Teaching Children the Purpose of Fasting

Colleen Mallette shares how to teach children the reason for fasting during Lent and ways they can still offer up their sacrifices.  

We are in the second full week of the wonderfully spiritual season of Lent. As challenging as this season is, I look forward to it every year because it brings me even closer to my Loving Father than during any other time of the year. There are so many (almost too many) reflections out there to read or listen to, so many more opportunities to be at church for varieties of prayer services and sacraments, and the reality of reliving our Savior’s ultimate sacrifice can’t help but grow our gratitude for His suffering for our sakes.

I attended a retreat this past weekend and was told right in the beginning that “our only purpose in life as a Christian is to praise God.” Nothing else matters — not fame, money, success, having children, or traveling the world. God made us in His Image out of love, and our only response is to focus on Him and return that love in right praise. This includes loving all of the other people He created, which means when we love our spouses, children, or the stranger on the street, we are loving Our Creator too.

We are called to praise God by serving, honoring, worshipping (individually and communally), and striving to living wholesomely. We are called to share our faith with others and “the reason for our hope” (1 Peter 3:15) in order to give Him glory.

Fasting and Spiritual Growth

One of the visible signs of praise and trying to grow in spirituality during Lent comes from fasting. This is an important thing to teach our children from a young age, as it starts a habit they will remember their whole lives. It may be the primary thing they associate with the Lenten season even though you make the effort to take them to additional church services and encourage them to donate some of their allowance too.

Teaching children the reason for fasting is important. If they are just fasting because you tell them to or because their friends at school are doing it, that doesn’t help them understand it or have the courage to stick to it.

The 40 days of Lent coincides with the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert prior to starting His public ministry. He used this time to pray and get prepared for fulfilling His mission, which of course culminates with His death and Resurrection. During these 40 days, Satan tempted Jesus, Who was weakened from not eating. But Jesus was able to resist temptations, willingly adhering to God's plan as described in Scripture and knowing the angels were with Him.

Therefore, when we vow to fast during these 40 days, we are copying Jesus’ way of preparing our hearts and souls for Easter by also sacrificing something. God doesn’t expect us to starve ourselves for that whole time, but in “giving up” things we like to eat, drink or do, we are unified to His period in the desert. When desiring that item we’ve given up, it gives us the opportunity to remember Jesus and His sacrifice. We are to use that reminder to pray to Him for strength and to thank Him for His sacrifice and protection. It is also helpful to fast by actively doing something positive and sacrificial, such as doing extra chores or offering compliments.

Ways Children Can Fast

Helping your children choose age-appropriate ways to fast can help them get more out of Lent by making it reasonable yet challenging.

For Grade-Schoolers:

• Give up candy, chips, favorite breakfast option, or after-school treat

• Give up playing a favorite game

• Do chores without being asked or grumbling

• Do something nice for a sibling

For Middle- and High-Schoolers:

• Give up chocolate, coffee, fast food, pizza, or late-night snacks

• Give up time on phones or social media at certain time daily, or for one whole day a week

• Compliment someone or do random acts of kindness

• Volunteer at a local charity

May God bless your Lenten season.

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Copyright 2026 Colleen Mallette
Images: Canva