Trinity Sunday Family Fun

Coloring Pages:

Trinity @ What’s in the Bible

Food:

Trinity Sundae’s @ Catholic Icing

Tacos for Trinity Sunday @ Catholic Cuisine

Tres Leches Cake @ Catholic Cuisine

Trinity Cookies @ Catholic Cuisine

Tricolor Pasta @ Catholic Cuisine

Trinity Cookies @ Blommi

Activities:

I Believe Trinity Mobile @ Look to Him and Be Radiant

Preschool Trinity Craft @ Catholic Icing

Teaching Kids About the Trinity with Apples @ Catholic Icing

Sign of the Cross Copywork @ Real Life at Home

Thanks for reading!

Pentecost Family Fun

 

Today we celebrate Pentecost, the birthday of the Church!  Did you know Pentecost is more important than Christmas?  Yeah, me neither!  To read more about this Feast, visit Catholic Child and Catholic Culture.

Coloring Pages:

Pentecost @ Catholic Playground
Holy Spirit Dot to Dot @ Catholic Playground
Pentecost @ Drawn 2B Creative
3^rd Glorious Mystery: Pentecost @ St. Anne’s Helper

Crafts:

Holy Spirit Handprint Dove @ Catholic Icing
Gifts of the Holy Spirit Paper Plate Dove @ Catholic Icing
Tongues of Fire Hat Craft @ Catholic Icing
Holy Spirit Pin-less Pinwheel @ Catholic Inspired
Pentecost Spinner @ Christian Crafters
Pentecost Playdough Mat @ Flame: Creative Kids Ministry
A Windsock for Pentecost @ Shower of Roses
Picture Puzzle for Pentecost @ That Resource Site (paid membership required)
 
Educational:
Pentecost Lapbook @ Rosary Mom
Gifts of the Holy Spirit Minibook @ Drawn 2B Creative
Elementary Pentecost Lesson Plan @ The Catholic Toolbox
 
Food:
Pentecost Cookies @ Mama’s Little Ditty
Holy Spirit Crackers @ Catholic Cuisine
Spicy Pentecost Brunch @ Catholic Cuisine
Twelve Fruit Salad (Fruits of the Holy Spirit) @ Catholic Cuisine
7 Layer Dip (Gifts of the Holy Spirit) @ Catholic Cuisine
Tongues of Fire Cupcakes @ Catholic Cuisine
Pentecost Cake @ Catholic Icing
Pentecost Sundaes @ Catholic Icing
Holy Spirit Pancakes @ Family at the Foot of the Cross
Pentecost Parfaits @ Catholic Mom
 
Prayers:
Chaplet to the Holy Spirit @ Catholic Mom
Come Holy Spirit @ Catholic All Year
3^rd Glorious Mystery of the Rosary: Pentecost @ TotusTuus
St. Augustine’s Prayer to the Holy Spirit @ Ana St. Paul

You can find most of these links on my Easter Pinterest Board:
Follow Andrea's board Catholic Kids: Easter on Pinterest.

Thanks for reading!

Family Fun for the Feast of the Ascension

Happy Ascension Thursday!  Am I the only one that's bummed that most diocese, including mine, have moved this Holy Day of Obligation to Sunday instead?  Regardless if you are one of the lucky few celebrating today, or are waiting until Sunday, I have a roundup of fun activities to celebrate our Lord ascending to Heaven 40 days after his Resurrection.

Coloring Pages:

Feast of the Ascension @ Catholic Playground
Ascension @ Sanctus Simplicitus
Ascension @ St. John the Baptist

Food:

Heavenly Assumption Parfait @ Catholic Cuisine

Activities:

Ascension 3D Craft @ Catholic Inspired
Ascension of Jesus Craft @ RE Teacher
Ascension Craft @ Ten Kids and a Dog
Ascension Pull Tab @ Catholic Playground
Ascension Day Worksheets @ Sanctus Simplicitus

Misc:

Start the Novena to the Holy Spirit in Preparation for Pentecost @ EWTN

Most of these activities can be found on my Easter Pinterest Board.
Follow Andrea's board Catholic Kids: Easter on Pinterest.

Thanks for reading!

May Saints and Feast Days

Month of Mary
May is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.  There are so many beautiful ways to honor her this month!

