How to Keep Children Engaged and Motivated to Participate in Church on Sundays
Sundays are more than a weekly tradition—they're a sacred time to rest, reconnect, and reflect. For Catholic families, it is a chance to grow closer to God, each other, and the larger Church community. But let’s be honest: getting kids excited about going to church isn’t always easy!
With some creativity and a lot of love, church can be a fun and meaningful experience that kids look forward to.
1. Lead with Joy, Not Obligation
Children imitate what they see. When Sunday Mass is seen as a joyful celebration instead of a weekly chore, kids are more open to it.
🕊️ Tip: Make Sunday mornings special. Light a candle, play gentle praise music, and enjoy breakfast together as a family.
💡 Product spotlight: Add a peaceful touch to your child’s prayer corner with our Guardian Angel Figurine.
2. Prepare Them Before the Mass
Help kids understand what they’ll experience during Mass by giving them context. Talk about the Gospel, explain key symbols, or discuss the saint of the day.
- Read a simplified Bible story that aligns with the Sunday readings.
- Challenge them to “listen for” a certain word or story during Mass.
🧸 Helpful tool: Our Saint Plushies are a comforting companion for church—soft, quiet, and faith-filled!
3. Engage Their Eyes, Ears, and Hearts
Church is full of rich symbols and rituals. Help your children notice the beauty around them—the stained-glass windows, the music, the incense, the vestments.
- ✨ Sit near the front so they can see everything clearly.
- 🎨 Bring along:
- A child-friendly missal or Mass book
- A Saint Fridge Magnet to hold during prayers
- A simple rosary from our Children’s Rosaries Collection
4. Let Them Belong
Kids are more motivated when they feel they belong. Encourage them to sing, respond, and stand tall during the prayers. If your parish has a children's choir or altar server program, explore those together!
👨👩👧👦 Affirm their efforts: “I loved how you sang today” or “You were so reverent during the prayer.”
🩰 Idea: Reward their progress with a special keepsake. Try our Ballerina Saints Collection. It’s perfect for young girls learning to worship with grace.
5. Build Faith into the Week
Mass is just the beginning! Reinforce the lessons from Sunday by weaving faith into daily routines:
- 🌟 Say morning and evening prayers together
- 📅 Celebrate feast days with crafts or baking
- 🎧 Listen to saint stories on audio or podcasts
- 🎁 Gift them a figurine of their favorite saint from our All Figurines Collection
6. Focus on Connection, Not Perfection
Some days will be tough. That’s okay. The goal isn’t a flawless hour of Mass—it’s helping your child grow in love for God and others.
🎉 Celebrate small wins: “You sat quietly during the homily!” or “You remembered the Our Father!”
💛 Let your child know that God is always happy they came—no matter how wiggly or restless they were.
Why This Connection Matters
When children participate in church, they grow in faith, identity, and belonging. They learn:
- That they are part of the Body of Christ
- That Sunday is a time of joy, not pressure
- That faith is something we live together
It’s a beautiful way for families to bond. They can worship side-by-side and walk the path of holiness together.
Let Sunday Be the Heart of Your Week
Church doesn’t have to be hard—it can be holy, heartwarming, and even fun. With patience, consistency, and a dash of creativity, your children can come to love going to church.
So light the candle, hold their hand, and take that first step through the church doors. Grace is waiting.
🙏 From our Little Drops of Water family to yours, may every Sunday bring you closer to God, and closer to each other.