Kid-Friendly, Catholic Activities for the Liturgical Year 

Kid-Friendly, Catholic Activities for the Liturgical Year 

 In Resources

Engage kids with fun and faith-filled activities from Discover! Finding Faith in Life. This Catholic activity calendar takes you through each month of the year, providing creative ways to celebrate liturgical seasons and saints, using material from your Discover! sample.  

Perfect for adding activities to your current lesson plan or creating something new around Advent, Christmas, Ordinary Time, Lent, or Easter, these ideas offer a glimpse of the flexibility and joy this program has to offer. 

If you haven’t already, request a free sample of Discover! for your parish.

January 

Grade 3  

New Year’s Day/Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God (January 1) 

  • Use the prayer service on page 3 of the Activity Book for the Presentation of the Lord, which focuses on Mary and her bringing light into the world through Jesus. Read the parts and have the children respond “Rejoice! Jesus, the light, has come!” 
  • The “Rosary Paper Chain” on page 284 is a way to reinforce the Rosary and remind us that Mary was strong in her faith. 
  • Talk about New Year’s Resolutions by using the video and discussion on page 172 of the Catechist Guide, “What You Do Matters.” Invite them to choose kind actions that can become the focus of their resolutions for the year. 

Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord (January 6 or nearest Sunday after Christmas)  

  • The Engage Activity on page 268 of the Catechist Guide is a way to tie to the star that is in the Epiphany story.
  • Create stars by using the “By the Light of a Star” Core Learning Activity (Craft) on page 270 of the Catechist Guide to remind the children of the Christmas Star and that Jesus is the Light of the World.
  • Use the prayer service on page 273 of the Catechist Guide for an Epiphany Blessing.
  • The “Three Kings Hand Painting” craft on page 274 of the Catechist Guide will give the children a way to recall the Epiphany story.
  • Use the “Three Kings Procession” on page 275 of the Catechist Guide for a kinesthetic way to teach about the Epiphany.  

Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (Third Sunday after Christmas)   

  • Highlight Baptism by using the Core Learning Activity, “One Baptism,” found on page 147 of the Catechist Guide.   

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (January 18 to 25)  

  • Celebrate Christian unity by using the Core Learning Activity, “Singing in Unison,” on page 46 of the Catechist Guide. 

Kindergarten 

  • The Christmas Season is not over until the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Recall the story of the birth of Jesus with your students as you read the passage from the Gospel of Luke presented in Chapter 2 of the Bible Story Booklet. Support for discussing the pictures and discussing the story can be found in “Dive In!” on pages 16 and 17 in the Catechist Guide.

February 

Grade 3  

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple (February 2)    

  • Discuss and celebrate the Presentation of the Lord using information on the Activity Booklet for The Presentation of the Lord.
  • Another way to celebrate the Presentation of the Lord is by using the Core Learning Activity (Craft) craft on page 280 of the Catechist Guide, “Jesus, the Light of the World.” 
  • Use the prayer service from the liturgical lesson, Presentation of the Lord. It can be found on page 283 of the Catechist Guide. (The homemade candles from the Core Learning craft on page 280 may be used in this prayer service.) 
  • Use the “Folded Presentation Comic Strip” activity on page 284 of the Catechist Guide to recap the Presentation of the Lord story.
  • Use the video suggestion and Scripture play in the activity, “Simeon Praises the Lord,” on page 285 of the Catechist Guide.  

Valentine’s Day (February 14)  

  • Use the Core Learning Activity, “Love Is and Love Is Not,” on pages 167–168 of the Catechist Guide to remind children that the Church is a community of love.  

The Season of Lent (variable dates in February or March)  

  • Talk with the children about positive ways to use their time during Lent. Look for “Sing Along: A Time for Everything,” the second activity on page 110 of the Catechist Guide.
  • Reinforce praying for others this Lent. Use the Core Learning Activity “Standing in Need of Prayer” on page 136 of the Catechist Guide.
  • Use the “Thank You” activity on page 182 of the Catechist Guide. Show the video. Use the discussion points for a new approach to a service project for Lent.   