Coloring Pages:
Queenship of Mary @ Waltzing Matilda
Mary Queen of Heaven @ Real Life at Home

Activities:
Paper Vase/Bouquet @ Catholic Inspired (doubles as a Mother’s Day gift!)
30 Minute May Crowning for Toddlers @ Catholic Mom
Preschool May Crowning Craft @ Catholic Icing
May Crowning Craft @ Faith Filled Freebies
May Crowning @ Catholic Icing
Mary Diorama @ Catholic Sistas

Food:

Rice Krispie Crown @ Catholic Cusine
Queenship Cheese and Cracker Crown Platter @ Catholic Cuisine
Edible Mary Bouquet @ Catholic Cuisine
Marian Titles May Crowning Luncheon @ Catholic Cuisine
A Feast for Mary’s Month of May @ Catholic Cuisine

May 1st - St. Joseph the Worker

Coloring Pages:
St. Joseph @ Drawn 2B Creative
St. Joseph the Worker @ Catholic Inspired

Activities:
St. Joseph the Worker Chore Chart @ Catholic Inspired
St. Joseph Memory Match Playing Cards @ Shower of Roses
St. Joseph Learning Packet @ Real Life at Home (minimal cost)

Food:

St. Joseph’s Sawdust Pasta @ Serious Eats

May 2nd - St. Athanasius

Doctor of the church who fought against the Arian heresy.

Coloring Pages:

St. Athanasius @ Sanctus Simplicitus

May 4th: St. Florian

Early Roman martyr.  He was a soldier who was burned alive for his faith.  Patron of Firefighters.

Coloring Pages:
Unfortunately I couldn’t find any!  This may be a project I work on soon as this is one of my son’s favorite saints!

Food:

Flame/Fire Themed Snacks @ Hostess with the Mostess

May 10: St. Damien of Molokai

Belgian priest who volunteered to minister to quarantined lepers in Hawaii.

Coloring Pages:

St. Damien @ Waltzing Matilda

Food:

Hawaiian Luau @ Living Life Simply
Hawaiian Chicken Kabobs @ Catholic Mom

May 12th: Blessed Imelda Lambertimi

Patron saint of first communicants.

Coloring Pages:

Blessed Imelda @ Saints to Color

Craft:

True Prescence Craft @ Catholic Icing
Pool Noodle Monstrance @ Catholic Icing

Food:

Communion Wafer Waffle Breakfast @ Pinewood Castle

Communion Bento Box @ Bentology

 

Books & Media:

Let the Children Come to Me Glory Story @ Holy Heroes
The Bread of Life DVD @ Brother Francis

May 13th: Our Lady of Fatima

Coloring Pages:
The Day the Sun Danced coloring page @ CCC of America
Our Lady of Fatima @ Catholic Playground
Miracle of the Sun Booklet @ Teachers Pay Teachers
OLF Stained Glass @ St. John the Baptist

Food:

Miracle of the Sun Morning Breakfast @ Catholic Cuisine
Miracle of the Sun Liturgical Tea @ Catholic Cuisine
Our Lady of Fatima Garden Party @ Family at the Foot of the Cross

Books & Media:
The Day the Sun Danced DVD @ CCC of America

May 15th: St. Isidore

Food:
St. Isidore Pumpkin Cupcakes @ Catholic Cuisine

Activities:

Plant a garden and decorate w/ garden sign @ Catholic Inspired
St. Isidore Produce Sorting Game @ Catholic Inspired
 
May 20th: St. Bernardine of Siena
Franciscan priest known for devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus.  He developed the IHS symbol.
Coloring Page:
Black and White Paper Doll @ David Claudon
Holy Name of Jesus Coloring Page @ Look to Him and Be Radiant

Activities:

Paper Doll @ David Claudon

May 21st: St. Christopher Magallanes and Companions

Group of 22 Mexican priests martyred for their faith by the Anti-Catholic Mexican government in the 1920’s.  This is a difficult story and not a lot of resources for children are available. I add this here, because I feel it is important to expose children to the idea of modern persecution, especially in light of what is currently happening with ISIS.
 

May 22nd: St. Rita of Cascia

Incorruptible saint who experienced a crown of thorns stigmata.
Coloring Pages:
St. Rita @ Catholic Playground

Food:

Fig Newtons and Rose Tea @ Catholic Cuisine

Activities:

St. Rita Diorama @ Catholic Sistas
 

May 26th: St. Philip de Neri

Cheerful priest who revived the practice of frequent Holy Communion.
Coloring Page:
St. Philip Neri @ Waltzing Matilda
 

May 30th: St. Joan of Arc

Coloring Pages:
St. Joan of Arc @ St. John the Baptist
Joan of Arc @ Catholic Playground
Joan of Arc w/ Angels @ Catholic Playground
Joan of Arc @ Catholic Heritage Curricula
Joan of Arc 2 @ Catholic Heritage Curricula

Food:

Quiche Lorraine @ Catholic Cuisine

Books & Media:

God’s Hero on Horseback Glory Story @ Holy Heroes

Moveable Feasts
Ascension @ Homeschool Is Where the Heart Is
Pentecost @ Homeschool Is Where the Heart Is (Coming Soon)
Trinity Sunday @ Homeschool Is Where the Heart Is (Coming Soon)

Follow Andrea's board Liturgical Year: May on Pinterest.
Thanks for reading!

