Catholic Prayers for Children
The best Catholic prayers for children are short, traditional prayers said every day: the Sign of the Cross, the Our Father, the Hail Mary, the Glory Be, grace before and after meals, the Guardian Angel prayer ("Angel of God"), and a simple bedtime prayer with an Act of Contrition. Teach one or two at a time, pray them together at the same time each day, and let children add their own words of thanks.
Paid printable My First Catholic Prayers ($3.99): printable first prayers booklet with a weekly prayer chart. · Free Free Catholic Coloring Pages for Kids
First Prayers Every Catholic Child Should Know
A Simple Daily Prayer Routine for Kids
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On waking: the Sign of the Cross and the Morning Offering (little ones can say "Jesus, I give You my day").
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At meals: Grace Before Meals and Grace After Meals.
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At bedtime: thank God for one good thing, then the Act of Contrition and Angel of God.
The same pattern for grown-ups is on our Daily Prayer Schedule.
Morning Prayers for Kids
Grace at Meals
Guardian Angel Prayers
Bedtime Prayers for Children
Prayers Before and After Holy Communion
Children preparing for First Communion can learn the traditional words "Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst come under my roof; say but the word, and my soul shall be healed," and the Anima Christi to pray after receiving.
Prayers to Mary and the Saints
Acts of Faith, Hope and Love
Free Catholic Coloring Pages for Kids
Free Six printable coloring pages (Guardian Angel, Nativity, St. Francis, Our Lady, the Holy Family and Praying the Rosary), free to download and print at home, no purchase needed.
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All Catholic printables (free and paid)
Prayers for Parents to Pray for Their Children
Frequently Asked Questions
What prayers should a Catholic child learn first?
Start with the Sign of the Cross, the Our Father, the Hail Mary and the Glory Be. Then add grace before meals, the Angel of God prayer and a bedtime prayer. By First Communion most children also learn the Act of Contrition and the Apostles' Creed.
What is a good Catholic bedtime prayer for kids?
A simple bedtime routine is: the Sign of the Cross, a moment of thanks for the day, the Act of Contrition, the Angel of God prayer, and "Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul."
What is the Catholic grace before meals?
"Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen." After the meal: "We give Thee thanks, Almighty God, for all Thy benefits, who livest and reignest world without end. Amen."
What is the Guardian Angel prayer for children?
"Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God's love commits me here, ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen."
Are there free Catholic printables for kids?
Yes. The Free Catholic Coloring Pages for Kids are free to download and print. The prayer booklets in our shop are paid printables; buying one helps support the site.
At what age should children start praying?
As soon as they can watch you. Toddlers can make the Sign of the Cross and repeat short lines; by age five or six most children can say the Our Father and Hail Mary on their own.
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Further reading
When children are learning the first prayers, preparing for confession, or growing into the Rosary, these official guides are a good place to start.
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USCCB: Basic Prayers, the short prayers children usually learn first.
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USCCB: Examinations of Conscience, several official examinations, including one for children.
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USCCB: How to Pray the Rosary, the bishops' step-by-step guide.
More trusted sites are on our Catholic Resources page.
If these prayers help you, you can support Daily Catholic Prayers.
Questions: admin@dailyprayergroup.com (put "Daily Catholic Prayers" in the subject line)
Teresa
Printable Prayer Booklet for Kids
Paid printable My First Catholic Prayers ($3.99): an 18-page printable booklet with all of these prayers, a weekly prayer chart children can check off, and write-in pages for their own prayers.