Bringing our children to Mass is one of the most important responsibilities we have as Catholic parents and learning how to pack a Mass bag is key to making that happen more easily! Even on the hard days when it feels like an uphill battle, it’s crucial to remember that we are planting seeds of faith in their hearts. Yes, there will be moments when they wiggle, squirm, and maybe even need a trip to the back room, but these experiences are all part of teaching them to love and cherish the Holy Mass.
It’s our sacred duty to raise saints for the Kingdom of God, and that begins with consistently showing up, even when it’s challenging. By exposing our children to the beauty of the liturgy, the reverence of prayer, and the presence of Christ in the Eucharist, we are fulfilling our vocation as parents to guide them toward Heaven.
Make Mass Great Again
Going to Mass with a sleeping newborn feels like a breeze compared to a year later when all they want to do is get out of your arms and run. Going to Mass can feel like torture for moms of feisty toddlers! Don’t throw in the towel and stay home though. We can make Mass great again!
To make Mass more manageable for little ones, packing Mass bags filled with engaging resources can be a game-changer. When children have something quiet to do, like flipping through a Catholic picture book or holding a small, soft saint doll, it helps them stay calm and focused during the liturgy.
For toddlers and anxious children who might find sitting still difficult, these thoughtfully packed bags can turn an overwhelming experience into a peaceful one. It’s about giving them the tools they need to participate in the Mass in their own way, helping them feel included and connected to the sacred space.
Toy Rotation for Mass Bags
In our home, we pack four different Mass bags and rotate them each week. This is a bit like toy rotation but for Mass, and it works wonders! By switching out the bags, it keeps things fresh and exciting for the kids, reducing boredom and helping them look forward to Mass each week.
Each bag is packed with different quiet activities for my sons ages 5-10, from pop-it toys to coloring books, so there’s always something new to engage their attention. This small routine helps ensure our Sundays are a little smoother, allowing us to focus on the most important thing—worshipping God together as a family.
I’ve received a ton of DMs and emails asking what exactly we put in our Mass Bags so this is a long overdue post!
What’s A Mass Bag?!
You can use any tote bag, book bag or backpack to bring items to Mass. I personally prefer cotton tote bags because they can be easily throw in the wash if it gets dirty.
So, I recently designed the official Raising Wild Saint’s Little Mass Bag! It is now available in the shop (and it’s organic cotton too!) If you want to pack a Mass bag, this is the first step:
now available!
Raising Wild Saint’s
LITTLE MASS BAG
How To Pack A Mass Bag
My kids also love the Mass Morning Menu™ that I made for them last year and I think your little ones will love it too! Sign up for our email newsletter to get a 10% off code and then grab it in the shop! (Also available on Etsy)
Mass Morning Menu ™
If you are looking to keep your Preschool or Kindergarten-aged kiddos engaged in a meaningful (and quiet!) way during Mass, look no further than our Mass Morning Menu™!
Over 20 pages of Mass-appropriate activities for your Catholic kids to do while quietly sitting on the pew. Calming colors, aesthetically pleasing images and artwork, and easy-to-read fonts make this a good choice for neurodivergent families as well.
Our Favorite Sunday Resources:
Here are some of the supplies and resources we love to keep in our Mass Bag!
Water reveal missal
This has been one of my kid’s favorite things in Mass lately. No mess and lots of fun with this Children’s Missal from Gather & Pray. Highly recommend this one!
Wooden Lacing Toys
Bringing items that will keep little hands busy is key when you want to pack a mass bag that keeps them entertained in a holy way. These wooden lacing toys are my autistic 7 year old’s favorite thing in Mass.
Holy Hearts Pop its
What’s better than fidget toys? Catholic fidget toys. Yup, these Holy Hearts pop its will keep those little hands busy while they are listening to the homily.
Come and See: Saints A to Z – An Alphabet of Catholic Saints
Meet 26 different amazing Saints from Church history! Alliteration abounds in this unique alphabet book, from award-winning author and illustrator Chantal Baros. An adorable addition to any mini Catholic library or your Mass Bag!
The Interior Castle of St. Teresa of Avila: A Mini Catholic Primer shaped book
Journey Inside St. Teresa of Avila’s Interior Castle, with the most unique version of the Interior Castle ever made! A great book for all ages and perfect for your Mass Bag!
St. Gianna Beretta Molla Rag Doll
St. Gianna Beretta Molla (April 28th) Patron of: mothers, physicians, families, wives, unborn children. Doll is 12″ tall and is a favorite of my 7 year old son. Shining Light Dolls has a growing selection of beautiful saint rag dolls!
When We Go to Mass – shaped board book
“When We Go To Mass” is a simple rhyming journey through the four parts of the Mass; Introductory Rites, Liturgy of the Word, Liturgy of the Eucharist, and Concluding Rites.
Saintly Scenes Book Set – Reusable Sticker Scene and Coloring Book – Set of Four Books
Hours of fun and play-based learning await inside the pages of these educational activity books! Inside each book you’ll find 6 beautiful sticker scenes, as well as 6 detailed coloring pages! The complete set includes 24 different Saints! The cling-style stickers can be easily repositioned, removed, and used over and over again for endless open-ended play possibilities!
The Canticle of the Sun: Of St. Francis of Assisi shaped book
“The Canticle of the Sun” was composed in Italian by St. Francis of Assisi in 1225. This beautiful song of praise to God has touched hearts for centuries and is now brought to life for little readers. This version of the poem is taken from a translation done in 1907.
Pack A Mass Bag For Babies & Toddlers
Chews Life Silicone Rosary
- Chewy teething cross
- Sturdy USA made paracord
- Snap clasp
- FDA-certified, food-grade silicone
- CPSIA Certified
- Lifetime guarantee
- Artisan-made in Michigan, USA
Catholic Crinkle Books
- High Contrast Colors: High contrast colors in the book aid in developing baby’s eyesight by making it easier for them to focus and differentiate shapes and patterns.
- Crinkle Paper: The crinkle paper inside stimulates auditory and tactile senses, helping babies develop fine motor skills and enhancing their sensory exploration.
Remember, bringing our children to Mass isn’t just about keeping them quiet or perfectly still—it’s about teaching them the value of faith, the importance of community, and the love of God that surrounds them in the liturgy. With a little preparation and creativity, you can pack a Mass bag and rotate the items in it weekly to make the time spent in the pew a positive and enriching experience for the whole family. Homeschooling for Heaven starts at birth and bringing them to Mass is how we do it!
Let’s embrace the beautiful messiness of parenting in the pews, trusting that God sees our efforts and blesses our children through them. Keep showing up, keep praying, and keep raising saints for His Kingdom.