Our Easter Octave 2015

We had a great Easter octave and have enjoyed adding some Easter fun into our week.

Easter Morning Fun

Park Picnic as one of our daily Easter fun calendar activities.

Easter Party with our Co-op after Friday morning Mass

Divine Mercy Sunday Fun!

Thanks for reading!

April Saints and Feast Days

I made a commitment a couple of years ago to try to teach my children about the saints and to incorporate their feast days into our daily learning time.  Honestly, most of the time I don't get further than handing them a coloring page at the beginning of the day and reading a short bio, but that is definitely better than nothing!  I know my kids love learning about the saints and how various members of our Catholic family lived and died.  Since I didn't grow up learning much about saints, it is fun for me too!

Every month I put together a Pinterest list and word document full of ideas for celebrating feast days but have never really thought about sharing them with the world.  I noticed how many views my other resource lists have received so I think this is something that people might be interested in seeing!  Enjoy!

General April Resources 

April Saints Crossword @ Real Life at Home
10 April Activities for Catholic Families @ Real Life at Home
April Book Basket and April Links @ Shower of Roses
 
April 11^th – St. Stanislaus
Coloring Page:
St. Stanislaus

April 12^th – Divine Mercy Sunday

Resources and Links @ Homeschool is Where the Heart Is

April 16^th – St. Bernadette Soubirous

Coloring Pages:
Bernadette at Lourdes
Our Lady of Lourdes @ Catholic Playground
St. Bernadette @ Catholic Playground
B is for St. Bernadette @ Saints to Color

Books:

St. Bernadette: The Miracle of Lourdes by Brunor
Bernadette – the Little Girl from Lourdes by Sophie Maraval-Hutin

Movies:

Bernadette – The Princess of Lourdes
Bernadette
The Passion of Bernadette
The Song of Bernadette

April 23^rd – St. George

Books:
St. George and the Dragon by Margaret Hodges
The Saint Who Fought the Dragon by Cornelia Mary Bilinsky

Coloring Pages:
St. George @ CHC
George & Dragon
2 St. George coloring pages and stories @ Crusaders for Christ

Activities:
Make a St. George Pinata and beat it!  Talk about the battle between good & evil.
Fire breathing dragon craft

Food:
Fish n Chips
St. George and the Dragon Vegetable Plate
Dragon Cake
Red Cross Crispies

School Work:
Copywork
Learning Packet

April 25^th – St. Mark

Coloring Page:
St. Mark @ Waltzing Matilda

Food:
Various recipes @ Catholic Cuisine
 
April 27^th – St. Zita
Coloring Page:
St. Zita @ Catholic Playground
Z is for Zita @ Saints to Color

Crafts:
St. Zita Finger Puppet @ Catholic Icing

April 28^th – St. Gianna Beretta Molla

Coloring Page:
G is for St. Gianna

Food:
Coffee Cannoli @ Catholic Cuisine
 
April 29^th – St. Catherine of Sienna
Coloring Page:
St. Catherine @ Waltzing Matilda
Catherine of Siena @ Crusaders for Christ
St. Catherine of Siena @ Catholic Playground

Food:
Pasta Santa Caterina @ Catholic Cuisine

Thanks for reading!
Follow Andrea's board Liturgical Year: April on Pinterest.

Easter Resource Megalist

One of the things I love about being Catholic is that we know how to party!  At Christmastime, when the whole world is packing up the decorations and moving on with life, we still get several more weeks to sing Christmas carols, enjoy our decorated trees, and reflect on the beauty of God incarnate.

The same thing goes with Easter!  While everyone else crams as much Easter fun into one day, we get 50 whole days of Easter to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord!  I’ve compiled a megalist of activities you can do to celebrate the Easter season, which lasts all the way to Pentecost.  To learn more about the Easter season, take some time to explore the Easter Workshop @ Catholic Culture.  Also, if you need a place to organize/keep all your Easter season plans, Sanctus Simplicitus has a great planning page download available for free!

1. Start and follow an Easter countdown calendar (similar to an Advent/Christmas/Lent calendar) to help you count the days of Easter leading up to Pentecost.

