Designs by Birgit: Stations of the Cross Craft and Devotional Tools for Kids

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Stations of the Cross Craft and Devotional Tools for Kids

With Lent fast approaching, I've resurrected a couple of past Lenten crafts for kids from previous years. The EGG-straordinary Rosary Craft and Lenten Journey for Kids can be found in my most recent posts. This year I decided to create an easy to do (and use) Stations of the Cross craft for kids. There are several different ways you can use this craft, once it's completed. It could even be taken to church as a devotional tool for littles.

Stations of the Cross Craft Materials

Stations of the Cross Stickers (mine came from Autum and were purchased from my local Catholic Goods Store). If you can't find them, you can print out the prayer sheet and cut from there.

Mod Podge or other adhesive

Rounded, flat bottomed glass 'jewels'

Pen or pencil

Scissors

Paint brush

Prayer sheet - can be downloaded here.

Stations of the Cross Construction

Trace outline of glass jewel onto each sticker and cut out.

Using Mod Podge or spray adhesive and stick picture for each station onto bottom of a jewel.

After they are dry, coat the bottom of each jewel with Mod Podge for a protective coating.

Optional: use a hot glue gun to affix a magnet to the bottom of each Station.

Print out the prayer sheet.

Using the Stations of the Cross Craft

Give a brief explanation of the Stations of the Cross to your child(ren).

Begin with the Sign of the Cross.

As each Station is announced, say "Leader: We adore Thee, O Christ, and praise Thee. All: Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world". Genuflect when saying this prayer, if possible.

Read the description next to each station as you come to it.

Instruct your child to place the corresponding jewel onto the appropriate square. In this way, the child will have a way to participate in 'traveling' the Way of the Cross with Jesus.

You might want to add a personalized comment to help your child(ren) understand how the trials of Jesus are relevant to your family and all people. You could come up with dialog for each one or some general ideas. E.g. See how mean they were to Jesus? How do you think He felt? How do you think we should treat others? If someone is mean to us, what should we do?

Optional - laminate the prayer sheet.

Optional - using Mod Podge or other adhesive, stick prayer sheet onto a metal cookie sheet and add magnets to the underside of the Stations of the Cross jewels. This would allow this prayer tool to be a travel activity.

Optional - adhere magnets to the underside of the jewels and place the prayer sheet on the refrigerator for an alternate magnetic version.

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Useful Links:

Some interesting history about the Stations of the Cross can be found here: http://credidimus.wordpress.com/2009/04/26/stations-of-the-cross/

A devotional aid for praying the Rosary with young children: http://designsbybirgit.blogspot.com/2014/02/egg-straordinary-rosary-project-for-lent.html

A booklet for your child - to encourage good Lenten practices: http://designsbybirgit.blogspot.com/2012/02/my-lenten-journey-for-kids.html

Print out the Stations of the Cross Craft Prayer Sheet
http://tiny.cc/t9hybx

Designs by Birgit is a proud participant in the Keep Love in Lent linkup hosted by the following blogs. Please visit them for some awesome posts and an opportunity to link your own blog post.

Monica at Equipping Catholic Families