Lenten crafts, activities, recipes, meditations, and more. 70 resources for your best Lent ever!

As far as liturgical seasons are concerned, Lent has the tendency to feel, well, intimidating. First, there’s the specter of giving something up. Then there’s the suggestion to take something on. Factor in children and spouses and prayer and service and the whole idea of the 40 days can feel downright overwhelming and nerve-wracking.

But y’all, we don’t need to be nervous about Lent.

Lent is the perfect time to renew our love for Jesus. It is a time to walk with him on the road to Calvary, to unite ourselves to his divine nature and his very human heart. He longs for us; he longs for our closeness. Lent brings that connection to the forefront. It’s what restores our own hearts to Christ.

If you find yourself unsure of what to give up or take on this season; if your meatless meal repertoire is gathering dust, have no fear – I’ve got the solution for you.

Take a look at these 70 Resources for Your Best Lent Ever, courtesy of the Catholic Web.

Decor

Lenten decorations don’t hold a place on Target’s seasonal shelf, and for good reason. With the season’s emphasis on sacrifice, service, and repentance, we’re definitely not hanging out the baubles and bells. But that doesn’t mean our homes can’t reflect the quiet beauty of the period, as my friends Desiree and Dianna prove below:

Simple, Frugal Lenten Wreath and Decor from Green Catholic Burrow

Preparing Your Heart and Home for Lent from The Kennedy Adventures

Ash Wednesday

While Ash Wednesday is not a Holy Day of Obligation, it is absolutely one of the most well-attended masses of the year. Anyone – even non-Catholics – can come to mass on Ash Wednesday. Here’s how to make the most out of the beginning of Lent.

Ash Wednesday and Our Families Lenten Traditions from A Slice of Smith Life

Ash Wednesday is Practically Here from Hail Marry Blog

Stations of the Cross

“We Adore you, O Christ, and we praise you,”

“Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.”

Every Friday during Lent, my classmates and I walked the steep hill toward the church for Stations of the Cross. It was long and it was tiring but for some reason, I didn’t mind it. Perhaps it was the quiet – or perhaps the redolent odor of incense. Whatever the case, Stations were an event I looked forward to every week, and one I’m happy to share with my kids.

A Stations of the Cross Box for Kids from A Knotted Life

Stations of the Cross Paper Bag Book from Not So Formulaic

Stations of the Cross for the Home from Joy-Filled Family

Baby Steps to Prayerful Stations of the Cross from Training Happy Hearts

How We Say the Stations of the Cross at Home from A Slice of Smith Life

Family Meditations

Jesus may have spent 40 days alone in the desert, but that doesn’t mean we are meant to walk a solitary Lenten journey. These family meditations focus on the spiritual life of the home and family. It’s a perfect way to mark the holy season Lent.

Letters of Love – A Lenten Meditation for Catholic Families from Not So Formulaic

Observing Lent? Try a Team Approach from Burning Hearts Disciples

Five Holy Week Suggestions for Families from Burning Hearts Disciples

Giving Birth to Easter from Better than Eden

The Jesus Tree from Catholic Sprouts

Prayer

Lent is an excellent time to ramp up your prayer life, with the intention that come Easter your new habit will stick. Choose one (or more) of the resources listed below and give your conversation with God a boost.

Until I Rest in You: A Lenten Journal for Catholic Moms from Not So Formulaic

40 Prayer Journal Prompts for Lent from Prayer, Wine Chocolate

Lenten Scripture Study with Take Up and Read

Free Prayer Plan Worksheet from Burning Hearts Disciples

Lent Devotional for Women from The Littlest Way

Lenten Prayer Challenge – A Rosary Decade a Day from The Kennedy Adventures

40 Days in the Word: 3 Ways to Add Scripture to Your Spiritual Diet from Sarah Christmeyer

The Pray More Lenten Retreat from Pray More Novenas

Sacrifice and Almsgiving

Still not sure what to give up for Lent? Pregnant or nursing, and not sure what to do? Take a look at these practical and creative suggestions for fasting. Who knows? You might find something new.

No-Spend Lent from Hail Marry Blog

Practical Suggestions for Fasting from Burning Hearts Disciples

Free Lent Cheat Sheet from Catholic Blogger Network

The 5-Minute Sacrifice for Lent from To Jesus, Sincerely

Fasting PSA for Pregnant and Nursing Mamas from A Blog for my Mom

Almsgiving for Lent from Burning Hearts Disciples

Wondering What to Give Up for Lent? 50 Unique Ideas from Equipping Godly Women

Printables and Activities

Over the years, I’ve found that my children grasp liturgical seasons much more quickly if we do something hands-on. From simple and easy activities to in-depth projects, the links below offer serious tactile fun.