Easter Countdown Calendar @ Catholic Icing
50 Plastic Egg Easter Calendar @ Equipping Catholic Families
Easter Calendar @ Wee Little Miracles
50 Days of Easter Cross @ Family at the Foot of the Cross
The Garden of the Good Shepherd Sticker Calendar @ Amazon
 
2. Pray the Stations of the Resurrection!  These are a counterpart to the Stations of the Cross and showcase the events after the Resurrection.
Stations of the Resurrection Box @ The Bookworm
Via Lucis Art Appreciation & Prayer Cards @ Family in Feast and Feria
The Way of Light Minibook @ Look to Him and Be Radiant
The Way of Light Easter Sunrise Craft @ Look to Him and Be Radiant
The Way of Light Story in a Bag @ Look to Him and Be Radiant

3.  Learn about Easter legends and symbols.
The Legend of the Dogwood Flower Symbolism @ Catholic Icing
The Legend of the Dogwood Flower Craft @ Catholic Icing
The Legend of the Dogwood story & printable craft @ Catholic Inspired
Mary Magdalene and the Red Egg Story @ Catholic Icing
The Legend of the Three Trees Craft @ Teach Beside Me
The Legend of the Three Trees Video @ Youtube
The Tale of the Three Trees Craft @ God Family Crafts
The Tale of the Three Trees Homeschool Printable Pack @ Homeschool Share
Easter Symbols Booklet @ Waltzing Matilda
Easter Symbols Download @ Sanctus Simplicitus

4.  Make a cross craft or two!

Oil Pastel Light Ray Cross @ Housing a Forest
Easy Toddler Tape Resist Cross @ Catholic Icing
Salt Cross Painting @ Catholic Icing

5.  Make an Easter egg craft as well!
Crayon Resist Easter Egg Cross @ The Crafty Classroom
Hidden Cross Easter Egg @ Amy’s Free Ideas
Symbol of the Easter Egg Craft @ Catholic Inspired

6.  Use food to learn about and celebrate Easter.
Resurrection Rolls @ Catholic Icing
Easter Cross Krispies @ The Celebration Shoppe
Easter Tomb Treats @ Free n Fun Easter

7.  Read a few Easter books (or one for every day of Easter!).  The library is our best friend with this one.
Best Picture Books of the Easter Story @ Catholic Icing
Children’s Picture Books for Eastertide @ Two O’s + More
8 Picture Books for Lent and Easter @ Carrots for Michaelmas
Picture Books for Easter @ Shower of Roses

8.  Decorate your house for Easter!

Easter 8x10 Prints @ Catholic All Year
Easter Cross Wreath @ Cheerios and Lattes
DIY Paschal Candle @ Shower of Roses
 
9.  Jesus’ resurrection comes during Spring, a season of new birth and beauty.  Get out in nature and have some fun!
Easter Story Nature Walk @ Our Journey Westward
Bird Seed Eggs @ Tutti Fiori
Paint with Dandelions @ The Ramblings of a Crazy Woman
Jellybean Prayer Nature Walk @ Our Journey Westward

10.  Who says you can only hunt Easter eggs on Easter Sunday?  Go on a unique egg hunt any day of Easter!

Jesus is Our Guiding Light Nightime Egg Hunt @ Catholic Inspired
Easter Egg Prayer Hunt @ Our Family for His Glory
You’ve Been Egged @ Fab n Free

10.  Reenact the Easter story through imaginary play.
Toilet Paper Tube Resurrection Set @ Catholic Icing
Resurrection Set @ Do Small Things With Love

11.  Spend some time working with your hands to put together an Easter themed handicraft.
Resurrection Pearler Bead Pattern @ Catholic Playground
Easter Story Lego Challenge @ Proverbial Homemaker
String Art Cross @ Dippity Dot
Simple String Art Cross @ Sun Hats and Wellie Boots
Easter Origami @ Housing a Forest
Cross Stitch Easter Egg @ Shower of Roses
 
12.  When all else crafty fails, there are always coloring pages!
Resurrection of Jesus Lego/Playmobile @ Catholic Inspired
He is Risen @ Ministry to Children
Stained Glass Crosses @ Homeschool Encouragement
Just Color Easter Pages @ 1+1+1=1
 
13.  Host an Easter Party!
Easter Party – Preschool Style @ From the Hive
Joyous Easter Tea @ Shower of Roses

14.  Switch up your homeschool or afterschool routine with some Easter themed learning!
Make an Egg Bounce @ Science Sparks
Easter Resurrection Printable Pack for Kids 2-7 @ 3 Dinosaurs
Egg Heads @ Nurture Store
Learning with Easter Eggs @ Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas
Easter Math Crosses Mystery Picture @ Real Life at Home
Easter Word Search @ Real Life at Home
 
Special Feast Day/Liturgical Year Link Lists
Divine Mercy Sunday @ Homeschool is Where the Heart Is
Good Shepherd Sunday @ Homeschool is Where the Heart Is (Coming Soon!)
Feast of the Ascension @ Homeschool is Where the Heart Is (Coming Soon!)
Pentecost @ Homeschool Is Where the Heart Is (Coming Soon!)
April Saints and Feast Days @ Homeschool is Where the Heart Is

Thanks for reading!

Follow Andrea's board Catholic Kids: Easter on Pinterest.