As Catholic parents and homeschoolers, we look for ways to help our children embrace their faith in daily life. The Corporal Works of Mercy provide meaningful opportunities to teach our kids about compassion, kindness, and active charity. Each of these actions – feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, visiting the sick, visiting the imprisoned, and burying the dead – mirrors Jesus’ love and calls us to help those in need.
To make these teachings come alive, I’ve created a free printable guide packed with easy and engaging activities for each work of mercy. This resource is perfect for young children to participate in hands-on acts of kindness that help others.
Practical Ways to Teach Each Work of Mercy
Here are some simple activities from the printable that allow your little ones to explore and practice each Corporal Work of Mercy. These ideas use minimal props and focus on developing empathy, love, and community awareness.
Feed the Hungry
Encourage your children to help prepare or serve meals for those in need. Simple acts, like making sandwiches or collecting canned goods for a local pantry, teach kids to care for others. Together, you might:
- Help prepare a meal at a local soup kitchen.
- Pack lunches for a food bank.
- Bake cookies to share with a family in need.
Give Drink to the Thirsty
Introduce your children to the need for clean water in communities worldwide. Consider setting up a lemonade stand, where proceeds can go to a water charity, or take part in collecting bottled water for shelters. Other ideas include:
- Making refreshing drinks to distribute on hot days.
- Supporting a charity that builds wells in developing areas.
Clothe the Naked
Teaching children to share clothing instills generosity and a sense of gratitude. Ideas from the printable include:
- Organizing a coat drive with friends or family.
- Sorting through outgrown clothes to donate to shelters.
- Decorating blankets to donate to foster care programs.
Shelter the Homeless
Involving children in projects for those without a home helps them understand the importance of shelter. Simple activities include:
- Making care packages with toiletries and snacks for a shelter.
- Hosting a family garage sale, donating proceeds to a homeless program.
- Creating “welcome home” kits for families transitioning out of homelessness.
Visit the Sick
Bringing joy to the sick fosters compassion. Your family might:
- Make “get well” cards to send to hospital patients.
- Prepare treats to bring to a nursing home.
- Assemble a small care package with comfort items for someone who’s ill.
Visit the Imprisoned
Children can bring comfort to those who are imprisoned through acts of kindness and prayer. They could:
- Write letters or draw pictures for a prison ministry.
- Participate in a family prayer for those incarcerated.
- Help organize a book drive for a prison library.
Bury the Dead
Honoring those who have passed teaches children about respect and remembrance. Activities include:
- Making sympathy cards for grieving families.
- Planting flowers or a tree in memory of a loved one.
- Organizing a family prayer service for deceased friends or relatives.
Download Your Free Printable
I’ve designed a printable activity guide with these ideas and more to help bring the Corporal Works of Mercy to life in your home. Each activity is a small step toward building a compassionate heart, and it’s a wonderful way to show kids the beauty of living a faith-filled life.
Together, let’s encourage our children to be Christ’s hands and heart to others, helping them experience the joy of loving and serving God through caring for those around them.
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