What is Ash Wednesday?

Kids Bible Stories

Jessica White

Kids & Family, Christianity, Religion & Spirituality, Stories For Kids

4.6 • 1.9K Ratings

🗓️ 18 February 2026

⏱️ 7 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Daniel 9:3 & Genesis 3:19 Today is Ash Wednesday, so today’s episode is a quick “Bible classroom” moment to help kids understand what Ash Wednesday is, what the ashes symbolize, and how it connects to Lent and our preparation for Easter. Not all Christian denominations observe Ash Wednesday, and even within the same denomination it can vary from church to church—but we still wanted kids to understand what it is in case they hear friends or others talk about it. In this episode, we explain: What Ash Wednesday is. What ashes are symbolic of. What Lent is Kid-friendly examples! Family Library Bonus Activity: If your family is part of the Kids Bible Stories Family Library, I’ve posted a fun Lent activity called a Resurrection Garden with pictures and step-by-step instructions. ➡️ Family Library / Resurrection Garden: here➡️ Browse our Easter Episodes: Go to kbspodcast.com → Podcast → search “Easter” (You can write down your favorite episode numbers and build your own Easter playlist!) Thanks for listening!

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hello again and welcome back to kids' Bible stories.
0:06.2	Today's episode is a little different than our normal because tomorrow is Ash Wednesday.
0:11.9	And I want to help you understand what that is.
0:15.2	So instead of a big story, this one is a quick Bible classroom moment.
0:21.6	While you listen, see if you can tell what do you already know?
0:26.6	And what is new to you today?
0:29.6	Um, Mom?
0:31.6	Yeah?
0:32.6	You've got something on your forehead.
0:34.6	Wait, what?
0:36.6	Right there. We're using those markers again and then on your forehead. Wait, what? Right there.
0:38.7	We're using those markers again and then touched your face because it looks like you got a smudge.
0:44.2	Okay, okay, good catch.
0:46.6	But nope, this isn't marker and it's also not dirt either.
0:52.2	Then what is it?
0:53.9	It's from something called Ash Wednesday. Some Christians
0:58.4	go to church on Ash Wednesday and a pastor may gently put a little bit of ashes on someone's
1:04.2	forehead, often in the shape of a cross. Ashes like from a fire? Yep, ashes.
1:11.6	But listen, the ashes, they're not magic, they don't make God love you more.
1:17.6	They're a symbol, like a picture that's showing us more, reminding us of something true.
1:24.6	Ash Wednesday is the day that begins a season called Lent. Does that
1:30.6	word sound familiar at all? Yes, actually. Lent leads up to Easter. But what's with the ashes?
	...

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