Hi friend,

Lent starts February 18, and if you’re anything like me, you might be thinking: “I want this season to matter… but also I’m tired.”

Good news: Lent with kids doesn’t have to be complicated, intense, or Pinterest-perfect to be meaningful. Sometimes the smallest, simplest practices leave the biggest imprint on their hearts.

That’s exactly how we approached Advent - just a few extra minutes before bed. The kids reminded us every evening, and they genuinely loved the change of pace.

Here are a few gentle Lent ideas for kids—no prep marathons required:

1. Keep it short (like kid attention spans). A simple daily rhythm goes a long way: a short prayer, a Bible verse, one small action (pray, give, pause, or reflect). Break down the Easter Story into 40 parts. Even 2–3 minutes a day counts. Truly.
2. Focus on “adding” instead of only giving up. Instead of just fasting from something, try adding something life-giving: praying for one person each day, showing kindness on purpose, reading a short Gospel story together, or writing or drawing prayers. To make it fun, try keeping a list. Write up to 40 simple ways your family invested in faith or kindness throughout Lent. Some days might be big, some days very small—and that’s okay.
3. Make faith visible. Kids connect with what they can see and touch. A paper chain, a prayer jar, a simple checklist, or a daily question at the table helps Lent feel real—not abstract. In our home, we use a prayer calendar that prompts us to pray for something each day of the year, and because it’s visible, the kids love checking off each day as we go. It gives us gentle daily direction without feeling overwhelming.
4. Talk about why Lent matters (in kid language). Lent is about slowing down, remembering Jesus, and preparing our hearts—not being “extra good.” Grace > performance. Always.
5. Give yourself permission to keep it imperfect. Miss a day? Start again tomorrow. Forget entirely? God’s grace didn’t forget you.

You’re planting seeds, even on the days the world overwhelms you!

More Lent encouragement coming soon!

XO - Ashley