local charity in need.
- Disconnect from technology for a while and replace that time with prayer!
Books About Lent for Homeschooling Families
The Tale of Three Trees: A Traditional Folktale
Make Room: A Child’s Guide to Lent and Easter
Into the Sea, Out of the Tomb: Jonah and Jesus
The friends of Brother Francis: What is Lent?
Movies About Lent for Homeschooling Families
Brother Francis: Stations of the Cross
Deciding how to best embrace the spirit of the Lenten Season can be challenging for some of us. After all, we are human. And as such, very humanly flawed. During these next few weeks- through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving- we are presented with a wonderful opportunity to seek out a deeper, more meaningful relationship with God. Through this time of self-examination and reflection, it is my great hope to strengthen my relationship with the Lord while bearing witness to my Faith to my children as well. Wishing you and yours a blessed Lenten season.
“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
John 11:25-26
HumbleLee Homeschooled 
One thought on “30 Ways to Celebrate the Lenten Season in Your Homeschool”