One of the challenges of raising multicultural kids is that we often have to work a little harder to keep certain traditions and parts of our culture alive. This past weekend, we celebrated Meskel, a big holiday in Eritrea and Ethiopia. Back home, it’s a huge event marked with bonfires, music, and community celebrations. Here in the United States, though, it tends to be smaller—usually celebrated within church communities, and it’s not something kids will hear about in school or see much in the media.
To help my son connect with this beautiful tradition, I wrote a kid-friendly story explaining what Meskel is all about and how it’s celebrated back home. I also created a few fun activities to go with it:
• A maze activity where he could trace the smoke leading to the True Cross
• Coloring pages of Saint Helena lighting her fire, Saint Helena finding the Cross, and a village Demera celebration
My son loved it, and I realized how meaningful it felt to share our faith and culture with him in a way that’s both fun and memorable. That’s why I decided to share these resources for free with friends and family who also have little ones.
Find it under free downloads or a download directly using this LINK
I’m planning to create something similar for each upcoming holiday so our kids can learn and celebrate these traditions in a way that speaks to them.
👉 Would you like me to keep sharing these resources? I’d love to hear your thoughts, ideas, or suggestions in the comments below!