Kindergarten 

  • Recall with your group “The Story of Jesus’ Birth” by working together on the child’s activity sheet in Chapter 2 of the Bible Story Booklet. How much do the children remember about the birth of Jesus?

March 

Grade 3 

Feast of Saint Katharine Drexel (March 3)  

  • Talk about Saint Katharine Drexel, and how she stood with the poor and those who encountered discrimination. Use the Core Learning Activity “Stand with Others” on page 178 of the Catechist Guide to share how we, as Christians, stand with others. 

Feast of Saint Patrick (March 17)  

  • Information about Saint Patrick can be found on the Family Page in the Chapter 10 Activity Booklet “We Pray for Those in Need.”  

Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord (March 25) 

  • Use the craft activity, “Rosary Paper Chain” to celebrate the Annunciation of the Lord. The Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary begin with the Annunciation of the Lord. It can be found under Additional Activities on page 284 of the Catechist Guide. 

Kindergarten 

  • The Feast of the Annunciation is on March 25. This is the very beginning of the Christmas story, culminating nine months later on December 25. The activity on page 20 in the Catechist Guide, “Seeking the Baby Jesus,” will help recall the Christmas story and the reality of waiting nine months for Jesus to be born.

April  

Grade 3 

Palm Sunday 

  • The “Following Jesus to Jerusalem” prayer service is on page 293 of the Catechist Guide. It includes the children creating donkeys from the handout on page 295, which can be another activity preceding the prayer service. 
  • Provide each child with a “Holy Week Egg” and use this activity to discuss Holy Week. It is found on page 294 of the Catechist Guide. 
  • A “Palm Sunday Play” idea is found on page 294 of the Catechist Guide and is another activity that can reinforce an understanding of Palm Sunday. 
  • Use the video suggestion and instructions in “Shout Hosanna” on page 294 of the Catechist Guide.   

 Easter Sunday and Easter Season  

  • Use the “The Gift of Easter Hope and Joy!” prayer service found on page 303 of the Catechist Guide. (This could be used to open every weekly class during the Easter Season.)  

Second Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday)  

  • The activity “Generous Heart” on page 234 of the Catechist Guide can be used to illustrate that, in sharing with others, we share God’s mercy and love. And sharing God’s mercy and love makes us happy!  

Fourth Sunday of Easter (Good Shepherd Sunday)  

  • Use the Core Learning Activity (Craft) on page 250 of the Catechist Guide, “Good Shepherd Beaded Key Chain” to make keychains that remind the children of Psalm 23.

Earth Day (world-wide environmental observance, April 22)  

  • Celebrate Earth Day and Care of God’s Creation by using the Discover! activity “What Am I?” on page 75 of the Catechist Guide to talk about ways to take care of creation.  

Kindergarten 

  • The “Jesus Is Born Puzzle” on page 20 of the Catechist Guide uses the handout on page 22 in the Catechist Guide. This is an activity that can be taken home and shared with families.

May  

Grade 3 

The Month of Mary  

  • Honor Mary by using the “Flowers for Mary” activity on page 171 of the Catechist Guide. 

Feast of Saint Joseph the Worker (May 1) 

  • Discuss and celebrate Saint Joseph the Worker. Information can be found on the Family Page in the Activity Booklet, Chapter 9, “Workers Share Their Gifts.” 

 Feast of Saint Dominic Savio (May 6) 

  • Discuss and celebrate Saint Dominic Savio. Information can be found on the Family Page of Chapter 3 in the Activity Booklet, “We Offer Our Gifts to the Church.”  

Feast of Saint Philip Neri (May 26)  

  • Discuss and celebrate Saint Philip Neri. Information can be found on the Family Page in the Activity Booklet, Chapter 20, “We Praise and Bless God.”  

Kindergarten 

  • Pray the Closing Prayer on page 9 of the Catechist Guide, reading it aloud for the children. Give the children some examples of what it might mean to say “yes” to God like Mary did.