Printables for a Prayerful Lent by Equipping Catholic Families

Equipping Catholic Families for Lent by Equipping Catholic Families

Resurrection Eggs from Training Happy Hearts

DIY Resurrection Eggs from Training Happy Hearts

Planning a Hands-on Holy Week from Training Happy Hearts

14 Ideas for Lenten Activities from Training Happy Hearts

Valentines for Lent from A Blog for My Mom

Crafts for Lent: The Reluctant Crafter’s Guide from A Blog for My Mom

7 DIY Lenten Crafts and Books from Campfires and Cleats

Lent Bingo for Catholic Kids from The Kennedy Adventures

Lent Word Puzzles for Catholic Kids from The Kennedy Adventures

Lent Coloring Pages for Catholic Kids from The Kennedy Adventures

7 Ways to Bury the Alleluia from A Slice of Smith Life

Make Lent an Adventure with Holy Heroes from The Koala Mom

Pretzels

I didn’t know pretzels were a Lenten thing until my first child came along. Apparently, the tradition dates back to the 7th century and the ingenuity of an Italian monk. Made with ingredients typically green-lighted in the early church Lenten observances, pretzels became both a mainstay of the Lenten diet and a symbolic representation of the season’s call to prayer. Make a batch of your own if you’re adventurous in the kitchen, or check out the prayer pal option if you need something more tame.

Making Pretzels During Lent from A Slice of Smith Life

Pretzels for Lent from Better than Eden

Pretzel Prayer Pals from Training Happy Hearts

Meatless Meal Ideas

Yes, you really can eat more than fish sticks for Lent. Here’s the proof, right here:

40 Meatless Meals for Lent from Wildflower Four

Meals Sans Meat from Hail Marry Blog

25 Meatless Meals for Lent from A Blog for My Mom

Simple Lent Meals from Better than Eden

Super Simple Meatless Meals for Lent from The Kennedy Adventures

What Can I Eat for Lent? Complete Fasting Rules Made Easy from Equipping Godly Women

Books and Read Alouds

Need some fresh titles for your Lent and Easter book collection? Look no further – these ladies have quite the selection to share.

Our Mega-List of Lent and Easter Read Alouds from Training Happy Hearts

The Legend of the Easter Robin from Everyday Thoughts

Our Holy Week and Easter Book Basket from A Blog for My Mom

Catholic Picture Books for Lent and Easter from The Kennedy Adventures

Special Needs Families

Sometimes church and our Lenten observances can be a cross to bear in and of themselves. You don’t have to avoid the traditions of our liturgical year if you are a special needs family.

Starting the Stations of the Cross with Special Needs in Mind from Training Happy Hearts

When Ashes are Too Much from Uniquely Catholic

Encouragement

Are you tired? Worn out? Missing the cream in your morning cup of joe? We’ve all been there, and we could all use a boost on this Lenten journey. Check out these words of encouragement from my sisters below.

How We Lent from Hail Marry Blog

How We Lent from Better than Eden

Can We Get Some Love for Lent? From Hail Marry Blog

Lent: A Journey of Encounter from Burning Hearts Disciples

The Ultimate Lent Guide for Busy People from Prayer, Wine, Chocolate

A Catholic Mom’s Guide to Preparing for Lent from The Kennedy Adventures

40 Facts You Wish Everyone Knew About Lent from A Slice of Smith Life

How We Pray, Fast, and Give During Lent from The Pearl of Great Price

Give Yourself Away During Lent from The Catholic Pilgrim

Can You Fail Lent? From Books, Faith, Life

Back in the Good Old Days When I Used to Make All the Decisions from Campfires and Cleats

The Penitence of Everyday Life, or Lent from Campfires and Cleats

Lent doesn’t have to be scary or overwhelming. It is a holy, healing time.

St. Teresa of Calcutta put it best, I think, when she wrote that

As Lent is the time for greater love, listen to Jesus’ thirst…’Repent and believe’ Jesus tells us. What are we to repent? Our indifference, our hardness of heart. What are we to believe? Jesus thirsts even now, in your heart and in the poor — He knows your weakness. He wants only your love, wants only the chance to love you.

He wants only the chance to love us.

What better time for that than Lent?

Enjoy this post? Read on:

It’s Okay if Your Lent Looks Different: 3 Truths Differently-Wired Families Need to Know

Paper Bag Stations of the Cross Book: A Lenten Craft for Catholic Kids

Letters of Love – A Lenten Meditation for Catholic Families