All Saints Day ideas for Catholic families

1. Read a saint's story each night

In the week before November 1, read about a different saint each evening. Young children love hearing that saints were real people who were once children too, and a story at bedtime is easy to fit into a busy week.

Each of our picture books tells one saint's true story in ten short spreads, and ends with a simple prayer and a “Be a Little Saint” challenge your child can try the next day. See the books.

2. Dress up as a saint

Many parishes and homeschool groups hold an All Saints party where children come dressed as their favorite saint. Costumes don't need to be elaborate; a few things from around the house are enough. Some easy ideas:

• Saint Francis: A brown robe (an old brown bathrobe works well), a white rope or cord tied at the waist, sandals, and a toy bird or small stuffed animal to carry.
• Saint Thérèse: A brown dress or robe, a white scarf under a black one for her veil, and an armful of paper or silk roses.
• Saint Joan of Arc: A gray top with “armor” cut from cardboard or covered in foil, and a white banner on a long stick (a broom handle or wrapping-paper tube).
• Saint Nicholas: A red robe or cape, a tall bishop's hat folded from paper, a shepherd's staff made from a curled wrapping-paper tube, and a little bag of chocolate coins to share.
• Saint Clare: A brown robe with a rope belt, a white scarf and veil, and a small gold-painted cup like the one she holds on the book cover.

At the party, let each child tell everyone one thing about their saint. It's a lovely way for children to learn from each other.

3. Play “Who am I?”

Read a clue aloud and let the children guess the saint. Afterwards, invite them to make up clues about saints they know.

1. “I gave away my fine clothes, cared for people everyone else was afraid of, and called the sun my brother.”

   Who am I?

   Saint Francis

2. “I was told I was far too young, so I asked the Pope himself. I did small things with great love.”

   Who am I?

   Saint Thérèse

3. “I was a farm girl who put on armor and carried a white banner for God and my country.”

   Who am I?

   Saint Joan of Arc

4. “I was a bishop who tossed bags of gold through a window at night so no one would know it was me.”

   Who am I?

   Saint Nicholas

5. “I left my grand home to live simply for God, and I was Saint Francis's dearest friend.”

   Who am I?

   Saint Clare

4. Meet your child's patron saint

If your child is named after a saint, or has a saint from their Baptism or Confirmation, All Saints Day is the perfect day to learn about them together. Find out when their feast day is, and plan a small celebration for that day too, like a favorite breakfast or a candle at dinner.

5. Pray together

End the day with a short prayer. Even the youngest can join in with this simple line from the Litany of the Saints:

All you holy men and women, saints of God, pray for us.

You can also add the names of your family's own saints: “Saint Francis, pray for us. Saint Thérèse, pray for us.”

For a printable page with each saint's prayer and a week of simple challenges, download our free Be a Little Saint pages (PDF, opens in a new tab). Print as many as you need for your family, class or party.

6. Help choose the next saint

Which saint would your family love to read about next? Vote for your favorite or suggest a saint, and help decide which stories come next in the series.