June  

Grade 3 

Pentecost Sunday 

  • Help each child create a “Pentecost Headband” using the Core Learning Activity (Craft) found on page 310 of the Catechist Guide.
  • The “Sing Along: Holy Spirit Action Dance” activity on page 314 of the Catechis Guide will get the spirit moving.
  • Use the prayer service, “Come, Holy Spirit, Come!” found on page 313 of the Catechist Guide.
  • The activity “Sharing the Good News” on page 224 of the Catechist Guide is a fun and way to demonstrate the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Mary, Mother of the Church (Monday after Pentecost) 

  • The feast of Mary, Mother of the Church, is celebrated on the day after Pentecost. See the Family Page in the Pentecost Activity Booklet, “Our Helper and Guide,” for a short description of Mary’s role in the Church from the beginning. You may want to conclude your discussion by praying a decade of the Rosary with the group.   

Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles (June 29)  

  • Discuss and celebrate Saint Peter. Information can be found on the Family Page in the Activity Booklet, Chapter 6, “Jesus Gives Us the Church.”  
  • Use the Core Learning Activity on page 56 of the Catechist Guide, “A Strong Foundation.” Follow up with a discussion about Saint Peter using the bullet points presented.   
  • The handout, “Called to Be ‘Living Stones,’” is found on page 61 of the Catechist Guide. (Ignore the direction line concerning the circled letter.) Answer: We build up the Church! 

Kindergarten 

  • Use the activity idea on page 11 of the Catechist Guide, “Mary Says Yes: A Short Play,” after re-reading the Scripture story in Chapter 1 of the Bible Story Booklet. This activity will prepare the children to celebrate the real meaning of Christmas as they act out Mary’s response to God.

August  

Grade 3 

General 

  • Use the activity, “I Am Catholic” on page 97 of the Catechist Guide to reinforce Catholic identity with the children.
  • The activity “Sing Along: A Time for Everything” on page 110 of the Catechist Guide can be used to discuss the importance of taking time for God each day. 
  • An important Catholic Social Principle can be revealed by using the handout on page 79 of the Catechist Guide, “Praising God for Creation.” (Ignore the direction line concerning the circled letter.) Answer: Care for Creation.
  • Use the “’Be’ Attitudes” activity on page 230 of the Catechist Guide to discuss true happiness.
  • Create a masterpiece. Use “A Mural Praising God,” the second activity on page 243 of the Catechist Guide.  

Feast of Saint John Vianney (August 4)  

  • Discuss and celebrate Saint John Vianney. Information can be found on the Family Page in the Activity Booklet, Chapter 2, “We Are Priestly People.” 

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary  (August 15) 

  • The Prayer Service on page 283 of the Catechist Guide for the Presentation of the Lord can be adapted for the Assumption. Change the response to, “Mary, assumed into Heaven, pray for us!”  

Kindergarten 

  • Read the passage from the Gospel of Luke in the first chapter of the Bible Story Booklet, “Mary Says Yes to God.” Support for discussing the pictures and reading the story can be found in “Dive In!” on pages 6 and 7 in the Catechist Guide.

September 

Grade 3 

General 

  • Use the prayer service on page 323 of the Catechist Guide, “Closer to Jesus,” to begin the catechetical year.
  • To explore our role in the Church, complete the handout, “Part of the Church,” on page 51 of the Catechist Guide. (Ignore the direction line concerning the circled letter.)  Answer: We are the Body of Christ.
  • Use the Engage Activity on page 44 of the Catechist Guide to learn a bit about everyone in the class.
  • The “Prayer Cube” activity on page 97 of the Catechist Guide is a fun way to review prayers of the Church.
  • Use the “Sing and Move Along: Joy, Joy, Joy” activity found on page 87 of the Catechist Guide to celebrate the joy of God’s love.
  • The “Happy Dance Freeze” game on page 224 of the Catechist Guide provides a way for children to share about Jesus.

Season of Creation (September 1 to October 4, the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi) 

  • Sing about creation by using the activity, “Sing and Move Along: God of Wonders,” with video and hand movements. This can be found on page 78 of the Catechist Guide.  

Feast of Saint Wenceslaus (September 28) 

  • Discuss and celebrate Saint Wenceslaus. Information can be found on the Family Page in the Activity Booklet for Christmas/Epiphany, “The Gift of Jesus.”  

Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels (September 29)   

  • Discuss and celebrate Saint Gabriel the Archangel. Information can be found on the Family Page in the Activity Booklet, Chapter 18, “We Are Called to Share the Good News.” 

