When going to Adoration with kids can be fun!
Finding time and going to adoration is tough as it is… adding children that can’t sit still for half a second into the mix, makes it seem more of a chore and stressful situation than spending time with the Lord.
For those who would like to know a little more about adoration, this is a good summary here.
Here is more than a summary – This is just about everything you need to know.
Here is a great way to keep kids prayerfully busy during adoration :
1. Make an Adoration Bag: Have you children pick there own color bag and have them decorate it with their favorite saint or Church picture.
2. Rosary Beads: Saying the rosary together as a family is a great habit to get into. Many think the rosary is too long of a prayer for kids but it is actually a easy prayer for them to recite. The hardest part is getting started. Adoration is a great way to get started. Always carry several rosaries in each bag. Amazon has some here.
3. Holy Cards/Prayer Cards: These are great for kids to look at and to aid them in prayer. If your kids are old enough to read, have them pick 2 prayer cards – one to begin adoration and the other to end. I find this also helps them to understand when adoration starts/ends and how to begin/end in prayer. Free printable kids prayer cards here
4. Book of Saints: Children seem to gravitate towards the saints. They love hearing the stories about their lives. Also a great resource to bring even if they want to look at the pictures. Some children may like drawing in which case I would let them try to draw the saints.
5. Coin or Change purse: Kids like to use some of their change to make an offring and to light a candle and say prayers for someone who needs them. This is a good “half-time” break in adoration when kids start getting a little squirmy.
6. Catholic coloring books or pages: There are so many good ones out there now and much easier to find. This is a great option for little children. Jim Bryan at the Catholic Book and Gift store. There website is here.
7. Catholic crossword puzzles or other learning about faith activity pages: Again, lots more out there than there used to be. I have even seen comic type books that may be more appealing for some kids.
8. Prayers your child is learning: See below. It’s also a good idea to make it a game to help them memorize prayers for when they get older.
9. Notepad or journal: Kids may want to write a letter to God, Mary, and/or one of their favorite saints. Or simply make notes into a prayer journal. Artistic kids may want to draw something spiritual.
10. Holy Water Containers: Your child would probably love to have the job of refilling holy water containers and then refilling the font at home by your door. If you don’t have a Holy Water font at home consider getting one. It’s a nice reminder to bless ourselves when leaving home as a reminder of our baptism and that we take that faith with us as we go out into the world.
Remember God wants to spend time and shower blessings upon you and your family. Even if you don’t feel like you “got anything out of going”, God was very happy to have you in his presence. Try to make a weekly devotion to go to Adoration this New Year. The more you go, the more you and your family will gain, as the Lord will not be outdone in generosity.
St. Michael the Archangel – Pray for us!
