Making the Mass Fun
Singing, Praising, and Participating
The Mass isn’t meant to be endured — it’s meant to be entered into.
For kids, though, that’s not always easy to see. They might hear the word “fun” and think of playgrounds and games, not prayer and pews. But “fun” in faith doesn’t mean being silly — it means being alive to what’s happening, joining in with joy, and discovering the beauty behind the rituals we repeat every week.
Here are a few ways to help your children (and yourself) rediscover the joy of the Mass.
1. Sing — Even If You Don’t Think You Can
Singing at Mass isn’t a performance; it’s prayer set to melody. Children love music — and when they see their parents singing, even softly, it tells them that this moment matters.
If they’re shy, whisper-sing along with them. Clap quietly or sway to upbeat hymns. Make a game of recognizing familiar songs:
“Hey, that’s the one we sang at Christmas!”
Encourage them to follow the lyrics in the missalette. Show them that the hymns tell stories, too — stories of praise, hope, and gratitude.
2. Watch for Movement and Meaning
Kids learn best through action. Point out the gestures, postures, and symbols of the Mass — and what they mean:
Why we stand during the Gospel (“We stand to hear Jesus speak.”)
Why we kneel (“It’s a moment of love and awe.”)
Why we make the Sign of the Cross (“It’s our way of saying, ‘I belong to God.’”)
Make it interactive. Before Mass, ask:
“Can you find the candles on the altar today?”
“Do you see what color Father’s vestments are?”
When kids understand the “why,” they naturally want to join in.
3. Make It a Family Adventure
Sometimes joy comes from changing the routine. Visit a different parish one weekend. Try a children’s liturgy or a Mass in another language. Notice how the music, artwork, and community might be different — but the prayers are the same.
This teaches kids that the Catholic Church is both big and familiar. No matter where you go in the world, the same sacred story unfolds.
(You can read more about this in “The Secret: It Doesn’t Matter Which Mass You Go To.”)
4. Give Them a Role
Kids love responsibility. Invite them to help in small ways that make them feel part of the experience:
Hand out hymnals as people arrive.
Help collect coats at the end of Mass.
Sit near the aisle so they can see the procession.
Even something as simple as lighting a candle after Mass or bringing up the gifts can turn church into something they look forward to.
(For more ideas, see “Little Hands, Big Faith: Helping Kids Take Part in the Mass.”)
5. Celebrate What You Heard
After Mass, ask questions that help your child reflect in their own words:
“What part did you like best today?”
“Did any song or story make you think about God?”
“If you could tell someone about church today, what would you say?”
Celebrate small moments of awareness. If they remember one line from the Gospel or one lyric from a song, that’s a victory.
Faith grows not through pressure, but through joy — through helping children see that church is where we meet our Friend, not where we “sit quietly for an hour.”
A Joyful Noise
The Mass is full of mystery, but also full of music, movement, and meaning — all waiting to be discovered. When we help our children see that, the word “fun” finds its place right alongside “holy.”
“The best way to teach children to love the Mass is to show them that it’s something worth smiling about.”