Kindergarten 

  • September 29 is the Feast of Saint Michael and All Angels. Recall the Scripture passage of the Angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary in Chapter 1 of the Bible Story Booklet.

October 

Grade 3 

Feast of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux (October 1)

  • Discuss and celebrate Saint Thérèse, the “Little Flower.” Information can be found on the Family Page in the Activity Booklet, Chapter 1, “We Belong to the Body of Christ.”
  • Share the Good News!  Play “Good News Tag” which is found on page 220 of the Catechist Guide.
  • How do we treat people?  Complete the handout, “Love God and Others,” on page 173 of the Catechist Guide to find out. (Ignore the direction line concerning the circled letter.) Answer: Love means treating people in a good way.

Saint Francis of Assisi (October 4)  

  • Use the activity, “Saint Francis,” on page 255. Watch the YouTube video and discuss a day in his life. There is also information about Saint Francis on the Family Page in the Chapter 4 Activity Booklet, “We Care for the Earth.”  

Kindergarten 

  • October 7 is the Feast of the Holy Rosary. The Announcement of the Angel Gabriel to Mary is the first joyful mystery. Recall the conversation between Mary and the angel, and discuss the meaning of conversation in the activity, “Conversation: Talking and Listening,” found in the Catechist Guide on page 10.

November 

Grade 3 

All Saints Day (November 1)  

  • To begin a discussion of saints, use the Engage Activity on page 248 in the Catechist Guide.
  • Use the All Saints’ Litany prayer service on page 253 of the Catechist Guide.
  • Take a tour of the parish by following “Our Parish Saints,” found on page 162 of the Catechist Guide.
  • Find the saints in the classroom! Use the activity, “All in the Family” and discuss a saint that is associated with each child. This activity is on page 162 of the Catechist Guide.
  • Mark it. Complete the handout, “Marks of the Church,” on page 205 of the Catechist Guide for a review of the Marks of the Church. (Ignore direction line concerning the circled letter.) Answer: Catholic and Apostolic  

 Saint Cecilia (November 22)  

  • Discuss and celebrate Saint Cecilia. Information can be found on the Family Page in the Palm Sunday Activity Booklet, “A New Kind of King.”

Saint Andrew the Apostle (November 30)  

  • Discuss and celebrate Saint Andrew the Apostle. Information can be found on the Family Page in the Easter Activity Booklet, “Celebrating the Resurrection.”
  • Create mini stain glass windows by using the “Sandpaper Art” idea on page 254 of the Catechist Guide.

Kindergarten 

  • Remind your group that the Christmas story began when the Angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would be the Mother of Jesus and the Mother of God. Use the activity, “Mary and the Angel” on page 11 of the Catechist Guide to lead your group through coloring the handout on page 12 of the Catechist Guide.

December  

Grade 3  

Advent  

  • Use the Core Teaching points on page 105 of the Catechist Guide and the “Church Year Calendar” handout on page 326 to explain the liturgical year.
  • The handout, “The Church Year,” on page 111 of the Catechist Guide will tell you the reason for the season. (Ignore the direction line concerning the circled letter.) Answer: Jesus is the reason for the season.
  • Use the “A Paper Advent Wreath” Core Learning Activity (Craft) on page 260 of the Catechist Guide and the bullet points to learn about the season.
  • Use the prayer service on page 263 of the Catechist Guide, “Come, Lord Jesus!” to celebrate the Season of Advent.
  • Follow the directions for the “Advent Prayer in Sign” activity on page 264 of the Catechist Guide for a kinesthetic way to pray.
  • The “Christmas Ornament Countdown” activity on page 264 of the Catechist Guide will remind the children to do kind and loving deeds during Advent.
  • A video suggestion is given in the “All About Advent” activity on page 265 of the Catechist Guide that can be used to learn about the season. 

Saint Lucy (December 13)  

  • Discuss and celebrate Saint Lucy. Information can be found on the Family Page of the Advent Activity Booklet, “The King is Coming.”

Kindergarten 

  • Use the Closing Prayer on page 19 of the Catechist Guide, inviting the children to repeat the words and actions after you. 
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