A Simple, Meaningful Lenten Activity for Your Family

Tami Kiser suggests the very simple, fun, and incredibly meaningful activity of reading a Narnian story aloud with your family this Lent. 

I know what you are thinking.  

“I’ve failed so many other times with “family Lenten” activities in the past. With the best intentions I begin great Lenten pursuits–usually involving a committed time of prayer and/or reading, and I never complete them!”  

I completely get it.  That has definitely been me.  But first of all, I want you to know that even if it’s poorly done, and even if it's just for a day or two, it is still something. God both loves and rewards these efforts. So yes, good for you!! 

A Simple Lenten Activity for Busy Families

I wanted to propose something a little different this year for your family. Something easier, but oh, so meaningful. Perfect for busy families. I’m proposing a very simple read aloud as a family using The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.    

Now, before I have naysayers rejecting this on both sides of this proposal, please hear me out.  And by both sides of the proposal I mean those who think this is “too difficult to do” and those who think “this isn’t good enough to do for Lent.”   

• I have mapped out a reading plan so that it only takes about 30 minutes a week to do. I’ve even split the weekly readings so that they can either be done in one setting or in three settings. For example, a family can take 10 minutes after dinner 3 times a week. Or a family might want to take Sunday evening and spend 30 minutes together doing this.  

• Most, if not all, children find the story captivating and fun. All ages! Yes, even teens. It’s not a chore to have to sit and listen to it.   

• But it’s not just entertaining. The story has deep meaning, dealing with sin, suffering, redemption, betrayal, and hope that your family will love digging into and discussing. Like I said, perfect for Lent. 

• Finally, it’s something to do together! Reading aloud has a magic of its own. It’s bonding like being together in a good story can do. It also takes us away from our screens and puts us all into the same room, sharing and talking together.   

What's not to like?

A Simple Plan to Read Together this Lent

Finally, my husband and I have put together a website, ReadNarnia.org, with more information to make it easy. On there you can sign up for a weekly email that will tell you the readings for the week, some discussion questions to take it deeper, and some other activities, such as coloring pages or trivia games. There is no cost.  

We put this together for this Lent for the families who attend our summer camps and thought, why not share this with as many other families as possible? Take a look and consider joining us this Lent to ReadNarnia.org together!  

If you’ve never read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, or it’s been awhile, you are in for a treat!  It improves with every reading.   

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Copyright 2026 Tami Kiser
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