The Stations of the Cross for kids walk children through the last day of Jesus’ life in fourteen simple steps, from the moment he was condemned to death to the moment he was laid in the tomb. At each station, children look at the picture in church, hear what happened in a few simple words, and say a short prayer. Below are the fourteen stations explained for children, with a one-line prayer for each, the response everyone says at every station, and tips for parents, catechists and teachers. It takes about fifteen minutes, which makes it perfect for Fridays in Lent.
How to pray the Stations with children
Walk from station to station in church (or use pictures at home). At each station, an adult says the first line and the children answer:
V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.
R. Because by Thy holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
Then read what happened, say the short prayer, and move to the next station. In between, you can sing a verse of “At the Cross her station keeping” or simply walk in silence.
The 14 stations, explained for kids
1. Jesus is condemned to death. Pilate was afraid of the crowd and said Jesus must die, even though Jesus did nothing wrong.
Jesus, help me to always do what is right, even when others don’t.
2. Jesus takes up his cross. The soldiers put a heavy wooden cross on Jesus’ shoulders.
Jesus, help me to carry my hard things without complaining.
3. Jesus falls the first time. The cross was so heavy that Jesus fell down.
Jesus, when I fall, help me to get up again.
4. Jesus meets his Mother. Mary was there on the road. She loved Jesus and stayed with him.
Mary, stay with me when I am sad.
5. Simon helps Jesus carry the cross. The soldiers made a man named Simon help Jesus.
Jesus, help me to help others.
6. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus. A brave woman wiped Jesus’ face with a cloth.
Jesus, help me to be kind and brave.
7. Jesus falls the second time. Jesus was very tired and fell again.
Jesus, give strength to people who are tired and sick.
8. Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem. Some women were crying for Jesus. He told them to pray.
Jesus, teach me to pray for others.
9. Jesus falls the third time. Jesus fell a third time, but he kept going because he loves us.
Jesus, help me never to give up.
10. Jesus is stripped of his clothes. The soldiers took away Jesus’ clothes.
Jesus, help me to care more about you than about things.
11. Jesus is nailed to the cross. The soldiers nailed Jesus’ hands and feet to the cross. He forgave them.
Jesus, help me to forgive people who hurt me.
12. Jesus dies on the cross. Jesus gave his life for us. It was three o’clock in the afternoon.
Thank you, Jesus, for dying for me. I love you.
13. Jesus is taken down from the cross. His friends took his body down and gave it to Mary.
Mary, I am sorry Jesus suffered for my sins.
14. Jesus is laid in the tomb. They put Jesus in a tomb cut in the rock. But on Easter Sunday he rose again!
Jesus, I believe you are alive and with me always.
Ending prayer
Written for this page.
Dear Jesus, thank you for showing us how much you love us.
Help us to love you and to love each other.
We can’t wait to celebrate your Resurrection at Easter! Amen.
Tips for parents and teachers
- Keep it short. Read one or two sentences and the prayer; little ones can just say the prayer.
- Let children lead. Older children can read the stations aloud or carry a small cross.
- Use pictures. At home, print pictures of the stations or draw them together.
- Pray on Fridays of Lent, the traditional day for the Stations, especially Good Friday.
- End with hope: remind children that the story ends with Easter.
Frequently asked questions
At what age can children pray the Stations of the Cross?
Even preschoolers can follow along with pictures and simple prayers; older children can read the stations themselves.
How long do the Stations of the Cross take for kids?
About ten to fifteen minutes with the short explanations and prayers on this page.
Why are some stations not in the Bible?
The three falls and Veronica come from early Christian tradition. They help us imagine how much Jesus suffered for love of us.
More Lent pages
- Interactive Stations of the Cross
- Short Stations of the Cross
- Scriptural Stations of the Cross
- Act of Contrition for kids
- Catholic prayer for children
- Lent
Texts and sources
- Versicle and response: F. X. Lasance, With God (1911), public domain (Wikisource).
- Station explanations and children’s prayers written for this page.