family prayer | Catholic Family Fun | pray the rosary
Getting kids to sit down and recite a whole Rosary is not always met with cheers and delight, as much as I wish that were the case. If I am telling the truth, I am sometimes met with groans and eye rolls alike. But when you lay out a donut Rosary, suddenly your kids are rallying to lead more prayers than their siblings.
There’s nothing complex about the Donut Rosary. The cross can be a construction paper cutout, or you can make a cross with donut holes. The Our Father and Glory Be prayers should be regular-sized donuts — whoever leads the longer prayers and Scripture verse for the Mystery gets a “big donut.” The Hail Marys should be donut holes — make a decade one flavor or mix them up. After you say your prayer or prayers, you get to eat the donut(s).
You will be amazed at the complaints about how unfair it was that Sister 1 got to lead more prayers than Sister 2 —haha!
Small Family—Scale it Down
Obviously, if you are a small family, this many donuts will feel like a lot, so there are a few alternatives. Make it a decade of donuts. This would require two large donuts for the Our Father and Glory Be and then 10 donut holes for the Hail Marys.
Another option is to buy a roll of brown craft paper and draw out the Rosary, leaving only donuts on every few prayers, so that everyone ends up with overflowing hearts rather than overstuffed bellies.
Invite Others—Throw a Rosary Party
Alternatively, invite a bunch of families over for a Donut Rosary, and then your Rosary can be laid out in full donut and donut hole perfection, assigning each child a section of three donut holes or one large donut. It will be a great morning where everyone’s souls are getting as full as their bellies. I know I will be hosting one on Election Day to pray for our country. I’ve invited our moms' group over, so we will have plenty of kids and adults to divide the donuts between. We’ll have regular Rosaries on hand for those who want them, but everyone will be able to follow along on the big Rosary of donuts.
Maybe you should host one, too!
Do you have creative ways to keep your kids engaged while praying a full Rosary? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Learn how to pray the Rosary with Family Rosary Resources.
Images: (top) Canva; all others copyright 2024 Nicole Berlucchi, all rights reserved.