Lent for kids: activities week by week
Six weeks from Ash Wednesday to Palm Sunday, each with a Bible story, one simple habit and an activity, so children see Lent as getting ready for Easter.
Updated 1 November 2026 · How we pick resources
Lent 2027: Ash Wednesday is 10 February, and Lent runs for 40 days (not counting Sundays) until Easter on 28 March. Many churches remember Jesus' 40 days in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1–11) and use Lent to pray, give and get ready for Easter. Traditions vary, so use what fits your church.
The Lent jar (all ages)
Fill a jar with 40 slips of paper, each with a small act of kindness or a prayer ("Pray for a friend", "Help without being asked", "Read one psalm"). Children take one each day at home, or one each Sunday in class. Send a list home so families can join in.
Week by week
| Week | Bible story | Habit | Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (from 14 Feb) | Jesus in the wilderness, Matthew 4:1–11 | Read a verse a day | Each child writes one verse on a card to keep in a pocket |
| 2 (21 Feb) | God so loved the world, John 3:1–17 | Pray for someone each day | A prayer chain: add a link for each prayer |
| 3 (28 Feb) | The woman at the well, John 4:1–42 | Notice someone left out | "Living water" cups with a verse on the side |
| 4 (7 Mar) | Jesus heals a blind man, John 9 | Say thank you | A gratitude list: five things you see that God gave |
| 5 (14 Mar) | Lazarus raised to life, John 11 | Give something away | Collect food or clothes for a local charity |
| 6 (21 Mar) | Palm Sunday, Matthew 21:1–11 | Tell someone about Jesus | Hosanna parade |
Holy Week and Easter
- Maundy Thursday (25 Mar): Read John 13:1–15. Talk about Jesus washing his disciples' feet, and do one serving task as a class.
- Good Friday (26 Mar): Read Luke 23:33–46 gently, at children's level. Keep a quiet moment and pray.
- Easter Sunday (28 Mar): Celebrate! "He is not here; he has risen!" (Matthew 28:6). See our Easter lesson by age.
A 12-day countdown
In the last 12 days, open one Resurrection Egg a day; each holds a small object that tells part of the Easter story.
FamilyLife Resurrection Eggs
Why we picked it: The classic 12-egg set that tells the Easter story with one object per egg. Easy for families to use at home in the run-up to Easter.
The classic Resurrection Eggs set — 12 eggs telling the Easter story — from FamilyLife's family discipleship ministry.
More resources
Sunday School Works
Why we picked it: A free weekly lesson and children's sermon that follows the church calendar through Lent and Easter.
A free weekly Bible lesson and children's sermon, ready to print, following the church calendar — a free ministry of The Sunday School Store.
Seeds Family Worship
Why we picked it: Word-for-word Scripture songs for kids. Learning a verse as a song is a great Lent habit.
300+ word-for-word Scripture worship songs and videos for kids and families (now Seeds Kids Worship), plus lullabies and a kids' worship show.
Finish Lent with a celebration game
Bible Showdown: The Easter Story
A click-to-play Bible game show on Holy Week and the resurrection. Kids, preteens and teens each get their own 25 questions plus a Final Round, all with Bible references. Plays in any web browser with automatic scoring, or as a PowerPoint, with printable cards for classes without a screen.