100+ Things for Kids to Give Up (or Take up) for Lent

Each year then the Lenten season comes around, I long to help my children grow in a deeper relationship with the Lord and truly understand his suffering. Ash Wednesday always sneaks up on us and it feels like a rush for everyone to come up with something to give up or take on that seems meaningful. To help us to stay ahead of the game a bit, I compiled this list of 100+ things for kids to give up (or take up) for Lent. I hope you find this list helpful!

What Is Lent?

First, let’s cover what Lent is. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops states, “Lent is a 40 day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday. It’s a period of preparation to celebrate the Lord’s Resurrection at Easter. During Lent, we seek the Lord in prayer by reading Sacred Scripture; we serve by giving alms; and we practice self-control through fasting. We are called not only to abstain from luxuries during Lent, but to a true inner conversion of heart as we seek to follow Christ’s will more faithfully. We recall the waters of baptism in which we were also baptized into Christ’s death, died to sin and evil, and began new life in Christ.”

Lent is a 40 day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday.

The ultimate goal of Lenten sacrifice is to bring yourself and your family closer to the Lord by offering a small sacrifice or taking up extra prayer or donating more time/money. It’s important to include our children in these traditions, no matter their age. Talk to your children about Lent and talk over these ideas so they can join in this holy tradition.

Things for Little Kids to Give Up (or Take Up) for Lent

Below is a list of things for little kids to give up for Lent. For younger children, it can be easier to just choose one small thing a day to do instead of fasting all 40 days. To make it enjoyable for them, you could put these ideas in a jar to pick every day or hang the list on the refrigerator and try to check them all off!

1. Make a siblings bed
2. Give away a toy or book
3. Do a chore without being asked
4. Make a list of things you are grateful for
5. Smile at everyone you see today
6. Give someone a compliment
7. Give your sibling or parent a hug
8. Draw a nice picture for your parents
9. Share a toy with your sibling
10. Memorize a short bible quote or new prayer
11. Offer to do your siblings chore for them
12. Donate a piece of clothing
13. Lead grace before dinner
14. Light a candle for someone at church
15. Say a prayer for someone who is sick
16. Sweep the kitchen
17. Clean your bedroom
18. Write a letter to a relative
19. Pick up your toys without being asked
20. Say a prayer for a sibling or cousin
21. Say a prayer for a priest
22. Say a prayer for your grandparents
23. Say a prayer for your godparents
24. Say a prayer for your dad
25. Say a prayer for those without a home
26. Say a prayer for the Pope
27. Pray one Our Father
28. Pray three Hail Mary’s
29. Pray the Guardian Angel prayer
30. Say a prayer for your mom
31. Read a saint story
32. Pray for someone you dislike
33. Pray for the Holy Souls in Purgatory
34. Play with younger siblings
35. Read a Bible passage
36. Read a book to a younger sibling
37. Spend 10 minutes in quiet prayer
38. Open the door for someone
39. Share a toy or item with your sibling
40. Send a letter or card to someone in the nursing home
41. Send a letter or card to a Veteran
42. Teach a younger sibling something new
43. Go to bed early
44. Wash someone’s feet

To download these lists in an easy-to-use PDF, click here!

Things for Older Kids to Give Up (or Take Up) for Lent

This is a list for older children and teens to give up (or take up) for Lent. These are for children who have a better grasp of the 40 days of suffering. Kids that have made their First Communion and older should be able to think and pray about these ideas listed below and pick what would be best for them.

1. Make your siblings beds
2. Fast from complaining
3. Start a gratitude journal
4. Hug your parents each day
5. Fast from arguing
6. Lead grace before dinner
7. Lead the family rosary
8. Light a candle for someone at church weekly
9. Fast from whining and complaining
10. Pick a prayer buddy to pray for
11. Sweep the kitchen after dinner
12. Clean your bedroom weekly
13. Write a letter to a relative weekly
14. Say a rosary for a sibling, cousin or friend
15. Say a rosary for a priest
16. Say a rosary for your grandparents
17. Say a rosary for your godparents
18. Say a rosary for your dad
19. Learn the Our Father in Latin
20. Learn the Hail Mary in Latin
21. Say a rosary for your mom
22. Read about a saint
23. Fast from saying anything mean
24. Pray for rosary for someone you dislike
25. Pray for the Holy Souls in Purgatory
26. Pray a Divine Mercy Chaplet
27. Pray a decade of the Rosary daily
28. Play with younger siblings
29. Read a book of the Bible
30. Read a book to a younger sibling every night
31. Fast from yelling
32. Spend 30 minutes in quiet prayer daily
33. Fast from interrupting
34. Fast from screen time
35. Fast from snacks
36. Fast from gossiping
37. Fast from desserts or sweets
38. Share or give a toy or item with your sibling
39. Fast from sugary drinks
40. Fast from television
41. Teach a younger sibling something new
42. Attend a daily mass
43. Attend adoration
44. Fast from tattling
45. Box up a favorite item until Easter
46. Take on an extra chore
47. Sing all of the songs at Mass
48. Listen only to Christian music or podcasts
49. Read a spiritual book
50. Go to bed early
51. Wake up the same time each day
52. Attend the Stations of the Cross
53. Serve at extra masses
54. Offer to lector at Church
55. Fast from your pillow
56. Fast from buying anything
57. Fast from dessert
58. Fast from driving
59. Fast from hot showers
60. Give an unexpected treat to a friend
61. Learn a new and useful skill
62. Donate food to the food pantry
63. Donate money to a good cause
64. Add to the collection plate weekly
65. Fast from leaving lights on
66. Fast from using bad words
67. Fast from name calling
68. Start a devotional
69. Put a bean in your shoe each day
70. Take up exercising daily
71. Fast from wasting food
72. Give up sweatpants/leggings
73. Fast from electricity one night a week
74. Fast from talking through one meal
75. Throw out or donate something each day
76. Wash someone’s feet every Thursday
77. Clean the bathroom weekly

To download these lists in an easy-to-use PDF, click here!

Lent as a Family

No matter how many children you have or what ages they are, navigating the Lenten season as a family is extremely important. Our homes are a domestic church and the Lord has charged us with these young minds to form and lead to Christ. By keeping with our rich Catholic traditions, such as Lent sacrifices, is a great way to help build that faith foundation.

Another great way to learn about Lent and sacrifice are Lent Sacrifice Jars. Click here to learn more!

In Christ, Kristy